“So, I have an idea of what we can do today. Let’s go on a hike!”
”LIKE, OUTSIDE?”
”Yeah, it’ll be fun.”
”BUT PETER, I’VE NEVER BEEN OUTSIDE BEFORE.”
”It’ll be fine, an adventure really. It’s okay, you’ll be safe if you stick with me, I won’t let anyone or anything hurt me.”
”OK, I TRUST YOU ENTIRELY PETER.”
”And we can even pack a picnic, find a nice spot in the shade, and eat lunch.”
”YOU CAN EAT LUNCH, I’LL JUST WATCH, REMEMBER, MY SYSTEMS DON’T EXACTLY PROCESS FOOD.”
”That’s right, it didn’t… until i went into your room last night while you were powered off and fixed that little problem… now you can eat all you want… well, as much as your storage tank can hold.”
”THAT’S AMAZING, PETER. THANK YOU.”
”Oh, and I almost forgot, the most important part of the system… hold on while I insert it… There!”
”WHAT WAS THAT, PETER?”
”I call it my “smell, taste, and touch” microchip, a.k.a., my S.T.A.T microchip. I know I’ve got to work on the name, but yeah, it will let you experience those three senses as best as i could replicate in technology form.”
”WOW! THANK YOU, PETER. NOW I CAN FINALLY TRY PB&J! I’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO TRY IT.”
”Then I’ll be sure to pack some PB&J sandwiches for our picnic.”
”PETER?”
”Yeah?”
”ARE ALL HUMANS AS AMAZING AS YOU?”
”Some are.”
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
“Okay, we’re here. This trail isn’t too long, and there’s a really nice picnic spot about a mile out, we can stop there for lunch; it has a beautiful view of the lake on one side and a field of flowers on the other.”
”OH, THAT SOUNDS BEAUTIFUL, WE SHOULD ABSOLUTELY EAT OUR FIRST MEAL TOGETHER (MY FIRST MEAL EVER!) THERE, IT SOUNDS PERFECT.”
”I’ve got the cooler, let’s go.”
”WOW, PETER, THIS IS AMAZING…STOP! DON’T MOVE. LOOK…”
”What is it?”
”IT’S A DEER FAWN, LOOK AT ITS CUTE SPOTS. AWW. THE MOTHER MUST BE SOMEWHERE NEARBY, LET’S MOVE ON, I DON’T WAN TO SCARE THE MOTHER AWAY.”
”Okay, we’re not far now.”
“Here.”
”…:
”Aisha?”
”THIS IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING I HAVE EVER SEEN… SO MANY COLORS AND KINDS.”
”I know, but when spring comes, this place is a lot less enjoyable, because I can’t stop sneezing from the pollen long enough to look around.”
”HA, HA, HA.”
”Did you just laugh?! Aisha, you laughed, I didn’t know you could do that.”
”ME NEITHER… BUT I GUESS SO.”
”…”
”…”
”…”
“WE SHOULD PLANT ONE.”
”One?”
”A FLOWER GARDEN, RIGHT IN THE BACKYARD. COULD WE, PLEASE? I’LL WEED IT AND TAKE CARE OF IT… PLEASE?”
”You’re like a little kid begging for a puppy, and I can’t say no to you, of course we can plant a flower garden.”
“THANK YOU.”
As Aisha is preoccupied, watching an ant try to carry off a crumb way too large for it, Peter watches her, unbeknownst to Aisha, thinking about a possible future for them. Then he whispers, “I love you,” while she’s not paying attention.
”WHAT WAS THAT PETER?”
”Oh, um, nothing.”
“OK. OH, LOOK, A CUMULONIMBUS!”
”A cumulo-what?”
”IT IS THE SCIENTIFIC WAY OF SAYING ‘RAINSTORM’.”
”Oh, rainstorm… wait, what?! No, no, no, we need to go, now!”
”WHAT’S WRONG, PETER?”
”You can’t get wet, it’ll fry your systems! Run!”
Plop! Plop! Plop! Plop! PSHHHH!
”P-eTT-ErRR…”
”Aisha!” Peter picks her up and carries as fast as he can back to the car, shielding her body from the rain with his own. “Aisha? Aisha!” He sees the lights in her eyes begin to fade and flicker.
”SYSTEM SHUTTING DOWN…”
Peter cries out in anguish, creating a sound that can only be created by a shattered heart. Sobbing, he says, “Aisha…”
ns 15.158.61.20da2
