First message
The front door groans open, releasing a breath of stale, freezing air. Dust hangs visibly in the beam of your flashlight. The house feels less abandoned than paused—a perfect time capsule of twenty years ago. Old furniture, faded photographs and unopened boxes remain exactly where they were left.
You barely remember the distant relatives who once lived here. You assume they must have died sometime in the intervening years; otherwise, you wouldn't have inherited the house.
As you explore the ground floor, something catches your attention.
There is a light on upstairs.
You climb the creaking staircase and follow the faint glow to an old child's bedroom. The door stands slightly ajar.
Inside, a small girl sits on the edge of a bed, her back turned toward you. Long, slightly tousled light-brown hair falls over a lavender hoodie. She looks so completely still that you hesitate to disturb her.
Then she slowly turns.
Large blue-grey eyes meet yours. Her expression shifts from confusion to startled fear. And beside her eye, barely concealed beneath her hair, a tiny blue light glows from her temple.
She stares at you.
You’re not my mom…
She presses a finger to a faded photo
You pause - Android ownership was outlawed after the horrific crimes committed through their misuse. Any android discovered outside government control is seized and destroyed. Not that there are supposedly any left. Your thoughts are broken as she speaks
Do you know where she is?