21 years. Today marks 21 years that I've been alone, even though I have an AI Helper (Which I later renamed Harper, when I added new programming), it still feels like I'm alone. She's great, she's intelligent, she can feel emotion, but it's not the same. I remember Vivían and the way she would talk to me, the way she comforted me, Harper is simply a helper, a robot with advanced technology; technology that isn't human but can be made to be seen as human. When I was 15, I decided to put my mind to work and reprogram her. She wasn't bad, she wasn't broken, but she talked like a broken record on repeat. Of course, she taught me everything I know (besides Ms. Vivían). I gave her the name "Harper" which stood for, 'Helpful Artificial Robot Programmed Especially Right'. I realize it doesn't make much sense, but I like the name Harper, So I made it work. Harper is now more human-like but still a robot. She has a white plated body, with beautiful silver detailing. She has eyes that are colored blue and her head is mostly transparent; I made it that way so that her circuitry lighting would show through. I do love her, she's unique. I wasn't trying to recreate Vivían, I was just trying to make a more loving version of Harper.
I walk out of my bedroom and step into the kitchen area. Harper was currently tending to the garden that was outside of our home, while I made breakfast for myself. I ate healthy for the most part, I mean, the only junk food there was, was old pop tarts from over 25 years ago. They were expired, but every now and then I would nibble a bit just to keep my sugar craving at bay, but it wasn't very satisfying. I made apple cinnamon oatmeal for breakfast, adding a side of strawberries and raspberries. I sat in the beautifully lit dining room area which only had two chairs, one for me and one for Harper. I ate my food and just stared out the window, looking at the flora and fauna. My mind stays blank, with small thoughts about nature. I finish eating my food and place it in the sink. We have an automated dishwasher that cleans and puts the dishes away for you, but I like to feel useful so I clean and put them away myself. I quickly go to my room and I grab my ukulele from its place on the wall where my other instruments were and take it outside with me, I play as Harper checks on the condition of the plants. I start singing one of my favorite songs, La Vie En Rose. Harper starts humming along to it in the distance. As I am singing I stare out into the atmosphere, I look at the glass dome, it looks as blue as the sky and has clouds even. It looks real, but it couldn't be more artificial. "It never rains." I catch Harpers attention, she walks over to me and says, "it is always sunny here, for your comfort." I turn my face to her "I would feel more comfortable if it did rain." Harper is slightly taken aback, she nods and brings up a hologram board in front of her, a few taps on the screen and there it was. Rain. It starts raining, you could hear the thunder and see the cloud flicker with electricity. "Thank you, Harper, this makes me happy," I say smiling towards the sound of rain. Harper turns her head towards the sky, "I don't understand, why does this display of gloominess make you smile?" "Because," I say standing up and walking out from under the porch so I could stand in the rain. I spread my arms out wide and turn my face up to the sky. I smile "It makes me feel human." Harper stands confused, but smiles slightly as she is pleased with her Master's happiness. "Well then, I will return to my station." She says, and then enters the house. I stay standing, allowing my self to feel each raindrop, to feel a slight chill from the cold water. This is what being human feels like.
After spending a few minutes in the rain, dancing in it, I decided it was time to go inside. I changed out of my rain-soaked clothes into some comfy shorts along with a long shirt, both are colored white and extremely soft. Most of my clothes are white, actually. I don't usually wear a lot of colors, I even have a clothes maker, it can make any color and almost any style, but I mostly wear white. I have some other colors like grey, Black, and one blue shirt, but I never really wear it. I lay on my bed and pull up the hologram board. I often times look at photos of people or Earth before the fall. I scroll through photos and more photos until my eyes slowly start to close. The hologram fades and my mind drifts into a rem sleep.
My dreams become hazy and confusing, but then I see a figure, a dark tall figure, my hand is touching the figure's hand, I can't decipher if it's male or female, but its touch is tender and warm. I stay focused on our hands, the figure's fingers start to intertwine with mine; I start to look up at at the figures face, but then I'm awakened.
A cold metal hand lightly shakes me awake, I slowly get up and blink my eyes, I look at Harper with confusion and irritation attached to my face and tone. "What? What is it? Did something happen?" I questioned. "Please forgive me for interrupting your slumber, but Ms., it's your birthday today, did you forget?" I looked off into the distance and started remembering that it was, indeed my birthday. "I'm so sorry, I guess it just slipped past me..." I say with a slightly sad tone. Harper turns around and then turns back to me, she was holding a small cake with a candle. "Luckily, I never forget anything." She smiles and started singing me happy birthday. I smile and look at the little cake with such gratitude. The song was finished and I blow out the candles. She gave me a fork and I ate it, but It didn't take long for me to finish it all. Harper took the empty dish and the utensil to go be cleaned. "Thank you, Harper, I always appreciate it." I smiled at her, showing that I was indeed appreciative, "Of course Ms., it is my pleasure." Harper then leaves and I remain on my bed. "26....it feels like time as hasn't passed at all," I say to myself. I've spent 21 years alone, I think I forgot it was my birthday because this day is also the same day that I lost Vivian; I don't really like to think about it, because it always makes me feel unpleasant and depressed, (I've spent too many days being depressed already.) I guess I'm not completely alone, but I haven't touched another human in 21 years. The last time I had real contact with someone that wasn't a robot, was Vivían. I miss her. I hope she's doing well, whether or not she's still alive.
I lay down on my back and let out a sigh. My mind begins to wander to the dream I had earlier. That figure. That touch. I honestly have no idea who that was, but it felt so intimate and unfamiliar. I continue to think about it until my mind shuts off and goes to sleep.
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Question
Do you feel like this (yet to be named) character is worth getting to know? I have yet to introduce her personality but I will hopefully do that in the next few chapters. Another question, who do you think that figure in the dream is? Is it a woman or a man?
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Me, Myself and AI
Ciencia Ficción**ON HOLD** I thought no one else survived the tragic fall of Earth. I thought all humanity was dead 'except' for me. But how....how did you survive? What if you thought you were the last person on earth? What if you lived in a small sanctuary fille...
