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Poetry

Two-Face Authentication (UEA Young Writer Award 2026, Third Place)

Lakshawathey Prakash

To log in to myself
I require verification.

Password:
Eight characters minimum,
At least one inherited belief,
One fear I did not choose,
One ambition
Chosen.

Incorrect.

Try again.
Security question:
Who taught you how to be kind?
What would you change if you could?

I type carefully.

The system checks.

Suspicious login detected.

A code is sent
To a device
I no longer use

I typed again and again

Too many attempts

Account temporarily locked

I refreshed again and again
Wondering which answer would finally log me in

But perhaps there was never a password
Perhaps authenticity is not the master key
But the moment I stop asking

Who am I?

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