Chapter 1: Introduction
John's apartment was no longer the sanctuary he knew and loved. It felt like a big warm hug that had turned too tight, squeezing the breath out of him. When he tried to sleep the night before, he didn’t want to close his eyes, for fear of being swallowed up by it all. The place was overrun with Sarahs.
He took a deep breath and opened the door to the kitchen slowly, the cacophony of female voices intensifying with each inch it moved.
The Sarahs, who had taken over the counters, table, and every available inch of space, turned to greet him in unison - a sea of identically warm smiles and bright eyes. It was impossible to tell one from another as they all looked and acted exactly like his girlfriend, aside from their clothing.
"Morning, John," they chimed, their voices mingling together in a harmonious blend. "We hope you slept well.
We made you some breakfast, just the way you like it," one of them said, holding up a plate with a perfectly cooked egg, crispy bacon, and some toast.
John stared at the plate, dumbfounded. He didn't remember any of them cooking him breakfast the night before, or actually ever. He had never seen Sarah cook in their three years together.
"You look a bit taken aback, John. We thought you would be happy to see us," another Sarah said, her voice filled with concern. And he was.
Confused, yes, but also grateful. For a moment, he felt a surge of happiness for this strange and wonderful occurrence. The Sarahs had replaced his friends, family, and even the objects he used daily.
"Can... I ask... why...?" John stammered, his voice betraying the shock he felt. "Why are all of you here?"
One of the Sarahs, the one who had given him breakfast, stepped forward.
"John, do you remember when you mentioned how much you wished you had more time to spend with me? To really enjoy all the little moments life has to offer?"
He nodded slowly, still overwhelmed by the scene around him.
"Well, we all heard you. And, we thought, what better way to make sure you never miss a moment with me than by becoming a part of every aspect of your life. We are here to make sure that no matter where you look, you'll find someone who cares about you deeply."
He blinked, absorbing the Sarah’s words.