We tell ourselves that we have a fundamental human right to comfort. To security. That polite service at a McDonalds and cheap gas for our cars are basic human needs. That business class airfare and fresh fruit in winter and this damn iPhone I’m writing on are things we cannot live without.

And all the while, we let the true fundamental human rights be exploited and destroyed to support our privil...

For a moment, Jet forgot how to breathe. Then the guilt started flooding over her, guilt and fear and beneath it all, the constant current of anger. Goddammit, she thought. I don’t want to be here. I shouldn’t have to be here!

She dug her nails into her purse. Dimly, she noted how her lime nail polish had flaked against the black leather. She noted it the way she noted the brightness of the overhe...