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This Week we have a writer’s flash fiction challenge courtesy of Jo Richardson.
The flash fiction challenge: Write 300 words based on this image:
This story grew in my mind after seeing the image, and I couldn’t not write it, though I find the questions it poses, a bit disturbing.
Jill & Nick
June 11, 2057
“Hi, I’m Nick. Remember? I came to see you yesterday?”
Why did he torture himself? He knew what her response would be.
“I’m not programmed to remember.”
It was a blessing she couldn’t remember all the men she’d been with. Still, he’d hoped she’d remember seeing him again. That he’d maybe tripped some circuit…
You fool. This isn’t Jill. Jill is dead.
Pleasureclone11367 was simply a soulless, vat-grown mass of flesh, blood and bone, that looked and sounded exactly like his late wife. Jill had confessed shortly after their marriage that she’d sold the tissue and cloning rights to her body to pay off her college debt.
This wasn’t even a person, just a pleasureclone. It wasn’t Jill.
“Would you like me to take my clothes off, John?”
Her voice, but she couldn’t even remember his name. All men were John to a pleasureclone.
“No. No, please, I just want to…”
What?
It had taken Nick over a year to track down Pleasureclone11367. Yesterday he’d walked out frustrated after only minutes. But he knew this was something he needed to face. Somewhere, in that thing, was the last living part of Jill. Just cells, but still.
He moved closer. Longing, needing.
God, she even smells like Jill.
Would she…could he?
He took her in his arms, feeling again those familiar curves against his body. His mouth so close, his bottom lip dragged across hers.
“I’m sorry, John. I’m not programmed to kiss.”
He kissed her anyway. He kissed her hard, wishing, praying. But she didn’t kiss him back.
Fool. Jill is dead.
He let her go, turning away.
***
The shock of his kiss took Pleasurclone11367’s biological circuitry by surprise. Synapses fired in her cloned brain, causing severed neurons to reconnect…and she remembered.
“Nick?”
———————————–
Well, there you have it. Let me know what you think in the comments below, then click through to see what Brenda Margriet wrote.
A Writer's Haven 
I love it! At first- a tad bit creepy, but then I was dying to know if the kiss would affect her! It did…sigh!
Thanks Veronica. Yeah, it does have that ‘creep factor.’
Nice. Really nice. Loved the cloning factor. One of those stories that will encourage my mind to wander in possibilities for days.
Thanks Vicki. Glad you liked it.
I love where your head is at, Steven. A touch Ray Bradbury there
This story just grew out of nowhere, while i was driving to my RWA meeting on Saturday, and wouldn’t let me go.
Wow! As a fan of sci fi I love it!
Thanks Dani ♥
Ooh! I’m squealing with delight on my couch here, Steven. You must do something with this. It’s awesome!
Yeah, it feels like it might turn into something bigger. We will see.
Ditto all of the above. Great fiction!
Thanks Brenda. It was fun to write.
Love it! What a great idea! You always come up with the coolest concepts!
Thanks Rhenna. My mind does seem to wonder down some strange paths.
That was fantastic! I love the premise, and the emotional payoff was wow. Well done!
I’m still not sure what happens next. Glad we had to stop at 300 words 🙂
Well done! I’d never think of anything like this. Several great lines. Loved the last one. Ta-da! I think you should develop this one!!!
I do have a cloning story in my WIP folder from a few years ago. I may have to take it out and give it a second look.
Very well done!!! I wasn’t sure where you were headed with this at first but loved where you took it 🙂
Thanks JJ.
Wow. Amazing concept, well told, damn I feel bad for Nick. Definitely must finish!
Yeah, I’m getting the feeling there’s more story to tell here.
Great post, Steve. I like the futuristic take on it.
Thanks Gemma. It was a fun exorcise all round.
This is awesome. I want to read the rest of it 🙂 pretty please! It made me think of Blade Runner crossed with The Island.
I do have a story somewhat similar to this in the works. I’m still not sure there’s more to tell for Nick and JillClone. But maybe … 🙂
aww! I want to read this story Steven! I want him to make her heart beat!
Glad you liked it Jo. We will see if there’s any more to tell.
Oh my word! That ending was brilliant! This is a story you could really expand on 🙂
Thanks Mischka. I’m getting the impression people would like a little more 🙂
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