[Write the Story] Memory Editing Wreaks Havoc

Prompt: Memory Editing Wreaks Havoc

Words: Jupiter, chocolate, domestic, blossom, ladder, steam, extension, pine cone, sunrise, tide

Story

“Just relax. This will take about twenty minutes.”

Deanna took a deep breath and tried to relax into the synthetic leather couch as the hood lowered over her head. Her scalp prickled as the electrodes took hold. She couldn’t stop the butterflies, but she’d come all the way to Jupiter for this procedure.

“If you’re ready. We’ll begin.”

“Just tell me again…” Deanna began. “No. Don’t. Forget it. We’ve been through it a dozen times. I’m ready.”

The next thing Deanna knew she was coming down the loft ladder of her cabin, sunrise casting delicate shadows on the domestic scene. A pine cone fell off the mantle as someone she should know collapsed on the floor.

The scene changed. Steam rose from the tide pools near the mountains. She reached for a single blossom that was no longer there. Then the flashes came faster. Sensory hallucinations like the smell and taste of chocolate. The feel of animal fur. Experiences. Feelings. Flashes. Extensions of her life flashed by and were gone.

Deanna came back to herself and recognized…nothing. A medical professional pressed her palm to a computer pad. She had no idea why.

“Ms. Masterson, how are you feeling.”

Deanna realized the speaker was talking to her. “I’m sorry. What? Who are you…who am I?”

“Not again.” The professional checked the pad. “Don’t let anyone know.”

“Know What?”

Word Count: 227

Written: 9/5/18

Tags: fiction, flash fiction, memory, Piccadilly, Write the Story