Fiction - "Resale"

This is a flash fiction sci-fi piece that promises to one day fit into something longer. I look forward to finding out the greater story as it reveals itself. For now, it's just a creepy little excerpt.

"Resale"

Her hair fell out first, leaving her eyes slick around the rims and her arms smooth like a newborn. Before her muscles retreated from holding up her bones she would pat the taut flesh on the back of her head and frown.

"This isn't what they promised," her husband muttered to whoever paced the hospital hallways. "She barely seems alive!"

When the machines around her bed fell into a silent vigil her body was removed to the flagship processing plant. There her carbon was cremated, hardened into diamond and packaged for resale.

Her husband took his receipt of purchase to the customer service counter located on the lofty main floor.

"I want a refund," he said, "your guarantee was for 5 years. She didn't last half that."

"Sir," smiled the woman behind the desk, "we understand your disappointment. If I give you a refund, however, you will forfeit your claim to her material. So, let me tell you about our profit sharing program! Every time a bit of her sells, you make money! With payments instantly transferred to your bank account, you won't have to worry about a thing!"

"Well," said the man. "Yes. Yes, I suppose that sounds fine."