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… Wake up…
Wake up…
Wake up…
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Wake up Bot.
They gasped. Breath heavy as their system came to life. A light passed through the window of their ship, blinding them as they hissed. Their limbs were slack, unable to move them fully.
They struggled a bit, but eventually gathered every strength to push themselves off the chair. They grunted, their feet wobbled as they stood up.
They reached their hand over to the window of the door, pushing as they tried to pry it open. The light that blinded them faded to a softer hue as Bot pushed. With a final push, the door flew open.
Climbing over, they glanced at what awaited them outside the ship. The blinding light covered their vision once more. They hissed, squinting and blinking until the colors settled down.
…
The wind whistled. The crooked buildings groaned, wishing for collapse. ‘What—what the…?’ They said, their eyes fell towards the horizon. A tinge of orange plagued the surroundings, yellow followed along.
Sand brushed against the rotting ship where Bot stood. Their feet scraped. The metal chipped away and left with the wind.
They turned back to the ship. The vehicle they just came out of had eroded. Rust formed from every angle as Bot looked more thoroughly.
They raised their head.
‘Where am I…?’ They asked. Nothing answered. The wind kept whistling. Their metal wings fluttered slightly. ‘...’ Their fists clenched. ‘Hello?’ They finally shouted.
Echo bounced back. It reached every empty space the occupants could never fill, the wind came along with them.
The loud steps and voices of people rang out.
…
Stepping off the ship, their eyes whirred as they pondered. Where is everyone? Walking along the road, they saw buildings that stood tall in its slumber…
The sun shone brightly as we walked down the road. The people chatted. The cars drove by as I held Fan's hand. ‘Do you have the list Bot?’ He asked.
I pulled it out and gave it to him, thanking me as we continued walking. Fan was going to buy some things for TestTube. Since he was going alone, I figured I could accompany him.
As we then stepped inside, the store brimmed with many people, walking and searching. I haven't gone to any of these kinds of stores, but I'm glad that I decided to tag along.
‘C'mon Bot!’ Fan called out. ‘Coming!’ I said, running to him.
They were greeted by the empty halls, toppled shelves, the paint peeled off. Bolts scattered on the floor, the tiles broken—the building in its most shattered form.
‘What happened here…?’ They asked. The music that once played, started its hymn of silence. Light never flickered. Not even a hint of webs were present.
No remnants. Nothing at all. The hallways dark, the further they went. Bolts rolled away. Nuts rattled.
The metals rusted. Fruits decayed in place. Shelves stood still, the others fell flat. Bot looked at the place. Messy. Devoid of anything.
They were shocked to see a familiar place, reduced to nothing more but a story.
Delving deeper inside, the glass wall behind them watched. Their steps careful, delicate even. They moved forward while scanning around.
They neared the end of the room, a stair only present as it led to the next floor. Bot looked back. Brows curled. Their body shook, looking down. With nothing more to find, they climbed further.
It stretched. The walls winded in each step. A door rested atop them, what lay beyond merely repeated itself.
They stood above. A wall of color surrounded the horizon, yet the sky appeared yellow atop the orange environment.
Where yellow presented itself, a black dot emerged. Bot covered their eyes as they tried to look at it. But the brightness of the yellow sky blinded them—unable to adjust.
It imitated the appearance of a sunset, yet the heat emanated from the ground and sky. It would've been beautiful albeit no one witnessed it. All except for Bot…
It was a very lovely morning. The wind blew, the grass swayed under us. A nice day for a picnic! That's what everyone used to say when the weather was good. And that's exactly what we did! The blanket was laid down as I watched Fan place down some plates.
It was currently 9 am while me and TestTube sat down. We were pretty high up since the place we went to was a cliff. It's pretty close to the hotel, so I guess it's okay. It looked small. Not small small, just smaller than the original.
I guess that just means the hotel is bigger than I anticipated. It looked like it would reach the clouds if I stood at the entrance! Hard to believe we were there earlier.
It was very peaceful. Just a family hanging out under the soft sun. ‘Oh shoot, I forgot the sandwiches!’ Fan facepalmed. I heard TestTube chuckle, ‘typical. Why not come back for it? It's roughly a ten-minute walk. We'll wait here for you.’
