250-word NYC Midnight Microfiction Challenge 2019: “Saturated”

A planet was dying outside her window. Tears stung Amelia’s eyes as she tapped the app on the monitor, pulling up a holographic canvas. She used a brush-stylist to frame the planet in a deep black speckled with stars and life. As her job, there was nothing she could do but paint. The destruction was caused by a flawed global wealth objective that collapsed the planet in on itself. The mining, fracking and greed for fossil fuels over a century broke the foundation creating a meltdown of apocalyptic proportions.

No involvement unless they’re ready—that was the Federation’s galactic commitment. Many were never ready, but Amy paints them anyway. In furious reds, ghastly yellows, sickly greens.

This one was no different. In the middle of her canvas, rotting and brown, was the imploding planet outside her window. Billions were dead. She could only paint their stupidity, pain, and suffering. For the millionth time, she wondered why she was ever excited for such a morbid task…

But there were planets, she reminded herself, so full of life and air so oxygen rich that it took her breath away. Magnificent green, drenched blue and purple planets brimming with people eager to meet, share stories, and plan for the future.

No, she decided suddenly, she will stay and create a portfolio, a carousel of living and dying planets, so we may all know what’s at stake and learn what it means to be alive.

Thanks for reading! This piece is my attempt at the 2019 NYC Microfiction Challenge. There are three rounds over the course of three months and it would actually be my first time being a paid writer—if I win, of course. I turned this in Saturday, so I’m just waiting to hear back… please send good vibes!!

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