The Unconventional Courier June 2023

Abaka & the Intruder by Ashwini Gangal

Sweaty and satisfied, Abaka finally got off the bed and turned a bright light on.

This was the intruder’s undoing; photosensitivity was a crippling weakness that ran in the species. He tried to focus.

Determined to get away from there undetected, he quickened his pace – to the extent possible, given his injury – his fleshy form pulsating with fear.

He didn’t know which direction to take and just ran blindly, accidentally tripping on the leftovers from his meal, but quickly changing course.

Abaka, breasts still hanging out, went towards the door, gasping as she stepped on a big, brown roach who was racing away from the apple core she forgot to throw out the previous night.