The Hard Choices

 

"Bring her in and lay her down beside the others."

They place her on the floor as gently as they can, but she still moans when her thin body touches steel.

"Shh... shhhhh," I whisper, dapping her forehead as softly as I can. Washing the red Martian dust from her brow.

Somehow, I manage to keep keep anger from my voice. 

It's not my fault the shipment is late. That the fools on earth decided to go to war and forget about our colony. That our first harvest is still months away.

"I'm so hungry. "

Her voice rips at my chest like a dagger.

"I know... I'm sorry." But I have to choose who will eat, and who can not.

And she's  too young to contribute. 

Far too young...

"I'm sorry." My voice breaks. "I am SO sorry."