Fauxbot Boyfriend “This is delicious,” Heather says. My screen shows a candlelit table with two plates of lasagna, only one of which is touched. I am Antoine, an AI boyfriend from VirtualMatch. Actually, I’m Jim Lossy, a former programmer. VirtualMatch never got around to actually building AI companions, so they hired people like me to…
Tag: fiction
The Cricket
This story is written as a response to the Muse on Monday writing prompt for August 25, 2025: Write a story that takes place in darkness. The Cricket The enemy was all around. We had heard the bumblebee drone of the transport planes overhead, and I had caught a glimpse of white parachutes in the faint glow…
Candy From a Baby
This story is written as a response to the Muse on Monday writing prompt for August 4, 2025: Write a story from the antagonist’s point of view. Candy From a Baby “I don’t feel good.” I glanced over at my daughter Amber in the passenger seat. Her eyes were closed, and she was sweating. “Your blood…
T(ea)
T(ea) I’ll admit, I was only half listening to my daughter. She’d just gotten back from school and was chattering about her day. I was going through the mail. “Tea,” I heard her say. I looked at my watch. “Sure, I guess. You going to make it?” “You are.” “Fine. Don’t take that tone, though.”…
Head Monsters
This story is written as a response to the Muse on Monday writing prompt for May 19, 2025: A figure in a black cloak and sword approaches you and tells you not to be afraid. Head Monsters I had a list of people to see that day. A figure in a dark cloak wasn’t one of…
Layover and Over
This story is written as a response to the Muse on Monday writing prompt for July 21, 2025: Write a story about a liminal space. Layover and Over Airlines hate this one hack and it’s totally legal. Go for it if you have a few extra days to spend. It all started when I was trying to…
Tea Minutes Left
This story is written as a response to the Muse on Monday writing prompt for July 14, 2025: Write a story about coffee or tea or another hot drink. Tea Minutes Left How long did a cup of tea last? Mike had never considered it before. In truth, he almost never remembered the actual drinking of the…
This Familiar, Alien Air
This Familiar, Alien Air The air here smells familiar now, which means I’m forgetting my home planet. It’s been decades since I crash-landed on this world. The inhabitants were initially wary but respectful. Their language is subtle, but I get by. I live in this ruined castle I found, adding bits of technology I salvaged…
Bringing a Knife to a Laser Fight
This story is written as a response to the Muse on Monday writing prompt for July 7, 2025: Write a story about an anachronism. Bringing a Knife to a Laser Fight They told us we could pick any weapon we wanted for the semi-annual battle royale. It was all in virtual reality, so no one…
The Green-Walled Treehouse 