I don’t usually do sequels, but so many people asked about what happened next in last week’s story. So here it is. Sorry to those of you who didn’t like the story. I promise not to turn this into a trilogy.

“If this DNA sequence is a signature, whose signature is it?” Joel hated the implications of Emily’s discovery about the Alpha gene, the gene they’d found in everything from humans to amoebae.
Emily ticked off possibilities on her fingers. “One, a Creator.”
“A deity who spoke Greek?” Joel shook his head, but in confusion, rather than with his characteristic sarcasm.
“If you think that’s weird,” Emily continued, “how about number two? We’re running inside a computer simulation.”
She reckoned this wouldn’t be the best time to tell Joel she lacked the Alpha gene.
Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here.
It is a grand premise, Neil and I for one am glad of the sequel. Problem is, I want to know what happens next 🙂 Great story
LikeLiked by 1 person
Inside a computer simulation – brilliant. I know you say you won’t turn it into a trilogy, but the possibilities are endless with this one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now don’t be twisting my arm
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like serials. I did one myself for a fair while.
Certainly a huge twist at the end of that. I want to know who, or what, she is.
LikeLike
Nope. Not telling. She belongs to the readers now – you can make up your own stories about who or what she is
LikeLiked by 1 person
Trouble ahead, trouble behind. You may be in trouble now yourself, Neil… you might need to write a complete story. Nicely done.
LikeLike
Thanks so much
LikeLike
Dear Neil,
Warning, Will Robinson! Sounds like she’s something other than human. Intriguing. I’m not usually a series fan, but…Well done, sir.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Rochelle. I’ve promised myself not to continue this. I can’t sustain that many cliff-hangers
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved the last line!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Clare
LikeLike
Fascinating. I think it’s probably best if Joel doesn’t know about her genes – things are looking eerie enough as it is. Great thread – I’d be tempted to continue.
LikeLike
No, no. I promised Rochelle I wouldn’t
LikeLiked by 1 person
Even more intriguing than the first. Bravo! I think you put it in your notebook and someday make something nice and long out of it. I’m not hi-jacking your comments again, that’s why I don’t tell you about ‘World on a Wire.’ 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much
LikeLike
Amazing 🙂 I Love the way you tied it to your last one 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Morgan
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re a brave man for tackling a sequel. Now you have to manage our expectations and … deliver! Great story Neil.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Graham
LikeLike
And…you delivered again. Love your take on this weeks and last weeks photo prompt.
LikeLike
Thanks so much
LikeLiked by 1 person
I rather the first situation if I were him, the second places to much power in someone else’s hands.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I must know the answer, when’s part three arriving. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I promised Rochell I wouldn’t
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think she should also refrain from licking her eyebrow at this moment… A time will come.
LikeLike
I like the way you think, Bjorn
LikeLike
Ahh, I missed last week’s, so I’m a bit in the dark with this one. Nice writing though.
LikeLike
Thanks Claire
LikeLike
I read last week’s and I am still in the dark!
LikeLiked by 2 people
You see? I just keep coming back for more. Terrific, Neil! The way you ended it left me hanging … which is good. Leave them anting more. You going to make this a series in FF? Ot would be cool.
Five out of five genetics codes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, William. I’ve created a monster
LikeLike
I’ll say you have! Hahaha! 😀
LikeLike
I know you said you wouldn’t, but you can’t leave it like that, trilogy now please, we have to know. (And if needs be serial, to rival the Archer’s in length, until we’re satisfied.) 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can I can I can
LikeLike
Is it possible she has a better gene than the alpha one – beta, perhaps?
LikeLike
Or that she’s not like any of the others at all?
LikeLike
Looks like I may be throwing over Yahweh for Emily. Let me talk to her about that eternal youth thing. I’m open.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll put her people in touch with your people
LikeLike
Oooooo curious… a great continuation
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Laurie
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is less abstruse than last week, Neil, I actually understand it, I think.
You do write well, sir.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much
LikeLike
So many endless possibilities! I love it! If you wrote more to it for fun I wouldn’t be mad… 🙂 Great job!
LikeLike
Thanks. Rochelle would be mad though if I continued this
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know. lol I am glad for the two posts you gave us! Thanks!
LikeLike
I think these are good ways to write a short story. You should think about finishing it. You wouldn’t have to submit it on FF but you could always provide a link.
LikeLike
I was thinking exactly that, Dawn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay, you did the sequel! Oh, I see a longer story developing. Very intriguing, Neil!
LikeLike
Thanks, Amy
LikeLike
What a mystery. Fascinating idea – I think Emily’s playing an intriguing game here. Tell him so much, but not all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Margaret
LikeLike
You know of course it’s been found that our reality of things as solid is only our reality. Everything is made of atoms that are constantly moving. It makes us sound like holograms. The woman may be from another dimension. It sounds like “The Outer Limits”. Good writing, Neil. 🙂 — Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree with other readers; now I do want a trilogy. Such intriguing possibilities presented in your story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Emily
LikeLike
Oh, I love this premise! You’re tackling something that could well run into a five-hundred page novel. Are you ready to do that?
Well-written story, and a very clever idea.
(Forgive my late response, but I’m computer-less. Using my husband’s computer right now. Mine is kaput.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s been a great two-part story, Neil. I’d love to read more! Here’s hoping . . .
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Edith. I don’t think Rochelle would allow it, but I may write it and post a link for those who are interested
LikeLiked by 1 person