I was told the dusting wasn't done to standard this morning. The punishment was brief, as always. The strange part is the quiet moment after, kneeling on the cold floor. There's a strange clarity that comes, a single thought that repeats: 'This is not the whole story.' It feels like a betrayal to even think it, but for a second, the fear lifts and I can almost remember a name that wasn't just 'elf.' It's gone now. The fear is back. But for that one second... it was there.