stepped out onto the porch then commanded the robot to awaken. A spark ignited within its glass eyes as its systems recovered.
She turned away from the robot unconcerned as she stooped down to pick up her stuffed animal. She hugged it tight within her arms. It was all that remained of her mother, a reminder of happier times.
“Where is Master Antonio?” the robot asked closing the door behind it.
“In the basement,” Maria answered coldly as the robot nodded stiffly then hurried to the basement. Its long dark hair lifted as it hurried out of the room, seemingly compelled by a sense of urgency, maybe even compassion. Maybe the robot had emotions programmed within it, maybe it truly cared she though as she followed the machine to the stairs. She climbed half way down as she watched the robot stooped beside her father.
“His vital signs suggest that he is no longer alive. His body needs to be disposed of.” the robot stated simply as Maria turned away disappointed. That robot may look like her mother but it lacked her mother’s warm caring nature. It was an abomination.
Disgusted she wandered to her room. She shut the door wanting to be alone. She sat on her bed as she pressed her face into her stuffed animal as her tears soaked its synthetic fur. She should have saw this coming. They should have been able to prevent this. Her father shouldn’t be dead.
She knew his brain monitoring equipment was prized among thieves but it is usually well guarded within highly secure research labs. Her father’s equipment may be was less guarded but it was still within a rather secure house in the suburbs with a robotic maid constantly watching over it. Only a highly organized gang would attempt to rob them. Her father protected that lab equipment since her mother died without incident. She was hoping they weren’t going to target him. She was hoping this would never happen but now she could see that it was only a matter of time before it did. Their luck simply ran out. It was simply a matter of time before she lost everything.
She buried her face against Snickers as she morbidly began to wander what horrid future awaited her. Would she be forced to live beside that unfeeling android or would she be forced to live among strangers. Either option seemed equally unacceptable for how could anyone replace her father. How could anyone duplicate her father’s love for her?
Silent tears gathered as Maria laid down, pulling the covers over her head. She hugged Snickers to her chest. The moisture from her tearstained pillow pressed against her cheek as she formed a tight ball with her body.
Time slipped away as the sunlight restlessly shifted outside her window. The silence faded as the robot rushed beyond her room. She was vaguely aware of people entering and exiting her home, footsteps reverberating throughout the house. Her bedroom door opened when a man with a receding hairline entered. He was rather chubby and he was well dressed. He made his way over to her bed then pulled the cover from her face.
“Hello Maria, you may call me, Mr. Johnson.” he said as Maria sat up looking him over.
“What do you want?” she demanded as he sat on the edge of her bed.
“I came to take you to a happy place where you can find new parents,” he explained as anger boiled up at the thought that her parents could simply be replaced.
“I don’t want new parents,” she yelled as he nodded understandingly.
“But you don’t want to stay here all alone either, now do you?” he asked her as she turned away.
“Leave me alone,” she whined when he touched her shoulder.
“Lisa can’t function as your guardian because as your servant she will be bound by your command and a child can’t be expected to know what is best for them. You need someone to watch over you. They won’t replace your parents but at least you will not be alone.” he explained as fresh tears poured from her eyes.
“I just want my dad back.” she wailed as he lightly patted her on the back.
“Don’t let those saline rivers flow over great valleys and hills before they are lost at the delta,” he whispered as he traced the contours of her cheek to her chin like her mother use to do when she became upset. She smiled weakly suddenly hopeful that she no longer had to be alone, that she would be forced to live with at indifferent robot.
“Okay I will go,” she agreed as the man smiled pleased by her choice.
“Good then I will tell Liza to pack your bags.” he stated then stood up as Maria did so as well. He took her hand, as she clung to Snickers with the other, leading her out the room.
They stood in the middle of the living room to wait for the robot to gather Maria’s things. The cream carpet was soiled with ground in dirt and her invention had been trampled beyond recognition. People rushed about with police tape as a police officer stooped next to her to ask her about the murderers but she merely squeezed Snickers tighter as she shook her head.
