The Cold Unknown

Chapter 2 - Kara

A couple months had gone by, and while I still loved my new father, I had begun to find out some of his secrets.

I had snuck into his room one day, and I found a bottle of anti-depressants. Along with a pack of these strange red crystals. I wondered what they were. Jewels? Candy? Something of value? And then, a few days later, I found him talking on the phone. It sounded like he was setting up a time to meet and give someone something. After he had hung up, I asked him about it.

"Who was that?" I asked.

"Oh. Uh, nobody. Just an old friend asking for a favor." He replied. He was obviously hiding something. This time, I wanted to know what.

"Are you going to give them something?"

"Yes."

"What is it?"

"Nothing. Just an extremely early Christmas gift. It's only October, but why not prepare now right?" He gave a nervous chuckle. Todd was fidgeting nervously. He seemed to want to end the conversation. I was even more confused. Then, I remembered  the red crystals I had seen. Those seemed like they could be some sort of Christmas gift.

"Is it those red crystals that they asked for?"

Todd suddenly looked shocked. "What?! How the heck do you know about those?!" He exclaimed.

Oops. "I.. Uh.. Uh..." Honestly how was I supposed to tell him I was sneaking around? I needed to distract him from the crystals. "Who was she?" I blurted out without thinking. "The girl in the picture? And the woman?"

Todd's face went from confused anger, to rage. Uh, oh. Wrong distraction. His hands balled into fists, and his eyes narrowed. Then his voice spoke louder than I had ever heard it before.

"I thought I told you to NEVER mention Caroline and Emma in front of me!! That woman is dead to me!! They both loved me, and then suddenly hated me, now I'll never see them again!! So, leave me be about it you little brat!!"

His hand went up to strike me, but I screamed and jumped out of the way. Todd glared at me, but then went up to his room, and shut the door loudly.

I just stood there in pure shock. How could he be so cruel? I thought he loved me. I started to cry. How can a photo bring so much hate? So much anger? I remembered the girl in the picture. She looked a lot like me, but younger. Why am I here if he sees her in me? Why purposely suffer the pain it brings?

I calmed down after a little while. I went up to my room - Todd was still in his - I drew a picture on the wall, played pretend with Timothy, and read Alice In Wonderland. I envied this Alice. She was able to be in a world of her own, was able to escape reality. But, the Alice I am, is stuck in this bitter reality. All alone.. With no friends...

Someone knocked on my door. "Yes?" I asked.

"Hey, Alice," Todd said from behind the door. "I.. I'm sorry. I'm for losing my temper earlier. I.. I-I just can't bare the memories, you know?.. Uhm, hey.. I decided to get another android, for you to hang around. You'll probably like it better than I will.. You wanna come with me to pick it up?"

Another android? I like the thought of more company. Yes, I would enjoy th- wait.. Where did he get the money to buy an android? I thought he couldn't pay for things. But, okay..

"... I guess. Yeah, I'll come. And, I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have brought anything up." I stood up and opened the door. I hugged him. "I love you, Dad."

"I love you too, Alice." Todd said, hugging back slightly. "Come on, let's go."

We headed out and to the nearest CyberLife store - about an hour away. We went inside, and    up-to the front counter.

"Can I help you?" The woman at the counter asked.

"Yes, we're here to pick up our new android." Todd said.

"Could I get your name?"

"Yes, of course. It's Todd Williams."

The lady typed in the name into her computer. "Yes. Here you are. You purchased an AX400, correct?"

"Yes, that's correct." Todd replied.

"It's in the back. I'll have James help set you up." She typed in something else into the computer, and an android walked over to us.

"Hello. My name is James. If you'll follow me, I'll help you set up your android." James starting walking towards the back of the store, and we followed him in. We walked over to a                   'Pre-purchased Androids' section. There were a lot of different models waiting to be picked up. We walked over to an AX400. She was wearing her issued android uniform, which was some form of dress. She had brown hair tied into a bun, and blue eyes. She looked friendly.

James started talking with Todd, tablet in hand, making changes to Kara as they went. I walked up to the android. Breaking out of her android stance, she looked down at me and smiled. I was surprised. She can do that? I thought to myself.

"Hello. What's your name, Little One?" She asked.

"My name is Alice." I said, still surprised by her.. human actions.

"Alice. What a beautiful name, it's pretty." She told me.

"So, you are going to be with us now?" I asked her

"Yes, I do believe that I'll be a part of your family now." She said. She thinks we'll be family? That's such a.. human response. "We'll give you a name. I am just still not sure what I want to call you. My Dad is letting me choose." I told her.

"Hmm.. You know what? Since you are having troubles, how about I give you a suggestion? There is a name that I find quite pleasing." She said.

"Okay." I agreed. "What is it?" She leaned down to whisper in my ear. "Kara."

"Kara..." I whispered back, thinking about it as she stood back up. "I like it! I'll name you that."

She smiled again. "Well I'm glad you like it. Best tell your father." She encouraged.

I nodded, and walked back over to Todd and James. Kara had resumed her android stance. Whoa... 

"...Okay. I've just about finished customizing your android. All it needs is a name." James told Todd, who looked down at me. "Did you decide on a name, Alice?" He asked me. I nodded. "Kara - with a K."

Todd nodded, thinking. "Okay, then." Todd turned to James. "We are ready with a name." He said. "Splendid." James replied, and walked in front of our android. "AX400. Register your name." He stood back and Todd took his place. "Kara."

"My name is Kara." She repeated, just like I did when Todd bought m- oh, no... I never told Kara I'm an android like her. Should I tell her?.. I don't know. Todd told me on the way here that AX400s are good with children. But are they good with all children, or just the human ones? But anyway, none of that matters right now. Let's just take Kara home. She said she was gonna be family and... I've always wanted a mother.