History of the Future: A Science Fiction Anthology

Birthday Present

"Thanks for coming," I called after the last of my friends as they exited my house. I shut the door, heaving a big sigh of relief. Fatigue overwhelmed me, and I felt myself slide onto the floor.

"Tired?" My dad laughed, sitting down beside me. "I told you, parties are exhausting."

"Yes," I reluctantly agreed. "But this is a very special year for me, so I think it was worth it."

"Of course, sweetie. Your sixteenth birthday should most definitely be celebrated."

"Thanks Dad," I said, giving him a big hug.

The sound of dishes clattering from the other room caught my attention. 

"I'd better go help Mom clean up," I said, standing to leave.

"Hold on a second," my dad said. "I have one last present for you."

Curiosity sparked inside of me. "What?"

"You're going to have to help me up first," he chuckled. I clasped his metal hands, and pulled him up with all my might. Metal gears squeaked as my Dad stood up.

"I'm getting too old," he chuckled, heading to the other room.

"Tenyia, can I put the oil in the fridge?" my mom called from the other room.

"Sure," I answered.

My dad reentered the room with a present neatly wrapped in pink paper. I stretched out my arms to receive the present. I tore it open, and gasped at the sight of a small, metal cage.

"Dad.... you finally bought me a pet!" I cried with glee. I set the cage down to inspect the gift I'd been given. Inside was a tiny fairy, no larger than the size of my hand. I threw my arms around my Dad's neck. "Oh, thank you! I've always wanted a fairy!"

"Your welcome, darling," he said. "Just be careful. Fairies are very delicate, and you don't want to accidentally crush her."

"I'll be careful," I promised. I took the cage and skipped up to my room.

I fumbled for some wires, desperately needing a recharge. I was exhausted! Finally, I found some, and crossed over to the power outlet. I was just about to plug in my battery when I heard something flutter from across the room. I whipped around, wondering what could have made the noise. My eyes zeroed in on the fairy's cage. I dropped the charger and raced over to it.

I gasped. The fairy was gone! What the....

My sensors picked up on the fairy as she flew beside me.

"Greetings," she said.

My control system spun. What was going on?

"How did you get out?" I demanded.

"You can't keep me in there forever," she sang.

I lunged for her, trying to put her back inside her cage. She simply giggled and flew away.

"Come back!" I commanded. I chased her around my room, tripping over spare gears and parts. She darted toward a corner, and I closed in. My hand stretched out. She was only an inch in front of me. And then.... my battery died.

"