calwinters's 100-word story for June 9, 2025

calwinters wrote the following micro-story on Hectalex on June 9, 2025. Each story on Hectalex is inspired by a daily visual prompt and must be exactly 100 words.

I used to wake from my dreams in a fit of coughs gasping for breath until I remembered how my lungs worked my burned, clotted lungs damaged and renewed by clouds of smoke deliberately drawn in their poisons flowing along with their gifts I wasn't one of those children targeted by the corporation drawn in by comical mascots and make-believe money No, I was one of the cool ones Hollywood legend material leaning against a wall or sprawled on a bench the envy of all who passed through my cloud of toxicity I was cool slowly suffocating myself to death

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