Chapter 3: Surprise Visitor Part 2

The room fell into an eerie silence, the only sound the faint hum of the emergency systems still active in the facility. Edward's consciousness pulsed within the reactor core, his mind attempting to process what had just occurred. The monster—that grotesque, nightmarish abomination—was no longer an immediate threat, but its memory lingered like a scar. He let out an internal sigh of relief as he assessed the reinforced door. Even if the creature tried, Edward doubted it could breach it. The facility’s security measures had been designed to withstand catastrophic events, and the doors were engineered to endure explosions without so much as a dent.

Edward’s thoughts turned to the creature. What was it? How had it come to exist? And, more importantly, what else might be lurking outside the room? As his mind spiraled with questions, his attention was drawn back to the children and their dog. The girl and boy had edged closer to the terminal, their expressions a mix of curiosity and wariness. The silence was palpable as they stared at the machine that had just saved their lives.

Edward hesitated, unsure of how to approach them. Social interactions had never been his strength. Before the apocalypse, he’d been known for his intense demeanor and penetrating gaze, traits that often intimidated adults and terrified children. But now, he was nothing more than a disembodied voice, his humanity tethered to a lifeless machine. Gathering his resolve, he activated the microphone connected to the room’s intercom system.

“Hello,” he said, his voice echoing through the chamber.

Both kids jumped at the sudden sound, their wide eyes darting toward the terminal. The dog, let out a low growl, standing protectively in front of the children.

“Don’t be afraid,” Edward added quickly, trying to sound as calm and non-threatening as possible. “I mean you no harm.”

The girl stepped forward, her small frame tense but her expression resolute. “Was it you who… saved us?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Edward paused before responding. “Yes,” he said finally. “I did what I could to help.”

The siblings exchanged a glance, and then, to Edward’s astonishment, they bowed deeply toward the terminal.

“Thank you, Mr. Voice,” the girl said sincerely. “Thank you for saving us.”

Edward was taken aback. He’d expected fear or suspicion, not gratitude. “There… there’s no need for that,” he stammered. “I was just doing what anyone would.”

The girl straightened, her gaze steady. “Who are you?” she asked.

Edward hesitated again. “My name is Edward Huning,” he said at last. “I was an engineer here, working on a project to save humanity. But something went wrong. My consciousness is… well, it’s complicated. I’m stuck here now, in this facility.”

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"That body in the room is me" the voice sounds very gloomy.

The girl’s eyes widened. “So You’re like… a ghost?”

Edward couldn’t help but laugh, a dry, hollow sound that echoed through the room. “A ghost?” he echoed. “I suppose that’s one way to look at it. But no, I’m not a ghost...." He suddenly stopped and pondered again. " At least, I don’t think so.”

The boy, who had been silent until now, piped up. “Then what are you?” he asked, his voice soft but curious.

Edward paused, considering his words carefully. “I’m not sure what I am,” he admitted. “I was human once, but now… I’m part of this reactor. I can think, feel, remember… but I don’t have a body anymore.”

Both of the kids exchanged another look, their expressions a mixture of confusion and wonder. The girl tilted her head. “So, you’re an AI?” she asked.

"Yeah, a talking machine," the boy added.

Previously before the impact, the boy and girl learned about AI in school. The moving robots and talking machinery remind them of Mr. Voice.

“No,” Edward said firmly. “I’m not artificial. I’m still me. Still human. At least, I think I am.” He paused, his gaze drifting to his own lifeless body slumped in the corner of the room. The sight sent a shiver through him, though he had nobody to feel it. “Maybe I am a ghost,” he muttered under his breath, too low for the children to hear.

The girl’s brow furrowed as she processed his words. “If you’re still you,” she said slowly, “can you help us?”

Edward’s focus snapped back to the present. “Help you?” he repeated. “With what?”

The girl glanced at the boy, then back at Edward. “Surviving,” she said simply.

For a moment, Edward was silent. Then he nodded, though they couldn’t see the gesture. “I’ll do what I can,” he promised.

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The conversation had taken its toll on the children. Exhausted from the ordeal, both kids settled in a corner of the room, huddling together for warmth. The Dog lay beside them, his watchful eyes never leaving the terminal. Despite the corpse in the room, the monster outside, and the overwhelming events of the day, the children fell into a fitful sleep. Edward marveled at their resilience. How could they rest so easily under such circumstances?

As the children slept, Edward reflected on their previous chat. "Two years huh? That’s how long it had been since the asteroid—Noah-7789—had struck Earth. How was it possible that the kids were alive? Had humanity somehow mitigated the asteroid’s impact? Or was their survival a mere fluke, a cruel twist of fate?"

"I guess humans are like cockroaches; we can't easily die," he snickers quietly in a solemn tone.

He also learned about the children and the dog. Both kids are siblings. The first, or older sister, is Mira. She’s 11 years old and the one who cleared the rubble. The other one is Kai, the younger brother of the sibling. He looks smaller than expected for a 7-year-old boy. The dog who keeps glancing at the metallic door is Kwon. He is a retired military dog that belongs to their family. They said they came here to look for their father, who works here as a guard supervisor.

“I guess I need to figure a way to escape this place first, but how?”

The questions churned in his mind, but no answers came. Instead, he turned his focus to the damaged VR machine in his dead body. The facility, though damaged and aged, was still operational. It had been designed to ensure humanity’s survival, and now it was his opportunity to use those resources for his survival. Edward also resolved to protect these children and guide them as best he could. For now, that would have to be enough.

The faint glow of the reactor core cast long shadows across the room, a reminder of both Edward’s past and the uncertain future that lay ahead.