Julia and her dog Lyla ran along the seashore.

She jumped into the water.

Lyla followed, splashing and paddling with her.

A storm broke out with thunder and lightning …

Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

“Hold on, girl!” Julia grasped Lyla.

They were both zapped by lightning and ‘terminated.’

— — — —

“Ma’am, ‘Heaven’s Defenders’ hackers are at it again.”

“At least they fell for the decoy this time.”

“Oh, they weren’t real?”

“No Mark, she and her dog are hidden behind another layer, but that’ll satisfy them.”

“Why do they do it?”

“Well, Mark, they believe if we upload our consciousness, we are denying heaven a soul.”