Artifical Emotion

**CONTENT WARNING AT THE END IF YOU NEED IT**

I hear them. One says, Can’t somebody shut it up?

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The atmosphere was palpable, as if the lengthening shadows had substance, or the mould above the cooker had overwhelmed the cramped kitchen.

Bodhi yapped in Mason’s room. Paul’s mood hovered over them like a black wraith.

Mason stared down, thinking about his Project. His secret weapon. When he was done fixing it up, it'd lever them out of poverty.

“Can’t you turn that off?” Paul glared at the TV, where more Mechs were being rounded up. It was unsettling. It looked exactly like women being dismembered. Paul didn’t look away.

“It’s Mandatory Viewing,” Beth mumbled, staring at her plate.

Paul curled his lip. “What is this?” he lifted a spoonful and tipped it.

Mason tried to block his earholes with sheer willpower.

"Don't you "honey" me," Paul was saying. "Is it so hard to take the housekeeping money I give you and-”

"You haven't actually given- "

Paul was on a roll, temper waxing.

Mason hunched down to escape notice, hating himself for failing to defend his mother.

“Stop cringing like a pansy!”

Mason tightened his grip on his cutlery, imagining it sticking in his stepfather’s neck.

“Haven’t you taught your brat to wash his hands?"

Mason had washed them before dinner, but oil and grease get into the skin.

“Leave him alone,” Beth pleaded. Chair scraping on the tiles, bulk looming, Paul’s griping finally stopped. Beth scrambled between them, begging-

Paul grabbed her throat and threw her aside like a ragdoll. She landed awkwardly, and lay too still. Paul’s fists loosened. His chest heaved.

...When did Bodhi stop barking?

Footsteps sounded in the hallway.

The Mech moved towards them exactly like a beautiful, predatory woman, eyes on Paul.

“You little pervert!” Paul tried to sneer at Mason, but his voice quaked.

It was quick. He gaped; she snapped his neck.

Mason rushed to his mother. He couldn’t find a pulse.

“I can be your mother, Mason.”

“What about Bodhi?”

“Dealt with.”

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Edited to add content warning: Story contains upsetting themes, violence, domestic abuse.

Word count - 366

(NB. This excludes the title, subtitle, and authors notes.)

Submitted on Monday 16th September at 22:54

The story behind the story: I woke up with this one already in my brain, as if I'd dreamed it. I don't think I did, though. I think I dreamed about catching a bus outside a church.

This kind of links back to another story I wrote called You Do See Me As A Woman, which is in this bloody book right here:

And yes, the dog is named Bodhi because I just watched Point Break. Swayze was a wildly underrated actor.

Author's Note

A Year of Stories: I'm writing (and submitting, here) a story every day this year. This continues my 260 daily microfiction story streak since 1st January.

Please consider lending your support to the other creators on this madcap "a story every day" adventure. They're putting out excellent content every day!

Rachel Deeming

Gerard DiLeo

Thank you

Especially if you are one of the wonderful people who has been staunchly reading these daily scribbles since the start of the year. I see you, and appreciate you very much indeed! Thank you to those who leave feedback/comments. I will do my best to respond to each one and reciprocate the reads.

If you enjoyed this one, the very best compliment you can give me is to share it, or read another!

Here is a recent Top Story of mine:

My new Dollar Challenge! It closes on the 30th September. Please give it a look:

Here's my reflections on recent challenges:

My look back at August:

And now for something completely different:

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Thank you again!