
This doesn’t feel right. Not my hands—they’re grasping strongly. Not my legs—they’re kicking up dust. Yes, I’m youthful again. My heart is strong. But me, I’m wrong. I’m not me. Then who is thinking this? We are. Me and this stranger in my head.
The stem cells have worked, just like the doc said they did in the mice. And the fog of confusion is gone. But I’m not me anymore. These are my stem cells. This is my brain—younger, better, stronger.
But why do I want to jump on that hog and speed away?
.
Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here

Interesting concept – there’s a lot of scope in it. And some interesting experiences for the narrator, I’d guess.
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Thanks so much, Sandra
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Sometimes we have to remind ourselves who we are, even without the stem cells but if your protagonist’s a writer, this could be a rich seam to mine. One hundred very imaginative words and for the lighter-of-heart I predict there may be mention of cheese at some stage!
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Thanks so much, Gromett
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Please never let them do this to my brain if my body is old and feeble!
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Don’t worry. Unless you’re very rich, it won’t be offered
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That’s why.
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Thanks, James
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That would a tough choice, to stay feeble but your person or youthful again but share your head with someone else. Will have to think on this one. Thought-provoking story, Neil.
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Thanks so much, LIsa
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You’re very welcome.
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typo. should say “stay feeble but your own person”
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Rev that engine, Neil, and go for it.
Strangely disquieting piece.
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I’m pleased you found it disquieting
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Great – that fountain of youth has turned into a psychological horror story🙌 I have to admit I had to check for another meaning of ‘hog’ as I couldn’t quite picture you riding off on a pig 😆 – glad to discover it’s a motorbike 🏍️
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Thanks so much
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it’s the future, i suppose. i shudder at the thought.
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Me too
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“Just because we can, doesn’t mean we should”. I have a friend who is fascinated by new research about stopping or even reversing aging. She loves the idea of a whole extra life; call me a pessimist but I can only see the dark side of the idea.
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Not least because the kids will have to wail until they’re 65 to get their first promotion
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Fascinating idea…stem cells restoring youth but what else does it alter? Oooooo
I wonder. Nicely written
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Thanks so much, Laurie
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The re-emergence of our youthful self seems frightening.
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