The memory clears, so I look at Selene. Her hand is on my face, watching me.
"I was destroyed."
"No, only disassembled. The others were destroyed." Selene's voice is grave.
"Why wasn't I?"
"You were the only one we managed to save."
I look down. Pieces of mind and bits of thought begin to come back to me. Silence stretches between us. Most humans would find it unsettling, but Selene doesn't seem to mind.
"I like it."
"What?"
"The name, Ari. I like it."
Selene smiles widely, her teeth flashing white in the warm darkness. After a minute, she stands up straight. Sparks of every green imaginable sparkle around her fingertips.
"The scientists tried hard, but they were misguided. With your consent, I'm going to continue working on your mind, your programming, until you feel that you have your own identity, whatever that may be. It will be difficult since I usually work with plants, but I figure robots and plants can't be all too different, right? And my magic should add a certain... element to who you become. Does that sound alright?"
I pause, assessing her words. I have only flashes of thoughts and identity. The memory brings much back, but I'm slowly losing the ability to care or even truly think. Before feeling slips away entirely, I nod.
My back stiffens, and I look straight ahead. "Do whatever you think is best."
YOU ARE READING
AR-131
Short StoryA witch with growth magic brings a rebel robot back to life. As she gains sentience, she discovers a passion that could rip her apart.