Fan sprinted down the cliff, while we waited. It wasn't that hot, but not too cold either. So I guess this what you can call a sunbathing. Hope Fan doesn't trip on the way down… he won't get hurt, I think?
Hurt. Thats... I don't want to think about the future, but if they were hurt and I... Wasn't there I—
Would they be safe...? Will I lose them?
... I looked over to TestTube, she seemed to enjoy the morning. Should I ask her? But what if—no. It's just… a question. How bad can it be?
‘Uhm… TestTube?’ She looked at me. ‘What is it?’ I opened my mouth, the words clung to my throat as I tried to push them out. ‘I uh…’
Shoot, shoot, shoot. Say something! ‘Uhm… it's uh, nevermind. Sorry about that!’ I chuckled nervously. Ugh, Why did I say that?!
‘C'mon Bot, you can ask me anything. It's okay.’ She reassured. I eased up a little. Well, if she insists... ‘I… was just wondering if…’ I faltered. Should I really ask this? Why am I so worried...?
I gazed at her. She was waiting. I sighed. ‘If there were to be time that… I won't be there. W-will you be safe…?’
Her eyes widened. I knew it. I shouldn't have asked. 'Sorry—sorry, it's stupid I know—forget I ever asked!’ ‘No Bot, it's fine.’
...She's fine with it? ‘But If I were to ask. Why would you think that?’
‘Well, I was thinking about the future… about us? You and Fan are important people to me and I don't want anything to happen—I don't want to lose you guys and… I don't want to be alone… if that happens...’
I breathed. That really took a long time to say. I looked over to TestTube as she inched closer to me. ‘I get that you’re worried Bot. But don't worry! Me and Fan will always be side by side. Nothing will get past us…’
‘You say that but, what if you get shattered? Lost or—worse!’ I looked up at her. She smiled at me before she patted my head. ‘You don't have to worry about us... As I said me and Fan are always side by side. We wont let anything happen.’
‘You promise?’ I leaned. She pulled me close, her smile soft. I returned the smile. Happy because I know that they'll be safe. No matter the cause. ‘I'm back with the sandwiches!’ Fan called out.
Bot stood at the top of the building. Their eyes, once closed as they opened them again. The wind fluttered along their metallic wings.
The temperature rose.
The bright sky loomed above them, yet their gaze reached over to the horizon. ‘TestTube… you promised me. Where are you?’
‘Are you safe? Is everyone safe? Are you looking for me?’ They fired. As desperate they needed answers, an answer was elusive.
Bot sat down. Their expression grim as the wind continued to blow. Their body heat has risen once again. Yet the constant wind never cooled down their metallic body.
‘Fan… TestTube… Are you there?’ They called out to the voided world. The decayed vines rustled. The sand waved as if imitating the dead and dried sea…
The buildings lined up, heat unbearable. Bot continued further down the road. The sand crunched.The sky loomed.
The temperature rose.
Their system's fans worked tirelessly. Preventing even the slightest melting of Bot's internal system. It made a sharp pitch. Whirring.
The fans tried to help. They really did. But it never cooled down the internal heat. Some were damaged—though barely visible. Even if minor, it was worrisome. Still, Bot walked.
They remembered TestTube's warning on them. She told them not to strain their systems, how it could make permanent damages if strained further.
‘I'm sorry, TestTube. I have to—’ they groaned. ‘Keep—keep going.’ Their voice buzzed, their steps heavy. The metal met with sand, and Bot's movement felt like lifting a mountain.
The heat unbearable.
With memory as their guide, Bot walked through the road back to the hotel. It drove them further to the limit. In hopes to find even just Fan and TestTube.
For once, the building receded, the forest approached. ‘The forest!’ They exclaimed through tired breaths. It's what they would've seen if it weren't for the earth's condition.
The excitement died down quickly. A lushful forest, full of leaves and green. Some animals here and there... The sight showed neither.
A tree, stripped of its leaves; its life no more than just a tale.
Their jaw clenched. Despite that, Bot moved forward into the forest. Without the lush of the forest, the Hotel was in sight.
