Chapter 6:
Red Line
I open my eyes. It's pitch black, I can't see anything.
Something is binding my wrists, ankles, waist, and neck, holding me to a cold, metal surface.
I can't move. I don't want to insist.
I hear a noise different from usual, but what is it?
Ah, it's creaking… Every now and then I feel a jolt.
They're... transporting me?
Where are they taking me?… It doesn't matter.
...
I hear the screech of brakes, a jolt. The sound of the doors opening gives way to a cone of green light. It penetrates the darkness, dimly illuminating the interior. Now I can just barely make out a corridor, full of what look like doll packages. I can't see what they contain, the light reflects off the transparent panel.
«Come on! Let's go, I don't want to stay here all night!»
Ah, a voice.
The boxes start to move on their own, one by one, descending in order from a ramp on the trailer.
I can just barely see an alleyway, which I immediately pass through a metal door.
Inside, the white lights hit me. It looks like a store. The ceiling is very high. There are a multitude of man-sized shelves that reach up to the ceiling. I think it's a big retail store.
The boxes are divided by size, perhaps also by other characteristics that I don't understand. When they reach the headers, they turn and are hooked to the wall. A kind of forklift lifts them and places them on the various shelves. I am placed a little above the middle.
After a few minutes, the lights go out.
...
I don't know how long I stand still. There's nothing to do, but to observe.
Every day seems the same as the previous one. The lights turn on and off at regular intervals. Twice a day, when there's no one around, tubes come down from the ceiling to feed me, as if I were a plant.
People walk by, with quick steps, some alone and others in families. They look, sometimes point, but they're never the object of their attention. Only a few strong men linger, with looks that send a shiver down my spine.
Over time, I almost seem to feel the weight of the dust accumulating on me.
Every now and then I see the packages on the opposite shelves being purchased. I wonder where they take them, what happens to them outside of here.
***
Something is different today.
Among the shelves, a figure appears accompanied by a saleswoman. He doesn't walk awkwardly like the others. He moves calmly, scrutinizing each shelf carefully. From this distance, I can't see him well, but there's something strange about him.
A few hours pass. A sound of metal footsteps gets closer and closer. In front of me, an android stops.
Its helmet completely covers its head. It's impossible to tell where it's looking. But when it approaches my package, I feel a shiver. It's as if it's staring at me, like those strong men did.
It turns to the employee. «Well, I'll take it.»
«Great! I'll have it taken to the checkout, where they'll send you the ownership files so that the package can follow you home.»
«No need, just take her out of the package.»
The girl's expression changes. She seems annoyed by his request. «Are you sure you don't need it?»
«Yes.»
«In that case, you'll have to sign a form first exempting the store and the manufacturing company from any damage the product may cause.»
«Okay.»
«Great, follow me to the info point.»
They disappear for a few minutes.
I wonder who that android was sent by...
Suddenly, my container moves. I'm taken down by the forklift. I go through the corridor to the checkout.
The saleswoman places an electronic key on the left corner of the container. An intermittent sound. Then the lid swings open. As soon as it opens completely, what was holding me chained also finally lets me go.
I cautiously put one foot out of the package, feeling the cold surface of the floor under my skin. My left hand grips the edge of the frame, my right hand clutches my chest. I hesitate, breathing deeply, I approach a few steps from the android, ready to serve him as he wishes.
It turns to the employees. «Would it be possible to give her something to cover herself?»
At his words, a sudden heat flushes my face. I look down, the blush rises to my ears. I cross my arms in front of my chest, trying to cover myself as best I can, hiding those... characteristics of my body that attract attention. The feeling of shame makes it hard for me even to breathe.
The employees exchange puzzled glances. A boy behind the info point counter clears his throat. «Excuse me. She already has a suit that matches her skin tone. Would you prefer a different color?»
«No. I want something that covers her completely.»
«I'm sorry. Mutants on sale must have their mutations exposed.»
