Sundown (Book 2)

Name

The house seems eerily quiet like no ones stepped foot inside it for years. The faint smell of metal and rust fills the air and I immediately know where David's at. Downstairs, working in his shop, possibly trying to create a new weapon for himself. Meanwhile, I begin to prepare dinner for myself, which of course I'm new at, considering it's only been a few months since I became human. So far I've mastered the art of creating both toast and cereal.

I'm about to call for him but then I decide against it, knowing it'll only make him feel bad since he can't eat anymore...even though technically he doesn't need to. I graciously throw a few pieces of bread into the toaster and take a seat at the old kitchen table. We would've bought all new furniture with the money David won, but with the total cost of the robot, it only left us with a few thousand left. And the job David previously had he was fired from since robots aren't allowed to work and make money.

Suddenly in the midst of my thoughts, I hear the basement door open, then shut as he walks into the kitchen, "You okay?" He asks, seeing me sit in silence, staring off into space.

"Yeah, I just spaced out. But also, when are you going to teach me how to cook real food?" I pester him.

"When I can actually eat it." He says smugly, taking a seat in the chair next to me. After a little while, I notice he's just staring at me, not even blinking.

"What are you doing?" I ask, a little concerned.

"I'm thinking Appareil." He says in a terrible French accent.

"For what?" I ask.

"It means, Apparatus in French, and I've always really liked the name. I was thinking...since you are now human...all humans have real names and I uh...thought Appareil, " He says once again, mispronouncing it, "Suited you."

"I actually don't know what to say." I say, having mixed feelings about the whole thing, "When did you think of this?"

"When I was working downstairs, I thought about how it was strange I never called you by your name before, then it dawned on me that...you don't have one." He says, in a kind but a straightforward way.

"I guess now I do." I smile. "Appareil."

"Appareil Falcon." He adds, suddenly blushing, "I uh...no I didn't mean like, well you see um I-"

"I love it, Appareil Falcon." I lean in and hug him. Suddenly the toaster goes off and I get up to get it, when I see the mail drone out the window, "Is that coming to our house?" I ask, neglecting my toast as I run to the front door. I was right because a small orange envelope sits at the doorstep.

I reach down and pick it up, but when I begin to read it, my face goes pale. David must see my expression because he rushes over, stealing it from my hands and reading it. His heart drops too. He begins to slowly read aloud;

"...We are sorry to inform you that your entry has been denied due to previous participation..."