https://rosemadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/7-17-2.mov Jioni hyperventilated; she hated the simulation. Nothing about the Trial felt real. It was a liminal space, feeling dreamlike, with all her senses ignited and overwhelmed simultaneously. When she tried to step forward, it felt off. She attempted to find Tracey but couldn’t see her. “I believe in you,” Tracey said. “And I refuse …
https://rosemadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/7-16-1.mov “Jioni!” Tracey screamed. “You will be an Agent, right?” Jioni couldn’t respond. In fact, she could barely hear Tracey. Though she wanted to say yes, the words couldn’t form on her lips. It would be a lie. It wasn’t possible to take the test. And the indignity of realizing that she’d fail Tracey again …
https://rosemadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/7-15.mp4 Jioni stood up, carrying with her the embarrassment and shame of Tracey’s kind gesture. Though she wanted to feel relief that it was all solved, Jioni couldn’t ignore that she had found a new way to disappoint Tracey, making her job and life even more stressful. Jioni struggled to get any word out, but …
https://rosemadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/7-14-1.mov “Have you been to City Four? Heck, have you seen City Three? You couldn’t tell the difference between a wasteland and one of those cities. Geogen gives us uniforms, weapons, food, and water. We need things. We have things. All you guys ever do is beg for things we don’t have,” Tracey announced. “And …
https://rosemadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/7-13.mp4 “I can’t believe you failed one exam, and now you’re speaking like a delinquent,” Tracey said. “All I want is for you to be happy and live a good life, but you want to give up.” Jioni sat still. She tried her best to avoid Tracey’s concerned eyes, her wrinkles even more prominent. Every …
https://rosemadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/7-12.mov Tracey’s smile had sincerity to it. But Jioni knew she deserved better. She then remembered why she came, what she was here for: to propose her plan to help herself, Derrin, and now Tracey as well. Though the thought of speaking unsettled her, she found solace in Tracey’s smile. “What if we secede from …
https://rosemadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/7-11-2.mov Jioni’s body became stiff. If only Tracey knew that she was damaged and couldn’t take the test. That she had failed her unknowingly, and the guilt built up inside her. Like a hurricane, her mind spun with a sense of fraud. She sat in silence, using her fake smile as a shield, but Tracey …
https://rosemadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/7-10.mp4 Jioni spun in her chair and distracted herself by listening to the constant clacking of Tracey’s keyboard. She thought about what she said about her being a compassionate Agent. She smiled to herself, then frowned. Derrin was compassionate, too, but he seemed more than miserable. Jioni looked toward Tracey. “Do you think being an …
https://rosemadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/7-9.mp4 Jioni tried not to pry, but she read the papers quickly as she held them. One discussed earthquakes; another was a letter from Bree Prexy. Tracey snatched the paper from Jioni. “Don’t read those, hun. It’ll give you wrinkles.” Jioni chuckled. “Thanks, Jiji,” She took the last paper stack. “You have the compassion needed …
https://rosemadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/7-8.mov “Ok,” Jioni replied. “I’m just tired. I’m thinking a lot, you know? I’ve just been having a hard couple of weeks.” Tracey appeared to be only half listening. She typed in a hurry and, in her quick motion, knocked over some papers. “Ugh, I should’ve organized this this morning.” The papers flew into the …