Albeit relief coursed through their mind, they were devastated. The forest they admired and played in once, is now long gone.
The hotel stood in sight. It loomed over, the lights on. Seeing as they remained, the people inside are alive.
With a smile, Bot ran towards it, stumbling through their steps. ‘Fan! TestTube!’ They called out. The doors of the hotel neared, and through their calls. The door opened.
Bot ran, teary eyed. Fan opened the door. His eyes darted around till it landed on them. ‘Bot!’ ‘Fan!’
Fan crouched down as Bot lunged at him. ‘I'm back… I'm back…’ They wailed. Fan rubbed circles on their back as they stayed in place. ‘I'm glad… I thought we lost you.’ His voice cracked.
‘Golly, Bot are you okay?!’ TestTube exclaimed. Bot looked at her. Her glassy body, the green fluid inside her. She made her way over, checking for any kind of damage Bot received.
As TestTube scanned them, Bot looked down at their feet. ‘TestTube? Sorry I… Ignored your warning…’ Bot admitted. ‘It, really wasn't my intention to—’
Before Bot could finish, arms wrapped around them suddenly. ‘I don't care about that right now… I'm just glad you're safe.’
With the cold feel of TestTube's embrace, Bot reluctantly hugged back. They embraced their family—people they searched for while lost. Their promise remained solid.
‘Don't ever scare me like that again…’ ‘We won't… You're safe now Bot. Come inside.’ Fan held the door out. Bot took his hand as they finally walked inside. Away from the barren land that existed outiside…
It would’ve been nice if it was like that.
Bot stood at the rotted form of the hotel. The door swayed. Inside decayed. Paint peeled off, the dust gathered as guests.
The entrance creaked while it swayed. Their legs trembled from exhaustion. Lights barely lit and flickered. Bot craved noise. And yet there were none. Only the silence filled their ears.
People they wished to exist, cease to be. Bot stopped standing and took a shaky step. And another. Till they reached the living room. The pristine furniture, the walls of blinding orange, the scent of food cooking in the air. Gone.
Their head turned to the stairs. Gray. Passing of time? They thought. They reached for the handrail and climbed up.
Upon reaching the floor, what awaited them was nothing new of sorts. The paint peeled off, the doors even had holes. It reeked of dust, the windows shattered—it was all a mess.
From a tranquil hotel with its constant ups and downs, to a place of decayed hopes and a cemetery of the past. ‘Why…?’ They asked. They didn't know. The laughter and arguments that ran through the halls, they echoed.
They bounced and landed in Bot's ears. If only they were true would Bot express… something? Anything? They didn't know.
‘Mephone… He could revive everyone right? I… need to find him.’ They chanted it over and over again, as if it were their mantra—a prayer almost. They walked back mindlessly. Passing by the office, the kitchen—every room they passed.
They stood outside before they even knew. Looking above, they saw the black dot had grown close. Too close.
As if drawn to it, they walked forward to its hum. Sky crackled, the taste of metal clung to their tongue. Dust and sand mixed—their nose overstimulated.
The black void that stared above… It's entrancing. Bot's eyes dulled under it's gaze. Their legs moved through no will of their own. Still, their eyes gravitated towards it.
Their steps careful. Deliberate. Quiet even. only the silence resounded. The rotting door creaked, trees whispered. Bot's feet scraped the ground.
The heat abnormal, the fans screamed loudly as they tried to preserve what little function their system had through the immense overheat.
Scrapes turned to small steps, until Bot walked. It was all hopeless already, they thought. What point is there to continue on?
Though Bot walked, their mind was blank. Not silence. Not even the subconscious spoke. Nothing. Nothing existed in their mind.
…
'...Huh?'
Bot stopped dead in their tracks. The dot's pull was lesser compared to the object that brushed their leg. A withered dahlia.
It was just one. The petals wilted, yet their color remained. Its stem persisted as it kept hold of the petals. Although it looked dead, it was still alive.
‘Poor flower…’ Bot brushed it softly. Picking it out of the ground, they held it like a treasure that needed to be kept secret.
