copyright Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
My Secret Wife
“We had a report of some missing Genetico property here.”
“Sorry, it’s just my wife and I.”
“Ah, your . . . wife. How did you meet?”
“eHarmony.com.”
eHarmony, ha! I found her terrified in an elevator shaft. I fed her, taught her to speak, ignored the corporate barcode tattoo on her arm. We may have no marriage license, but the bands that connect us are stronger than gold.
“Is it okay if I look around?”
“Of course not,” I say. “This is my house.”
The door shuts and I see dark, fearful eyes peering from behind the couch.
“It’s safe,” I say.
The Green-Walled Tower 
March 19th, 2014 at 5:53 pm
cute love story 🙂
March 19th, 2014 at 7:24 pm
I tried to make it sweet, despite her bad circumstances.
March 20th, 2014 at 1:02 pm
well she found someone cared, hope she wont bite or claw him out of her terror 🙂
it reminded me of a splendid movie, mama 🙂
March 23rd, 2014 at 10:51 am
She might have clawed at him at first, but not anymore. I’m going to think about this story for a while, see how it develops in my mind.
March 19th, 2014 at 5:58 pm
Dear David,
They’re going to come for you first. A very good story, as usual. (And I know that usual isn’t easy. Good job.)
Aloha,
Doug
March 19th, 2014 at 7:22 pm
Doug,
I find that after doing these every week for a while, I get worried about coming up with something different and still good quality week after week. I’m sure sometimes I succeed and sometimes I don’t. Thanks for reading.
-David
March 19th, 2014 at 5:59 pm
Dear David,
This is one of the most chilling, horrifying and well written stories ever. I’m sure it will remain in the realm of my favorites this week.
Shalom,
Rochelle
March 19th, 2014 at 7:16 pm
Thank you, Rochelle. This was one of those that came together more quickly, as opposed to some weeks where I really struggle. I might write a longer version later; who knows.
March 19th, 2014 at 6:16 pm
Ohhh! Scary and fascinating!
March 19th, 2014 at 7:14 pm
🙂 Thanks.
March 19th, 2014 at 6:27 pm
David a lovely eerie tale, very well done.
March 19th, 2014 at 7:14 pm
Thanks. I was looking for a different angle.
March 19th, 2014 at 6:56 pm
This is really lovely…
Loved this : “We may have no marriage license, but the bands that connect us are stronger than gold.”
March 19th, 2014 at 7:10 pm
A lot going on there. I fear the clock is ticking for this couple
March 19th, 2014 at 7:13 pm
Possibly, although it depends on how you take the story. If they can evade detection, they might make it.
March 20th, 2014 at 5:17 am
I hope so 🙂
March 19th, 2014 at 8:28 pm
Weird but good writing. It looks like the elevator inspired a lot of weird happenings. Interesting descriptions. Good one.
March 19th, 2014 at 8:37 pm
another imaginative and fascinating story. i like that there’s a kind of challenging romance here too, something that i also loved in your story, Giselle 🙂
March 19th, 2014 at 9:36 pm
David, I like the love that comes through all the deceit and big-brotherness of your story. I’m surprised “they”” left just because he said it was his house. Excellent.
janet
March 19th, 2014 at 10:32 pm
Well, who knows if they really left. These 100-word stories are like a zoomed in photograph, only showing part of the story. I’d like to think they can live happily together though.
March 19th, 2014 at 11:02 pm
Intriguing tale, David, almost Kafkaesque in its darkness.
Well done, sir.
March 19th, 2014 at 11:06 pm
Thank you. I hadn’t thought of it that way, although I’ll take it as a compliment. 🙂
March 20th, 2014 at 12:31 am
What a sad yet creative story!
March 20th, 2014 at 1:11 am
Great!
March 20th, 2014 at 1:43 am
Reminds me a little of the Orison of Sonmi section of Cloud Atlas, my favorite part of the book. 😀
March 20th, 2014 at 6:57 am
I could see that. I haven’t read it but I’ve seen the movie.
March 20th, 2014 at 5:25 am
Great work! Leaves you wanting to know lot more about this bizarre relationship and its backstory.
March 23rd, 2014 at 10:56 am
Thanks, Perry. There is a lot that could be told about the surrounding situation, that’s for sure.
March 20th, 2014 at 6:17 am
Very ‘Blade Runner.’ You do so much with the dialogue.
March 23rd, 2014 at 10:55 am
Thanks. It does have kind of a Blade Runner feel to it.
March 20th, 2014 at 7:45 am
Love conquers even bureaucracy.
March 23rd, 2014 at 10:53 am
Yes, love conquers all. 🙂
March 20th, 2014 at 9:16 am
What a strange place to pick her up front.
What a strange ‘her’
I would like to meet the “I” of this tale.
March 23rd, 2014 at 10:53 am
I’m thinking he is either a janitor or repairman. He is brave, in any case, sheltering her in an environment like this.
March 20th, 2014 at 11:42 am
Fascinating piece. Futuristic and suspenseful.
March 23rd, 2014 at 10:52 am
Thanks. You can decide how it ends, if they are really safe or not.
March 20th, 2014 at 11:56 am
Nice work this week, David.Chilling and sweet at the same time.
All my best,
Marie Gail
March 23rd, 2014 at 10:52 am
Thanks! I’m glad both aspects of it came across okay.
March 20th, 2014 at 1:26 pm
David, I got right into this intriguing world you’ve created in the story. I wanted to read more about it.
