Another

Chapter Five: Cold Attitude

I was awoken by the prodding of something metal. I fluttered open my eyes to see a little robot with an orange pupil. Seeing I was awake, the little rover drone relayed a message from Motherboard.

"Jacob, the specimen has been revived. They are upstairs in my domain. You will want to hurry. Transmission Complete."

I sat up, reaching for Flint to turn him back on. After a minute, Flint's green pupil lit back up.

"Is it awake?" He asked, excited.

I smiled. "Yes, we're going to see it up in Motherboard's room." He vibrated and let out a chirp.

"I'll get R.C." he shouted, running across the hall.

Surprised, I asked, "Why is he over there?"

Flint giggled slightly, "I was playing with him when you were asleep..."

Oh Flint... You funny little robot...

Motherboard's room was dark, except for the glow of her screen. When Flint and I entered, a light shone down from above, illuminating the immediate area around her.

"Flint!" she exclaimed happily "How is my little creation doing?"

Flint vibrated again, "I'm fine. I've learned so much about the world since my departure!"

I stepped into the light as Motherboard kept asking Flint questions. I looked around, seeing nothing but dark.

"Ahem," I stated. Motherboard and Flint stopped talking. "Where's the ice thing?" I asked.

Motherboard's pupil shrunk extremely small, a small blip in her screen. "That's right Jacob... Well... First of all..." She wandered off.

"So where is it?" I kept asking.

She hesitated. "Look behind you..."

I felt scared to look over my shoulder. Flint didn't, quickly getting a better look of behind.

"Woah... Jacob? You might want to look..." He said, his voice seemed off, almost as if he was a bit scared too.

I turned to see the shadow of someone standing. It stayed there, and I didn't see why Flint was scared. It was obviously a mermaid... Nothing to be afraid of... But... How was it standing? I took a step back. It took a step forward. This was something I'd never seen before... Something that could be dangerous.

Flint must have noticed my fear, because he asked me what was wrong. "It's nothing to be afraid of... It's just like you!"

I stopped stepping back. What? The shadow took a step forward, exposing a foot... Five toes, no shoes, touching the ground... Not a mermaid or a ghost... Of course not a ghost, it was in ice...

Another step and my jaw dropped. It looked... Human... It looked like me...

It had long, flowing brown hair falling around thick clothes. Why did it have those? It's way too hot around this time of year. The clothes were brightly colored purple as well, with a fuzzy hood.

Then I looked at the face. It looked so... Peaceful... not dangerous... And its eyes... They looked like the rocks they kept in the castle treasury. It was... Beautiful...

"Where am I?" it asked, in a clear feminine voice. It was a girl... I stepped back again, surprised she could talk.

"Uhh... This is the Motherboard's Castle..." I told her. "Hi... I'm Jacob..."

She looked at me, Motherboard's screen, and then Flint on my shoulder.

"Were you dead?" Flint abruptly asked.

She looked shocked at Flint. "Is that a robot? Did it just ask if I was dead?"

"Well, you were in ice... We thought you were dead." I said, hesitantly.

She looked surprised. "Ice? I was in ice?"

"Perhaps this is a good time to let you two out." Motherboard broke in. "Jacob, please try to answer everything she asks... Bring her to your house until she's well-informed. We'll see what to do after that..."

I became extremely nervous... I was going to bring her into my house?

"Will do Motherboard!" Flint answered to the call of duty. "She will be smarter than Jacob by the time we're done!"

Motherboard's screen nodded. "Good, good, go now. Be safe."

Before we walked out of that room one thing crossed my mind - Flint's childish intent for good was a bit of a weakness...