Chapter Forty Jealousy “What do you do for him?” Ali stands in the living room placing her laptop and various other items in a brown leather bag preparing to exit for work—whatever work is. Her slight smile teases something larger afoot—to what, she doesn’t say even though I continue asking. Not meeting my eyes: “I do lots of things for him.” And she giggles. I roll mine at her juvenile response and go back to work online. Classified as complicated […]

Categories: The Mirror of Me • Tags: Science Fiction, Serial Novel, Speculative Fiction, The Mirror of Me, The Mirror Series

Chapter Thirty-Nine Predators Have you ever been hunted? The feeling that someone is watching you? Anticipating your every move? The slightest touch stiffens and curdles your insides? Instincts screaming fight and flight? That which gives you goosebumps and raises the hair on your arms and the back of your neck? Like static electricity moving through your body? Looking over your shoulder and around every corner constantly awaiting an attack? When you’re asleep, the smallest noises wake and alerts you, heart […]

Categories: The Mirror of Me • Tags: Science Fiction, Serial Novel, Speculative Fiction, The Mirror of Me, The Mirror Series

Chapter Thirty-Eight Memories The first of the videos go viral a few days later—several months after Nik’s death. Max brings them to our attention after media calls to the West’s publicist for comment drop nonstop. We go to her oblivious of it all. There are no warnings and Max doesn’t elaborate on what we’re about to watch as we make our way to the estate’s theater room. Not that anything could have prepared us. Muffled voices, obscured and shaky video. […]

Categories: The Mirror of Me • Tags: Science Fiction, Serial Novel, Speculative Fiction, The Mirror of Me, The Mirror Series

Chapter Thirty-Seven Hubris After my exit, in the subsequent years amongst the chaos, artificial intelligence was repurposed from fighting disease to confronting viruses sweeping through and leveling populations and devastating socioeconomic conditions. Human virus nanotechnology trials started small then grew in numbers—some with unpredictable and deadly consequences, and modest successes. As with any testing and solution, the science took time and patience. Decades of biomedical research and thousands of scientists and researchers contributed to the unparalleled progress as artificial intelligence […]

Categories: The Mirror of Me • Tags: Science Fiction, Serial Novel, Speculative Fiction, The Mirror of Me, The Mirror Series

Chapter Thirty-Six Temptation “What is this incessant need for me to like you? Why do you think you’re entitled to my affection? Why does any man think they’re automatically entitled to any woman’s affection? Is it that much of an oddity when someone doesn’t desire you? When the Hollywood A-list propaganda doesn’t work and you’ve one less fan?” “I’m not any man. Interesting you use the word desire.” Oof. The arrogance. I roll my eyes to temper the attraction. “No, […]

Categories: The Mirror of Me • Tags: Science Fiction, Serial Novel, Speculative Fiction, The Mirror of Me, The Mirror Series

Chapter Thirty-Five Maelstrom Another night, another furious storm. The wind beats a path bowing trees while the waves snap violently against the shore. Lightning shreds the pitch-black sky. I sit alone in front of the overly large windows waiting for the world to split and life to finally end. I feel guilty as hell experiencing the thrill of extreme weather while Mother Earth fends off the vicious blows—the product of us inconsiderate guests violating her body like an abusive partner. […]

Categories: The Mirror of Me • Tags: Science Fiction, Serial Novel, Speculative Fiction, The Mirror of Me, The Mirror Series