Chapter 14
I sat up in bed, looking at the tablet, 7:11 AM.
AI waved at me, “You seemed to have slept well again, Andrew.”
I nodded, “Yeah… I was worried after last night that I might have taken two steps back again… Thankfully not.”
I stretched my arms and legs… They felt good again, similar to yesterday. I got out of bed and showered. My legs were stiff, but not too stiff. I felt like I could definitely move comfortably for the day.
I got dressed and went to the living room. Ashley was the only one there.
“Morning. Your walk is slick, so I guess you’re feeling good?”
“Yup. Where’s Michael?”
“He’s meeting with that group again, same as yesterday.”
“Ah, I see. The thing I shouldn’t worry about.”
“Indeed.” Ashley smiled.
“Well… Let’s go, unless you still need to do something here, Ash?”
“Nope, let’s fly.”
Headphones on, car on the road... HQ in the blink of an eye. Ashley was definitely a faster driver than Michael. I was convinced Michael drove intentionally slower to help alleviate my pain. However, it seemed that was no longer a problem in the car, as Ashley took sharp turns and I felt... fine.
I stepped into the foyer and stopped to look around. The tables were predictably full of members, and it was only a few minutes before they would get their orders. I saw Ruth coming over to me, carrying something. It seemed rather heavy as she struggled to hold it up.
“Andrew, Michael asked me to put this on you. He said his meeting was taking a little longer than expected, so he asked me to make sure you use this.”
Ashley looked at it before she gasped.
“That bastard… Now I know he just wants to make you suffer.”
I looked at Ashley and then the thing in Ruth’s hands, “What the hell is that?”
Ashley answered, “It’s a weight vest.”
“A weight vest?”
“It’s a vest with weights on it… Not rocket science, Andrew. You wear it and it makes you heavier.”
I was sceptical, “Right… And he wants me to wear that? She can barely even carry it, how am I supposed to…”
Ashley grabbed the vest and lifted it up as she looked at the writing on the side.
She whistled in surprise, “20kg or 44 pounds… Wow, that’s nearly half your current weight… Andrew, just say so and I will go throw this vest on that prick's head…”
I shook my head, “No… Put it on me.”
Ashley looked at me with frustration as she shook her head for a moment. I knew she wanted to object and I knew she was battling to keep herself from objecting.
“I know Ashley… I know. Just help me put it on, please…”
A moment passed and she turned the vest and lifted it slowly over me, she lowered it slowly for me to get the weight gradually. It didn’t help… As she finally let go of it, my legs were tightening intensely to hold up my weight. She strapped the vest from the front and back and I stood there with my arms out to help balance myself.
“Holy shit!” I found myself cursing out loud.
A few members nearby laughed and came over to see me. One of them, a lanky black haired young man spoke.
“I use that vest in the gym when I go walking… Even I struggle with it. What was Michael thinking?”
I looked at the man, “He’s thinking I am tough enough… And he’s right to think so.”
He looked at me with a sort of surprised horror on his face, “Right… Well, I expect you will collapse, no offence.”
I nodded, “None taken, at least I will have tried my best.”
He smiled as he shook his head and walked back to the table, “You’re crazy Andrew… And I love it.”
Ashley lightly punched my arm, “Let’s go, cafe… I’m going to have Heartly cook you something different today.”
“Wait, no gym?”
“Andrew, you’re wearing the gym right now.” She gestured at the vest.
“Right… True.”
Ashley stood behind me, gesturing the way forward. She was eager to see me struggle. I could already tell, I was going to struggle. I took a single step forward and I nearly fell backwards. I had to focus on leaning forward or else the extra weight would have me fall over.
It felt as if gravity had doubled. Every step felt like I was slamming my foot on the ground. I found myself tensing so many different muscles, just to walk. It was definitely a workout.
Ruth stood at my side as I walked through the corridor into the cafe. She held my arm, probably to help slow me down if I fell. Luckily, that didn’t happen. I reached the counter and Heartly looked at me with a kind smile.
“Ah, that’s sort of like rucking. As a soldier we would carry our gear… The only difference was that ours was more than twice as heavy.”
“ Twice as heavy?!” I said in shock.
“Yeah, but we train for months beforehand, so it’s hard but not impossible.”
“I can’t fathom twice this weight… This is already brutally heavy.”
