i to rule the world.
the winds to rule the next.
ground break and sweep
the remnants into the crack.

Boy woke up and shivered under the covers. He had to pee. It was the night time. Time for stillness and sleepings. Carefully, he pulled down the covers, bare feet quiet on the floor. Slowly, slowly he crept to the door. It hurt, the cold wood on his feet, but speed meant noise and if caught it would mean extra beatings at punishment time. Almost there, he looked down at Fat Girl; her chest rising up and down. This was good; if she woke up she would tell. She always got extra servings at feeding time.

No lights. No washing hands. No flush. He was careful to spray against the side of the bowl where the water would make less sound. Relieved, he started back. Slowly, slowly bare feet on cold floor. A hand grabs his wrist.

Fat Girl smiles, small teeth white and strong. Her other hand stretches out, stubby fingers palm up. He shivered. He’d seen other kids in this position. She wanted a gift or she’d scream loud and painful. Then the beatings would come. Hard and fast. If you were lucky. If the Captain wasn’t on duty. And if he hadn’t been drinking.