Far Horizons: Tales of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Issue #18 September 2015 | Page 8

up for him, but he felt embarrassed and didn’t want to
cause trouble.

only be for a few days. What could possibly happen?
3.

“I’m sorry,” he said as he served himself tea,
which was the only item on the table his system could
digest, “I didn’t mean to start a debate.”

BOOM tick tick tick tick BOOM. Over and
over. Asher’s supposed music was killing his ears, and
he couldn’t stand it. How and why do humans listen to
this noise? thought Adam as he tried to concentrate on
reading his fantasy book. It’s not music, it’s just so…
mechanical.

Aryana smiled and said, “It’s not your fault,
Adam. My children just find you fascinating… as they
should. Priss is right, my dear. You’re quite different
from other A.I. We are lucky to have you.”

Finally, he could take it no longer and threw
down his book. Losing his temper, Adam walked to
Asher’s room and knocked loudly on his door.

Her constant tenderness toward Adam unnerved both Asher and Priscilla. They had their hunches, but Asher in particular suspected his mother of
using her bot for more than she claimed.

“What?!” yelled Asher.

They were wrong, however, for Adam had
never been touched in a romantic way. Even though
he often felt desire for his mistress, she never transgressed from merely being his boss. Aryana likes to
flirt, thought Adam, but she is not mine to love. Is it
my programming to please that makes me want her?

“Open this door, please,” requested Adam.
After a few minutes, Asher opened his door
with a snide look on his face. “What do you want,
bot-man?” he asked, half-dressed. With beads of sweat
dripping down his temples, he looked as if he’d been
working out.

“Adam,” said the lady of the house, “I’m off to
New York on business for a few days. Will you please
take care of the estate and the kids while I’m gone?”

“If you wouldn’t mind,” said Adam, “could
you please turn down the… music?”

“Of course, Mrs. Valoré,” he replied.

Asher smirked and then replied, “Sure… but
I’ve got something to show you first, Adam. Come in
here for a second.”

“I told you, call me Aryana.”
“Yes, Aryana,” he said with a hint of a smile.

Leading Adam into his room, Asher closed the
door and then turned around with a smirk on his face.
Without warning, he pushed Adam down and began
punching his face and sides.

She nodded, then got up and put on her jacket.
“Asher, please don’t make things difficult for Adam,
and Priss, I expect you to keep your brother in line.”

I don’t have any programming for this, thought
Adam. What should I do? If I protect myself, I could
be punished by my mistress, or even worse, I might be
dismantled. I have to do something though, or I will be
severely damaged.

Priscilla rolled her eyes and said, “I can’t
promise anything, Mother. He’s a monster.”
hands.

Asher laughed and mimicked claws with his

Unable to think any longer, Adam felt a primal
need to survive. It went past his programming, and he
wanted nothing more than to punch Asher in return.
Lightning fast, his fist smashed into Asher’s head.

Adam then followed his mistress to her black
sports car, helping her with her bags. Feeling like a
lost puppy as she drove away, he told himself it would

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