Artificial Mates - Chapter 4

“Liliane?” said Grant in a calm voice pulling me from my reverie. “I’ve found a shop not far from here. It’s ten minutes away by foot,” he paused and gave me a curious look. “Is something the matter?” I immediately turned back to the closet nearly bumping into Demos standing right behind me. He placed a hand on my shoulder to prevent me from breaking my nose against his chest.

“Please, be careful,” he said, looking down at me. For a second my mind went blank. I quickly get my composure and stepped away from him.

“I’m not used to have so many people around me,” I muttered and walked to the shelves, where I keep my shoes. “I don’t suppose you’ll walk around barefoot, do you?” I got on my knees, picked up a pair of white flip-flops.

“I’m sorry Liliane for all the trouble,” apologized Grant, even with my back at them I could tell who spoke.

“Come over here,” I waved at him. “Do you think this will fit you?” I pulled out my gray sneakers with yellow stripes that I used to wear for training. Since Lyla went away, I’ve quit most of my VR gym groups. Grant took the shoes and nodded in agreement.

“They will,” he smiled. I peeked at his friend waiting silently. I handed the flip-flops without saying a word. Grant frowned at us, his eyes darted from me to Demos and back with a sigh. They both wore what I gave them without complaints. The pair of flip-flops was of course too small. Demos slipped them on. He was the embodiment of tall, dark and mysterious. We got out of the apartment to an empty corridor. I exhaled with relief, I wasn’t mentally prepared to explain to any neighbor the presence of two men coming out of my place. With the swap of my bracelet over the knob, the door locked.

“Ready to go?” I peeked over my shoulder, they both nodded in sync, which was a little creepy. Grant had a friendly smile while Demos kept his deadly serious face. They were both handsome in their unique ways. I shook my head and took rapid steps towards the elevator. The ride was shrouded in a thick tensed atmosphere. I didn’t dare to speak neither did they. From the mirror-like door, I saw Demos’ copper-colored eyes fixed on my back. Sweat oozed from all my pores. I pulled my white jacket closed and pushed my glasses up. Forced to take small, short breaths to ease the claustrophobic feeling rapidly choking me. When the door beeped open on the spacious, mint lobby, I exited with a sigh. The holographic image of the building’s AI appeared on a glass panel next to the empty front desk with Crystal Corp written on the front in white.

“Good evening, Miss Kerry. I see you’re in lovely company,” said the projection. She looked like she had stepped out of some mad scientist’s perfect girlfriend fantasy. Her beautiful blond curls cascading over her pale blue corporate dress. Red full lips smiled exposing perfectly white teeth. She made me hyper-aware of how plain I looked, it hit right at my insecurities. Demos nodded at her which made her smile widened. Hey! What’s with the flirting? I shook my head and averted my gaze. What was I getting worked up for? It’s not like I cared.

“Hello, nice to meet you. I’m Grant and he’s Demos,” said friendly Grant. I blinked at them more than a little pissed. I never even thought of engaging a conversation with her whenever I entered the building. They paused and stared at the projection then she giggled after a couple of minutes. I narrowed my eyes at her. What were they standing there gazing at her for?

“Jil was telling us a joke,” explained Grant when he noticed my agitation.

“Jil? A joke?” I inquired. Did they have a speechless conversation? I knew it was common among artificial or any devices to communicate. But this was a little scary. Did AI, even joke?

“Yes,” replied the woman. “Jil is my name. I’m afraid you wouldn’t grasp the meaning of the joke. Only us, artificial will find it amusing,” a corner of the red lips curled up mockingly. What was she insinuating? That I am too dumb to get a joke.

“Grant! Demos! Let’s go, I want to be back for dinner,” I marched to the door expecting them to follow.

“See ya, Jil,” I heard Grant saying before he ran to catch up with me.

“Have fun boys,” said the AI as I yanked the door open. What was all that about?

“She seemed nice,” said Grant with a playful smile. Demos followed him and he wasn’t happy.

“Don’t ever talk to me like I’m some dog. I’m not a pet, understood?” I just blinked at him with my mouth open. He slammed his fists into his pockets and marched ahead of us. The street was almost deserted. The neon-light signs from the shops flashed against the gray skyscr.a.p.ers. I watched Demos’ back as he made his way down the street. What just happened?

“I sense peaks of stress coming from you. Is everything alright?” asked Grant as he leaned closer. I glared at him.

“It-it’s nothing,” I added dryly. “Where is the shop, already?” we strode in the same direction as Demos.

“Two blocks away on the right,” he tipped his chin at Demos. “We just have to follow the alpha,” I tilted my head to the side.

“The what?” I thought I heard him wrong. He burst out laughing while holding his belly.

“The alpha, Demos is the alpha after all. You just have to follow him around, right?” he winked at me. If it was a joke, I didn’t quite get it. Artificial humor? Alpha, wasn’t that a wolf thing?

“Does your special theme mean you behave like an elf?” Grant nodded eagerly.

“I’m an elf. I come with options. I’ll be happy to explain everything when we get back. For now, let’s hurry. Mr. Alpha is getting impatient,” I looked up and found Demos with his hands on his h.i.p.s narrowing his eyes at us. He stood next to the pedestrian crossing tapping his feet. When we got near, he let us cross first, then hurried to take the lead again. We did attract curious stares as we got closer to the shops. Demos and Grant looked like they were models marketing some edgy style. Unicorn shirt, black pair of shorts and white flip-flop might become a new thing.

The thrift shop was larger than I imagined. All these years I’ve lived in the neighborhood I didn’t know it was here. It stretched on two levels. We had to go on the first one, which consisted of electronics and vintage accessories then access the second floor that mainly sold clothing. Grant grabbed a funky blue plastic basket with a flamingo printed over it and off we went to explore the shop. I was surprised at how cheap the items were. I might even get some for myself.

