[T]here is nothing behind the wall
except a space where the wind whistles…
–from “Drawings By Children” by Lisel Mueller
I’m floating in aquamarine dialed to an optimal degree. My breasts point to the sky. Bubbles tickle my back. I flap my arms like humpback flippers and hum low, sending a message to my lover. Please hear me.
My feet paddle towards a ladder.
Wrinkled fingers and toes climb to a dry platform with cushioned hammock. A filter’s soft thrum pulls me to dreams. There I run and laugh, being chased through a flowered field by dear Robert. The dream always ends with Sol pulling our flailing bodies up and up. I always wake here, alone.
There is nothing behind the wall except a space where the wind whistles between it and other honeycombed tanks as far as an AI drone’s eye can see.
A compartment opens, where a smelly glop awaits. I look up to my new sun, the red pulsing observation globe.
[144 words]
Merril is today’s host of dVerse‘ Prosery. Merril says:
Write a piece of flash fiction or other prose of up to or exactly 144 words, including the given line.
Tao Talk 
Love how you took the glitz out from space travel… I can just imagine how you dream about life back on earth if you are forced to live under such condition.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful comment, insightful as always.
LikeLike
I enjoyed your sci-fi, Lisa, and the opening paragraph is a real hook! The final paragraphs are so ominous I smelled that glop.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Kim!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an adventure you took us on! I wasn’t expecting that at all!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Merril!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I read this as a future where we all have deprivation tanks, and this piece details the sadness and isolation that comes from too much leisure time; where each person lives alone, except in June when everyone procreates. Loved the Leon Russell accompaniment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the way you read this, Glenn. COVID isolation for practice doesn’t help matters. Glad you like the Leon Russell 🙂
LikeLike
Chilling sci-fi setting Lisa. I feel the weight of the unknown here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Linda.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh (sigh) this doesn’t look to be headed for a happy ending! Good write.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Beverly. Maybe one day she will realize it was all a bad dream…
LikeLike
WOW what a sun. Luv the sun imagery
Happy Monday
Much💗love
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks, Gillena!
LikeLike
Yes, yes, yes! Sci-fi! 😀 I’m psyched.
I love the ending, it is almost ambiguous. Definitely solemn in the midst of light, and extremely isolating in this destination they are in. A fantastic piece of prose, Lisa. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 Thanks, Lucy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So easy to imagine the grief of loss through your words, loss of love and all that was known. Beautifully written as always, Lisa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤ ❤ ❤ Yes. Thank you, Dora.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I loves me that Glop, Sister; and your opening paragraph floated me right into one really cool work. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha! Thanks, Ron!
LikeLike
Wowza! This took me to another world, Lisa! An out-of-this-world adventure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 Thank you, Eugi!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure, Lisa!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh dear Lisa, you’re in trouble. The singularity gas been reached, and the machines don’t seem friendly. I love Leon’s Carney album, especially… https://youtu.be/d2Z9qN8R9Bg
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks much for your comment, Rob. I love that one also!!!!! Leon is a Natural-Born poet.
LikeLike
Love this sci-fi tale, Lisa 😀 it’s so very compelling and tastes tenderly of dystopia. The image of the “the red pulsing observation globe,” speaks volumes. 💝💝
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sanaa! I do feel electronics has become our new god, for good or ill 😦
LikeLike
Is she an AI? Do AIs dream? Honeycombed tanks and smelly glop and that last line… I love sci-fi. More please.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think she’s human. She’s been abducted and imprisoned in a habitat. Glad you liked it, Debi 🙂
LikeLike
An interesting mind trip dreaming but finding nothing but the wind in reality!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😦 yes. All she has left of normalcy are her dreams.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very nice!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oy, poor soul. Yeah, I’m very partial to this Earth. Planning on sticking around it as long as I can. 😉
Well done! The doom and gloom sure clashed with the rich loveliness of the dream …
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading and your comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 Sure! And …. I like your spin on it (pun and all?) 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very fascinating story
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sadje.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome
LikeLiked by 1 person
Intriguing unfolding story, each image undoes the next in a wonderful surreal dream – I keep wanting to stop and ask – ‘why by the feet’?; who’s Robert? where the roses? – but the story presses on. This has all the claustrophobia and breathless desperation I imagine interstellar travellers will feel as they journey to their new star.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks for your comment, Peter.
LikeLike
In isolation we create worlds to fill the emptiness…I suspect the walls between “real” and “imaginary” are quite porous in this one. (K)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes we do, K. Your suspicions are correct.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love how you brought us from a poolside adventure to another world – and in so few words! Have you written much sci fi? I would love to read more!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Ingrid! I’ve written flash fiction of all genres.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Quite a story in so few words! I felt pretty good at the beginning but then you leave me with “the red pulsing observation globe.” We are not in Kansas anymore! Fun read!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Tricia!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The dream is so real, the situation of waking so real, and the awful full reality so convincing. Glop is the only word.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jane!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always wake here, alone.
The unexpected seems to be waiting to burst out and it could have led to a bad dream. It is always a good thing to wake up before being overwhelmed with cold sweat. Great imagery, Jade!
Hank
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and your comment.
LikeLike
This one is cool…you may think of writing what happens when they get out…what they see. I like the visual.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, I like this story and may write more on it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent imagery and use of the prompt. Wonderful story line. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! 🙂
LikeLike
Love how you bring us along and then surprise us with the sci-fi aspect Wonderfully written, Lisa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks, Dale!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person