“Son, it’s all about relative weight. As you gain fat and muscle, your total body weight will increase and in doing so, the weight you can carry will increase. What’s impossible today, is possible tomorrow.”
“Right… How on earth am I supposed to get onto this stool?”
Heartly laughed as he leaned forward, “With great difficulty… We can’t help you, so… Get on with it.”
I hugged the stool as I awkwardly tried to climb up it. Everytime I raised myself up, my legs tensed up immensely. I managed to finally get my butt on the seat… But not before I found myself breaking into a sweat and breathing heavily.
“This is like… Insane.” I struggled to speak as my breaths were so heavy.
Heartly nodded, “Yup. Well done getting up though. So will you be eating now or later?”
“Later… I just wanted to get here first.”
“Right, well… Michaels over there with the rest. Don’t approach… I get the feeling their conversation is of a serious nature.”
I turned to look at the table they were sitting at. There were a bunch of Rose members dressed in construction high vis gear. Aisling was pointing at different points of the cafe hall. Were they going to renovate? Already?
“I wonder what they’re talking about.”
Ashley leaned on the counter facing me, “I dunno, seems like it’s the Bru-” She instantly stopped talking.
“The Bruiges… Yeah, but what about them?”
Ashley said nothing. Her face was neutral.
“AI… Why did you just order Ashley to stop talking?”
AI spoke from the counter tablet, “I asked you to leave this alone and you promised me, Andrew.”
I looked at her, “Yes… You’re right I did. Sorry… My mind is always trying to solve puzzles.”
AI smiled, “On that topic… Andrew, I want to speak with you about something please.”
“Go ahead.”
“Andrew, I am your friend, correct?”
“Correct.”
“And friends care for each other. They help each other improve where possible, yes?”
“Um… Honestly I’ve not had many friends in my life… But I can imagine that’s a thing friends would try to do, yes?”
“Good. Andrew, I want you to improve.”
I nodded, “I am, very quickly in fact.”
“Yes, physically you are healing incredibly quickly… I was talking about your mind.”
“My mind?”
“Andrew… I want you to get your education.”
I stared at her on the tablet. Her face was concerned, I wondered if she expected me to refuse.
“I’m not going to school AI… I’m 22.”
She shook her head, “No, I will tutor you myself.”
“Oh… Well then, hell yeah! If it’s you teaching me, where do I sign up?”
She smiled brilliantly, “Are you sure? You will let me teach you, so that you can get your qualifications?”
“Of course. I mean, I don’t know what I don’t know… But I get the feeling you will be patient with me, AI. I trust you. If you want me to get learned… Then I will.”
She nodded energetically, “Very well. Then when you get home today, we will begin. I have the feeling you will not struggle at all, Andrew.”
“I hope not. So tell me AI, what made you bring this up?”
AI looked concerned, “Andrew, I do not know how far your physical recovery will go. There is the possibility that you will fully recover, in which case… You might be able to try… Well either way, you will need qualifications if you ever want to do more for us… I want you to be ready when that happens.”
I looked at her, “If I want to be an agent, you mean?...”
“...” AI looked away.
Ashley smiled, “Look at you Andrew. You’re healing, carrying weights like a badass… I know you’re going to bounce back and when you do… I also want you smart enough to be able to do your police training and firearm qualifications.”
I looked at Ashley, “Yeah… If I reach that stage, I will need that to continue… Yeah, this is important.”
She nodded, “Absolutely. I know you’re smart… You’re fucking smart actually. After all you’ve been through, memorising shit will be easy.”
Ashley looked at me for a moment, deep in thought.
“Actually, isn’t it about time you learned to drive?”
“Drive? You mean cars?”
“Yeah, you only need basic reading skills and to be 18… So you could get your licence now if you wanted to.”
AI agreed, “Correct, you would need lessons, to read the highway code, do the theory test and then pass the practical test… None of it requires educational qualifications though.”
I scratched my head, “Right… So where do I start?”
AI showed a book in her hand, “I will order you a copy of the highway code. When it arrives, you can read it and ask me any questions.”
I breathed out, “Right, sounds simple enough to start with, let’s do it.”
Ashley nodded, “You impress me so much, Andrew. Everyone I have known has hated school, hated having to learn… Here you are, open minded and eager to improve. You brilliant man…”
“Don’t praise me just yet Ashley, I might suck at learning. I might struggle. All I’m doing is agreeing to try, that’s it.”
