magisternihil's 100-word story for August 14, 2025

magisternihil wrote the following micro-story on Hectalex on August 14, 2025. Each story on Hectalex is inspired by a daily visual prompt and must be exactly 100 words.

The city has many features that the common pedestrian cannot even notice. Like fake building fronts that disguise data centers or subway vents. No one even realizes they’re not genuine apartment buildings unless they fruitlessly try the front door. But the prison, that’s the pride of the city. No one even thinks to ask why the balconies have bars. And the inmates are forbidden from telling anyone outside the true nature of their home. So now I, once again, have to go down and explain to another poor Juliet that her Romeo will NOT be coming down any times soon.

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