Programmed Love

Chapter One: Muted

     The sound of rain filled the silence within the room. An occasional c***k of thunder sounded as a sudden wave of light would come through the window. Moving my gaze towards that window, I checked for any sort of unnatural disturbance in the darkness, but little streaks of water distorted the glass's ability to show me the outer world. Mentally going through my options, I decided to take my chances on staying here for the night. There was a only a small chance that a Patrolling Robot or any others of its kind would check this tiny, run-down apartment building for life anyways. 

      I had sought refuge from the storm what seemed like an hour ago. Luckily, no other human had appeared to be holding up in here. Moving towards the window, I drew the threadbare curtains. I didn't want to take a huge risk unless I had to. Sleeping here was already a problem waiting to happen. The next issue was my soaked clothes. I could start a fire, but many other unwanted occurrences could stem from that. If the wood of this room caught fire it would most definitely draw unwanted attention, but if I didn't start a fire there was a possibility of sickness making me weaker to face whatever lay ahead. 

     Shivering, I tiptoed towards a corner and rested my aching muscles as I sat. I hadn't found any new clothes in my most recent exploration so I seemed to be stuck with the wet ones currently against me. Deciding to get back up once again to check the room, I winced. Earlier in the day I had a ran into a robotic dog who thought I'd make a great chew toy. Besides having to sprint through the rubble of the small town I'd found, the mutt had managed to bite down on my calf causing my legs to ache more than they would have originally. Thankfully, the blood had dried long ago and the rain had cleansed the wound for me.

      Using the wall as a support, I made my way to the outline of a dresser. Opening the top drawer, I only found a moth-eaten shirt ten sizes too small. A frown grew on my visage as I realized someone used to live here with a small child. Regardless of what happened to them, I could only assume it wasn't a happy ending. Moving onto the next drawer, I found a decent pair of jeans along with a shirt that read "Canadian Pride" with a red leaf in the middle. The word choice confused me as I knew nothing of the word "Canada". Maybe it had something to do with this person's last name. 

      Removing my drenched clothing, I laid the items across the dresser and shimmied into the tight fitting clothing. This wasn't the best thing to be wearing in this world for it would cause a problem in a fight-or-flight situation, but it was better than getting sick from wet clothing. I already felt a tad bit warmer. Adding up all my risky choices of the day, I figured starting a small fire couldn't be as bad as I had previously thought. Locating my medium sized bag that I carried with me that held provisions that one would need, I took out the small lighter and dry sticks I had found in my journeys. 

      Prying a sheet of metal off the door, I placed it near the corner I had previously sat in. I arranged my plethora of sticks on the metal and struck the lighter, successfully creating a blossoming flurry of embers.  A small, stray spark landed on my finger as I released a heavy sigh of air. I'd just have to add that scar to all the others. Sometimes I really wished I could mutter a simple "ow". Just a small, one syllable word would be enough for me, but ever since the loss of my parents, that hadn't been possible. It struck something deep within me that had cancelled out my voice box. Moving back into my corner, I sat my sore body down once more. Another streak of light made it through the curtain and illuminated the room. If someone were to ever look in, they'd only see the small form of someone deprived of food desperately trying to survive. If they saw into my mind, they'd see something the exact opposite. 

     Pulling my legs up to my chest, I grabbed my bag and pulled out a small, stale cracker. Deciding to reward myself from the long, tiring day I also pulled out my tiny container of honey. I squirted a tiny drop onto the cracker and plopped the small delicacy into my mouth.. This odd craving had stuck with me from my childhood. Staring into the red flames, the silhouette danced in my glossy eyes. Finishing my small treat, I wrapped my arms around my knees and tried to get somewhat comfy. Like many other nights, a memory of the last day I ever saw my parents started playing through my mind. Behind the sanctity of my eyelids, I allowed the image to fill me. 

    "Mommy! Mommy! Look what I found!" I excitedly said, running towards my mother and clutching my tiny hands to my chest. 

     "What is it you found, baby?" She questioned, a happy spark igniting in her rust colored eyes as she bent down to my height.

     "I think it's a bug!" I exclaimed, holding my hands out to her. Examining the little insect scurrying around my hand, she let out a little chuckle.

     "It sure is. I'm sure if you go ask your father he'll know what kind it is," she replied while pointing in the direction of my father's laboratory. Holding my hands back to my chest, I rushed off to his door yelling "Daddy!". My mother simply chuckled at my childish ways and shook her head before going back to making breakfast. 

     "Daddy! Daddy! Open up! I gotta show ya something!" I yelled through the door. Soon after, the kind face of my father peeked around the side of the door.

    "What is it, Dumpling?" Came his soft voice. I opened my hands in front of me with a huge smile as he released a gasp.

     "What's this thingy, Daddy?" I curiously asked as he reached out to my hands and gave the little bug a poke, causing it to move and tickle my hand. Giggling, I moved my hand away from him playfully.

