by Molly McGill
The screw cut into Mia fingers and her knees and slumped back ached from crouching down so low, but she still scraped the last groove into the metal wall of the dining room. Pain was temporary, and this was important work, the most important work of her life. Mia wiggled back and lay flat on her stomach for a better angle, pushing her lank greasy hair out of eyes. She would shower when her work was done.
All of Mia’s notebooks ran out of space, the walls in Mia’s room were used up, and what used to be Alma and Domonic’s room next door was full. The fine dining room was much bigger and was easier to keep track of her work.
Mia’s damn nails were making it so hard to grip the little screw, she impatiently lifted her hand to her mouth and bit and tore the nails off each finger, until she was left with jagged stubs. Then she grabbed the screw again and worried the lined divot deeper into the wall.
‘Beep. Beep. Beep.’
Mia mouthed along to the morning message.
“Good morning, passengers! Breakfast is served. Please make your way to our fine dining establishment, and you’ll be served shortly! While you wait, why don’t you check out today’s activities? Or take in that beautiful view?’
On cue, Mia turned her head to the large window. The kelidoscope of pinks and blues taunting.
‘That view never gets old!’ Mia pitched her voice to match the jovial female speaker. She turned her head back to her important work, noting its full, uniform perfection. Another day of work completed.
Mia carefully placed the screw back in her pocket and nodded proudly at her tally, wiping away the smear of blood from where her torn fingers touched the wall. She had to add a few this time. It took a few days to find her screw when her scissors broke and the lost, uncounted days were unacceptable. Her fingernails didn’t and teeth didn’t do the job at all.
Mia turned to Alma, propped up against the wall.
‘Only two more years until we’re rescued, Alma. Hang in there!’
Alma didn’t respond since she was a corpse and not very chatty.
Molly McGill is a writer from County Derry, Ireland. She has a bachelor’s degree in film studies and creative writing from John Moores University and has a passion for writing and reading weird horror fiction.