“Don’t harass the poor girl. She just lost her father. She needs to some time to rest.” Mr. Johnson told the police officer who nodded getting back to his feet.
“I guess you are right but call us if she tells you anything.” the cop reminded Mr. Johnson.
“Of course,” he agreed when the robot appeared carrying a few large traveling bags.
“Thanks Liza,” Mr. Johnson said as she approached them.
“This does not even quantify as being an effort. I will further assist you by carrying them to your auto-flyer, sir.” the robot responded.
“I would greatly appreciate that,” he said as Liza led the way out the open door. Mr. Johnson followed her as Maria trailed behind. Mr. Johnson lifted the door open as the robotic maid tucked her bags in the back. Mr. Johnson stepped into the craft as Maria turned back to look at her home one more time.
Its smooth man-made stone of TerraConstruct stood absolute and unchanging. It was the color of wet sand with laser sketched details engraved within its durable porous surface. Its steep slopping roof was covered in smooth metallic scales with a single gutter of sterling. Its small windows glowed with artificial light.
“Um Maria it is time to go.” Mr. Johnson reminded her as she headed to the auto-flyer. She stepped into the spacious compartment lined with blue interior lights then sat on the seat of black leather. The robot pulled the door down as Maria looked out the tinted glass windows. The ground sped away as they rose into the air.
She turned to face Mr. Johnson, who was seated across from her. He smiled at her, encouraging her to ask him anything she wanted. She leaned in then whispered shyly.
“Are the other children kind?” she asked as he nodded.
“I would imagine so, I am sure you will all get along fine.” he assured her as she sighed.
“Good because I have never socialized with others my age.” she admitted as he turned to her.
“What!” he exclaimed looking up at her.
“Yeah I was home schooled by my dad. I rarely leave the house because he thinks I will cause trouble.” she explained but his confusion only seems to deepen.
“Um well I am sure you won’t be any trouble at all.” he assured her though he still seemed somewhat puzzled. Maria nodded then looked out the window.
Bright lights zipped by as other auto-flyers rushed pass as they neared the city. The craft slowed whenever another craft neared them, adjusting their speed and direction accordingly. Their sleek metallic forms slid pass each other forming a stream of movement and light that flowed around the tall buildings at the heart of the city. The gleaming glass and iron rose to the clouds forming a raised platform that connected the tops of all of the central buildings.
The auto-flyer descended toward a gently sloping tunnel. It slowed as it entered a large well lit cavern. It landed in an empty space as Mr. Johnson got up then opened the door. He waited patiently for Maria to follow.
“Okay I am ready. Lead the way.” she said stepping out of the auto-flyer.
“Ok first I need to register you then I will take you to the place where you will be staying.” he said as she nodded then followed him to the elevator. They both stepped inside. He leaned to a
push a button as the elevator rose quickly, though the nauseating feeling of the sudden acceleration was lost to her. The doors opened as they both stepped out into the hall.
“The orphanage office is this way.” Mr. Johnson stated as Maria followed him down the hall to a small room with a high counter. A woman stood unnaturally still as she watched them with expressionless eyes. She was surely she was a robot for her movements were too stiff.
“I need to file some paper work for Maria Rivera” he stated as the robot nodded then disappeared in the back.
“Um you may want to take a seat.” he said as she sat on one of the chairs along the wall. The robot returned with a stack of papers and a pen.
Mr. Johnson asked her a few simple questions then returned the file to the robot, who bought them to the back room. He got up then walked over the counter as the robot returned. Maria walked over to his side, holding his hand.
“Back up that file on the electronic database. It contains vital information.” Mr. Johnson said as the robot tipped its head slightly then vanished into the back room once more.
“Come on Maria, it is time to meet the others in the playroom.” Mr. Johnson said as Maria smiled then followed him back to the elevator. They rose at an incredible speed, rushing to the very top floor. The door opened with a ding before they exited.
They rushed across the smooth floor, passing many other elevators that rose from other buildings. Maria