Clone

Rine's Relationships and Intimacy Struggles

Rine stood at the podium, her voice shaking with emotion as she spoke out against the discrimination faced by clones like herself. As she becomes more and more visible in the public eye, fighting for their rights, she can't help but feel the weight of the constant demands of her work on her personal life.

"I don't have time for anything else," she confided to her closest friend, Ava. "It's hard to connect with people when I'm always on the move."

Rine's experiences as a clone have left her feeling like an outsider, like she'll never truly be understood or accepted. "I feel like I'm fundamentally different from other humans," she said, staring into space. "Like all of us are trying so hard to fit into the 'normality' of humanity. And yet, the minute we're given even the slightest bit of freedom, we act as if nothing has ever changed."

Ava laughed softly, resting her head against Rine's shoulder. "Well, maybe you're just a special case. I mean...you've been brought back from death, after almost 30 years. Isn't there some sort of scientific explanation for that?"

"I don't know...maybe. The fact is, I'm tired of constantly moving. And I hate doing this, especially for money. It doesn't feel like I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing. Every day feels like it's dragging me down. Like I have more to worry about than just getting through another day, which seems impossible."

Ava sighed quietly as she pulled away, turning to face Rine with a small smile. "You'll figure it out, my dear."

"I hope so. It would be nice if things were simple for once," Rine replied sadly. "If only there was one person who didn't see everything that's going on around him. One person who wouldn't judge me, who'd understand why I am struggling, why I have no time for anything else."

Ava chuckled, wrapping both arms around Rine and pulling her close. "You could always come back here."

"Yeah...but that doesn't seem possible anymore," Rine murmured softly, laying her head on Ava's shoulder. "Maybe one day. Maybe in 2035...when I'm older."

"Well then, until that day, let's make the most of our short lives together and enjoy them," Ava suggested, hugging Rine tightly.

When the two of them finally broke apart, it was just in time for dinner. They walked down towards the dining hall where they'd eat together and share stories and memories from their early childhood, before it got too crowded with everyone trying to be heard over the noise of many conversations.

Rine was grateful for the peace and quiet. Being near so many people made her nervous, and she wished she had the freedom to run off to the hills and hide somewhere in order to avoid confrontation. Her eyes flickered around her anxiously, searching for someone who she knew wouldn't judge her. She wasn't sure what it felt like to love or be loved. In a way, it scared her.

"You look anxious, dearie," a voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts.

Rine turned, startled by the intrusion on her thoughts. She'd almost forgotten the other presence in her mind. There, sitting across from her at the table, his long black hair falling over his shoulders, sat Markus. He looked calm and relaxed, enjoying his meal, while Rine couldn' t remember how long it had been since she last saw him. It felt like it'd been weeks instead of days.

"Oh!" she said surprised to see him. "I wasn't expecting to see you again so soon."

"Me either," Markus agreed. "I haven't seen your face here in months. How've you been?"

"Fine, fine," Rine smiled sheepishly. "Just...trying to find a new job."

Markus chuckled gently. "What do you do now? You look happy enough working at the library."