EXCOLO

The way the little girl giggles lightens the air around us, making me think for a minute of something that’s not my thirst or the cold. She leans closer to me, and I crouch down to bring my face level with hers. “I’ve seen more than one, and been glad that one didn’t see me,” I tell her, my eyes wide. Coming out like that, it all sounds like a great adventure. “Do you want to hear a story about a sea monster?” Not promising her a true story, since this’ll be made up of half-memories and wholecloth lies, with a good face on all of it. But if there is no way out of this place, making a little girl laugh seems as good a way as any to spend my time here.