She walked among the machines, looking through their windows at the babies growing inside. She had no way of telling which one had been hers but it didn’t matter much. In the end, all these babies were the same, abandoned by their parents, doomed to childhoods spent in overcrowded orphanages, and unloving foster homes. Then they’d either join a gang, sell their bodies, or some other miserable indignity. Just like their parents before them.
She thought about the old days, when they didn’t have the artificial wombs. Back then, they’d just take the fetus out, and throw it in the garbage. Today, such a practice was considered cruel, and inhumane.
But at that moment, Emma didn’t think it sounded so bad. Better to spare the kids of the miserable existence that awaited them upon birth.
She left the nursery, and went back to the boarding house.
This story can also be found in the short fiction collection, Symphony of Humanity.
About the Author
Edward Punales is a writer, journalist, and student. He is also the editor and founder of the South Florida Report, where he writes about popular culture, and local news concerning his native Miami.
He is a life-long fan of fantasy and science fiction, and has written several stories and books under the pen name, Edward Lange. Starting in early 2015, he abandoned that pen name, and began writing and publishing under his real name.
He lives with his family in South Florida.
Author site: edwardpunalesauthor.blogspot.com
News site: southfloridareport.com
Email: [email protected]
Children of the Artificial Womb: A Cyberpunk Story Page 4