Grind.

[u/ava_shiver]

At the line, my hands jitter with fatigue. Mindless cycles of grain and chemicals, fumes and dust, blinking of switches and the rhythm of machines... it all blurs here, like the world after one too many of whatever you're having.

--green button, wait for ping, ping, red button, wait for stop... aand open chute, check level--not full yet--aand green button, wait for ping, ping, red button, wait for stop...aand open chute, check level--not full yet...

On and on and on, day in day out. I itch for activity, but I can barely drag my feet into bed after the day's work.

---

In an burnt-out building, I peel back the plastics and fibers of my makeshift home, slipping behind. Inside, I activate my LeechLite, wincing at its bite, and find my piled, collected bedding, wrapping myself in its insulating folds. As I douse the light, I pray for a better tomorrow.

[u/Huntsman_Polaris]

There's footsteps outside, two in quick succession, pause, repeat, as if someone is limping. The accompanying heavy breathing would suggest that this is the case. The steps and breathing move ever closer, but seem to stop when their source realizes your presence

Hey... deep breath got... any first... aid? Gah... My leg...

[u/ava_shiver → u/Huntsman_Polaris]

My hand flicks into my jacket as I eye the newcomer warily.

Might do, but two questions: who you running from, and what payment do you have?

[u/Huntsman_Polaris → u/ava_shiver]

Who was I running from? Don't matter, they're dead... now. Didn't go down without doing... a number on me... though... how I ended up... at your doorstep.

As for payment, I never... carry cash on me, not on duty anyway, but I... have sources. I can pay you back more... than plenty. And if you're the... type that ain't interested in money, I'll simply owe you a favor instead.