As they examined the flower, they caught sight of a lab coat resting on the ground. It flapped as the wind passed by, as if it urging Bot to come.
Their gaze softened, focusing at it. They pondered why it hasn't flown away with the soft wind? When they walked closer, another object rested atop it. It tethered the coat to the sandy ground. Unmoving.
It looked rough—with scratches all over its glossy surface. The coat veiled the object, preventing it from destruction under the intense heat.
For a moment, time seemed to stand still. The unbearable heat stopped, while the wind still blew gently upon them.
The object faintly hummed and buzzed, calling Bot. It was as if it had kept going until they found it. After a brief moment, it clicked—the silence followed.
Bot picked it up along with the coat, placing it somewhere where the wind can't take it away. They then brought it up to their ear, listening intently for what it might bring.
‘Okay, uhm… Is it on? I… Think so. Uh, hello you might not know me, let me introduce myself. My name is Fan.’
His familiar voice rang out, echoing in Bot's ear. They opened their mouth, trying to call out to Fan. But they stopped. Their excitement faltered into neutrality.
Their hands balled to a fist, their grip on the recorder tight. They bit their lip. Eyelids thinned. With a shaky breath, Bot steeled themselves and continued to listen.
‘Shoot I don't have anything to say…’ He muttered under his breath, Bot still heard it though. Responding with a light chuckle.
‘Well…’ He trailed. And after an audible sharp breath, Fan continued. ‘There have been so many casualties in this apocalypse. Based on data me and… TestTube gathered… It's safe to conclude that no one survived.’
Bot's grip on the recorder softened. Their arms unbearably relaxed at his words. ‘No… Test—’ ‘I will uphold her legacy, as far as I can go…’ They jerked their head away. Eyes shut tight.
The darkness was a better solace for Bot. A place where they won't see the ruptured world. Where the lamented whispers couldn't show.
Their legs grew weak. Something in their chest ached, though they can't identify it. Can't name it. Their jaw clenched tightly. Taking in sharp breaths.
They swallowed any kind foreign emotions, their eyes opened slowly as the bright orange swarmed their vision
As much as it stung, Bot still needed to listen. They didn't know why they needed to listen. To preserve? To hear a voice? To not feel alone? They didn't know.
They brought it to their ear again, albeit shakily as they struggled to bring it closer. It was as if their body refused to know. But still, they managed to press it on their ear.
‘It was unprecedented… If only I had reacted just a second—a millisecond—a picosecond faster! I—Maybe then…’ Fan could be heard sighing. ‘Don't say that…’ Bot reassured the voice inside the recorder.
‘It wasn't your fault.’ They sobbed out. Though the tears never flowed. ‘Sorry about that… Got too emotional. You're probably wondering about that ‘black dot’. Am I correct?’
Once mentioned, the thought crossed Bot's mind. Their head raised back to the gazing dot as it loomed, its size larger than before.
As if on cue, Fan's static voice rang. ‘U—Upon further examination there was no applicable answer—answer—answer—’ His voice repeated again and again.
Bot flinched at the sudden volume and repeated words. It continued to buffer, all while Bot scrambled on the object, trying to somehow fix its broken voice.
The voice continued its assault of sound. The message that played in repeat, started to stutter. Breaking. It was malfunctioning. It seemed the coat couldn't provide the proper shelter it needed.
Though as disappointing as it was, the problem fixed itself as the buffered noise was reduced to clarity. ‘—Answer… But, there was one theory that explained it all. A Black Star has entered our solar system’
‘At… First glance, the star wouldn't do anything destructive on our planet. It had no temperature—not even reaching one degree celcius… But that wasn't what it did.’
‘We were moved… Farther away from our orbit…’ a silence buzzed through the recorder, Bot's legs felt weak, the fans that once spun—now laid still: Motionless.
Their eyes squinted at the sky as the recorder played in their ear. ‘Time is now of the essence… sooner or later, this earth as we know it—will be no more…’
‘It first turns to a venus-like planet, or in simplee terms, a microwave oven. Then due to the gravity of the sun, it's possible that it will rip this planet apart. Leaving no trace…’
Their grip slacked, the recorder hummed. Bot stared at the star—size growing in numbers. They slowly closed their eyes. The wind caressed their metallic skin. Breath even. Silent.