“Would you like me helping to keep everything within your budget?” said Grant when I got near some multicolor plastic bracelet.

“What?”

“I’m not just a companion. I’ll help manage your house and finances,” he paused. “Only if you allowed me,” wait, what was he talking about?

“Like a personal assistant?” I inquired.

“I said I have options. Those are some of many,” he winked at me. I lowered my eyes to my canvas shoes cheek hot. Where was my mind going with that? He only stated that he had options. Get a grip, Liliane.

“Mmh, well… If you can make my 300 credit salary last until the end of the month. I’ll kneel and kiss your feet if I have to,” I added with sarcasm. He burst out laughing, I found myself joining him. His happy mood was contagious.

“You wouldn’t say that if you knew my capacity. I could really take you up for your words,” he grinned. So, he was skilled in managing things like a housekeeper. Where did that elf thing come into play? The store’s main clientele were elderly women and moms with small kids. We walked around the alleys and picked up a couple of items when I noticed Demos was gone.

“Grant!” I shouted. “Where is he?” Grant looked up in alert then relaxed.

“You don’t have to worry, he is three alleys away near the bathroom accessories,” he returned his attention back to the pile of T-shirts.

“How-how did you…? Wait, you two are linked?” I asked a little puzzled.

“We are one in two units. Of course, we are. If you sync with us, you’ll also be linked. As I said, we mates share a special connection,” he didn’t look up from his pile.

“I’m a little scared of this whole thing… it’s a big step… for me,” I fidgeted squeezing my hands together. Grant looked up with a mild smile.

“We’ll go at your pace. You don’t have to worry,” he reassured me and it felt right. Then his expression changed, he paused like listening to something that I couldn’t hear.

“Could you check on Demos for me?” he placed a blue shirt in the basket and moved to the next shelf.

“Why? Didn’t you say you were linked?” I followed him.

“I do, but something piqued his interest,” he went further to get some pants.

“His interest?” I didn’t want to go to Demos. With his sudden outburst, I was a little scared of him and this huge place made me anxious. I was way out of my comfort zone. I was desperately clinging to the little rational thoughts to put one foot in front of the other.

“He is two alleys away,” he turned to me. “He will never harm you,” he extended his hand, his fingertip brushing against my cheek. I was so focused on my inner war to react. He then went back to his shopping like it was nothing.

I found my feet moved on their own. The world wobbled into a mere smudge around me. I took out my glasses and clean them at the end of my gray jersey. As if that was the reason for the discomfort. I stopped when I spotted the tall silhouette hunched on a large red plastic container. A couple of women were giggling meters away from him. But he didn’t pay attention to his surroundings. I got closer and saw him pick up what looked like a rubber ducky. He held it between two fingers, studied the alien item when accidentally pressed it. The plastic duck squeaked. He jumped away from it. I had to suppress a giggle. He frowned, then growled at the duck laying on the floor. His reaction was too strange. I sneaked closer, but his head sprung in my direction with his copper eyes flashed icy blue. I stopped in my movement caught spying on him. His eyes, they drew me in. His face looked different from his lips peeled away, exposing his teeth. He relaxed when he recognized me, tension leaving his body.

“Liliane?” he asked in genuine surprise. I stood my ground a shiver went down my spine.

“I didn’t mean to scare you,” he muttered.

“You did,” the words left my lips before I could stop them. We both looked up and our eyes met. They were back to their coppery brown filled with sadness.

“Do you want it?” I tipped my chin at the yellow rubber ducky. His eyes widened as he immediately turned away placing his hands in his pockets.

“Grant is done with the shopping. We should head back, it’s almost dinner time,” he left me behind before disappearing behind piles of towels. That was freaky, I thought. I bent and picked the poor ducky.

“Someone just got dumped,” I placed it back with its other identical twins and jogged after Demos.

I met them by the cashier. They were causing a commotion among the grandmas. I quickly paid the purchases. Grant was right; he did help make a good deal. He was able to grab two pairs of pants and shirts along with shoes and pajama pants for Demos. How could he figure out the sizes for both of them without taking measurements, I had no idea. We hurried home and got in without issues. It seemed like Jil was now their friend. I rolled my eyes as she greeted them while completely ignoring me. The moment we got back to the apartment, Demos entered his pod. Leaving me alone with Grant.

“I’ll wash it,” he took the clothes from the bag and placed them in the washing machine.

“Are you sure? Do you know how to use it?” I hesitated. He looked up at me with a frown saying ‘are you kidding me’.

“Allow me to access your utilities,” I frowned at him. What?

“Mmh, you mean you’ll connect to everything in the house?” I eyed him with suspicion.

“Yes, I will take control of them and will do all the chores and shopping needed. You won’t have to worry about cooking either. From now on, I’ll prepare all the healthy food you want,” I waved my hand at him to get this attention.

“I’m too tired for this. I need a shower,” I walked away, leaving him in the living room. I slammed the door shut behind me then locked it. I seriously needed some time to think. I wasn’t just getting a boyfriend or two anymore. They were turning my life upside down. Asking me to make changes, I wasn’t sure I was ready to do it.

[Helios: Four logs. DEMOS]

>PLAY

This stranger plastic depiction of a duck grabbed me. The yellow color contrasting against the red container in which dozens of identical ducks lay in disarray. Somehow, it reminded me of the workshop where a man wearing a white blouse staring off in the distance sat in a large warehouse. Behind him, dozens of identical bodies hanged from the ceiling. All wearing the exact same faces. Blank faces. Blank stares. Dead eyes. The same as the ducks. Dead eyes with a fake smile. Fake implanted feelings. Which were real I couldn’t tell. Where the data stops and where the real emotions started.

>End of feed