Separated By a Wall

Life Without the CareBot

So I meant to update yesterday but I went to waterpark and when I came back I was too tired to write so I decided to update now. I also had some major writers block... I hope this chapter suffices in the meantime.

I had to be at work at eight. And even though I was up four hours earlier, I thought I would never make it on time. It took me nearly two and a half hours to tell her the story of what happened on the other side which was a mere three hours. Almost every ten seconds, she would either squeal in excitement or ask another question. I told her about finding Hayden again and Ryker and the grass.

By the time I was finished, her eyes were going to pop out of their sockets and her jaw was slack. "Well, I'm going to get ready for work. CareBot me." I extend my wrist, trying to break her out of her reverie. She immediately pushed it back, shaking her head. "You can't put it on now. It's going to put assistance on your bruises and send a report to government."

"Then what do I do?" I practically screamed. I couldn't go into the office without my CareBot. Caitlin extended her hands in an attempt to calm me down. "Okay, okay. We can fix this. I-I'll create a fake CareBot and latch it onto you! Then, by the time you heal, you can put the real one back on." I nod, not being able to form a response. She nods back at me and turns around to head back to the computer but I shout at her again.

"Wait! What about being scanned and- and teleportation and all of the other things the CareBot can do?" I loved the feeling of being free. But I knew that in reality it would have only lasted for a split second. I knew the CareBot was meant to assist me. It was meant to help me teleport and make my life easier.

But when I see other people and I truly look at them, studying their features, their eyes are bloodshot. Even children have hollowed cheeks and drooped eyelids as they walked around with fake smiles plastered on their faces. CareBots may make your life easier but they also make you miserable. You feel trapped as you pull uselessly at the object latched on your wrist.

I don't know why, but I felt safe with the terrible device. I felt protected and that I wouldn't be targeted if I just followed orders and kept it on. I didn't know how I truly felt until I had my first taste of freedom. "You're going to have to do everything without it. I'll help you patch up those bruises and while you get dressed I'll make the fake CareBot and take you to the building."

She grabs my hand and pulls me int the bathroom. She begins to unwrap the bandage Ryker's mother put on to reveal the ugly red mark on my ribs and a large scratch across my abdomen. "24351 commanding treatment." she tells her CareBot. "I didn't update it when it comes to medical attention so it's going to use... older remedies." A small claw emerges from the side of the bracelet and stretches out to grab supplies.

"Honey? An elastic bandage? I didn't even know I had these things! How do you heal with this? What about the syringe with the orange liquid? And the white paste?" Caitlin shrugs. "You're going to have to use this. Your CareBot is still disabled until you put it back on. The only thing it's good for is letting you back in here." I stare at her.

"So you're telling me that I have to wear the fake CareBot and carry the real one with me? I can't walk around with a bag! It will make me look suspicious!" The claw scoops up a spoonful of the honey and smears it onto my ribs causing me to hiss in pain. "It's hot." Caitlin nods. "I know. It's okay." she soothes. After a few minutes, the sticky substance has been spread over my abdomen and ribcage and the bandage was wrapped.

"Okay, when you put on your clothes for work, it shouldn't be too noticeable. I'm going to work on the CareNot." she laughs at her own joke. "CareNot?" I ask, trying not to crack a smile. "Yep. Get it? Since it's a CareBot but it's not." She leaves me alone in the bathroom and I stand up in front of the mirror. My face was unscratched but my expression makes it seem like I'm on the brink of death.