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Defeat
My hand trembles as it holds the phone. I switch hands, and respond,
voice smiling, to my uncle. Look at it.

End phone call.

My hand blurs a bit. I blink, it’s clear. It blurs again. I take my finger, swipe
at a bit of moisture. Look at it.

The moisture is too small. Invisible. Figures.

I hear my mom wailing on the other side. I look up, at the meters-thick
stone walls surrounding me - separating us.

I look down.

Broken toy picks stare at me.

I pick one up.

Look at it.

I look at the wall.
Agatha Taiwo
Published in Issue 39