His Prize

Chapter 25: Adjusting to a New Life

I wake up to an empty bed.

I find Alex in the kitchen. He's got that gun disassembled again.

"Morning," I say, scratching my head.

"Good morning," he says with a quick glance.

It looks like he's been at this for hours, but it's only 7 AM. "When did you wake up?"

"Around 4."

"You couldn't sleep?"

"I slept fine."

"But..." I trail off.

"Humans sleep twice as long as parbeings. Our brains have a much more efficient refactoring phase than yours."

"Oh."

The gun's circuits are laid out all over the table. "Can I help?"

"Go shower, change, brush your teeth and eat breakfast, then you may help."

I was going to do all those things anyway. I think he just likes telling me what to do. "Okay." I yawn.

After finishing my shower, I put on a new set of clothes over my swimsuit. It makes a few damp spots. I look a bit funny, but only Alex will see, so I'm not concerned.

I return to the kitchen and grab a cereal bowl from the cupboard. "Are you close to getting it working?" I ask as I open the fridge.

"It's hard to tell."

I sit at the table with a bowl of my favourite cereal.

He slides his tablet over to me.

I spend the next while eating cereal and scrolling through the schematic.

* * * * * * * *

He left for work at around midday. It's late in the evening and he's still out. I've washed the dishes and turned off the TV. I'm ready to go to bed.

I open his bedroom door. Am I supposed to sleep in his bed? One of his rules says I'm not allowed in his room, but he has had me sleep here the past few days. So it must be alright?

I take a few steps inside and sit on the bed. Maybe this is a bad idea? I don't want to get locked in the wardrobe again.

No. What am I thinking? Since when did I let fear control me like this? Screw his rules. I'm not being malicious. I won't let fear rule me.

I slip under the blanket and snuggle into the bed. It's just as soft as the cloud bed, if not softer.

Alex never stays out this late for work. He must be drinking again. I wish he didn't. I'd prefer if he was here.

* * * * * * * *

He snuck into bed late last night. We ate breakfast together and then he left for work. He's been gone for a few hours now. I've spent most of the time staring out the window. This is my third day in a row stuck inside this house.

I wonder around the house half absentmindedly, half looking for a way out. I know it's against his rules, but they're unreasonable. Like I said last night – I won't let fear rule me. Besides, he'll never know. I'll stay close to the house walls, so the GPS chip won't give me away.

The front door is locked, and all the windows are either locked or only open a few inches. I open the door leading to the garage. He forgot to lock it. Perfect.

I prowl around. Finding a screwdriver gives me an idea. I return to my bedroom and unscrew the wedges which prevent the window from opening more than a tiny gap.