dubitanda (ever in doubt)

seaweed ⋮ buttons

1

Day would break in three hours.
         She stepped under the shower and let the hot water beat down hard.
         After a time, she thought of him.
         She turned to face the mirror – the green of her eyes had dimmed and her red hair seemed black and longer now, like seaweed gripping a rock.
         On the shelf under the mirror, the grey battered plastic shone in the harsh light. She reached out her hand and fingered the small buttons. Closed her eyes. And pressed REC.

●REC by Yorgos Syrmas

1

Σε τρεις ώρες ξημέρωνε.
         Στάθηκε κάτω από το ντουζ κι άφησε το καυτό νερό να τρέξει με πίεση.
         Κάποια στιγμή τον σκέφτηκε.
         Γύρισε στον καθρέφτη – το πράσινο στα μάτια της είχε θολώσει, τα κόκκινα μαλλιά της έδειχναν μαύρα και μακρύτερα τώρα, σαν φύκια κολλημένα σε βράχο.
         Πάνω στο ράφι του καθρέφτη, το ταλαιπωρημένο γκρίζο πλαστικό γυάλιζε στο σκληρό φως. Άπλωσε το χέρι της και χάιδεψε τα μικρά κουμπιά. Έκλεισε τα μάτια. Και
πάτησε REC.

Chapter One. Thursday, 15 November 2012.

 

Taken from the translation-in-progress of Yorgos Syrmas’ debut crime novel ●REC, published in the original Greek by Ikaros Books in 2025.

 

Yorgos was named Best Debut Author at the Public Book Awards 2026 for ●REC, and was shortlisted in the same category at the Anagnóstis [Reader] Literary Awards that same year.

 

Sample translation into English selected by the Hellenic Foundation for Books and Culture to be supported by its GreekLit programme in 2026.

 

Image taken from the book cover designed by Laios Papazoglou. Dictaphone rendered primary.

 
 

see also
broke ⋮ returned
pricked ⋮ bloomed

 
 

arkhæio
REC TWENTY-SIX FOR TWENTY-SIX