Aurora 2026

Krislyn Moreland

Organ Donor

I’m aware what I’m doing is wrong in some capacity. Not morally per se; they are mine after all, and as a part of my person, I have the right to do with them what I wish. That doesn’t mean I don’t feel like I’m committing a cardinal sin in this alleyway, though. Not economically because it’s not even for the money at this point. My retirement account is full to bursting, and I’ve got platinum card applications coming through the mail in bulk. I guess not even socially. I’m not hurting anyone besides myself. “Miss Jones?” I jump at the woman’s voice to the left of me. It’s hard to see her clearly in the dim light. She’s taller than me; that I know for sure, which lets me know it’s only Sally. Something about her makes me rethink this decision, but it’s the same strike of panic I feel every time I put myself in this position. I always end up in some back parking lot or pitch-dark park or, like today, a dimly lit alleyway in the middle of a bustling city. A good 45 minutes away from the safety of my warm bed with my phone at home and my name anonymous to this woman. “Yeah, hi Sally.” I greet as I step closer. I can see now her signature blond stringy hair that looks dry and greasy at the same time and a pacifying tight-lipped smile, juxtaposed by her tan pantsuit and handful of paperwork. Every time, she’s always in some color pantsuit with her hair slicked back into a bun so tight it must be cutting off oxygen to her brain. I imagine the hairstyle has less to do with personal style and more as a precaution for leaving any hair follicles behind. “Yes indeed, thank you for coming! We’ll have you step into this car really quick, and we’ll head out.” She started walking towards the blacked-out SUV at the other end of the alley. I blanched at the sight of the car, the coppery scent of blood filling my nostrils. I can feel my organs shift inside my body like they did that night and the hard screech of metal on metal. I can feel the steering wheel slam into my chest as the car spirals and hear the deafening crack from Lucy next to me. I remember thinking it

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