“See that, dude? That cloud looks exactly like you.”

“C’mon. I’m not that fat!”

“Yeah, why not.”

“No, dickhead! My nose isn’t that big.”

“It’s your hooked nose… Wow, the damn wind is breaking up the cloud…! Crap, you guys were identical…! See? Completely destroyed… Dude? I’m talking to you, dude!”

When he turned, he could only let out a smothered cry and widen his eyes.

***

(Translated from the Spanish by Toshiya Kamei)

A native of Morelia, Michoacán, Édgar Omar Avilés has authored various books, including the story collections Cabalgata en duermevela (2011) and No respiramos: Inflamos fantasmas (2014), as well as the novels Guiichi (2008) and Efecto vudú (2018). His short stories have appeared in various journals and anthologies, including The Airgonaut, Flash Fiction International, New Flash Fiction Review, Okay Donkey, and Queen Mob’s Teahouse.