March 20th, 2014 at 2:10 pm
I’d like to write something longer. I’ll let you know if I do.
March 20th, 2014 at 4:37 pm
Please do!
March 20th, 2014 at 3:56 pm
I would like to know more about this story – It really is interesting and mysterious – futuristic. Loved it. Nan
March 23rd, 2014 at 10:50 am
Nan, thanks so much. I might write more about it when I get a chance, if I have time.
March 20th, 2014 at 5:28 pm
Loved the story, it’s very different from what I have read so far.
March 23rd, 2014 at 10:49 am
Thanks. I like different. 🙂
March 20th, 2014 at 6:52 pm
Sufficiently creepy and touching at tje same time (not to be confused with creepy touching). 🙂
Solid writing!
March 20th, 2014 at 6:59 pm
Thanks. Yeah, creepy touching is a whole other thing. 🙂
March 21st, 2014 at 1:06 am
A fascinating glimpse into the future. I love the story of how she became his wife in this futuristic world of bar-coded people.
March 23rd, 2014 at 10:49 am
Thanks. Hopefully this will never become a reality. 🙂
March 21st, 2014 at 2:37 am
This photo lends itself to futuristic fantasy… I was even tempted. However, I leave it to those of you who can really pull it off! This story suits this prompt perfectly, Dave. It’s really creepy, and compelling.
March 23rd, 2014 at 10:47 am
It does a creepy sort of industrial dystopia look to it, at least in my opinion. Of course, that’s what’s great about Friday Fictioneers: everyone looks at the same picture and gets different stories.
March 21st, 2014 at 6:34 am
That barcode gave me chills.. love in a dystopy..
March 23rd, 2014 at 10:43 am
There is a lot of terror in the idea of barcoded humans.
March 21st, 2014 at 11:51 pm
Wow…that’s just a slight bit dark. Puts a lot of stuff to mind, lemme tell ya. >_>
March 22nd, 2014 at 8:07 am
Brilliant! Dystopia rules 🙂
March 23rd, 2014 at 10:38 am
Yeah! I like dystopian stories.
March 22nd, 2014 at 8:19 am
Now this is my kind of story. Intriguing, David. I’m glad he didn’t bust the door down. They’re safe for now. Great stuff! And so well written. When I saw this prompt, I immediately thought of your “Neighbors” story, which by the way, was so well done. The strongest story of the bunch! I may be a little biased, but I’m just saying.
March 23rd, 2014 at 10:38 am
Actually I thought of Bloody Neighbors too, because of the elevator. I’m glad you liked that one, biased or not. 🙂 In this one, I don’t know if they’re totally safe or not, but you can decide, at least until I get around to writing a longer version.
March 22nd, 2014 at 2:48 pm
where are you?
March 22nd, 2014 at 2:50 pm
at the moment? at home. about to do some writing 😉
March 22nd, 2014 at 8:49 pm
aint you sweet!!! you do take long breaks, dont you?
March 22nd, 2014 at 11:39 pm
when I’m sick or too busy at least. I try not to.
March 22nd, 2014 at 6:42 pm
A story that stays in your mind and niggles into your brain…
March 23rd, 2014 at 10:36 am
That’s good. I’m glad I gave you something to think about. Thanks for reading.
March 22nd, 2014 at 7:19 pm
The future! Very disturbing. Nicely done.
March 23rd, 2014 at 10:35 am
Thanks. 🙂
March 22nd, 2014 at 7:35 pm
That’s great, darling. Because of the futuristic feel to it, for some reason, I got this song stuck in my head http://youtu.be/vgjnHdsQFZM
March 23rd, 2014 at 10:55 am
That does seem to fit the mood of the story. Thanks for sharing it, Helena.
March 23rd, 2014 at 4:25 am
Fifth element sprang to mind whilst reading that. Good job
March 23rd, 2014 at 10:33 am
Yeah, I can see that, although I hadn’t thought of it before. That was a great movie.
March 23rd, 2014 at 7:47 am
I’d love to read a longer version.
March 23rd, 2014 at 10:30 am
At this point, it’s all a matter of time, but I’d like to.
March 23rd, 2014 at 11:21 am
Drafts and drafts and drafts. Oh my…
March 25th, 2014 at 7:05 am
Agreed! I’d love to read a longer version if this. You could really turn this into something ~
March 23rd, 2014 at 10:28 am
definitely leaves the imagination wanting more…and i love the strong stand your character takes assuring safety even from behind the couch.
March 23rd, 2014 at 10:34 am
Thanks. I like stories that give a peek of a much larger world and lets the reader’s mind wander a bit.
March 25th, 2014 at 5:45 am
What a unique story! I’m in awe at how you effortlessly transport your readers into an obscure world in less than 100 words! It’s comforting that in this alternate world, compassion still exists.
March 25th, 2014 at 7:01 am
Bar coded?Oh no!Am glad she found a home and though they do not have marriage licence,it looks like this relationship is going to get stronger!Great imagination David-loved this horrifyingly beautiful tale:-)
March 26th, 2014 at 6:45 pm
Very beautiful story.
March 27th, 2014 at 8:27 am
Thank you, Indira, and thanks for following.
March 27th, 2014 at 12:24 pm
a nice story…but felt kind of eerie..as though something more is going to happen. does it have a continuation?
March 27th, 2014 at 1:16 pm
It might have more later. I’d like to write a longer version.