CHAPTER FIVEThe Machine
I don't know why I stayed. Perhaps if I fully understood my actions, I could trace the motive behind. It's possible the old man's statement set a challenge in my stubborn heart. Or maybe the gale which blew into the valley and whipped up the snow discouraged me from another cold night outside. Running without a fixed destination hadn't worked out well so far. The drone looked pleased as he heard my feet scrape against the tunnel floor and his face lit with enthusiasm. “I will take you to the Master,” he gushed, beckoning with eager fingers and latching onto my wrist with a deceptively firm grip.
“Is he with the machine?” I asked, feeling the vibration rumble through the ground as we approached the first bend. It seemed an age since I spied through the rough door a
