MY ENDLESS OBLIVION [Raelynne Baucom] I walk through the vast coldness of space, letting it seep into the depths of my bones. A sense of emptiness courses through my veins, ever increasing. The words—“disgrace,” “disappointment,” and “dishonor”—play over and over in my head as I wade through the Milky Way. I kick the stars that litter my path. They glitter like gemstones as they tumble down the sheets of black. I’m silenced by the memory of my queen, spitting in my face, telling me that I won’t ever be worthy enough. I shake out the rage storming my head and start back down the path I traveled. The sound of my steps suck back into the endless abyss. I turn toward the scent of something sweet, yet unfamiliar. A small planet hangs in the distance; rings hug its golden body. I weave through a dense field of asteroids toward it. The scent of decaying fruit grows stronger with each step. I reach through the swirling rings to caress its smooth surface. It pulses as if to flinch away. In my palm, sure enough, I feel the planet’s heartbeat speeding up as I bring it closer to my face. My queen would love to add this mysterious creature to her collection. I swallow back the acid rising in my throat. She doesn’t deserve this, she doesn’t deserve her kingdom, she doesn’t deserve me. I sink my teeth into the delicate creature. I savor the feeling of warm blood dribbling down my face as I consume the prize my queen never deserved. 41 PLAINS paradox