Short, Short Stories

Malfunction.

This is a small writing piece about my character Aris!

Clink, clink clink

Aris was busy in her workshop, tinkering Bestla in the dead of night. The feeling of the wrench in her hands, the smell of oil, the flickering light overhead. This was comfort to her.

Bestla. Her companion for as long as she can remember. Her favorite machine she's worked on. Many cherished memories were with him. She smiled as she continued to tighten up screws, oil various parts. To her, Bestla was like family.

....

After tinkering with different parts, she stepped back and admired her work.
"Hm, it wouldn't hurt to do a test run, now would it?" She asked herself as she programmed Bestla to lower himself so she could go inside.

[HAHAHAHAHAH NO LITTLE IRISH LASSIE! DON'T GO INTO THE ROBO SUIT!]

As she got inside the suit, it was all the same. Surprisingly clean interior, some buttons inside, and the oxygen tank's little system, telling her how much air she'd have inside.

The little gauge read "80% oxygen", which ment it would last her a few hours. Great! She doesn't have to replace the tank yet. The draining process to replace the oxygen tank was one she really didn't want to experience now, especially since it was about 4 in the morning.

...

Just after 5 minutes of being inside the suit, a loud " clang" was heard. Loud, blaring noises sounded from the inside of the suit.

Warning. Oxygen Depleting. Warning. Oxygen Depleting.

Aris was confused. Why was this happening? This was hella sudden! Calm down, think this through.

She tried pressing the emergency off button on Bestla, but it was unfortunately jammed.

Oh Fuck.

She looked at the gague again, the needle was going haywire and she could feel how suffocating it felt inside.

"Well, no use trying to get out, now, is there?" She laughed, trying to pry open the helmet, which acted like it was glued down to the rest of the suit.

....

Before she knew it, the oxygen was fully depleted in the suit, and it ended up collapsing on one side, crushing her now dead body inside.

Blood ran down her lifeless face, which held a painless smile. Dried up tears stained her pale face, her green and blue eyes wide open. Her mouth slightly open, as if she was trying to take one last breath.

...

Bestla was still sputtering, repeating the phrase "I'm.. Sorry.." over and over again until he died out. His luminous parts, flickering vigorously before dying out quickly.

...

Knowing this could happen, a letter, addressed to "Everyone that knows me" was laid out on her table, pre-written.

Messily scribbled on a neatly folded paper, it read;

   "Hey! So, uh.. I guess if you're reading this, it means I'm dead! I mean, I've hidden this letter for you to find after I've passed on soo..

    Anyways, I'm sorry about being stubborn. I really can't help it. It's just a part of my nature. No matter how hard I try, I'll always be stubborn, hehe

   Anyways, to my beloved Lillian and Auryn, I just wanna apologize.
I'm sorry I left you both so soon. I wanted to see the both of you grow, and to experience good memories with you guys, but I guess I can't do that anymore. Please, if you can, move on and live your lives to the fullest. It's what I want for you two. I guess you can call it "my final wish" for you guys.

   To Aunt xxxx, Uncle xxxx, and Solar,
I'm thankful to you all for being family to me, and for supporting me in everything I do. You've done everything for me and it's a shame I can't pay you back for all you've done. About my workshop at home, could you leave it the way it is? Who knows, my spirit may visit you all, and I'd like to see my staring point, my drive to living, you know? Sorry, I seem cheesy in this section. But, I hope you three have good health for the long run. And, thank you again for being my family when my parents were never there.

   To finalize this letter, to whoever reads this, please, for my sake, preserve Bestla. He's been my best friend for the longest time, ever.If I can be remembered for one thing, I just want it to be of building him. He's my pride and joy. My life's work if you will. My passion for technology all started with him. So please, preserve him, and bring him back to my relatives.

   Many regards, Signed,
               Aris Malloyei.