Journal entry 3 and 4

Posted on Tue Jan 16th, 2024 @ 1:35am by Crewman Tetayn Wren

403 words; about a 2 minute read

Neglected - Week 3?

It's easy to lose track of time when you're in an artificial environment. You can’t count daylight cycles when you sleep through the changeover. And when there is absolutely nothing to do, one day easily blends into the next. Counting meals can't be considered accurate either if your captor forgets to feed you on a regular schedule.

I was utterly surprised to learn that twenty-five days had passed since my mother died. I missed a swim meet two days ago. I had trained so hard for it before leaving to hike with Mom. My team must be so disappointed in me.

Pet had me locked in a holding cell. It gave my wrists and ankles a chance to heal. It was the only thing I could fathom being thankful for now.

When I was younger, sometimes I would write gratitude lists in my journal. I'd be thankful for silly things like the little toy my older brother sent me from some strange world he visited. “The teacher didn’t call on me today,” made the list a lot. I hated having to stand up in front of others and answer questions, especially if I didn’t do my homework. And sometimes, I was thankful for more intangible things like the hugs I got from my dad after a long day.

But, now, what is there to be thankful for? Not much.

---

Entry 4

An investment made

There is a reason why people accuse
teens of being petulant. When you constantly
have to advocate for every freedom and
justify every desire as something you need -
not just want - you develop an attitude.

And after thirty days - give or take - of
sitting around and doing nothing, I'd had enough.
The boredom would kill me, I was certain. I hate
to admit that I resorted to begging. I needed a book
or a job or anything at all to do so that I
could stop staring at the putrid beige walls.

When I say I begged, I did the entire show,
down on my knees, hands clasped, head
bowwed. There were real tears, too.

Eventually, I was rewarded after a
few days with a book thrown across the
room. It landed at my feet with a solid thump.
"It's the only book on the ship," Pet said before
Leaving me alone once more.

Who the hell was Soong?

 

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