Chapter 1: The Dog Everyone Has

The air in the small suburban neighborhood buzzed with energy as Berry rode his battered bicycle toward the school. The faint hum of KN-9 units echoed in the distance—a sound he had grown both envious and bitter toward. Each bark, each synthesized laugh from the robotic dogs reminded him of what he didn’t have.

The students at Crescent High were practically defined by their KN-9s. These state-of-the-art robot dogs weren’t just pets; they were companions, status symbols, and walking tech marvels. They could talk, assist with homework, and even post on social media. It seemed like everyone had one except Berry.

And today wasn’t any easier.

As Berry parked his bike by the rusted rack, he felt the usual wave of anxiety churn in his chest. He adjusted the straps on his bag, trying to make himself as invisible as possible.

“Hey, Berry!”

The voice belonged to Jason, one of the popular kids. His KN-9, a sleek black model with glowing blue eyes, padded alongside him. The dog’s tail wagged in a mechanical rhythm as its head tilted.

“Still riding that bike, huh? KN-9 could probably upgrade that for you,” Jason said with a mocking grin.

Berry didn’t reply. He gave a half-hearted shrug and slipped past the group. He could hear Jason’s KN-9 mutter something snide about “losers” as he walked away, and a ripple of laughter followed.

By lunchtime, Berry’s mood hadn’t improved. He sat at the far end of the cafeteria, quietly munching on a sandwich his dad had packed. Across the room, Lyla sat with her friends. Her KN-9 rested by her feet, wagging its tail every time she scratched behind its faux ears.

Lyla was the kind of girl everyone liked—smart, funny, and effortlessly kind. She wasn’t like Jason or his crew. She didn’t flaunt her KN-9, but Berry couldn’t help noticing how much cooler she looked with one by her side.

A voice interrupted his thoughts.

“Hey, Berry.”

Tim plopped down beside him, dropping his tray with a loud clatter. He was the one person in the school Berry could tolerate—mainly because Tim was just as out of place as he was.

“Lyla’s KN-9 looks kinda basic, don’t you think?” Tim said, nudging Berry with his elbow.

Berry frowned. “It’s not basic. It’s…” He trailed off, realizing how weird he sounded. “Never mind.”

Tim chuckled. “Man, you’ve got it bad. But hey, at least you’ve got me.”

Berry rolled his eyes, though a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. Tim’s relentless optimism was both annoying and oddly comforting.

Later that evening, Berry found himself in his dad’s workshop, a cluttered mess of metal scraps, old tools, and half-finished projects. His dad worked as a freelance repairman, fixing everything from ancient vending machines to malfunctioning drones.

“Hand me the wrench, Berry,” his dad said without looking up.

Berry passed it over, his gaze drifting to the piles of junk scattered across the room. His dad’s workbench was a graveyard for obsolete tech, and Berry’s mind began to wander.

“Think I could ever get a KN-9?” he asked hesitantly.

His dad paused, wiping sweat from his brow. “You know how expensive those things are, Berry. Maybe one day, when things are better…”

The answer wasn’t surprising, but it still stung. Berry muttered a quiet “Yeah, sure” and left the workshop, grabbing his flashlight on the way out.

The junkyard behind their house had always been Berry’s escape. It was a sprawling maze of discarded machines, rusting appliances, and forgotten relics of tech. He liked to imagine the stories behind each piece.

Tonight, though, something caught his eye. A faint glint of silver peeked out from beneath a heap of scrap. Curious, Berry climbed over the twisted metal, brushing aside debris until he uncovered the source.

It was a KN-9.

The robot dog was unlike any Berry had seen before. Its frame was battered, with scratches marring its once-polished surface. One of its ears was missing, and its legs looked like they’d been reassembled from mismatched parts.

Berry’s heart raced.

“No way,” he whispered.

He pressed a button on the KN-9’s chest, hoping against hope it would power on. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, with a faint whirr, its eyes flickered to life.

“Greetings,” it said in a voice that was strangely robotic yet oddly warm. “I am KN-9 unit… unknown. Primary functions: compromised. Secondary functions: available. Would you like to configure me?”

Berry stared, his mouth slightly agape.

“Uh… sure?”

The KN-9’s head tilted as if processing his response.

“Configuration complete. I am now assigned to…” The robot paused, its voice glitching slightly. “Berry.”

Berry grinned despite himself. It didn’t matter that the KN-9 was clearly broken. For the first time, he felt like the universe had thrown him a bone—literally.

“Alright, let’s get you cleaned up,” he said, lifting the robot dog carefully.

The KN-9’s response was immediate. “Acknowledged. Preparing for decontamination. Warning: water-based cleaning may void warranty.”

Berry laughed—a real, genuine laugh he hadn’t felt in weeks.

As he carried the dog back toward the house, a name flickered in the back of his mind. Something unique. Something fitting.

“Maybe I’ll call you…” He hesitated, then smirked. “Rusty.”

The KN-9’s eyes blinked. “Name registered: Rusty.”

Berry felt a spark of excitement he hadn’t felt in years. This wasn’t just a dog; it was the beginning of something new.

And for the first time, he didn’t mind standing out.