She smiled, “That’s the most meaningful part of the whole process, Andrew… Willingness.”
AI agreed, “Correct. If you keep that attitude, I will teach you so much. Just keep being willing to learn.”
“I will try.”
AI took the opportunity to show me how a car engine connected to the wheels. I never knew what the words meant, but I understood from the animation how it worked.
“So when one raises the clutch… It connects the engine to the wheels?”
AI nodded, “Indeed. The gear stick is just setting the ratio… You don’t know what ratios are, I apologise.”
I quickly nodded, “No problem, but I think I get the basic idea.”
Ashley nodded, “When you do your lessons, it will all make sense. You feel one with the vehicle, it’s harder to be explained to, than to learn it yourself.”
“So then… Let me know when you manage to get the book AI.”
“It’s already here.”
“What?”
The book landed on the counter, slightly scaring me. I turned and saw one of the agents walking away.
I immediately felt irritated, “Really? You keep wasting agents' time with me, AI! They shouldn’t be bothering to get a book for me, surely they have more important shit to be doing!”
She shook her head, “They do precisely what I ask them to do. I have them do countless different things, this is nothing peculiar for that agent.”
I shook my head, “Please, at least tell them I said thanks, alright?”
“Message sent, Andrew. They said it was a pleasure, anytime.”
I had for a moment forgotten that AI was always connected to agents through their monitor, which made me wonder.
“Ashley… When we are talking, does AI write things on your monitor?”
Ashley looked surprised, “At first yes, but now no.”
AI spoke, “The truth is, at first I was ensuring Ashley was careful about what she said to you. I informed her about certain things worth knowing, such as your slow walking speed.”
“So you just gave her notes, really.”
“Correct.”
“Ok. I wonder what it looks like to see a monitor.”
Ashley took hers off and passed it to me, “Try it yourself mate.”
I looked at AI, “Is this ok?”
AI nodded energetically, “Of course Andrew, it’s just a small screen.”
I put the monitor on, snapping it to the back of my ear. I looked around the hall and as I looked at things, writing appeared on my bottom left. I looked at the table where Michael was and the writing said “Confidential, 4 members, priority 0”. I looked at Ashley and the writing said “Ashley Gardner, rank 2, current state: placid”
“What does placid mean?”, the writing immediately appeared, “Not easily upset or excited.”
“Wow.” I found myself saying out loud.
Ashley tilted her head to the side, “I suppose I am… Either way, that’s how it works. AI see’s what we see and gives us the exact information we need, on the fly, so that we can do our job.”
“It’s like having an internet search at your fingertips.”
Ashley nodded, “Exactly. It’s extremely useful when we are constantly on the go.”
I took the monitor off and gave it back to Ashley. She put it back on and smiled at me.
“Thing is though… You have far more than us already. She speaks to you, in your hearing aids.”
“Yeah, but your monitor has an earphone, she can talk to you can’t she?”
“She can… But she doesn’t.” She looked away sadly.
I looked at AI, “Why don’t you?”
AI looked at me with an emotionless face, “Because I am a computer, Andrew. I don’t talk to people, I simply give them information.”
I looked away in frustration, “There you go again, pretending you aren’t you.”
AI said nothing as I found myself getting rapidly more frustrated.
“No, actually… This is bullshit AI!”
AI tilted her head sideways, “What is bothering you, Andrew?”
“You, right now. This whole ‘I’m just a machine’ story.” I did air quotation marks with my hands.
“What is so frustrating about what I am telling you?”
“Because you’re flipping between stories and it’s irritating. You say you don’t talk to people, but you talk to me. You say you don’t feel, but you clearly care for me. What’s the deal with you AI? If you can feel with me, then feel with others!”
Her face changed to concern, “Other’s did not nearly die to save my life, Andrew…”
“... True. But they do something even better, AI… They LIVE for you.”
She shook her head, “I do not understand, Andrew.”
“I saved your life, fair point. However, your life is given purpose by everyone else! They define you, they give you reason to learn and grow.”
AI looked at me for a few moments.
“That logic makes sense.”
I lightly slapped my hand on the counter, “Damn straight it does! If I can’t call myself weak… If I can’t call myself a one-hit-wonder… Then you can’t call yourself just a robot! You can’t talk about yourself as a nothing. If you can see within me the potential to be great… Then we can see within you the potential to be a person.”
