Image source provided by @freewritehouse...
Armaeta, a girl aged five, stepped onto the partially hidden balcony twenty floors up.
Unlike the color of a bright summer sky identical to the majority of her people, shining brown eyes similar to a child's plush bear immediately turned mysterious, glowing sultry as a vixen. Long, jet black lashes overshadowed the innocent countenance desired. Encircling her oval face, curly hair, soft and dark velvety like chocolate pudding, stood at attention.
Her audience awaited.
The evening raced into the first hours of night as long shadows became visible in the courtyard. Even though the darkness, she accurately scoured anxious admirers, then flicked her wrist to resemble a wave.
On this brief occasion, she remained silent. Males in the crowd whistled. Females cheered.
It didn't go unnoticed that Jekiah and his band of fifty supporters in attendance looked on with solemn expressions and arms folded across their chests. Armaeta watched carefully as they immediately stepped back a few paces from the courtyard, arms locked in solidarity while admirers rushed forth to obtain a glimpse.
Confused and agitated, Armaeta retreated into the dark room. She quickly calculated the size of the crowd and compared it to the number of dissenters. Her pupils glossed as the information transferred to the lab's computer.
"Am I?" her hoarse voice trembled.
"Not yet until we amass one hundred percent acceptance." Standing in the far corner, Dr. Feingus interrupted as he pushed aside the heavy black curtain and moved closer. "It would help if you smile."
As head of the Research Center for the Study and Advancement of Humanoids, Dr. Feingus was short in statue, full with scientific knowledge. Adjusting his eyeglasses, he turned and flashed angry eyes at the balcony. His lips tightened and curled upward. Months had passed unceremoniously since he'd allowed Armaeta to greet a crowd. And it wasn't without cause.
He remembered the last conversation while attending his company's quarterly meeting. Investors threatened to withdraw. Governmental approval hinged on his newest model. But time was running out. Either prove your theory or research funds will cease, he worried, half listening to his superiors. So he refused to release this version of Armaeta.
In all fairness, no one could blame the millions of citizens that survived.
They were promised a breakthrough. Instead, disappointment, then resentment grew over failed attempts to produce offspring of their own over the past several decades. When will we see evidence the pandemic has ended? child-bearing adults complained. As protests increased, rumors slowly spread no such breakthrough was imminent.
But Dr. Feingus wouldn't admit failure.
Transforming an adult into a child proved perilous, fraught with unexpected consequences. He'd no choice but to proceed. Society clung to the promise of renewed procreation. If not possible through personal interaction, then with the aid of science. His livelihood and he suspected his life, if the experiment failed and their company exposed, hinged on delivering results.
He walked slowly but deliberately past Armaeta and headed toward the laboratory slab. Lowering the table from the ceiling, he waited.
Emotionless, Armaeta strode purposefully toward the table. Giant robotic arms clasp her body while automatic straps restrained her. Slowly, the machine repositioned the slab horizontally.
Dr. Feingus pressed his finger hard on the console controlling the age determination output and watched as it glowed red, causing rays to accelerate her body lengthwise. Inputting new variables, he stood motionless hoping the new procedure also would address the dark circles under her eyes. The incubator retracted into its chamber.
Success for their species depended upon Armaeta. The closest hybrid yet.
Armaeta stared at the blank, stark white walls, then closed her eyes as the sensation of fluid traveling through her veins heightened, coursing through her small but sturdy body. She dwelt on the mission. Her reward would materialize once the experiment completed.
Embedded in her memory was the promise of a family.
Welcome back to my freewrite prompt story for this week. The photo that is the subject of the story spoke to me about a child whose expression is one of determination.
Describe what you see.
A young girl is displayed. She seems to be wearing some type of gray uniform as her dress is formal with a white collar. complete with a sweater. Her complexion is brown as is her curly hair parted down the middle of her head. Beautiful facial features with haunting eyes makes for a unique photo. In the background perhaps on a wall is writing such as would be found on a mural.
Describe what you feel.
The young girl is facing some type of crisis without a solution or no one to depend upon to assist. She's crying out for help.
