Last week, I sent saliva to a lab to test my DNA ancestry. That was when I stumbled upon an old photo album at Nana's. There, I saw lots of pictures of people I wasn't familiar with.
I still wonder whether at least some of those people are family, and what links them to Nana—and possibly me. I don’t know a lot about my family, not even my parents. Sometimes, I ask myself if I was adopted or, simply, have connections with ethnicities I never thought I have.
Yet, here am I, surrounded by federal agents. I try to ask questions, under the impression I’m about to be arrested, but the agents don’t allow me to utter even a single word. I do as they say; therefore, hold my tongue.
One of them sits next to me. She tells me in a firm, but soothing voice. “Listen, sir, we’ve just found something… interesting about your ancestry, based on the DNA test we took. Do you want to know what it is?”
I gulp. She continues. “Well… I don’t know how to put this without upsetting you. You aren’t human, sir. I’m afraid we have to keep you under custody until we figure out where you actually come from.”
I’ve always thought of myself as a human. What sets me apart from the rest? I can’t believe a random ancestry test is actually a life changer. There must be something fishy here. But what?
I guess I have to do what the FBI tell me and stay put. Who knows if and when I’ll be able to return home… Fuck that test.
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Book of Untold Tales ✓
Short Story2021 Leighyeann A. Mies All rights reserved [COMPLETED ON 31/7/2023] *** A collection of short stories from the Flash Fiction Fest prompts and the Writing Prompt of the Week prompts. Enjoy!
