Far Horizons: Tales of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Issue #18 September 2015 | Page 11

Adam was shocked, but he was also in love. He watched as she cleaned up Asher’s back and then fiddled with his life source. After an hour, she put it back and used the first-aid box to seal her nephew back up. nephew’s back, she held it in her hands as he fell onto the floor. Adam gasped as he saw the wires mixed with blood. “He’s A.I?!” blurted Adam. “Yes,” she replied, still holding the metal object. “My poor sister couldn’t have children, so she made him and his sister artificially. Like I was saying, Adam, most of us are A.I. to some degree at this point. It’s just… people are in denial. It’s easier to let them believe they are fully human. However, there are some who are like Asher here… and they think they’re better than others. It’s… a shame.” She then put the round piece of metal on the couch. Adam recognized that it was his life source hard drive. Every A.I. had one, though it was usually buried deep inside their bodies. “How did you have the strength to take that out of him?” he asked Michelle. “Oh, well, I have been supplied with bio-tech implants. I was in the war. I’m very old, actually. Hope you don’t mind.” “Good as new,” she said, nonchalant. “It’ll just take him a few hours to reboot. Hopefully, he won’t become such a jerk this time,” she added with a wink. “You never know with kids.” “I suppose he didn’t think he had a choice,” replied Adam. “Everyone has a choice,” said Michelle as she cracked her neck and stretched. “Well, I was just going to see how everything was, but I guess I should stay for a few days… just in case. Are you O.K. with me staying?” “Yes,” he replied, “I’d love you to stay.” Together, they walked to the dining room and poured some wine, and for the first time in his life, Adam felt truly human. 11