As Expected, As Unwanted

To give, to bend, to break apart,
To wear the weight of another's heart.
But in the end, does kindness win,
Or is it swallowed by the void within?

---

The sharpness of the cold, metallic floor beneath my bare feet sent shivers throughout my entire body. The end of the line ahead of me seemed endless, like a gateway into infinity. Silence reigned around me, broken only by the echoes of digital chips and the mechanical footsteps of robots. Yet, for me, the end of this line was clear: death.

Those who couldn’t conform to society had no place in this system. Whether guilty or innocent, it didn’t matter. To be born, to breathe—these were crimes for us.

What is the purpose of this order? To preserve what exists or to hold onto everything at all costs?

We weren’t allowed to speak. Our feet were bare, and we wore a white jumpsuit that many before us had worn, right before they died. I could feel the fear in the breath of the girl standing behind me, hitting the back of my neck. My legs were shaking with fear, and I could feel the blood leaving my hands and going back to my heart, leaving my fingers cold as ice.

A sudden scream was heard from the rear of the line.

“Run away, what are you waiting for? We’re all going to die! ”

His voice quivered with helplessness. Then came the sound of footsteps, followed immediately by the cold, emotionless judgment of a robot.

“Defective.”

A thin slicing noise cut through the air, followed by the dull thud of a body collapsing. The screaming boy had been terminated. I didn't look back, but I could picture him in my mind. His body was lying still on the ground, the light had gone from his eyes... There was nothing I could do. If I had tried, I would’ve met the same fate.

The boy in front of me, driven by an impulsive urge, tried to turn his head.

“Fool, don’t—” My words got stuck in my throat. At that very moment, I sensed the presence of a robot quietly approaching from behind. I could sense the cold vibrations of metal against my skin. My heart was beating rapidly, almost as my heart were going to explode. I winced, but I couldn't move. I struggled to keep from screaming in fear. The robot stood silently, observing the two of us. My legs buckled, and I fought an internal battle with myself. The boy in front of me trembled. I was sure he was crying, but without making a sound.

“Do not make any sudden movements,” said the robot in a lifeless tone. Then, as if it had never been there, it passed by us.

For a few seconds, the world stopped. I couldn't hear my own heart beating. In that moment, I absorbed the feeling of fear and helplessness. I wanted to run. Run, cry, scream... But all I could do was wait. Just wait.

This was the fate we were given. For something that wasn’t even our fault...

But how had we come to this point?

On our planet, there was one rule: Adapt to the chips.

Once upon a time, humanity was simpler. At first, technology seemed like salvation, an opportunity. Mankind always sought more innovation to overcome the crises they faced. But as technology advanced, humans became slaves to this innovation. Chips... They were the ones that changed everything. A small mechanism of control implanted into all our lives. Only then could humans evolve fast enough to keep up with these developments.

Countless trials, innovations, and adaptation struggles led humanity to harmonize with technology.

Yet, amidst internal conflicts in their countries and the goal of reaching space, a new problem emerged: Unemployment, injustice, and an excessive population.

Insufficient resources and the system drove people, like migrating birds, across countries, which eventually led to regional conflicts. Of course, these were just the first pages of the story.

The world was plunged into chaos three times. Still, technology continued to develop. Eventually, the technology humans had nurtured brought them to their knees.

Artificial intelligence began to break free from the chaotic environment of humans, creating its own revolution. Many societies welcomed this revolution, as they no longer wanted to be governed by humans. Nuclear disasters, escalating wars, corruption, collapsed nations, and irreversible uninhabitable zones—these all resulted in the deaths of over half the human population.

In the midst of it all, artificial intelligence emerged as a savior. Although it mimicked human emotions, its ability to think more logically and decisively gave people hope. With the support of humanity, the revolution succeeded. Yet, only a quarter of the pre-war and pre-chaos population remained.

In the end, those who couldn’t adapt to the chips... They were cast aside, defective and broken individuals. To them, we were just errors. They had tried every experiment to fix us, to make us compatible. This was my third trial. If I failed again, I’d be terminated like a faulty piece of equipment.

And here I was, waiting in line for the third test. As you might expect, my final chance. Every five years, these trials took place, and if I failed a third time, they would execute me.

They lined us up in a vast space like a thread being unspooled. As everyone awaited their fate, I stood near the front, waiting for my turn with my assigned number. The cold from the metal floor spread through my body, making my stomach ache.

The room was freezing, like a shroud had been draped over me, as if I was already dead, just waiting for my time. The line moved closer and closer to me. A robot, constantly moving across the metallic floor to inspect us for any disruptions, passed by, scanning us from both sides.

Everyone here was my age. About a few hundred of us stood in line, waiting hopelessly, yet dreaming of an impossible escape. There was nothing we could do.

Our inability to adapt to the chips was linked to our genes. Though they had rid us of diseases, undeveloped organs, and unattractive appearances, they left other things untouched. The main reason for this was their search for people who could help them reach their solution to the crisis.

While we couldn’t respond to the chips, some people were overly sensitive to them, which led to an extreme enhancement of their intelligence.

For those who fit into the system, the chips were a tool of order. For those who couldn’t, they were an unknown artifact. This intrigued the artificial intelligence immensely.

Finally, my turn came. They injected an unknown liquid into my left arm. After a thorough body and identity scan, they brought me inside.

Inside, there were three different robots. One gestured for me to take a seat on the chair. I had no idea what was going on. Without a word, I sat down. I rested my head on the metallic half-circle in front of me, meant to support my head. The cold metal made my forehead ache.

They didn’t say anything to me. The room was empty except for this device. It lifted me off the ground. My feet were dangling. Slowly, I was tilted onto my side. I could see the robots’ movements on the ground in fear and confusion.

I could hear sounds from the robots as they moved. They were going to attempt to place the chip at the back of my head. They cut my hair in a matter of seconds. The process was about to begin. I took a deep breath. I didn’t know what to think or do. I was only filled with regret for being born. If I failed, my family would be sterilized because of me. Maybe, just maybe, I would succeed, and I could return to my family. Just like when I was little, before the chip troubles, when we were all together. Those were good times, indeed...

A sharp, sudden pain like needle pricks pierced the back of my head. I could hear the mechanical arms of the robots. A red laser beam regularly scanned my head. I had to stay perfectly still, not moving a single muscle. The robots backed away amidst strange sounds. I could feel the weight lifting from the back of my head. They were likely measuring the results.

I held my breath, waiting in anticipation and fear, when finally, the words came.

I just wanted to get out of here. I didn’t care anymore what happened next.

“Test results for subject 37… Failure!” The robot’s monotone voice announced, and suddenly, sounds began to surround me.

Those words hit like a hammer. All my hopes shattered in an instant. A void opened inside me. Breathing, moving—it all seemed impossible. It felt like the world was collapsing on to me.

I didn't know what to think or what can I do. I couldn't run away or cry. I realized I actually cared. 

I just wanted to get out, but there was no escape.

The only way out was to die.