Artificial(ish) Intelligence

Chapter 111

Libbi hovered down the short corridor. What was the point, though? She wouldn't find her body. And no one here would tell her, since they were the cause.

Most of the doors were shut and thus, in her current form, inaccessible.

A mechanical flutter and a cool breeze filtered through from above the ceiling, setting the mood. Where did it come from? Who was it? Why now?

These were the kind of questions she always asked.

"Come on, Libbi," she said, to herself. "You're an investigative journalist. Investigate!"

But there were no witnesses to interrogate. No clues to follow. No trail, hot or cold. She was wandering in the darkness. At least she had Will to-- Where was he?

They must have been separated down one of these seemingly identical corridors, the type that show no creativity in their design or conception and as such--

Hang on, hang on, is she having a go at me? Is the disease spreading? I'll be glad when this thing's finally over.

She was sure she'd heard footsteps, not that long ago, so he couldn't be far. But what was the point in turning back?

Of course there was a point. You don't give up until you have literally no other options. Even after being turned into a selfiebot, had she accepted her fate and filmed the boring life of Will Lurner? No, she'd taken steps to gain his assistance, weak as it was, and, ultimately, infiltrate the Schuvantz building.

In private messages, during a sting or investigation, her cousin Emma had given her the secret nickname IR, for Intrepid Reporter. Was she living up to the moniker? She had the ability to alter the present, and it was as simple as flipping her mindset.

"To preserve the body it'd need to be cold," she said. "Which means refrigeration."

She listened for the sound of an engine, for the hum of fans, but heard neither. On the other hand, the close sound of footsteps were suddenly quite clear.

"Will," she said, turning, "have you heard any--"

Her CPU clock froze. It wasn't Will. But it was someone she'd seen before, from her memories, from her past life. Someone who'd put her in this position.