The Lights Went Out... [Short Story]

The Lights Went Out... Part 3 [Short Story]

"Sure.. I'd love to stay here..." I replied without a second thought, the professor mumbled something as he picked up the tea and biscuits, but I swear I saw a smile on his face as he left for the kitchen.

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Life at the Professors house soon fell into a comfortable routine. It was awkward at first but we soon we both synchronised our lifes to work side by side. I have a set of chores that i do which i think  are fair enough. I do all the house cleaning including laundry, while the professor cooks lunch.Turns out that the professor worked as a chef after the explosion, so he can whip up a mean dish of ravioli in half the time it'd take me. 

Also since i'd moved in with the professor, he got me a birthday present. I had completely forgotten that it was my birthday but was extremely ecstatic to see that the professor had gotten me a puppy! I named the puppy ET after my parents and loved him instantly. He was a small thing, a golden Labrador that filled my days with warmth,love and sunshine. ET is the main reason I was able to open up so much and begin to talk, chat and even joke around freely with the professor.

I honestly was beginning to love my life. The professor had begun to tutor me at home, and even had plans to send me to a local college, for I had surpassed the intelligence level of any 14 year old girl. I thought life would stay as it is and that nothing will ever change. I couldn't have been more wrong.

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The day everything changed was a day no different than the rest. I had finished doing my chores and was sitting in the back garden playing with ET. The professor was upstairs locked away in his study, a new habit of his that has been recurring for the past few days. I didn't think anything of it at the time, If only i could have read the signs. How the professor gradually stopped talking to me,how he always seemed 'sick' or too tired to cook anymore. How I practically stopped seeing him at all even though we live in the same house. I thought it was stress at the time, but now I understand why.

As I was playing fetch with ET, I hear the doorbell ring. As i step inside through the back door I hear it ring again accompanied with a knock.

"Alright, alright I'm coming!" I yell,as i make my way to the door, stepping on one of ET's toys lying around. I  make a mental note to pick them all up later. 

"Yes hello, How can i help you?" I as as I open the door, I see two men dressed in black at the door.  They even had black shades on even though it wasn't that sunny outside. The way the stood, so straight, with their hands behind their back. They're movements so practiced they looked fake, robotic, I couldn't even tell the difference between them.

"yes I wondering if you may be Alexis Hensworth?" Robot A asked in such a monotone voice, I almost laughed. Would have laughed too if i weren't so nervous. 

"Umm..yes,can i help you? I f your looking for the professor, he's upstairs, I can call him for you if you want....." I rambled on looking for way out of this, I'm not used to dealing with new people, and these two just looked as intimidating as hell. I wasn't sure i could take them on, even with my enhanced body.

"No that wont be necessary."

All of a sudden i see a blur of movement and find that my hands are suddenly behind my back. I hear a click and knew that Robot B had just handcuffed me, and pretty tightly too. 

I tried to call for help and saw the professor walk towards us. Something changed in me when I saw the professor's face. A blank sheet of emptiness all over, a looking at me yet not seeing. I knew what was happening yet couldn't believe it. Robot A takes control of the situation.

"Thank you professor Hensworth for your co-operation, you will receive your reward money in due time." again in that ridiculous monotone of his. 

The professor seemed to acknowledge what he said, and understand what was happening. Thus proving my theory even further, Though i still couldn't believe it.

"Pr-Professor what's going on? What's he talking about? what reward? why am I chained up? Why ar-"

"WELL, You might as well know," he said as he cut me off, "that I only took you in because of the reward, did you really think i'd let you live here forever? I knew who you were since the moment I opened the door 3 months ago, I mean you've had a bounty over your head for the past 4 years now! How could i resist the reward of 4 million pounds? Honestly you were nothing more than an annoyance to me, I didn't think I could stand another day of being around you, you freak! This is goodbye.."

He turned to leave, but i wasn't quite done yet.

"Professor!" I called.

"What? you want to curse me? yell at me? or do you want to cry? because you can spare me the talk, I think I know what want to say, so there's really no-"

"No! I wanted to say Thank you," That surprised him; He looked up at me, eyes big and a round 'o' on his face. "Thank you for at least treating me like I'm normal, like a human. Even if it was an act, it was the first time anyone has ever done that for me. It was the first time I felt good about living, so thank you." 

Tears were streaming down my face by this point, It it was okay. I said what I had to say. A quick expression formed on the  professor's face, I couldn't tell if it was surprise, sadness or guilt; and just as quickly as it came,it left his face and the professor stood with his blank face before turning around, and slamming the door shut. As the robots try to turn me around towards the heavy tinted black car, I catch a glimpse of ET at the window. Next to him is my parents journal, and as I am taken to the car, I take relief in the fact that i have fulfilled my life goals.I know who I am. I am Alexis Johnson, daughter of Eileen and Tony Johnson, whom love forever dearly. 

No i have no regrets, and I am no longer afraid of whats to come, for I have nothing else to live for.

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The government wanted a clean disposal of the undercover project, so when subjects like me had fled the seen, Bounties were placed on their heads to be bought back in again. I knew my fate since the moment I was cuffed. There was no trial, It was straight forward and immediate. a few paperwork's here and there and next thing I know I'm walking down a dark, cold depressing corridor. Everything about it screamed 'Living Hell'.

Small cells with only one wooden bunk bed and a sink. I could see toilets or remains of broken toilets here and there. These cells were for the worst of the worst criminals alive. As i pass by the cells I see a ragged looking man muttering away under his breath. another man in the next cell was waving his arms around almost like he was performing a musical concert and he was conducting it all.

I tried not to think of how I may turn out after a few years of being here. Instead I focus on all the nice things I've been through with the professor and ET. I think of how ET would get so scared over a little ant and would try to defend me and run away at the same time. It was so funny it left me and the professor in stitches at the time. I find myself laughing right now. I bet i fit right in.

I finally reach my cell. The handcuffs are removed form my hands and I'm thrown into the cell. I take a glance of my new surroundings, my new 'Home'. I try to get a good look of the outside world before the doors closed, and then...

...The lights went out.

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Hey everyone I finally finished! *woop woop*

I know its not the best ending, but it was originally a short story, I just happened to extend it when I was writing it up. Hope you guys enjoyed the story! I'll try to write more stories, probably with aless darker theme than this. lol =P

Thank you for everyone who read my stories!! I really appreciate all your comments and views too! So thank you guys too! 

Plz don't forget to Vote/Rate/Comment on my stories! Thanks a bunch! <3

-Fatma El