The alien found him prodding the quivering mass with a stick.
“It’s an approximation of a human,” the transdimensional alien explained.
“Not a very good one,” the man said.
“You think? And yet, if you put both you and it through a mincer, it would be hard to tell you apart.”
The man scowled. “It doesn’t look anything–”
“You are overly concerned with appearances. There are other considerations. And do stop poking it– it too has feelings.”
The man dropped his stick in disgust.
A noble failure, the alien thought, but only my first attempt. My second is much better.
Originally Published in Flash in a Flash, September 2022
Liam Hogan is an award-winning short story writer, with stories in Best of British Science Fiction and Best of British Fantasy (NewCon Press), among others. He helps host Liars’ League London and volunteers at creative writing charity Ministry of Stories. More details at http://happyendingnotguaranteed.blogspot.co.uk
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