      "That tickles!" I laughed.

      "I think you found a little woolly bear," he cooed with a bright expression.

     "What's a woolly bear?" I asked while scrunching my face up in confusion.

      "It's a type of caterpillar," he explained to me, motioning for me to bring my hands back to him. Placing the backs of my hands into his palms, I looked questioningly at him.

      "What should I do with it?" I asked. 

      "Here, come with me. We'll put it somewhere safe," he told me, fully opening the door and walking further into the room. Happily following him, I looked around in amazement. 

       "Wow....what do you do in here, Daddy?" I inquired, my little eyes widening at all the new sights. 

       "I do something that will hopefully help the world one day, Pumpkin. Come bring the woolly bear over here," he answered from across the room. Weaving through the mechanisms and technology, I made my way over to him. He had stopped near a little net-like cage. Opening the top, he told me to put the caterpillar in the cage.

     "But, Daddy, what if the woolly bear wants out?" I questioned.

     "Then I'll let him out, Dumpling," he kindly answered.

     "But what if it's a her?" Came my next question as he laughed.

     "In that case I'll let her out," he answered again.

     "But what if-"

     "Food's done!" My mother called from the kitchen. Hurriedly placing the bug into the cage, I quickly made my way out of the room. This caused my father to chuckle once more as he followed close behind. Exiting the room, he closed the door.

      "What are we having today, Momma?" My father asked as he walked over to her and gave her a hug.

      "I suppose you'll just have to see," she mischievously answered as she pecked his lips.

      "Ee! That's nasty!" I shouted, quickly placing my hands over my eyes as they laughed together.

      "You're right, Valencia, it is nasty. So if any boy ever tries to do that to you, you'd better-"

      "John, we live 100 miles away from the closest human beings. I think boys are the least of our worries," my mother cut him off. 

      "Still," he pouted. Rushing over to them, I wrapped my small arms as far around them as I could.

      "Don't worry, Daddy. I won't let any boy even think about touching me," I said, nuzzling my face between them.

      "Good, and you'd better remember that, too," he said, hugging me back as my mother wrapped her arm around me as well. It would have been a happy sight to any passer by. A caramel skinned woman hugging her daughter and husband while the fresh scent of pancakes filled the house. However, what couldn't be accounted for was the bitter end soon to come.

      "Time for bed, Sweetheart," my mother's voice informed me as she knelt down to hug me. Her shoulder-length, greying black hair tickled my nose as I sneezed. 

      "Bless you. Now, off to bed. I'll come tuck you in after I'm done talking to Daddy, okay?" She asked, her rusty orbs looking into my own brown ones. I nodded my head as I yawned. Placing a kiss on my forehead,  she released me from her grip and walked into the living room. Her gypsy-like dress flowed behind her as she gracefully walked away. Being a curious eight year old, I decided to crouch behind the railing of the stairs as I listened to what they said. My tall, fair-skinned father came into view as he hugged my mother.

      "I don't know what we're going to do, Claudia," he spoke in a barely audible whisper. I had to strain my ears in order to hear their words exchanged with each other. His worried, honey colored eyes looked into hers as a glistening tear escaped my mother's orbs. 

      "How did they find us? I thought we were completely off their radar," she replied. 

     "I think it had to do with that Spy Robot that came around here the other day. I was almost certain I had disabled it before it could get any harmful information, though," he said.

     "Do you think the Tonkawa would allow us back into their tribe?" Came my mother's worried voice.

      "They might allow Valencia, but we were exiled in their eyes, remember?" My father said in a non-reassuring tone.

      "They're supposed to be the most humane tribe! How could they not let us back?" My mother cried, outraged.

      "Well since we're now wanted dead by all the robot civilization, we'd be considered a threat to their tribe," he explained.

      "I just don't understand, John...you almost had it perfected. Why did they have to find us right when you had your largest breakthrough?" She replied with more tears cascading down her face.

      "They were bound to find us eventually, Claudia," he answered.

      "What about our little Val? Do you think those damned machines know about her, too? She's too young to die!" She said through her breakdown. 

      "I'm almost certain they don't even know she exists. I'm sure she can get away safely," came his calm response. 

      "I hope you're right..I really hope you're right," she quietly said. Giving her husband a kiss, she walked back to the stairs thinking I was in my room. Before she was able to reach the stairs, a loud bang resounded through the house. Widening her rust colored eyes, she began to rush up the stairs, but noticing my small form clinging to the rails brought her to a halt.

       "Val! What are you doing out of bed?!" She exclaimed while crouching down to my height.

       "I was waiting for you, Mommy," I quietly murmured. A small smile broke out on her face as another tear fell. She wrapped her arms around me and lifted me up, rushing back down the staircase. Another bang came from the doorway.

      "Mommy, what's happening? Why are you crying?" I asked, reaching up to wipe her tears away.