Write a story or poem about what you think is going on. I leave with you my story for: A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words - 9/7/24
in conjunction with:
6 September 2024, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2487: am I?
Image used with permission of contest owner
SOURCES:
a) JustClickindiva's Footer created in Canva utilizing its free background and images used with permission from discord admins.
b) Unless otherwise noted, all photos taken by me with my (i) Samsung Galaxy 10" Tablet, (ii) Samsung Phone, & (iii) FUJI FinePix S3380 - 14 Mega Pixels Digital Camera
c) Purple Butterfly part of purchased set of Spiritual Clip Art for my Personal Use
d) All Community logos, banners, page dividers used with permission of Discord Channel admins.
e) Ladies of Hive banner used with permission of and in accordance with the admin's guidelines
f) Thumbnail Image created by me in Canva.
g) "Flames." What is Apophysis 2.09. https://flam3.com/
If translation included, I use DeepL to assist my readers.
Thanks for your patience an understanding.
Si se incluye traducción, utilizo DeepL para ayudar a mis lectores.
Gracias por su paciencia y comprensión.
It doesn't feel like Armaeta is a victim in this story since the last part makes me feel like while she's wary of the whole process and the publicity, she believes it's for her good. I've missed reading your stories, @justclickindiva. Such a delight for the mind. Love it.🥰
It certainly doesn't seem as though she's an innocent. I wonder though did she have a choice whether to participate or was coerced for some reason. In any event, this bizarre experiment is unsettling. As my mom always said, "what's done in the dark will come to light". Whether the population's dire need for offspring in any form will overshadow the methods is telling.
I've been a bit busy of late offline with illnesses myself and various family members. But I do miss not delving deep into my stories more often, especially the series.
Thanks so much for taking time to stop by and view my story. I'm pleased you found it interesting. I appreciate your support. I'll make a conscious effort to visit your wonderful, engrossing stories you're famous for.
Take care and have a good start to your weekend.
!LADY
Oh, I do hope you and your family get better. I know first hand how demanding offline activities can get, seeping into any activity you could be doing here. But I do wish you all the best. Lots of love to you.🌺
You don't know how much this statement means to me. I must admit that I've been through some stuff that practically took away my joy to write stories. But I'm getting back there and I have the support of a lot of good people as well. It'll be a delight to have you as always, friend. Please, do have a blissful day.❤️
View or trade
LOHtokens.@justclickindiva, you successfully shared 0.1000 LOH with @jhymi and you earned 0.1000 LOH as tips. (1/17 calls)
Use !LADY command to share LOH! More details available in this post.
Very nice work! That's a fantastic story you came up with! Creative writing was never one on my strong points unfortunately.
I appreciate your visit and kind compliment. I'm pleased you liked my short freewrite story. I love writing short story fiction, especially fantasy. I tell others that I lived in the cul-de-sac next to the house on the left on Elm's Street in The Twilight Zone. I only emerge ever so often to see what's happening in other parts of the world.
Thanks so much for your support. Take care and have a good weekend.
!LADY
By the way thanks for picking up some more DUO! I already got it sent off to you!
YW and thanks for your quick response. Trying to reach 500 before month's end.
Don't forget to stake those tokens so your dividends and votes go higher!
Just purchased my last batch of 100.
Just sent them over to you! You have 501.1 staked. I'll make sure your voting percentage is adjusted as well. Thanks!
How are you doing?
Awesome! I'll have to go check and make sure it's been sent off to you!
Shoot. Thanks for the reminder. Have a late summer sinus infection attack, so not feeling 100% this week.
Those are miserable! I hope you're feeling better. I hope you're on an antibiotic to help resolve it a little faster.
View or trade
LOHtokens.@justclickindiva, you successfully shared 0.1000 LOH with @thebighigg and you earned 0.1000 LOH as tips. (4/17 calls)
Use !LADY command to share LOH! More details available in this post.
I would love to read more about this Universe 😅
I appreciate you stopping by @walindo and viewing my story. I appreciate your kind compliment. Yes, that was indeed a strange world those people were trapped in without a path forward for propagating their species. Haven't decided yet to continue, but the concept is interesting.
I appreciate your support and engagement. Take care.
!LADY
View or trade
LOHtokens.@justclickindiva, you successfully shared 0.1000 LOH with @walindo and you earned 0.1000 LOH as tips. (2/17 calls)
Use !LADY command to share LOH! More details available in this post.
It's kind of sad. Let's hope that family isn't mad.
I don't believe that Armaeta,a hybrid, a type of cyborg perhaps developed from a lab experiment, knows fully the extent of what is happening in the world or her part she's expected to play. She's controlled by the scientist who has placed memories of a family in her brain.
Thanks so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to stop by. I appreciate it and your engagement. Take care.
!BEER
View or trade
BEER.Hey @justclickindiva, here is a little bit of
BEERfrom @pixresteemer for you. Enjoy it!Learn how to earn FREE BEER each day by staking your
BEER.