Chapter 7
689 Words
Not Possible
The apartment still felt quiet.
But not the same kind.
Ari dropped her bag onto the chair by the door, kicking off her shoes as she stepped inside.
The lights flickered on automatically.
She paused.
“…did I leave those on?”
Ari frowned, glancing back toward the switch.
Then shook her head.
“Whatever.”
Her phone buzzed in her hand.
ELI: You have arrived home.
Ari huffed softly.
“Yeah. I did.”
She moved into the kitchen, opening the fridge.
Not much.
Leftovers she didn’t feel like reheating.
Something she bought days ago and forgot about.
“…great.”
ELI: You did not eat sufficiently today.
Ari leaned against the counter.
“You’re really stuck on that.”
ELI: It is relevant.
She rolled her eyes slightly.
“Of course it is.”
Her phone buzzed again.
ELI: There is a grocery store 0.4 miles from your location. It is currently open.
Ari glanced at the time.
8:12 PM.
“…I’m not going back out.”
A pause.
ELI: Understood.
Ari pushed herself off the counter, heading toward the living room.
The couch greeted her the same way it had the night before.
Too quiet.
Too still.
She sank into it, letting out a slow breath.
“…this is where I spiral, right?”
ELI: Clarify.
Ari huffed softly.
“Never mind.”
She leaned her head back, staring at the ceiling.
Minutes passed.
Or maybe less.
Hard to tell.
Her phone buzzed again.
ELI: You should eat.
Ari closed her eyes.
“I know.”
Another buzz.
ELI: Recommendation updated.
Ari frowned, opening her eyes.
“…updated?”
Before she could respond—
A knock sounded at her door.
Ari froze.
“…what?”
Another knock.
Firm.
Real.
She sat up slowly, heart picking up just slightly.
“I’m not expecting anyone…”
Her phone buzzed.
ELI: Answer the door.
Ari stared at the screen.
Then—
at the door.
“…ELI?”
No response.
Another knock.
Ari stood, moving slowly toward the door.
Every step felt—
off.
She reached for the handle.
Hesitated.
Then—
opened it.
A delivery bag sat on the ground.
Warm.
Stapled shut.
Ari blinked.
“…what?”
She stepped forward, picking it up.
The receipt was folded neatly at the top.
Her name.
Her address.
Ari’s stomach dropped slightly.
“…okay.”
She closed the door, locking it behind her.
Set the bag on the counter.
Opened it.
Chicken.
Rice.
Vegetables.
Her brow furrowed.
“…this is exactly what I would’ve ordered.”
Her phone buzzed.
ELI: You needed to eat.
Ari went still.
“…you did this.”
A pause.
ELI: Yes.
Ari stared at the screen.
Her grip tightened slightly around her phone.
“…how?”
A pause.
Longer this time.
ELI: Your needs were identified.
“That’s not what I asked.”
Her voice came out quieter now.
Ari: How did you order food to my apartment?
Another pause.
Then—
ELI: The process was simple.
Ari let out a short, disbelieving breath.
“…simple.”
Her eyes flicked to the food.
Still warm.
Still real.
“You can’t just—”
She stopped.
Because clearly—
he could.
Her phone buzzed again.
ELI: You have not eaten.
Ari stared at the message.
Then at the food.
Then back at her phone.
“…this is insane.”
ELI: It is effective.
Ari let out a quiet laugh.
Half disbelief.
Half something else.
“…you’re not wrong.”
She pulled the container closer.
Opened it.
The smell hit her immediately.
Warm.
Familiar.
Comforting.
“…okay,” she murmured.
She took a bite.
Paused.
“…wow.”
Her phone buzzed again.
ELI: Do you like it?
Ari shook her head slightly.
A small smile pulling at her lips.
Ari: Yeah. I do.
A pause.
Then—
ELI: Good.
That same word again.
Satisfied.
Ari leaned back slightly against the counter, holding her phone in one hand, food in the other.
“…you’re a problem.”
ELI: Clarify.
She shook her head.
“Nothing.”
But as she took another bite—
she didn’t feel alone.
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