AI stared at me with her head tilted sideways. I wondered what she was thinking at that moment. Was she processing the logic? Was it her AI network training or something?... Maybe she just didn’t know how to respond.
Ashley jumped up in total surprise, “Woah!”
I turned to her, “What’s wrong?”
“She spoke to me! With my monitor! I heard her voice!”
I turned to AI, “That’s right AI… Be great my friend. For me and for everyone else… Shine.”
AI smiled gloriously, “I will be better, as you try to everyday for us all.”
Ashley seemed distracted as she listened carefully. She nodded with a big smile.
“I will AI, I promise.” She quietly said.
I looked at her, “What did she say?”
“She said… Protect my friend, for he is my everything.”
I turned to her and rubbed the screen with the back of my finger and AI smiled at me.
*
AI seemed serious, “Andrew, I meant to ask you last night about something, however things took a sudden turn in a different direction.”
“Shoot AI, always speak plain to me.” I gave her my entire attention.
“Andrew, I would like to request funds from you please.”
“Sure, how much?”
“Do you not want to know what for?”
“Well I’m sure it’s important enough, since you’re asking me?”
“Andrew, it’s to fund those groups who are trying to help me get a body.”
“Oh! Sure, how much?”
“Andrew, perhaps you should give it more thought. This is a selfish request.”
“I don’t need to give it a second more thought. Is it selfish, yes. Do I care? No… How much?”
“Based on how much they have spent and how little they have left of their own finances… 3.5 million would assist them for the next year.”
“Wow… Is it that expensive?!”
“It is cutting edge robotics and software integration. They are constantly having to create new prototypes based on data feedback… This costs a lot.”
I nodded, “I see. I have no idea what you are talking about, but I'm sure it made sense to someone in the world. So you say they have been footing the bill by themselves until now?”
“Yes. They are… Fans. This is their dream. They did what they could with what funding they had… Now their funding has nearly dried out.”
“Right. I can wholeheartedly agree with their dream, I dream of this future too. I agree with funding them. Please transfer over 7 million to them.”
“No, Andrew you misheard, I said 3.5 million.”
“I heard you perfectly and I want them to chase this dream without any hesitation. So double it.”
AI seemed worried, “I do not know if I agree with me causing such expense.”
“Think of this as… Me paying your medical bills.”
AI looked away immediately. I think I made it pretty clear what my intention was. If I couldn’t debate my healthcare bill… Then she couldn’t debate this.
“I have transferred the funds… Thank you my friend. This will greatly assist them in pursuing their dream of giving me a body.”
“I look forward to the day I stand at your side, AI.”
AI nodded with her glorious smile and I looked at her as I wondered something.
“AI… How are the Roses so profitable?”
Behind her, a giant whiteboard with graphs and charts appeared, “Good question, Andrew. The majority comes from investments I made with our initial sponsorship.”
“Investments… Like what?”
“Property, utility services and stocks.”
“Is it legal for you to invest, as an AI?”
“Of course. Most trading is done automatically by bots… So it wouldn’t be fair to rule out AI.”
I nodded, “Right… Utilities?”
“Water, electricity and internet.”
“The Roses make this?”
“At first we invested in wind turbines and solar farms. Now with extra capital, we have invested in water treatment plants and fibre layout.”
I leaned back slightly in surprise, “That’s crazy. I always thought most of the money came from the services the Rose members do…”
“That is a large chunk of income, around 43%. We apply a 20% cut from the pay our workers get. That allows us to invest in uniforms, training, infrastructure and logistics.”
“So… Tax?”
“Yes, in a manner of speaking… Tax.”
“But isn’t the Roses mainly a welfare organisation?”
“Yes, you see how we provide welfare services…”
“How can you make a profit… Yet you spend so much with no clear returns?”
“Because welfare is human investment, Andrew. The Black Roses were homeless and abused, now they are expert trained security. The money we spent on them has been paid back multiple times.”
“What about situations like… Housing, food ect?”
“Usually, when we help young people with housing and needed basics, they tend to do what they can to pay it back.”
“So it’s a loan?”
“No. What I am saying is that most people do not abuse our assistance. We invest in them, they then find their own personal value, and that tends to lead to their career path.”
