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Wednesday has come around again, and I’m happy to present this week’s flash fiction.
Even across light years, Karla’s mother found ways to press guilt on her. Reclining, she rubbed her temple as the woman’s image flickered on the display.
Karla hoped cosmic interference would disconnect the channel, and she wouldn’t have to respond. The fickle universe wasn’t complying. Karla’s mother stared at her with the same immovable gaze which haunted her childhood.
Karla, apparently, took too long to respond. Her mother pressed her again. “Persuade him to come. For my sake.”
Him. Karla’s brother Gerard, a man infinitely more skilled at dodging calls than Karla.
Him. Who’d taken a posting on this ship venturing through the Edge’s dredges rather than the cushy position in the ministry.
Him. Who’d sworn only that morning he wouldn’t go.
Gerard was as intractable as their mother and neither cared to explain what had caused their rift. Both made it her problem.
Karla sighed. “I’ll speak to him, but–”
“You’ll persuade him,” her mother cut her off. “You are the captain.” The communication terminated before Karla could respond.
Karla squeezed her eyes closed.
The door chimed, and whooshed open. Unsurprisingly, Gerard stood outside. Whatever issue he’d brought was shoved aside when he saw her expression.
“No,” Gerard said flatly.
“But–”
Gerard didn’t cut her off. An explosion did.
Gripping her chair, she swiveled toward the near port. Part of the engine drifting by let Karla know she didn’t need to press Gerard anymore. They weren’t making it home anytime soon.
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