Stories that I get from ToolBaz

Tex and Church and Carolina:

Setting: A dimly lit room. The soft glow from a screen illuminates Carolina's face as she watches a video of happier times with her parents. She fidgets restlessly, her emotions simmering just beneath the surface. The door creaks open, revealing Tex and Church standing hesitantly in the doorway.

Church: (clearing his throat) Hey, Carolina. We... we just wanted to check on you. How are you holding up?

Carolina: (sarcastically) Oh, I’m just peachy. You know, just the strongest and best Freelancer the Project ever had. It’s not like I’m trying so hard for the attention of my dad or anything.

Tex: (softly) Carolina, that's not—

Carolina: (cutting her off) You don’t get to say my name, Tex. I hate you. All this work I've done—everything—just wasted because some new kid waltzes in and suddenly he's the star. Meanwhile, his daughter? She’s just a good little soldier, fading into the background.

Church: (frowning) That’s not fair to yourself—

Carolina: (bitterly) Fair? Life isn’t fair! What’s even worse? My rival is my own mother! (laughing darkly) An accident that came from when my dad first made Alpha. He’s obsessed with a robotic doll, while his real flesh and blood is over here, fighting for recognition.

Tex: (gently) Carolina, your parents—

Carolina: (shouting) They don’t care! They only want to bring her back because they hate goodbyes. I get it—I do. I hate goodbyes too! But it doesn’t change the fact that I’m right here, right now, and I’m nobody’s priority!

(A heavy silence envelops the room. Tex and Church exchange glances, unsure of how to respond.)

Church: (hesitantly) We didn’t mean to…

Carolina: (still angry) You two aren’t my parents! You’re just AI trying to imitate the original! Nothing you say will change that.

(Church looks down, hurt but determined. He focuses his energy, and the screen flickers, replacing the dark memories with a joyful scene—Carolina’s birthday, Allison singing, laughter filling the air.)

Tex: (pointing at the screen) Look, Carolina! You remember this?

Church: (smiling sadly) She had the most beautiful voice. (he nods) We were happy then.

(As Carolina watches, tears well in her eyes, an ache in her chest. Suddenly overwhelmed, she rushes towards them, dropping her defenses.)

Carolina: (sobbing) I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean—

Church: (pulling her into a comforting embrace) It’s gonna be alright, Carolina.

Carolina: (pulling back) No, it’s never alright! I’m terrified! I’ll never see them again… How can you say it’s alright when it’s not?!

Tex: (gently) The daughter we know is stronger than this. You’ve overcome so much.

Church: (nodding) And even though they’re gone physically, if you remember them, they’re still there in your heart.

(Carolina collapses into tears, her walls finally crumbling.)

Carolina: (between sobs) I love them… I miss them so much...

(They embrace, holding her tightly as she cries. After a time, they separate, Tex and Church looking downhearted but resolute.)

Tex: This isn’t goodbye, Carolina. It’s just a farewell for now.

Church: (smiling softly) Go forge your own path. We’ll stay here, in this moment, until time catches up with us.

(Carolina wipes her tears, swallowing her pain. She looks back at them one last time.)

Carolina: (whispering) I’ll remember you... both of you.

(As she steps out of the room, Tex and Church watch her go, a bittersweet pride in their eyes.)

Church: She’ll be alright.

Tex: (nodding) Yeah. In her own time.

(The screen slowly dims, leaving the room in a hush as Carolina ventures out, determined to carve her own destiny.)