THE EDGE OF THE UNIVERSE

CHAPTER 1: GRACE AND JOANNA

Grace and Joanna did take an unusually long time at the store, but I wasn't worried. Sometimes they would go to the mall, try on different dresses, watch couples, singles and families shopping together, and then grab a Slurpee on their way back. I had lost track of time while working on my book, and when I glanced at the clock of my computer screen, it was already six o'clock - almost dinner time. I had no messages from Grace, and when I tried calling her, her phone went straight to voicemail. An uneasy feeling began to spread inside me. Should I wait a bit longer or grab my coat and head out to look for them? I went through all the possible scenarios in my head, searching for an explanation for their delay. Maybe they had spontaneously visited Garce's sister Jenna and her phone had run out of battery on the way?

Just as I was about to leave the house to look for them, the clanking sound of the doorbell shook me through my bones. I saw myself standing beside me like a scene from a movie, as I went to open the door and saw the police officer on my front porch. In that moment, I knew exactly what he was going to say. There was no doubt in my mind: Grace and Joanna were no longer alive.

Since the emotional recognition software was implemented in police forces worldwide, there was no need for the defense bot. The police officer knew I wasn't going to be aggressive after receiving such devastating news. His scan detected only shock and deep sadness in my eyes, so he put the bot away.

"I am sorry for your loss, Mr. Davis. I believe you are familiar with the procedure after a mortal incident," he said, handing me with some electronical forms to fill out. He then simply turned around and left. So much for sympathy these days. The world had become a terrible place to be human. I stood there frozen, all by myself, unable to move. I simply couldn't phantom what had just happened. After what felt like an eternity, I went back inside, broke down on the floor, wailing and crying. Crying like I never cried before in my life.

The days that followed passed in a blur, as I tried to organize the funerals and everything else around it. I still couldn't believe what had happened. An assistant bot was offered to me by the city, but I didn't want a heartless, standardized ceremony. My wife and daughter deserved a proper goodbye. I could see how such a service might be a solution for someone unable to cope with the loss, or for people who didn't want much to do with the deceased family member. But that wasn't me.

Through it all, my two friends, James and Rebecca, were a great emotional support. A couple Grace and I had met on our beach holiday together and remained close ever since.