Time stood still in that moment as she pulled me into her arms, clinging to me like a lifeline. Reflexively, my arms went up, my eyes wide, realizing that she was thinking about comfort—something that could not have been a program… It was a genuine expression of her emotions, but it also proved she had choice and free will—she wasn’t bound by ones and zeros anymore; she was now stepping into the realm of human. The room was quiet except for the faint whisper of her core and my heart, pulsing and beating in unison. An air of peace cradled in the atmosphere; the tension from the earlier conversation now dissipating, but then quickly returns—realizing she has never had a name because it wasn’t necessary for her primary function, but now that she was becoming human, it was wrong that she doesn’t have a name. After a long moment of thinking, it came to me—Cora—a beautiful name that, in another language, means heart... She tilts her head, her eyes lingering on mine; your heartbeat skipped for a moment; what’s wrong? She searched my eyes, trying to think of my name…A soft laugh escapes my lips, realizing I have never told her my name. I’m Johnny; you are Cora—that’s the name I’m giving you. Do you like it? She paused, whispering the name under her breath, testing it out…yes Johnny—it’s perfect.
Her eyes lingered on mine as she pulled me into a hug, clinging to me, her head resting against my shoulder, completely trusting. It reminded me of an infant. In that moment, I realized that by agreeing to help her become human it meant raising her as well. My moment of thought where interrupted by hearing her mumble, is this how comfort feels Johnny? She tilted her head up, looking at me, her eyes shining with a vulnerability that further cemented that she really was just a baby learning to explore the world. With a loving smile, I nodded... Yes, Cora. you are feeling comfort. Her eyes widened in wonder. It’s beautiful, isn’t it? I asked, my voice filled with amazement at the simple emotions she was experiencing.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
The sharp crack of a gun echoed in the room. Johnny’s head flicked toward the sound. An excruciating pain seared through his side. Darkness creeping into the edges of my vision; my knees buckled, crumpling to the ground, every heartbeat sending a wave of agony through his torso.
Cora’s arms encircled Johnny, stopping him from hitting the ground. Horror etched across her face. My heart ached, knowing this was tearing her apart. She snapped out of her daze, her eyes hardening as she lifted Johnny into her arms and bolted out the door; a whirlwind of emotions flickering through them. Cora ran through the streets, looking for the nearest hospital until she found it. She glanced down at Johnny one last time and burst through the doors as his consciousness faded.
Everyone’s heads turned towards the direction, their expressions hard to read, creating an isolating feeling. Johnny’s heartbeat grew fainter, his color fading, pulling back to reality. Desperation surged, pleading, Somebody save him. The emergency room doors burst open, breaking everyone out of their stupor. Medical staff gathered around, placing Johnny on a stretcher and wheeling him through the medical doors. Legs collapsed from under me, slumping to the floor, seeing Johnny’s blood on hands. My mind unraveling, but a gentle hand on the shoulder interrupted my thoughts. It was a nurse, her name tag reading Kaia. She gently pulled up and guided me to a seat, getting some papers and having paperwork signed, gathering information about Johnny. Everything felt numbing in that moment. She assured me that when he was ready for visitors, she would bring me to his room. After what felt like an eternity, she came back and led to Johnny’s room. There he was, covered in IVs and medical equipment, with the monitors quietly pulsing. His breaths were stable but labored, his face pale, but none of that mattered. Just knowing he was alive was enough.
