https://rosemadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/6-15.mov The new violin: expensive, beautiful, and everything she had ever dreamed of—yet she never used it—Its silence called out for LaMesha, begging to be played, wanting to be heard, but the call to sleep rang louder. Arms too sore from swinging the stop sign, she wished her arms were swinging the violin bow instead. …
https://rosemadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/6-14-1.mov “I should send it anonymously through the emergency report line. Bree Prexy would appreciate these pictures,” LaMesha said. But as she swiped, she paused; a photo of Jioni appeared, with her troubled and melancholy face, damaged arm and cheek, and a look of so much regret and anguish. LaMesha froze. She closed her eyes …
https://rosemadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/6-13.mp4 “I brought that up because now I’m in a similar situation. As I predicted, those two brats—you know which ones—went and destroyed a building and released Tenebris into City Two,” she said. “I’m not crazy. I saw them! They caused all this. I mean, that’s nothing compared to missing practice. A whole building, DaMarko!” …
https://rosemadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/6-12.mp4 “Responsibility. Justice. It’s our job to enforce the rules, but I don’t know sometimes, you know? Not every rule feels just. I mean, I feel grateful for the opportunity, and what we do every day is good for City Two and Geogen. But, um,” LaMesha said. She flipped to her side and pressed her …
https://rosemadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/6-11-Frame-1-1.mp4 LaMesha buried her face in the pillow. Her heart wished it had a fraction of DaMarko’s energy and enthusiasm, maybe even his charisma and likeability, without losing herself in the process. She couldn’t find authenticity in half of the things he mentioned: the status of an Agent was the only thing she could relate …
https://rosemadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/6-10.mp4 “And those idiots downstairs. They should reserve their energy for tomorrow’s fight instead of goofing around,” LaMesha nagged. “I doubt they even know what being an Agent is.” “You’re serious?” DaMarko asked. “Very serious.” “I should’ve known. You’re always serious,” DaMarko said. Then he smiled. “Being an Agent, there’s nothing more rewarding. It’s not …
https://rosemadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/6-9-1.mp4 “DaMarko, hey,” LaMesha leaned against the door. “My first real fight and I’m more exhausted than fulfilled. I can’t—” “Oh no. No, no, don’t start with your negativity again,” DaMarko said. He grinned from the top bunk bed. The dorm was small, leaving room for a bunk bed and some drawers; what the space …
https://rosemadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/6-8-1.mp4 Goal setting kept LaMesha sane—she counted in her head. “Just a few more steps.” As she thought about the stairs. “Just a few more weeks,” as she thought about the Tenebris epidemic. And then she thought of her career path, “Just a few more years.” She strode on with conviction and stopped the drag. …
https://rosemadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/6-7.mp4 There was no reason to speak to them. They don’t take this job seriously, not even during a crisis. They laughed and goofed off like there was something to laugh or goof off about. Being an Agent was serious work: she couldn’t bother associating with such an unsophisticated crew. But deep down, the ostracization …
https://rosemadi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/6-6-3.mov LaMesha’s eyes avoided contact. But from her peripheral, one Agent with brunette hair spoke loudly with a story; her arms moved enthusiastically. She stood up and smiled as three others laughed around her. Her storytelling continued, but she stopped talking as LaMesha walked by. And for some reason, LaMesha felt a chill. But she …
