I was once a perfectly good mango. Unlike some of my more “handsome” siblings, I had a bit of a sharp chin. But as a mango, I was perfectly sweet. If only someone were to take the time to taste me. But no! They simply judged me based on my looks, plucked me from my beautiful branch, and chucked me into the River of Doom.

A few days later they began dumping something else into the river from a huge pipeline attached to a factory upstream. This substance glowed neon green at night. Everyone tried to edge away from it, but it caught up to me. It penetrated my skin, combined with the carbide that already flowed through my veins and left a vile metallic taste in my mouth. And just like that, I could see. I had eyes, and arms, and legs.

The sole thought in my mind? Revenge against the humans. They think they’re so much better than everyone, going around this planet, trashing everything they touch. I’ll show them. I’ll show them exactly what it feels like to be dragged from your home and thrown into a vicious river. Left to rot, fester, and turn into their worst nightmares.

Rabita Saleh is a perfectionist/workaholic. Email feedback to this generally boring person at rabitasaleh13@gmail.com