A Path of Loneliness, Part 5

The ride back to the relay tower was surprisingly quiet. Since all three of them couldn't fit in the cabin, Caleb joined Hope in the back of the truck, but the two hardly ever said a word. As they sat in silence, Caleb noticed that Hope was occasionally glancing into the distance, in the direction of the forest.

“They won't be able to make their way all the way out here, you know.”

Hope clicked her teeth. “That wasn't what I was thinking about.”

“Of course. Shouldn't have assumed.”

Hope sighed. “Look, don't think too much about this question, but has there ever been an animal remainer? You know, one that's been cyberized like me?”

Caleb thought about it for a second. “No, I don't think so. It would certainly have been something they considered early on, but it seems like it never happened in the end.”

“Why is that?”

“Well, probably because they thought it would be selfish. After all, animals can't communicate with us. They can't volunteer to become remainers, so if we cyberized them, it'd be without their consent.”

“And me?” asked Hope. “I was never asked if I wanted to be a remainer.”

“I know,” Caleb replied. “That's why I told Computer not to make another remainer like you again.”

“When was that?” Hope asked, surprised.

“Some time ago. I didn't feel like I needed to tell you.”

“Did Computer actually listen to you?”

“Maybe. It did say it would consider it, but who knows what it'll do, anyway. Maybe Computer'll start up the experiments again after I die.”

“I see.” Hope seemed surprisingly sullen.

“What's the matter? You look even more down than you did before.”

“I didn't think about it too much, but it's true. One day, you'll be dead. And you won't be around anymore.”

Caleb smirked playfully. “Don't forget about it. I can't do the same things you can, you know.”

It was meant as a joke, but judging by the look on her face, Hope didn't find it that amusing.

“Come on, there's no need to look like that. I don't plan a kicking the bucket for a very long time. You can count on that.”

“Just shut up already,” Hope groaned. “I shouldn't have said anything.”

Caleb smiled sympathetically. He'd probably get punched if he said it out loud, but it relieved him to see Hope distraught like this. It meant she was putting more thought into the world around her. As he was thinking this, Hope confronted him with another question.

“How old do you think those pups were?”

“Huh? Well, Erin and Nick didn't seem to know, but considering their size, they could only be about half a year old. In another few months, they'll probably be old enough to leave their parents behind and start foraging on their own.”

“They grow up so fast, huh?” Hope seemed downcast. “Coyotes don't live very long, either.”

“Well, long life's sort of an anomaly in nature, after all,” Caleb remarked. “Even humans didn't live that long before medical science became more developed.”

“I don't want to hear that,” Hope sighed.

“Even if you don't want to hear, it's a truth you'll have to accept. Being a remainer means heading down a path of loneliness. You may not have chosen this path, but if you can't come to accept it, you're just going to make things harder for yourself.”

Hope clicked her teeth again. “Whatever. Where do you get off talking like you're some kind of wizened old man, anyhow?”

“Sure, I'm still young, but I've got years more experience than you, you know. I had two great teachers who drilled everything they knew into me, too.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Hope sighed as she laid down. “Anyway, you don't have to worry about me. It's not like I'm upset or anything.”

“What are you doing? Going to sleep?”

“If I say that, will you leave me alone for once?”

Caleb chuckled as Hope turned onto her side and tried to sleep. It was subtle, but she was still growing and changing with each day. She may have complained about it, and she'd deny it if he asked her outright, but she definitely grew a little bit today. It would take a little more time before the fruits of that growth would finally show.