#set 41

X: anxiety

“Calm down, Martin.”

That was a phrase that had pursued him throughout most of his childhood. He’d become so used to it that it barely came through to him as an instruction anymore: it was just white noise, contributing uselessly to the clamour of the world that was often too bright, too loud, and too disorganised to be reasoned with.

MJN, he sometimes thought, was doing its utmost to desensitise him to its own particular brand of chaos. Maybe one day it would succeed.

But not today.

VII: volunteer

Herc had been quite willing to muddle through the moving process alone or with properly hired help, but he opened the door that Sunday morning to find Arthur standing there, grinning broadly.

“Hello!” said Arthur. “I’ve come to help you pack.”

“Oh,” said Herc, “Well, I’ve mostly packed already. The van’s coming at eleven, so...”

“Brilliant!” said the eager volunteer, “Then I’ll help you carry the boxes to the van. That’s even better.”