Zorto-13

Chapter 1

My stomach rumbled while a tear fell down my cheek. I would never see family or friends again -not that I remembered them-, let alone another human. I got to the nearest tree, which was an apple tree, and picked an apple. I sat down and took a bite, I didn't know how long I had been in space, but I felt I hadn't chewed for a long time. 'Hey James', I said. 'Am I getting crazy? I'm starting to talk to trees.' I took another bite. 'It's a weird feeling, having zero memory. I don't know my family, my friends, not even myself. Will I ever remember my name? Who knows.' When I finished the apple, I walked back to the spaceship. I sat down in front of a tablet-like device, searching for a guide of how to fix the ship. A menu appeared and I wanted to click on the button: "engineering", but I saw another button that drew my attention: "passenger information."

My curiosity won me over and I clicked the button. A photo of me appeared with info next to it. I read it out loud, because I knew no one could hear me: 'Name: Lailah Anderson, date of birth: 1 July 2080, parents: Liam and Angela Anderson.' I read about my parents and sister and scrolled through the photo album. After a while, I put the tablet away to let it all sink in. I felt uncomfortable in my poor clothes and got to the back of the spaceship. Maybe there were some clothes back there.

All I found was a huge button on the floor, which said: "Abigail", and since I had nothing else to do, I stepped on it. A huge projected face appeared and said: "Hello Lailah, I am Abigail, an ultra-modern technology device designed to give you everything you need. What can I do for you?' I was a little shocked but asked: 'I would like some fresh clothes, please.' Abigail answered immediately: 'Here are all the clothing options.' The face transformed into a list of clothing items. When I scrolled, it felt like I scrolled through air, but I managed to select a shirt, a pair of jean shorts and sneakers. The list disappeared as soon as I clicked the button "done" and arrows lighted up on the floor. I followed them to a clothing rack with only one outfit on it: the one I had just selected.

After changing clothes, I walked past different rooms and got into the first one, which drew my attention for a reason I didn't knew. The door opened to a room full of weapons. All sorts of knives, guns, bows and arrows hung on the walls and a table stood in the middle of the room, with the same button for Abigail, this time smaller and on the table. I pushed it and the button projected the smaller version of the Abigail-head. 'Hello Lailah, what can I do for you?' I had no idea why I pushed the button, but finally I remembered why I got back on the ship in the first place. 'Abigail, can you fix the ship?' Abigail's head transformed to a scale model of the spaceship with red dots all over it. Abigail's voice explained: 'There are 3872 errors on the ship. But nothing I can't fix.' I was surprised by the amount of errors but also on how the ship managed to keep me alive. 'How long will it take?', I asked. 'For the AHTZ37 to be fully repaired, it will take 4 years, 330 days, 20 minutes and 50 seconds.' I sighed by the thought of being stuck alone for 5 years. 'If you help manually, given breaks for sleep, eating and other human necessities, it will take 3 years, 40 days, 53 minutes and 17 seconds.' I better got to work. 'Start repairing, Abigail', I ordered and took a small knife from the wall. I took my hair and cut it off to shoulder length. This was going to be a long ride home.