Rooted in Trouble

By Gomathi Sridevi Radhakrishnan

A woman doing grocery shopping

“Hey! Let go! You’re pulling my hair!” Hailey yelled, but the woman ignored her, opened the door, and shoved her inside the dark room.

Hailey rubbed her sore head, blinking at her surroundings.

“What brought you here?” asked a wrinkled old man, lounging on the grimy floor.

“Nothing!” Hailey cried.

He squinted. “You look like you are a spoiled kid.”

Hailey glanced down to see her body sagging.

“W-what will happen to us?”

He shrugged. “They’ll probably toss us in the dumpster. That’s what my brother said.”

Outside, the woman hummed, tossing spoiled food from her refrigerator- unaware of the veggie drama inside.