      "Bad people are after us, honey. Very bad people. They're called robots," she answered.

      "What's she doing out of bed?!" My father exclaimed upon seeing me clinging to my mother's neck.

      "It doesn't matter, John. Take her somewhere safe. I'll hold them off as long as I can. Keep our little girl safe," she said with more tears in her eyes. After handing me off to my father, she moved my hair out of my face and kissed my forehead once again. Turning, she immediately raced off towards the door. He held me close to his body as he turned the opposite direction and ran towards the stairs. The echo of a door creaking open and distorted voices reached my ears as my father placed me near a vent.

     "Dumpling, I need you to crawl in there and stay, okay? Don't come out no matter what," he told me in an urgent tone. I watched as he pulled out a screwdriver and unscrewed the grate from the vent. Pushing me into the small space, a c***k of lightning illuminated the hallway and caused my father's whitening blonde hair to light up. 

       "What's happening, Daddy?" My frightened face peered out at him. It seemed to strike a cord within him as his face showed pain.

       "I almost saved the world, Pumpkin, and now they're coming for your mom and me. Take this, keep it safe. You'll know what to do with it when you're old enough," he told me while placing a tiny, electronic looking key into my tiny palm. Glancing down at it, I held it tightly. 

      "Promise me you'll save the world. If you never see your mom or me again, just promise me you'll put an end to this for us," he said and reached his hand out to my face.

      "I promise, Daddy. I'll make you proud," I told him while pressing my cheek into his palm. This caused him to chuckle.

      "I never thought otherwise," he told me before planting a kiss on my cheek. A loud noise like a gunshot broke out as loud footsteps came up the stairs. With one last look at me, my father gave me one more word of advice.

      "Stay quiet, Val. If you don't talk, they can't find you. Your mother and I love you, always remember that. Now go! Get out of here," he told me, placing the grate back over the vent and standing up. A tear slid down my face as my eight year-old mind finally put the pieces together. Shimmying around, I began moving away from the commotion behind me.

       "Where is the key, Mr. Iredon? We know you have it!" A deep distorted voice spoke.

       "You'll never find it! You and all your other droids can go all the way to Hell and never find it!" The voice of my father yelled back.

       "You seem just as old as that dead crone downstairs. You're of no use to us," that same, strange voice spoke before another gunshot was heard along with the 'thud' of someone hitting the floor. Another tear fell down my face as I pressed my hand to my lips to silence a sob.

        "Search the house! Turn it upside down! We will find that key," the scary voice said. I began to crawl faster through the vent through twists and turns, ups and downs. I eventually made it downstairs and managed to wiggle the grate off the vent. Quietly moving to the front door, I saw my mother's body. Blood surrounded her while a hole had found its way through her forehead. Her rust eyes stared continuously forward while her mouth held a constant 'O' shape. Before moving on I hugged her limp body that was gradually losing its warmth to my small form and pressed a kiss to her bloodied forehead. Removing her ruby necklace, I noticed a paw print tattooed above her heart. 

       'I'll make you proud, Mommy,' I mentally said as I carefully closed her eyelids. Quietly slipping out the front door, I noticed a light storm was going on. Sprinkles of rain fell from the sky, almost as if it was mourning for me. Turning back once more to the house, I memorized every little detail of it before turning away and sprinting off into the night. 

        The robots never followed me. I was fairly certain that my father was correct in thinking they knew nothing about me. Before I had left my mother's body I had picked up a 'book bag' as my parents always called them. I had ripped a small hole in a seam and placed the little key inside of it, and luckily my mother had placed a needle with thread in the book bag along with some fruit snacks. I never removed the key from its hiding hole. 

       After sprinting for what felt like hours I had come across a deserted city overrun with dead growth. I had found some clothes and food along with a pocket knife and a lighter. Those things were placed in my bag and have helped me many times. 

      A few days later I had found a pack of humans and attempted to call out to them, but my voice was no longer working. Since I hadn't used it for a couple days, I thought it was just hoarse, but it never did come back. My only source of communication was gone, but I assumed it couldn't be that bad. Just as my father told me, if I didn't say anything, they couldn't find me. I learned to cope with it, but often times the picture of my dead mother would come back to me. Every night, if I wasn't exhausted, that memory would replay in my head. It's all I had to hold on to.

     Opening my eyes once, I gazed into the fire. Placing my hand against my neck, I grasped the ruby necklace. I ran my finger along the smooth edges as I planned for the following day. Another bang of thunder rang out through the night as I reached for my bag, placing my fingers against the tiny bulge in between the fabric of the bag. I would use it when the time was right, whenever that was. 

     Leaning my head against the wall behind me,  I closed my eyes once my head hit the wall behind me and allowed the soft pitter-patter of rain to lull me to sleep. I hadn't slept for more than forty-eight hours. I deserved this. This small moment of rest. I was going to make my parents proud. Whatever it took, I would do it.