I couldn't sleep, well that's not completely true. I did sleep, just terribly. I kept taking moments to reassess my situation when I kept realizing something new every few seconds. I don't know how long I've been away from earth, since I was knocked out for several days with several bouts of sensory loss while suspended upside down? Or was I upside down only when they thought I died after not waking up? I looked at what seemed like a clock on the wall and blinked the way I was taught. It showed 3 a.m. after my eyes adjusted, adding to my confusion as I gripped the bridge of my nose. ‘is it three in the morning on earth? Or is it the equivalent of three in the morning on…. This planet?’ As I realized I didn't know the name of this planet I decided to add that question to the list of things I'd have to ask Ulbreck in the morning, or rather when I woke up later. The rain was still ongoing, with no sign of stopping it was the only thing familiar in this world. My old place was a studio with carpet and fake tile on most places that one would expect to find it.

The place here was basically entirely metal, the floors, the walls, the ceiling… It's nice but off-putting. I wonder if rich people live like this back home? What about those tech giants trying to go to Mars or whatever? It gives me the same feeling as when I go to the store and see those nice plates made out of transparent tinted glass at Callmart. As I kept thinking about this I kept glancing at the clock, 4 a.m. finally came then 5 a.m. when I checked again. Eventually my brain shut up and I passed out.

I awoke the next morning to the loud noise of the same voice that was on the synthesizer before. “SOMEONE IS TRYING TO SOLICIT YOUR ATTENTION. HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO RESPOND?” I reflexively covered my ears, taking a deep breath to calm myself before speaking “please quiet down.” I asked as calm as I could muster “RECALIBRATING PROCESS INITIATED, PROCEED WITH USING SETTINGS ON YOUR KERBLU SYNTHESIZER?” “YES! JU- just please quiet down, you're hurting my ears.” I said I felt the pulsing in my temples. Walking to the door I grabbed the fob after fumbling around for a bit, I held it to the terminal to open the door. Ulbreck stood there, hands on his hips(?). I'd say he looked miffed about being let in after waiting a long time, but if I'm being honest I didn't even know where to begin on reading his expression. It also probably doesn't help that my eye contact is crap.

“Finally, I see you slept in. Good, you need rest after everything you've been through. How'd you sleep?” He said as he walked in. Putting a few things on the metal table melded to the floor. “You didn't redecorate, I see. Perhaps the technology is too advanced for you to understand. Interesting.” It was a weird feeling for me to feel overwhelmed by technology, I've always been reasonably good with it.

“Good morning to you too Ulbreck.” I said fiddling with some of the items he put on the table. One looked like a wrist attachment for holding the Fob while another seemed to be similar to medical supplies in earth's doctors offices.

“‘Good Morning’? I suppose it is what about it?” Ulbreck said looking out the window at a pink hued sky as I checked the time to make sure it was still morning. The clock read 8:43 a.m..

“It's a greeting, you know like hi? But for the morning when you greet people.” I said noticing that Ulbreck had a wrist attachment with his fob embedded nearly in it. “I'm guessing this stuff is for me too?” I asked, curiosity taking over as I looked at the wrist attachment. It looks kinda like a bracelet but as I inspected it I saw something etched into the bottom side on one of the buckles but I couldn't read the language.

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Ulbreck took a sip from his pipe without producing any bubbles. “Yes, it seems like you're very curious or maybe more advanced than I thought.” He said this as if he was taking notes in his head. “Put it on, it should re adjust itself to fit you.”

As I put it on I couldn't help but notice that my wrist was starting to tingle as it was recalibrating to fit my wrist. As the mechanisms and lasers on the inside scanned my wrist I wondered if this was just a bracelet or if it was also a way to keep me in line. I push the thought out of my mind ‘not like it matters, I'll just deal with having a missing hand if I need to.’

“Okay.” I said “it's on, now what?”

“Now when you need to use your fob for something then you just have it there.” Ulbreck said, “Also includes your health status and things that you think of using the same light hypnosis as the signs and stuff…. You'll get used to using it eventually. Now, I have work and you just need to wait for the currents to come in and then we'll work on getting you home.”

I froze at that, I hadn't really thought about how to get back. Hell honestly I KNOW I should feel something about going back home as soon as possible, but I don't. “Ok.” I said rubbing the etchings on my bracelet. “I'll wait till then.”

“Stay here in the meantime and don't open the door for anyone, understand?”

“Yes.”

Ulbreck paused before turning to leave “Good, well talk later then.” As he left I could feel what he wanted to ask, it's the same question I've asked myself a few times. Just how AM I so calm about all of this?

After he left I fiddled around with the bracelet a bit. Back home we have the Internet to get all the knowledge we want, yet I mostly just looked at meaningless videos half the time. ‘I wonder if cat videos are a thing here’ I quickly showed that thought away. If I find out cats rule the universe or something that might actually be too much for my brain to comprehend, though honestly; I can't say if be shocked. I went back to my temporary dwellings and sat down. I sat still for maybe two minutes before I thought about just NOT going back home.

It wouldn't be weird right? Sure my sisters might miss me but honestly? It'd be better for them if I just go find my own place out here.

‘cut that shit out’

I cleared my head of all thoughts. It's one thing to be nonchalant about all this but not trying to get back to my life on earth, my version of normal; it's not right. Not really, is it?

‘no it isn't. How long will you survive out here?’

“Stop it.”

‘it’s selfish.’

“Enough.” I said out loud. This is good I thought. If I'm panicking a bit that's normal right? However I don't think this is panic so much as something else. I look in my belongings and I find what I'm looking for, my cigarettes.

Lighting one up I open a window. As I let out smoke I manage to silence my thoughts. I know if I leave myself to my thoughts for too long like that what will happen but I wish I could just… live for a bit without needing to restrain myself from thoughts.

I push it out of my mind.

“Hey uh…. Room?”

The AI for the room came on “Yes, how can I help you?”

“What do I call you?”

As if thinking the AI took it's time before responding. “I am a complicated AI capable of peering into multifaceted programs to deliver service to my master as they see fit.”

I blinked as I realized that my question was decidedly not answered. “......... You don't have one do you? “

Another pause. “I don't”

“You want one?”

A pause again “yes please”

I sat and thought for a bit. I've never really had to name something before. This was new territory for me.

I thought for a bit, well …. I sat for a bit really. Thinking was not something I did too often so I just sat there as pictures flowed through my brain.. a feather…. Feather…. Heather? Too long I'd rather cut it down to two syllables and make it catchy.

“Ok how about Heathy?”

“Designation recognized…. Heathy… “ this AI could pass for human if it was over a phone. Scary.

“Short for Heather “ I said wondering if it would prefer the longer version. I quickly corrected myself that it was an AI and therefore not real.

“I like it.” Heathy said.

“Good. Now Heathy quick question.”

“Yes Master?”

“Call me Santana”

“Ok Santana, what is your question?”

“What can you do?”