«I must assume you have nothing else.»
«Exactly. If you want to customize it, you'll have to go to one of our stores that are equipped for mutant gadgets.»
The android hesitates for a moment. His voice lowers. «I understand. Have a good day.»
«Have a good day.»
«You too.»
As soon as we go out, I can finally breathe the outside air. The fog is light, the cold and humidity penetrate my bones. I have to suppress my shivers.
It doesn't seem to notice my discomfort. It walks with a steady pace, never turning to look at me. I follow it, a little uncertain about the right distance to keep. Too close might seem intrusive, too far might seem like I'm trying to escape.
We arrive at the vehicle. It motions for me to get in, but doesn't say anything. I sit down, careful not to dirty or make any noise.
As soon as it sits in the driver's seat, it turns on the heating. The warmth begins to spread throughout the cabin. The hot air drives away the frost that was paralyzing me. I wrap my arms around my body, trying to look as small as possible.
The android starts the engine and touches the central panel.
«Would you like to listen to some music?» it asks without turning around.
I don't know how to interpret the question. Is it a test? A trap to measure my obedience? I can't afford to make a mistake.
«A-As you wish.»
Calmly, it selects an album and starts playing it. The notes begin to fill the car, creating an atmosphere that I can't decipher. It's not happy music, but it's not sad either.
As the vehicle moves, I look out the window. The streets are lit by green trees that seem to float in the fog. People are barely visible. I even saw a couple of flying cars with yellow neons. I try to figure out where I am. But I can't, I don't recognize the city. I feel lost.
«What's your name?» Its voice interrupts my thoughts.
I turn to him, surprised. «Eh?»
«I asked, what's your name.»
I look down, squeezing the seatbelt with both hands. «Ah, I-I don't have a name... Y-you can choose it, if you like.»
«I won't be the one to choose it.»
…
«Sorry, I'm not a great conversationalist. I'm still learning.»
Knowing I've made a mistake, I look up at it. «Ah, n-no need to apologize. It's m-my fault! I should have understood you wanted to converse.»
…
«My name is 9KF4TRK26HY93QSTYD6H3ASX.»
I look down again. It will be difficult to remember such a name.
«Don't be nervous, I was joking. My name is Pierrot.»
«It-It will be a pleasure to serve you.»
«You won't be serving me.»
I freeze. I look at him, trying to understand if I heard correctly. «Eh? W-Who will be my master?»
«No one.»
No one? I don't understand. I was sold. Someone paid for me. I have to serve.
«If you have any questions, ask them.»
«I-I could never disturb you.»
«It's not a disturbance. You seem rather lost, if you need a quick orientation I'm here for that.»
I understand, the master sent him so that I would be ready to fulfill my duties. Yes, that must be it.
«Where are we?»
«In a vehicle.»
Did I say something wrong? After all, it's a machine, it will understand precise orders.
«Sorry, I'm trying to put myself in my friend's shoes to understand him better. But it's harder than it seems.»
I don't understand. Is he joking?
«We are in Bergem, one of the largest cities in the Republic of Venetia. More precisely, we are in the Lower City.»
I look out the window. Finally I know where I am. It's far from home.
«I understand... I've never been there.»
«It's normal that you've never been there. You were born and raised in a laboratory.»
«… Right…»
«I understand that you might be sad. I was born in a factory. But you'll see that you won't live so badly with us.»
I can't answer. I don't even know what to think.
…
Pierrot drives in silence for a while, the music flowing calmly in the air.
«Anyway, I didn't buy you without a reason.»
I turn to it, nodding «M-Mh, I'll fulfill my duties.»
«You'll have to clean the house, do the laundry, and cook.»
«Ah, I-I'm sorry, I don't know how to cook. B-But I'll learn!»
«It's okay. I don't know how to cook either. I can teach you.»
I nod slightly, not knowing what to say.
«There are a couple of important tasks that only you can do, given the criteria I used to select you.»
