Face ........................................... Brooks McCall

Woodberry Forest School Octagonal Madness | Nic Ball | linocut | 11 x 9 in.

ty-three times. You must not be an athlete.”

What the hell? I lean over the trash can. Tere’s nothing in it. Who’s joke is this? Not any of my stupid ideas or any candy wrappers. Nothing. I reach my right hand in. A slight breeze moves through my fngers, and I pull back. “Come out, I don’t have time for this.”

“Tis isn’t a joke,” the voice from the abyss cautions. “You’re not getting into college at this point if you can’t start an essay.”

“How do you kn—” I choke on my words. “What are you?”

Te trash can does not answer.

“Okay, very funny. Why are you trying to piss me of?”

“Because you need to give up.”

I look down at my watch. “I can’t,” I mutter.

“You can. You only have a few hours until your deadline, and really, what’s the point? You’ll still live a happy life, just not a successful one.”

“Screw you.”

“Just pick something and write it. It’s embarrassing watching you try to start.”

“Nothing inspires me.”

“Well, aren’t you goth?” the trash can mocks. “Don’t I inspire you?”

“A trash can?”

“I’m every writer’ s best friend . ” v

118 Te Talon 2022

Face | Brooks McCall | oil on canvas | 9 x 11 in.

Woodberry Forest School 119