Quick Reads: "The Family Unit"
By Jonathan Reddoch
“The Family Unit” was first published by The Salt Flats literary journal in November 2020, which is hosted by the Salt City Genre Writers. The theme for the month was “the family you choose.” I tend to take these things literally, so, I wrote a slightly disturbing sci-fi tale about an angry young man who chooses a new family.
I don’t know if I would call this horror exactly but with a surprise twist ending reminiscent of “Tales from the Crypt” I think horror and sci-fi fans will enjoy this weird take on the theme of family.
The first half is included here, but you can read the entire story for free on Medium.com.
Dolts! All of them. I’ve had about enough of this witless family!
Grey was finally through with his dimwit brother, his halfwit sister, his twit mother, and his unwitting father. He stormed out of his suburban prison, with one final word, “adieu.”
“Brevity,” he mumbled to himself, “is lost on these stable geniuses.”
He crammed into his homemade motorcar and headed for the long-abandoned Circuitry Center where he would set up a new household, one he would be the master of.
He broke into the store, set up his operation, and immediately calculated the most efficient layout for his homestead. Fewest steps to the bathroom, best air ventilation, et cetera.
It was cold and dark, dank and musty. The carpet was odorous where a leak had dripped and rat feces permeated the air. With some work, it would do. No more trying to extrapolate data while the TV blared loudly. No more boys visiting his sister under the guise of tutelage. No more home-cooked lasagna platters and memorial potatoes (though he quite liked that dish). No, from now on pre-packaged ready-to-eat meals would suffice. Sustenance was merely to quench his need so his brain could operate.
Then it was time to work. Left to his own devices, he would surely be more industrious than ever. As he began to engage his faculties in their highest level of productivity, he drafted new designs for his roaming speedster, new concepts for single-player board games, shorter paths to reach the toilet.
His genius was being squandered every second that it was not being appreciated. He found himself explaining the significance of his own achievements to his shadow. Who would listen to him? Who would glorify his tenacity and perspicacity?
Then came the epiphany of epiphanies. He needed a new family. But not just any family. One that appreciated his sense of creativity. One that would value his innovation. One that would comply.
Liked the story? Read the rest on Medium, and don’t forget to give it a clap!
Jonathan Reddoch
Jonathan is the co-owner of Collective Tales Publishing, the publishing company for Collective Darkness. He is a father, an editor, an academic, and a lifelong learner. He enjoys writing several genres, especially horror and sci-fi.