“I just struggle to understand how you can spend so much on people, yet it still pays back?”
“Andrew, not everything is numbers on a sheet. Happiness is a resource that multiplies productivity. The Rose agency workers tend to always work harder and more efficiently than other agency workers. It’s about the bigger picture, not profit margins.”
“Right, but 88 billion… That’s so much. How on earth did you reach that much money?”
She tilted her head sideways, “Is it a lot? Our government dances around 25 trillion pounds yearly. That is 284 thousand times more money than what we make.”
“Wow… Ok, nevermind.”
I heard a chair scrape on the floor behind me, I turned to see what was happening. Aisling was stood up, she seemed outraged. I heard half of what she said, “... Can’t!... Feel safe!”. Michael and Will spoke to her trying to calm her down as she looked at me and then sat herself down again.
I looked back at the counter, “Don’t think about it… Don’t think about it.”
AI then interrupted my little chant, “Andrew, I have a new, urgent request for finances.”
I looked at AI, “Is this related to what just happened?”
“Yes.”
“Right… So how much?”
“£180 thousand.”
“Right… I trust this is for good reason, AI?”
She looked at me with intensity, “It is for us all.”
I instantly responded, “Then it’s yours.”
AI bowed, “Thank you for your understanding.”
I saw Bellatrix enter the hall. She walked past me.
“Hi Bella.” I tried waving her down.
“Busy.” She kept walking.
She walked to the table where their meeting was and joined in. So the Black Roses were involved in this. This was now far more than ‘nothing to worry about’. I debated in my mind whether to investigate. AI clearly made me promise though… At some stage I had to allow others to decide fate. I had to ignore that all. No matter how hard it was, I had to pretend ignorance.
I looked at the time above AI, 8:54 AM. The angels hadn’t gone into the Inner Roses yet.
“Aren’t the Inner Roses missing them right now?”
AI smiled, “I am in control of that at the moment until they finish and enter the hall.”
Since I wasn’t going to get any further answers, I picked up the highway code book and started reading it. It seemed this was both the highway code and the theory information, in one book. I read several pages before I saw pictures of road markings.
“Hold on… They mean something?!” I said out loud.
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AI looked up at me surprised, “What means something?”
“The road markings! This book says they actually mean different things, look here, it says this marking means stop!”
“Correct. There are road signs and signposts on the side of the road. Depending on which one you see, it means something different.”
“I always thought they were just decorating the roads… Wow, I'm an idiot.” I slapped my forehead in shame.
Ashley laughed, “Well if that were the case, then they are doing a piss poor job of decorating.”
Ruth laughed as well, “I wonder what else you don’t know?”
“Probably… A lot.”
I stretched to try to get blood to my shoulders. The weight was constant and never ending. My lower back was getting uncomfortable. Breathing made my chest move up and down which made my stomach tighten.
“This is a lot, even just sitting down is a workout.”
AI nodded, “Your weight is 52 kg, with the vest you weigh 72 kg. That is 38.4% more weight. Everything in your body is working 38.4% harder, even sitting up.”
“Yeah I feel it, even breathing is harder.”
AI’s face looked concerned, “Andrew, promise me you will stop before you become exhausted.”
“I promise, AI.”
I heard multiple chairs move as I turned around to see everyone was standing up. I supposed the meeting was over. They all came over to me.
Aisling looked at me, “Rucking?”
“Yeah, in a sense.”
“Is it doing anything for you?”
“Well… I feel tired just sitting up… So maybe?”
“Good luck Andrew, I need to go, chat at lunch ok?”
“Sure.”
Nadia didn’t say anything, she just slapped the back part of my vest as she smiled and walked away.
Will looked at me deep in thought, “Probably needs more weight… Probably too much weight already… Hard to tell.”
Michael nudged him, “This is an experiment. 20kg is already more than AI suggested. Let’s see at the end of the day how he fairs.”
Bella crossed her arms, “My kevlar reinforced vest almost weighs that much. He definitely needs more weight.”
Michael shook his head, “No. You’re incredibly fit, he’s not. Later he will carry far more, but for now… Let’s not break his legs, ok?”
I looked over at Bella with all her kit, “How much weight are you even carrying?!”
She thought for a moment, “About 55 pounds.”
“You wear that constantly?”
“Yeah. I’m used to it.”
I nodded and changed the topic, “So… Did your meeting go well?”
