The rain had dried up – every drip, every puddle – but Hillie couldn't go out while her room was a muddle. Mom had been clear, and her dad had agreed, "First, clean up this room!" ... [+]
Madeleine Pelletier lives in a farmhouse near Montreal with three cats, six goats and one grumpy old man. Her work has been featured in The Arcanist, Sundial, and WOW! Women on Writing. @mad_pelletier on X and @madpelletier.bsky.social "Unwrapping" is in Short Circuit #14, Short Édition's quarterly review.
The DeliverBot drops the box at my feet and wheezes out a metallic "Happy Birthday" before flying away. At first, I think it's a mistake, because it isn't my birthday. At least, I don't think it is. But the bot said my name, and other than my arrival at Lethe Colony a year ago, there's not much in my past I do remember. I guess my birthday could be today just as easily as any other day.
I place the box on the table. It sits there, cryptic and unnerving, as I change out of my work clothes. I dump my dust-stained uniform in the LaundryBot and move to the decontamination shower. It is harsh