by C. A. Fulwell

LifeLike: Kelly’s favourite game since age fourteen. So much joy in the virtual family. No pain. No “stupid fucking mistakes.” Just love.

After a mistake at twenty-two, she had Emily. Alone. No matter.

A little Emily joined LifeLike. Kelly didn’t remember making her, but loved them both.

Months passed. No money. No sleep. No help. Time to pull the plug on the LifeLike subscription.

Little Emily appeared next to the delete button. She stared at Kelly.

At Kelly.

“No, Mama.”

Sleep deprivation. Kelly readied the mouse.

“Mama?”

Emily!

Pain peeled across her ankles. Emily raised the knife again.

“No, Mama.”

C. A. Fulwell

C. A. Fulwell is an author from Oxfordshire, England, where he lives with his wife and two young children. His work can be found at 101 Words, Black Hare Press and in the inaugural Black Spring Press CrimeBits. When not writing, he can be found avoiding most temptations, or thinking about writing.

Instagram: @caf.writer