Its words make me stiffen. It didn't choose me by chance, then. It must have a plan, something specific that only I can do.
«I-I understand. I'll do my best.»
***
The cold air wraps around me as I step out of the vehicle. The biting wind forces me to wrap my arms around my body, but I avoid complaining. I know I have to be composed.
«Could you help me carry the groceries?»
I nod without saying anything. I'm not sure my voice would come out steady, so I prefer not to risk it. I grab a couple of bags, heavy and slippery, and follow it.
As soon as he opens the door, a smell of must and dust hits me. I immediately find myself surrounded by a chaos of dirt, just as Pierrot had said.
«Come.» it says without even turning around.
The handles of the bags slip, forcing me to grip them tighter. I take a step forward, then another, my heart beating faster. I follow it immediately starts putting away the bags. I feel useless. It doesn't give me orders, but I start doing it myself, trying to figure out where to put things.
The silence of the house seems almost unnatural, broken only by a background noise coming from a nearby room. Voices? Or is it music? I can't tell.
When we're done, Pierrot turns to me and simply says «Follow me.»
It leads me down a short corridor to the room where the sound is coming from. We stop in front of an open door. Pierrot goes in first.
The room is a living room, or at least I think so. In the center, an armchair faces a huge screen, emitting a cold, intermittent light. A boy is sitting there, completely absorbed in the game. His fingers move rapidly on the controller.
«I'm back.» Pierrot announces.
«Hi. What's for dinner?»
He didn't even bother to turn around.
«Could you pay attention to me for a moment?»
The boy pauses the game. He rubs his eyes, then turns completely to Pierrot. «Tell me everything.»
As soon as he takes his fingers off, his eyes land on me and his face turns red. «What the hell?!»
His shout takes me by surprise, I instinctively recoil, an embarrassing heat rises to my face, I feel my heart accelerate, I clasp my arms to my chest trying to cover myself, I look down hoping to disappear, the room seems smaller the walls closer, he jumps up, the sudden movement makes me jump, I take a step back my weak legs tremble ready to give way.
«Explain to me what's going on?!» he shouts, but the words are not directed at me. Pierrot doesn't seem disturbed.
It points calmly towards me. «She's the answer to our problems. She'll take care of the cleaning, the cooking, and the food problems.»
The boy stops for a moment, clenches his trembling fist, brings it to his forehead, squeezing it between his eyebrows. His breath is heavy, almost choked.
«What problems are you talking about?» he hisses through his teeth. «If you wanted more time to clean, you just had to say so.»
«It's not just that. It's also about the financial problems, the ones I told you about the other day.»
The boy turns to the wall, approaches it. I can barely hear what he's muttering «Financial problems, financial problems. I told you...» he hits the wall with a fist, the sound makes me jump and a small moan escapes me before I can hold it back «That - the - problem - will - solve - ITSELF!» he shouts hitting the wall with each word.
When he stops, there are marks of his knuckles on the wall...
I can't look at him. My breath is short, and I feel crushed by the tension in the room... I feel small, as if it's all my fault.
«I don’t understand.» Pierrot says in a puzzled tone.
The boy approaches him, grabs his head on the sides and presses his own forehead against his. «Of course you don't, you haven't even tried to ask me!»
«I did try...»
«NO YOU DIDN'T!… You, you just told me that my salary wasn't enough. But that quantum little head of yours didn't ask itself the question “How did he manage to survive until now?” or “Could I talk to him about it first, before doing, BULLSHIT!”»
He lets go of him abruptly and moves away, running his hands through his hair. His breath is still heavy. He remains silent for a moment, then continues in a lower voice «How much did you pay for her?»
«257 Sgei.»
The boy stiffens. «257 Sgei... 257 Sgei. To spend such a high amount, did you think about it first?!»
Pierrot doesn't answer.
While leaving the room without looking at us, the boy says «If I didn't have food problems before, now I will.»
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