Water Stains

In the silence, an unprecedented passion came over Hesta. She gazed at the little poem she had just finished and suddenly felt her eyes grow hot. Thinking back to everyone's heartfelt recitations around the campfire the night before, Hesta finally understood what she had missed. But that was nothing to regret. On this night, with everyone gathered in a circle, she was the only spectator. After all, those within the scene could not stand apart and watch it.

Hesta recalled Liz once saying that everyone needed literature and music. Only in this moment, years later, did she understand what Liz had meant.

The next morning, amid the crowing of roosters, Hesta and the others made their final preparations in the hazy dawn light.

Everyone cleared away trash from the corners. Carrying a large black garbage bag, Hesta went back and forth between the collection point and the farmhouse yard until she was soon drenched in sweat.

"Jane! Your phone's ringing!" Eucali ran after her, holding Hesta's coat. "Do you want to answer it?"

"So early?" Hesta was somewhat surprised. "Who would call me at this hour?"

"I don't know. There's just a string of numbers on it." Eucali took out the phone. "Want to see?"

"Answer it. Put it on speaker for me."

The call connected.

"Morning, Jane." Madam Kaja's voice came through the phone. "I heard you want to challenge me to chess again. Has your game improved at all?"

Hesta stopped in her tracks, her dust-covered left hand hanging in midair. "It's you."

"That's right, it's me. I'm getting over jet lag, and I'll be going to sleep soon, so I can't talk for long... It should be daytime where you are, right?"

"Where are you?"

"Anyway, I'm not in District 14 right now." Madam Kaja laughed.