Am I the One? | Prompt: A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words, together with 6 September 2024, Freewriter Prompt Day 2487

Armaeta, a girl aged five, stepped onto the partially hidden balcony twenty floors up.

Unlike the color of a bright summer sky identical to the majority of her people, shining brown eyes similar to a child's plush bear immediately turned mysterious, glowing sultry as a vixen. Long, jet black lashes overshadowed the innocent countenance desired. Encircling her oval face, curly hair, soft and dark velvety like chocolate pudding, stood at attention.

Her audience awaited.

The evening raced into the first hours of night as long shadows became visible in the courtyard. Even though the darkness, she accurately scoured anxious admirers, then flicked her wrist to resemble a wave.

On this brief occasion, she remained silent. Males in the crowd whistled. Females cheered.

It didn't go unnoticed that Jekiah and his band of fifty supporters in attendance looked on with solemn expressions and arms folded across their chests. Armaeta watched carefully as they immediately stepped back a few paces from the courtyard, arms locked in solidarity while admirers rushed forth to obtain a glimpse.

Confused and agitated, Armaeta retreated into the dark room. She quickly calculated the size of the crowd and compared it to the number of dissenters. Her pupils glossed as the information transferred to the lab's computer.

"Am I?" her hoarse voice trembled.

"Not yet until we amass one hundred percent acceptance." Standing in the far corner, Dr. Feingus interrupted as he pushed aside the heavy black curtain and moved closer. "It would help if you smile."

As head of the Research Center for the Study and Advancement of Humanoids, Dr. Feingus was short in statue, full with scientific knowledge. Adjusting his eyeglasses, he turned and flashed angry eyes at the balcony. His lips tightened and curled upward. Months had passed unceremoniously since he'd allowed Armaeta to greet a crowd. And it wasn't without cause.

He remembered the last conversation while attending his company's quarterly meeting. Investors threatened to withdraw. Governmental approval hinged on his newest model. But time was running out. Either prove your theory or research funds will cease, he worried, half listening to his superiors. So he refused to release this version of Armaeta.

In all fairness, no one could blame the millions of citizens that survived.

They were promised a breakthrough. Instead, disappointment, then resentment grew over failed attempts to produce offspring of their own over the past several decades. When will we see evidence the pandemic has ended? child-bearing adults complained. As protests increased, rumors slowly spread no such breakthrough was imminent.

But Dr. Feingus wouldn't admit failure.

Transforming an adult into a child proved perilous, fraught with unexpected consequences. He'd no choice but to proceed. Society clung to the promise of renewed procreation. If not possible through personal interaction, then with the aid of science. His livelihood and he suspected his life, if the experiment failed and their company exposed, hinged on delivering results.

He walked slowly but deliberately past Armaeta and headed toward the laboratory slab. Lowering the table from the ceiling, he waited.

Emotionless, Armaeta strode purposefully toward the table. Giant robotic arms clasp her body while automatic straps restrained her. Slowly, the machine repositioned the slab horizontally.

Dr. Feingus pressed his finger hard on the console controlling the age determination output and watched as it glowed red, causing rays to accelerate her body lengthwise. Inputting new variables, he stood motionless hoping the new procedure also would address the dark circles under her eyes. The incubator retracted into its chamber.

Success for their species depended upon Armaeta. The closest hybrid yet.

Armaeta stared at the blank, stark white walls, then closed her eyes as the sensation of fluid traveling through her veins heightened, coursing through her small but sturdy body. She dwelt on the mission. Her reward would materialize once the experiment completed.

Embedded in her memory was the promise of a family.

Welcome back to my freewrite prompt story for this week. The photo that is the subject of the story spoke to me about a child whose expression is one of determination.

Describe what you see.
A young girl is displayed. She seems to be wearing some type of gray uniform as her dress is formal with a white collar. complete with a sweater. Her complexion is brown as is her curly hair parted down the middle of her head. Beautiful facial features with haunting eyes makes for a unique photo. In the background perhaps on a wall is writing such as would be found on a mural.

Describe what you feel.

The young girl is facing some type of crisis without a solution or no one to depend upon to assist. She's crying out for help.

Write a story or poem about what you think is going on. I leave with you my story for: A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words - 9/7/24

in conjunction with:

6 September 2024, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2487: am I?

^{Image used with permission of contest owner}