Never End
Sometimes, when things get bad enough, we tend to take what we have for granted. The sorrow, pain, and disgust clouds our vision and makes us lose sight of what is truly important. And while some of us may be luckier than others, we are all in this together, a pursuit of happiness for everyone.
I felt so calm. I could feel my heart beating at its normal resting pace, approximately 52 beats per minute. I almost didn't want to move, I was so at peace. But I heard a voice call out. I wasn't sure what the voice was saying, but it somehow sounded familiar. Maybe it was calling to me? I didn't respond, I felt as though I wasn't able to. Not yet, anyway. The voice called out again, this time a little louder. I think they were getting closer.
“Zane? Can you hear me?” That's what I heard. All of a sudden, those words that were spoken to me were crystal clear. With this realization, I opened my eyes. It was really blurry at first. All I could make out was that there a bright light shining above me. I blinked a few times. When I saw the light again this time, it startled me. I impulsively winced at the bright light, I wanted to turn away from it.
“Zane! You're awake!” the voice spoke again, it was much louder than before. I turned my head toward the voice and saw someone standing beside me. I wasn't sure what they were talking about, though. I thought about the word for a moment. Awake. Had I been sleeping? I didn't remember falling asleep. I don't even know what that feels like. I suddenly felt something push against my back. And before I knew it, I was sitting up straight. My mouth was slightly agape, I felt disoriented. That calm feeling was completely gone. I kinda wanted it back. The owner of the same voice stood in front of me again. I lifted my head to look at them.
“Hello, Zane,” they said. I looked at this individual square in the eyes. I stared at them, my eyes trailing up and down this person. It's a man, I told myself. He must be about 57 years old. He looked aged, but not too much so. He was tan-skinned with silver hair that swooped toward the left side of his head, a couple strands hanging in front of his eyes, which were brown. He seemed extremely fatigued. There were bags under his eyes and his eyelids were droopy. Who was he, though?
“How do you feel?” he asked me. I didn't answer right away. I was silent for a moment.
I stared at him as I opened my mouth, “I feel…good. I feel good,” Saying that seemed to please the man, as a smile grew on his face. I smiled back instinctively. I wondered why I smiled back so fast. I don't even know this man. He seems friendly, though.
“That's good, Zane. I'm glad,” the man replied. Zane. He had said that four times now. I am Zane? Was Zane my name?
“Am I Zane?” I asked him.
“Yes, your name is Zane,” the man answered as he stood up straight, walking away from the table I sat on. I smiled again. I like the name, Zane.
“What is your name, sir?” I inquired. If he knew my name, then it was only right for me to know his, right?
“My name is Dr. Richard Ruthes.” The man replied, turning to face me again. “You can call me… well, whatever you’d like.”
“Alright...” I nodded slowly, “Dr. Ruthes.” Ruthes smiled at me again, walking toward one of the nearby computers. I feel silent again, my eyes glancing around the room. It was rather large, there were pretty teal and blue lights lining the walls, seemingly powering the extremely advanced technology inside the room. The lights seemed to be alive, the glow appeared the move through its glass casing. It was pleasant to watch. I grew curious of something, however. A lot of things, actually. I had questions, and I needed answers. I looked toward the Doctor who was typing away at one of the computers.
“Dr. Ruthes? May I ask you something?” I spoke up.
“Yes, Zane. You can ask me anything you like,” Dr. Ruthes replied, glancing to me as he answered.
“Who… what am I?” I asked him. This was what I needed to know first. My identity. I know I'm Zane, but there must be more to me. There has to be. Dr. Ruthes stopped for a moment, turning his head to face me.
“Well, Zane… you're… you're an AWCA. An adapting weapon and combat android.” The Doctor said to me, facing me completely, “You're an extremely intelligent robot that runs on an AI that is programmed to adapt to its situations as they change.” I locked my gaze on Ruthes. An android? A living android. I am alive, aren't I? Or am I following my programming? Is what I call being alive just a simulation of what life actually is? I had more questions now than I did before. I shook and lowered my head, closing my eyes for a moment. I could tell the Doctor was still looking at me. I lifted my head again, looking to Ruthes.
“Doctor, I don't understand.” I said. I felt my cheeks rise and eyebrows lower as I spoke.
Doctor Ruthes had a small smirk on his face as he looked at me with seemingly caring eyes, “Right, well… um… well, let me show you. Stand up for me, Zane.” I was reluctant to move at first. But I had to, right? Especially if I wanted answers to the questions I had. So many questions. And I needed to know the answers. I need to. And Dr. Ruthes seems to know the answers to them. I decided to comply, I have to trust him. I pushed myself off of the table, my feet planting onto the metal floor. It was cold, but it didn't bother me too much. Dr. Ruthes gestured to me to walk over to him, so I did. As I took my steps, my legs were a little wobbly. It was a little hard to keep my balance, I took slow steps.
“Look straight ahead.” The Doctor said as he pointed toward something. I turned toward where he pointed and I saw him again. Then I saw a giant standing beside him. It was... me. I towered over Dr. Ruthes. I was big. I was topless but I was wearing white shorts that hugged my bulky figure. I had quite a big belly, but my arms were large and muscular, and so was my chest. I had large legs, hands, and feet. I had a dark brown complexion, bright bluish-silver eyes, and dark brown wavy hair. On my cheeks were sky blue LED lights that seemed to glow with the same lively motion as the ones on the walls of the room.
“That's you.” Dr. Ruthes said, smiling once again. “A wonderful creation. Quite a handsome one, too.” He certainly seemed proud of how I looked.
“I'm confused, Doctor,” I said, “I look like you aside from my size. What is different?” The Doctor answered by placing his hand on the center of my chest. He removed his hand, and a small casing slid outward. Dr. Ruthes removed what was inside and held it out in front of me.
“This, for starters,” He said. “This is a positively charged nuclear ion core. This is your power source, your 'heart.' You run on powerful bursts of electricity. While I 'run on' natural reactions and cell systems that were perfectly and intricately designed.”
“Am I unnatural, Doctor?” I implored, turning toward him. Ruthes frowned as he replaced the core into my chest.
“In… In a sense, yes.” He answered. He sighed as he looked away from me. Why did that trouble him? If I am his creation, and he is someone else's, aren't I just as natural as he? Dr. Ruthes gently patted my chest, “But, natural or not, you're incredible. You're a spectacularly designed and well functioning android.” I smiled instinctively. Regardless of what I was, Dr. Ruthes seemed to truly be proud of me. Knowing that made me feel something inside. It was a new feeling. As if there were little bubbles in my stomach and I didn't want to stop smiling. My smile turned into a grin. I enjoyed this feeling.
“Thank you, Dr. Ruthes,” I said, leaning forward and wrapping my arms around him. The Doctor chuckled softly as he patted my back.
“You're welcome, Zane,” He said. I continued to grin. I closed my eyes as I hugged the Doctor tighter. I didn't want to let go. I loved this feeling. It was so perfect. I wanted it to stay like this forever and ever. I was happy. I wanted to stay happy. I wanted for this moment, this feeling to never end.
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Aaaaalrighty, something different for a change. I was feeling really interested in Zane's backstory and all. So I decided to write a oneshot about his creation and how he was "birthed." This was loads of fun to write, I enjoyed every second of this. I'm definitely gonna draw Zane more, now. I've got an entire story lined out for him now. I might start writing an actual story too. We'll see. I hope that those of you who read enjoy! And thank you so very much for taking the time to read. Until next time, live life like an Xplosion! JFlare out!