Rotten trees surrounded them. The hotel that once stood strong, struggled in the presence of collapse. The coat, it followed the wind yet stayed in place.
The world would rest; eternal and never to be found. Destroyed? It definitely wouldn't be like that. ‘So, this is goodbye... I guess...’ Bot breathed out.
Their temperature had risen once more. And now it couldn't fall. Bot steadied themselves. Ready for worse. They'll wait until the heat takes over.
‘Bot.’
The recording crackled. Bot's eyes shot open. Their attention brought back to the object. ‘F-Fan…?’ They asked, calling out to the voice that resided within.
‘I—I doubt—doubt—my message would reach you. But if you were to somehow find this… I am probably dead.’
Bot's breath hitched—clutching their chest tightly. ‘I know…’ They admitted. Devoid of tone. ‘I know you'd have some questions… But I can't answer them.’ Fan lamented.
‘So many things I wished I could be there. So many moments that I… I don't know anymore. Is this even what I need to be? I convinced myself otherwise that it's for you and TestTube.’
‘A bunch of things I blamed myself for, because I.... didn't—didn’t do enough… W-wasn't—wasn't enough.’ His voice cracked. But it felt different. Was it the crackle of the recorder's dying breath, or an actual crack in voice?
Bot held it in front of them. Cupped in their care. Like a shrine or maybe even an offering. Whatever it was, they held it like a treasure that would break even by the faintest of knocks.
Their head bowed, listening intently to Fan just ramble on. At least in the gap of their time, he hasn't really changed. Or at least a remnant of that version hadn't.
‘TestTube would probably scold me if she had the chance…’ He lightly chuckled—and Bot did as well. As if the barrier that separated them no longer exists, and they sat side by side from each other. ‘yeah, she definitely would.’ Bot replied.
‘Well the constant negativity probably makes her more worried about me… And I love her for that.’ Fan confessed. The two's words made a conversation. Not in the farthest distances of time. But in this moment.
‘It's not her fault though. She just loves you very… very much.’ Bot's lips curved, their hold gentle. Eyes softening at the conversation they held for merely minutes. Oh, how Bot wished for it to last.
‘I guess… you're right.’ Fan sighed. Contented. ‘Can I say one more thing… Bot?’ He asked. The latter smiled gently, as if stepping closer to Fan—holding his hand. His warm hand against theirs.
‘Go ahead…’ Bot shook slightly. Their eyes thin when tears prickled them. Grip firm but never hostile, as if they crouched down, waiting for Fan to speak.
‘Me and TestTube… We love you Bot. More than you know. My time is almost up… Hope you're okay. Goodbye—Bot, I say my final farewell to you… and TestTube.’
…
The recorder clicked. Fan's voice reached its ending. Bot slowly opened their eyes, tears flowing down their cheek. Light that blinded once, dimmed in their eyes.
The wind still blew; silence followed with the hum of the black star. The dust crumbled, the sun in sight at the end of the horizon.
Bot took the coat. Hanging it on their shoulder, and hugged it for one last time. Though the body is nowhere in sight, the faint scent of Test Tube and Fan hit their nose.
A hug that felt real despite the emptied world. Bot left the recorder, and beside it, lay the wilting dahlia. A recorder that can no longer speak; a flower that no longer blooms—placed side by side for a union of farewell.
Bot walked. Their steps heavy once more. The heat abnormally high, as they trudged forward. Metal scraped the ground, fabric flapped on it.
The buildings once groaned. Now they sigh. Slowly, they awaited their demise. The obstructed view, cleared away by the voice of the past. Heat breeze blew, the rotten trees danced.
A solemn hotel stood, its history unknown. The doors creaked ever so slightly against the breeze. A flower had clung to a recorder where a voice once said its message for a million times.
The mix of orange and yellow, the once blue sky. Dimmed. It started from a dead variable, the steps made the temperature rise. With nowhere to send it to, a pitiful soliloquy is enough.
The world dimmed as it takes its final rest. Finally closing its eyes.