Automan

In 1805

In the year of 1805 it had only been ten years since the war ended. It was quiet, unlike before. Everything had gone to ruins. With no one to run, fix, or repair anything it all stopped working. The robots too, they became violent because of the war.

I'm Alison I lived alone, mostly.

"Alison" an almost monotone robotic voice called my name in a moderate calm tone.

I groaned rolling to my side amongst the pile of old ratty blankets and pillows. "Just five more...." I mumbled pulling a pillow over my head.

There was a pause, as if it were meant for a sigh. "Allison, you said the same thing approximately five minutes ago. I believe I've given you enough time to rest." His tone was now slightly agitated but too slight for me to notice

"Ugh....Fine, I'm up okay?" I said annoyed drawing out my words.

I sat up and rubbed my eyes before looking at him. He was the same as he had always been after all these years. The same rusty bronze metal and glowing yellow eyes. He never changed, unlike me. I was different, with longer darker hair, my eyes changed from blue to hazel.

I sighed and got up. I took his out stretched hand as he helped me out from my little "pit" as I called it. The pit was nothing but where the wooden floor cut of into a little ditch in the ground where I slept, cushioned with blankets and pillows.

"Your breakfast is waiting at the table" he said before handing me my outer wear and boots.

I smiled "where'd you find the food?" I said impressed.

"Last night I found a bakery, there were ingredients for bread" he explained. "I, of course only made what you could eat for one meal, you can't afford to waist anything."

I went behind a screen to dress. "So that's where you were? Why didn't you tell me, or take me with you?" I asked

He changed the subject avoiding my question as if indicating that he had good reason not to take me with him.. "Why is it that you dress behind that screen? There is no one here to hide from."

"You, there's you and I don't know. It doesn't feel right to dress in front of you." I said as I walked out fully clothed.

"Feel?" He asked curiously. "I am not sure I quite understand. Would you specify"

I nodded French braiding my hair. "Its uncomfortable for me." I walked to the rinky-dink table we had with two blocks of metal for chairs. "I know you aren't human and you don't have the same thought process as humans, but I guess after all this time I might know that in my head, but in my heart I see you as a person." I sat down on the old block and turned to the freshly cooked bread.

There was a long pause. I looked back at him. "Automan, you'll still sit by me right?" I asked breaking the silence.

His head turned in my direction, his yellow glowing eyes fixated on me.

"Of course" he spoke with assurance in his voice. He walked over to the seat across from me and sat down.

I smiled again, with my hands I tore apart the bread and began to eat. It had a bitter dry taste, but that was expected. The burned smell mixed in with the grease oder. I grabbed the old musky green glass and took a swig of the dirty brown water.

"How was it?" Inquired Automan.

"Good, best bread I've had in years" I sarcastically remarked with a slight smirk.

"This is the first bread you have had in the past ten years." He said literal.

I laughed a bit, got up, and put my cup away. "Yes it is, I was being sarcastic."

"Oh, I see."he remained sitting "you have been using sarcastic remarks more recently, haven't you?"

I nodded jumping up on the table to sit closer to him. "Yeah, hopefully you'll catch on." I winked playfully.

Again he took this literally "I will file sarcasm in my data base"

With a smile and I laid back on the table. "Do you remember the promise?" I looked over at him. "I'm still holding you to it"

He nodded "I cannot forget, of course, I remember." his head turned to face mine. "Do you see what I did there?"

Giggling I nodded.

"I used sarcasm, just as you did." He said with a sort of light hearted tone.

"Almost" I teased playfully looking at the rotting ceiling.
"Say, did you pick any books up on your run last night." I got up off the table and looked around in an old chest filled with books for a new one.

"Yes," Automan stood and moved to a shelf above my head and pulled down a thick dusty book. "It is a fictional based book. As you like. I remembered"

Filled with excitement I jumped up hugging him. In reality his metal was cold and lifeless, but not in my mind. To me he was warm and I felt a beating heart as if he were human. I slid down taking the book.

"Thank you!" I yelled having walked off already reading it. I returned to my pit and lit a lamp to read.

I read for hours, with no track of time. I lost myself in the fairy tales and strange adventures. Reading always took my mind away from the empty life I lived. It entertained me from the depressing boredom that constantly surrounded me. I remained indulged until Automan stood at the edge of the my pit, requesting my attention.

"Yes?" I mumbled still reading.

"It is late in the evening, you should rest, for tomorrow." He tried convincing me.

"But its the really interesting part" I insisted.

"Then you will gladly want to pick it up in the morning." He said back to me.

I sighed closing the book bowing I'd never win a fight with him. "Fine, you win" I retorted setting the literature aside and got up to undress for bed behind the screen.

I remained in my under clothes and left in my braids as I went to the pit. I laid down and blew out the burning lantern. "Goodnight Automan" I said closing my eyes.

"Goodnight Allison" he said back sitting on one of the blocks.

I went to sleep recounting every night since the moment I met Automan. Most were empty and meaningless like this, some though, threatened my life. And with out Automan I couldn't have survived.

He was never an object to me, only a person, a hero, a savior, a family.