This is a podcast extra from Nature. Every week nature publishes a science fiction story in its

future slot and every month we read you our favourite. This month's story is Melissa, written by

Troy Stieglets, published on the 10th of November and read by Adam Levy. The receptionist looked

up from her desk with a warm smile.

Can I have your name, please?

Yes, ma'am, my name is Captain Carter Harrison.

I am here to visit Mrs. Melissa Taylor.

He was a young man with short, cropped hair and an athletic build.

He wore a decorated military uniform.

He shifted his weight nervously from one foot to the other

and crumpled and folded his hat between his hands.

Oh, Mr Harrison, Melissa's been expecting you.

She's been asking the staff about you all week.

Now don't take it personally, but she'll probably forget your visit

and we'll be asking about you all over again tomorrow.

Here's your visitor's identification, she said as she handed over a white badge.

Please use the computer to check in and head down the hallway to your left. She's in room

3417. He nodded, took a deep breath, and started down the long antiseptic corridor.

His palms were clammy and his heart was pounding as he peeked in through the open doorway of the room.

An elderly woman was lying peacefully in bed with her eyes closed.

A blue and white knitted blanket was pulled up to her waist. He paused for a

moment and then softly knocked three times on the metal doorframe. Melissa slowly opened her eyes

...