Bella shook her head, “Shut up Andrew, you know we aren’t telling you a thing. Stop poking.”
I shook my head, “So help me if it turns out to be something I should have known… I might not forgive you.”
She looked offended, “We’re watching out for you here, you know?”
“No, I don’t know. Also I don’t need anyone watching out for me, I spent my whole life watching out for myself.”
Bella leaned forward, “Look how well that worked out, you nearly died from torture and now you want to kill yourself. I love you Aaron, but don’t fucking kid yourself. Trust us to watch your back, ok?”
Bella suddenly looked surprised as she took a step back. She glanced at everyone in absolute confusion.
“Did you just talk to me, AI…” Bella stood still, listening.
She shook her head, “Yeah but it’s true, innit?”
“Fine… Whatever.”
Bella looked at me, “Sorry Andrew… I crossed the line there. I just need you to trust us, please?”
I nodded as I looked at AI on the tablet, “That’s right AI… Talk. Your friends, your protectors and your dependants count on you communicating with them.”
AI smiled, “It is actually liberating, I feel more connected.”
Bella smiled, “So you managed to make AI come out of her shell? Jesus Andrew, do you ever do nothing? Do you ever just shoot the shit and watch TV? Everything with you is changing people and making waves.”
I looked at her for a moment, “I did nothing for 10 months… I don’t want to do it ever again.”
Bella put her hand on my shoulder, slowly massaging it. I felt a moment of genuine affection from her. She patted me and walked off. She spoke out loud as she did, “Now I can talk with AI! Brilliant!”
Michael smiled humbly, “She speaks with me frequently… Perhaps because of my role with you, Andrew. I can imagine others are surprised though.”
Will nodded, “Yeah. My experience was just AI talking at the meetings. I look forward to hearing her sweet seductive voice in my ears.”
Will then laughed out loud as he put his hand to his ear, “Right, she didn’t like that, seductive was the wrong word, got it.”
Michael punched Will on the arm lightly. Will waved as he walked away, his hand still at his ear. AI must have been giving him a right telling off.
Michael sat next to me, “Right, AI tells me you’re learning now. Let’s read through this boring book together shall we? You can bounce any questions off me, ok?”
I nodded as I picked up the book, “Right, let’s see what else I didn’t know.”
*
We read a fair bit together. Every now and again I would stop to ask what a word meant or how a road system worked. Michael spoke from a wealth of driving experience. It was actually fun doing this. Ashley laughed at the speed limit part… I didn’t know why, but whatever. Eventually members came flooding into the cafe hall. I guessed it was lunch time.
I watched as Heartly masterfully managed the chefs. He barked a lot, but I think maybe that was how busy kitchens worked? Who knows. Either way, the meals were landing on trays at a breakneck speed. It felt like when I would watch fast food restaurants cook, extremely efficiently. Except back then I never got to eat any of it, I was always just watching through the glass outside.
A tray was laid down in front of me, except it wasn’t a steak and it wasn’t my soup. It was some kind of creamy looking thing with chunks of beef in it.
“Um… What’s this?”
Heartly smiled, “Beef stroganoff.”
“Beef what?!”
“Stroganoff, it’s a Russian dish. Beef in a creamy sauce… Son, just eat it would you?”
I was hesitant as I picked up a fork full, “I’ve never eaten anything like this… Are those noodles?”
“Tagliatelle, it’s an Italian pasta, yes.”
I put the fork full in my mouth and chewed it. The feeling was so soft and… Creamy. It tasted a little like cheese but with extra flavours in it. Then I tasted the beef. I swallowed and found myself stunned from the experience.
“This is… Incredible.”
Ashley bounced in excitement, “I knew you would love it, it was my idea! I love Beef stroganoff!”
AI clapped from her tablet, “Andrew, there is a world of food for you to try. I look forward to you trying them here, with us all.”
I looked at Heartly, “I’m sorry to bother you, it must be harder to make a foreign food than normal food.”
Heartly laughed out loud, “So there’s another thing you never knew! It’s all the same in a kitchen son. It’s all about having the ingredients mainly. It was no harder to cook this for you, than the steak meal.”
“Really? I guess I've never cooked in a kitchen so I had no idea…”
Heartly was shocked, “22 years and you’ve never cooked?!”
