Fable for the End of the World

by Ava Reid

Already we could do with more than just one.”

At last, she says, “I don’t blame you.” A pause. “Or your brother.” “We all do what we have to do in order to survive.”

“Deer meat and microwaved pasta.” I chew my lip. “What a life it would be.” “Yeah,” Inesa says. Her voice is soft. “A life.”

I’m grieving for the living, though. It feels different than mourning the dead.