How to Be Eaten

by Maria Adelmann

“I’m saying that if you can’t trust the world to behave how you thought it would—if the impossible becomes possible—then you’re open to believing so much more,” says Raina.

“You’re triggering Bernice by looking dead,” says Ashlee. “I’m triggering myself by being me,” says Ruby.

“So, actually, it is a story,” she says. “Story of my fucking life.” “Go on,” says Will, and he leans back in his chair as if settling into a good book.

“But maybe we shouldn’t parse these stories for morals.” “Aisha says morals create a labyrinth of rules geared toward blaming the victim,” says Bernice.

“Or, actually, you know what?” says Ruby. “Maybe don’t even be out there, on the street, not if it’s dark, not if you’re alone, not if you’re a kid, not if you’re a woman, not without a rape whistle around your neck, not without pepper spray clutched in your hand, not, anyway, if you’re wearing that outfit.”

I could feel the negative energy radiating off her like heat.

A watched clock never boils,