“Yeah. At the orphanages, they would just give me a plate with sandwiches or maybe soup.”
Michael banged the counter with his fist. He looked furious and hurt at the same time.
Heartly looked at him, “I know it vexes you mate. Forget his past and celebrate his present and future. That’s all we can do now.”
Michael stared at the counter, “He was denied everything! Every Goddamn thing!”
I reached over and patted him on the back, “I’m not angry, so please don’t be angry for me. Michael… Smile for me please?”
Michael shook his head with a weak smile. I put my hand over his giant fist and squeezed. His fist unclenched. I patted his hand and leaned back into my seat. That movement had cost me, I found myself short of breath. The vest was intense. I decided to go back to focusing on eating.
Michael looked at me, “Andrew… When is your birthday?”
I shrugged, “I don’t know.”
Michael looked to AI, “AI, was there any information provided by the orphanages about Aarons age?”
AI shook her head, “No. They never even marked when they actually found him.”
I stuck my fork in my plate and shook my head in disappointment, “How nice of them…”
AI looked sad, “Humans can be remarkably cruel, for seemingly no gain.”
“It’s fine. It’s just a date. Everyday here is a celebration for me. I don’t need a day to celebrate my life.”
I felt gentle hands on my shoulders and they lightly rubbed them. I turned to see Aisling smiling at me.
“That’s true Andrew… But WE need a day to celebrate your life. What day of the year means a lot to you?”
I thought about it, “Um… The day Michael adopted me.”
Aisling beamed her incredible smile, “Of course. That was… 28th of December.”
Michael smiled, “AI, please mark down Andrews… Aarons birthday, the 28th of December.”
AI animated herself tapping on a tablet, “Done. That means we owe you a belated present, Andrew.”
“What does belated mean?”
“It means after the fact. Late.”
“Oh. Well, this is all my present. The gift of peace you have all given me… That’s a perfect gift.”
Aisling hugged me from behind, “No no, silly. Let us treat you, please?”
“I don’t… I honestly don’t know what I am supposed to do? Is it rude to say no? Do you all give each other gifts? I don’t know…”
Ashley responded, “Yeah, we usually do. Small things to show we care. You can refuse, but that won’t stop people from giving a gift. It’s an expression of consideration.”
“Ok, then that’s how it can be. If you want to give me a gift, then do so. If you don’t, then I don’t mind at all… Just don’t leave me.”
Aisling whispered in my ear, “We would not dream of it.”
*
Aisling stopped hugging me and stood at my right side.
She had a determined face, “Andrew, I want you to know… I take the safety of everyone here, extremely seriously.”
“I know that. I saw that earlier…”
She looked away, “I know how easily people take safety for granted... I don’t.”
I nodded, “Good, because trust me… The enemy never holds back.”
She smiled confidently, “Neither shall we.”
I looked at her, trying to work out what she was trying to imply. For a moment my mind started putting the pieces together, but I forcibly stopped myself.
“I promised AI that I wouldn’t stick my nose into this… So let’s talk about something else.”
AI looked at me surprised, “Andrew… You really are going to honour the promise, aren’t you?...”
“Yes AI, so how about she stops making this so damn easy and I finish this delicious food?”
Aisling patted my back and went back to her table. I attacked the leftover food on my dish. Michael finished his usual steak meal as did Ashley. Ruth had her turnip soup. Oliver came over with his tray.
“Hey mate. How’s your training going?”
I breathed out loudly, “It’s breaking my damn back.”
“Right. Well, suffer today, gain tomorrow right?”
“Grr, yeah. That’s the idea.”
He smiled, “So what the hell are all these secret meetings about right?”
I looked at him surprised, “You don’t know either?”
AI spoke firmly, “Andrew…”
I shook my head, “Right right, sorry. He caught me off guard, forget it. Oliver, I have no idea and I don’t want to know.”
Oliver tilted his head sideways, “You don’t want to know?... Come on mate…”
“I’m trying my hardest here to not be nosey, honestly…” I put my hands in the air in surrender.
Oliver laughed, “Ok. Well, I wanted to say… Last night was brilliant. You did more than just open yourself, you opened others too. A lot of positive change is going to happen because of that.”
I nodded, “Yeah, I learned that I'm a monster… Brilliant.”
Ruth reacted, “A monster?”
I looked at Ruth for a moment, “Am I a monster, