Outside Chance
“So you won the Lottery?” Jax’s day couldn’t get any better.
Lia wrung her hands, pacing her
austere quarters. “No, I’m… already pregnant.”
He was confused. The Cloister only
allowed reproduction by Lottery. But she
was pregnant. How? Something inside him began to tremble.
“You’re sure?”
“The doctor told me in strictest confidence,
but medical records can't be hidden for long.” Fear drove the words out in a
rush. “What will they do to me?”
Her terror tore at his heart. He
cradled her in his arms, unable to voice what he knew – that they’d come for
her, and rip the baby out. Maybe kill them both just to be sure.
“Any chance it’s not my seed?” His throat tightened at the thought, though
exclusivity was discouraged. Exclusivity bred attachment which led to the ultimate
evil – Love. They were taught that Love started
the Final War, making the Earth unlivable.
So the Cloisters were built to make sure it never happened again.
She shook her head in silence.
“So it’s really…” Dare he say the word? “Mine?”
“It’s yours.”
He kissed her then, joy filling his
whole body. His hand gravitated toward
her still-flat abdomen seeking evidence of the miracle he had never dreamed possible,
evidence of their love.
“It’s time to go.” He grabbed a
backpack from the closet.
“Go? Go where?” She sobbed on the
verge of hysterical. “There’s nothing
beyond the Wall.”
Jax smiled. He’d been Outside. He had only come back for her.
247 words
This was written for Siobhan Muir's #Thursday Threads competition. Its a whole lot of fun in under 250 words. Join us here next week.
This was written for Siobhan Muir's #Thursday Threads competition. Its a whole lot of fun in under 250 words. Join us here next week.
Ooooh...now you've got me, drawn me right into their lives and their world! What's Outside? It's a whole novel waiting to be written! Loved this Stacy!
ReplyDeleteA dystopia reminiscent of Logan's Run (Oy did I just date myself with that one huh?) I hear they are doing a remake though.
DeleteThank you for your kind comments, as always ;)
Great job, Stacey. It's a beautifully tight, controlled short-short, with a sense of completeness and backstory breathed into it. Very nicely done!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
DeleteAnd I *do* know there's no "e" in your name, I really do!
ReplyDeleteROFL>. call me what you like, just dont call me late for cupcakes!!
DeleteKern said exactly what I would want to say, if I'd known how to say it :)) In so very few sentences, I was completely in that world, fearful of what is to come next. Well done you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comments. I continually find myself trying to cram 2000 words of story from my head into a flash piece. Nice to know it doesnt get too confusing. LOL. Thank you again!
Delete