The Tiger Inside

by Nasu Hasami

Orthopaedic surgeon Mulan Hua is dedicated to her career and determined to rise above the statistics of her profession. But that shouldn't mean she has to compromise on the things she wants. Surely, in the 21st Century, a girl can have everything. (Flash fiction series. Companion story to The Nightingale's Song.)

4. Drought

The Tiger Inside

By Nasu Hasami

---

"There's a big black sky over my town."

~Robyn~

---

4. Drought

'It's Friday night,' says Mulan Hua. 'And we're stuck in this elevator again.'

'Yeah,' Shang Li nods as he thumbs his phone. 'It's like the universe is trying to tell us something.'

Mulan sighs as she slumps to the floor and buries her face in her hands. Her scrubs are nasty, and her yellow Crocs are almost brown.

'Long day?' asks Shang.

'So long,' Mulan moans. 'I can't even remember if I drove here.'

'Got your keys?'

Mulan upends her handbag on the elevator floor. Of all the myriad things that fall out, her keys are not among them.

'I think the universe sucks,' she says.