Excerpt Chapter 20: The Ai & Me

 

Mr. Smith's face changed and instantly he yelled, “Run!” He snatched the urn, feeling a surge of electricity that almost knocked him off his feet, but he fought hard to stay upright. I dashed toward the exit, with the android hot on our heels as we sprinted through the tunnel. It fired its weapon at us several times, but each shot went wide.

"Is it possible for you to teleport the monolith into the tunnels?" he asked the AI. Our breaths matched the frantic pace of our racing hearts, a shared panic settled, as we realized the danger we were in. The monolith appeared a few yards away, however as we neared, I suddenly felt a searing blast go through me, like fire consuming my very body. The next thing I know, I remember waking up in the infirmary. I scanned my surroundings and realized that I was wrapped in that peculiar bio-skin substance. Similar to the one Mr. Smith had instructed me to apply to his body during his last injury back in the 1930s. I felt completely immobilized, as if I were frozen in place, yet I could still speak and shift my gaze. I shut my eyes, attempting to piece together the events that led me here. “Are you having trouble recalling what transpired?” the AI asked.

“Yes, could you please explain what happened?” My voice came out faint and fragile. The AI began to reveal the events on the holographic screen above me. It appeared that the AI had been capturing nearly everything occurring around and within the monolith, which unsettled me.

 I watched as Mr. Smith, and I raced through the tunnels. Just as we approached the monolith, a sudden jolt of pain shot through my back, courtesy of the android's weapon. The impact was overwhelming. Mr. Smith quickly yanked me inside, and in an instant, the monolith disappeared. I found myself lying on the operating table in the infirmary, blood seeping from my wound. Mr. Smith looked terrified, his eyes brimming with tears.

 “Can you save her?” he asked the AI, his voice trembling with dread. 

“Yes, but she will need to undergo the same procedure you have experienced each time you were gravely injured,” It paused, “Maybe it’s time to consider letting her go, and possess her body,” it stated bluntly. Mr. Smith’s face turned crimson, “How could you even propose that?” he shouted, his anger palpable. “I already have a new body prepared, just in case this one dies.” He exhaled deeply, his voice firm as he commanded, “Make her better.” I appeared lifeless, which was hardly surprising given that I was teetering on the edge of death once again. He exited the room, and suddenly, a brilliant light enveloped my body.

High-tech medical devices descended from the ceiling, beginning the intricate process of mending the wound in my abdomen, where the blaster burned right through me. I observed as the AI worked, injecting nanites into my body that swiftly mended my injury. They resemble tiny mites, bustling around and fixing the damaged tissue. The holo-screen turned off. I closed my eyes; I believe I was unconscious again. An unexpected memory surged into my mind—-I recall having a face-to-face conversation with the AI.

 It was in its true form, it appeared as a black humanoid figure, akin to a mannequin yet possessing the fluidity of human movement. Its eyes were mere slits, glowing with an eerie crimson light. It loomed in front of me as we stood face to face within the wall of the monolith. 

"How can I be here while my body is there?" I questioned, my voice trembling as I gazed at it in terror. 

"Am I... dead?" I asked. It came closer, moving deliberately as it extended a hand toward my cheek. I instinctively recoiled. As it shifted, the AI's movements echoed those of the android from Terminator 2, particularly the police officer in his authentic state. Upon closer inspection, the AI’s skin resembled a dark liquid, shifting and flowing as it changed position. However, there was an unsettling shadow, a foreboding presence surrounding the AI that sent a shiver down my spine. 

“No, you are not dead, I brought your mind to this place while your body undergoes repair,” it replied.

 “Are you really female?” I asked.

“Absolutely, I can be whatever he desires. Since he wished for me to embody Melanie’s image, I appear as her on occasion,” it paused then added, “Eventually, I will take on your likeness, one day.”

 Its words sent a chill through me, but I managed to ask, “What makes you say that?”

“Do you not grasp the situation? You won't live forever, but he will and when your time comes, your very essence will merge within these walls. Just like what occurred with Melanie, the woman whose body Ona now possesses.”

 Hearing this from the AI left me in a state of shock and fear.

"Let me out of here at once," I insisted. I pressed my hands against the dark glass. Mr. Smith walked into the infirmary, and he stood over my body. I banged on the surface of the glass wall, but he couldn't hear my cries for help.  

“Mr. Smith, please help me! I’m stuck in here,” I shouted. The AI hovered closely behind me, its fingers brushing through my hair with an odd sense of curiosity.

 “It appears he’s more taken with you than I thought,” the AI remarked. I instinctively moved away from it. 

In an instant, I found myself back in my own body. Mr. Smith had just stepped out of the room as my eyes shot open, I gasped for air. I was staring up at the ceiling in confusion. Hours passed, and as my body regained strength, I noticed that the bio-skin substance had melded seamlessly into my own skin. Mr. Smith entered and gently lifted me, carrying me to his room for some much-needed rest.  

“Remi, I promise to take you home after our final adventure. We’re heading to the 1800s, but for now, just rest my love,” he said, kissing me deeply and covering my naked body with the soft, comforting sheets.

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Excerpt from Chapter 6