Caution with this one – Hopefully the picture will give you some clues that it's not entirely wholesome in places. This one's a little bit horror. It's also more science fantasy than science fiction, so please don't get on my case about how impossible it all is.

Todd Rains has just arrived on a frontier world, looking for a place he can breath without being told when and where he's allowed to, but there's something a little off with this world. Is it the paradise he's been looking for or has he jumped out of the frying pan into a very hot fire?

Melanie Ezell's big closet ultimate writer's challenge – This Space Intentionally Left Blank

So this lab offers to pay me a humungous amount of cash to take part in their variation on some thought experiment. I mean what was I going to do? The whole thing was never intended to be anything more than a discussion starter, so if these guys want to throw their money, who am I to turn it down?

Don't mess with quantum physics guys, it's weird shit

Melanie Ezell's big closet ultimate writer's challenge – Written From The Heart

Thanks to Wren Erendae Phoenix for editing/proofing.

She reached down and kissed me before settling back onto my chest. “I love you,” she said stroking the soft lace of my nightdress.

Could things get better than this?

Melanie Ezell's big closet ultimate writer's challenge – Written From The Heart

Thanks to Wren Erendae Phoenix for editing/proofing.

“You OK?” I asked her.

“Yeah. You needn't have folded so neatly under Mum and Dad's cross-examination though.”

Melanie Ezell's big closet ultimate writer's challenge – Written From The Heart

Thanks to Wren Erendae Phoenix for editing/proofing.

Uncle Stan calmed his nerves and collected his thoughts, before putting down his knife and fork, and looking across the table at me.

Melanie Ezell's big closet ultimate writer's challenge – Written From The Heart

Thanks to Wren Erendae Phoenix for editing/proofing.

The courtroom scene depicted in this chapter is fictional and bear little or no resemblance to real life (as far as I'm aware).

Melanie Ezell's big closet ultimate writer's challenge – Written From The Heart

Thanks to Wren Erendae Phoenix for editing/proofing.

The courtroom scene depicted in this chapter is fictional and bear little or no resemblance to real life (as far as I'm aware).

He stood up slowly, staring intently at a sheet of paper lying on the table in front of him. Then he approached the witness box, his expression unreadable.

Melanie Ezell's big closet ultimate writer's challenge – Written From The Heart

Thanks to Wren Eridnae Phoenix for editing/proofing.

I slept well again that night and in the morning was pestering the nurses and doctors about when I might actually leave. They told me that whilst this was a sure sign I was recovering there were still quite a few tests and observations they wanted to do to ensure I was going to be OK before they let me loose on the world again.

Melanie Ezell's big closet ultimate writer's challenge – Written From The Heart

Thanks to Wren Erendae Phoenix for editing/proofing.

The courtroom scene depicted in this chapter is fictional and bears little or no resemblance to genuine legal proceedings (as far as I'm aware).

Sensing something wrong I looked up to see three very grim faces looking at me from over where Mr Talbot was holding a rather official looking piece of paper.

Paul held up the letter in his hand. “This is I’m afraid Richard. It’s an injunction instructing me to deliver you to the county court nearest your home town, where your parents have dictated that you should undergo an assessment to ascertain the state of your mental health. The court appearance is for tomorrow at noon.”

Melanie Ezell's big closet ultimate writer's challenge – Written From The Heart

Thanks to Wren Erendae Phoenix for editing/proofing.

We talked through my third helping of stew and Jen led me up to my room.

“Your night clothes are under the pillow,” she said. “We can talk about this in the morning.”

Melanie Ezell's big closet ultimate writer's challenge – Written From The Heart

Thanks to Wren Erendae Phoenix for editing/proofing.

Dave was quiet for long while. When he finally did speak my nerves were frayed.

That night I slept in the nude not wanting anything to do with girl clothes and mourned the loss of my friend.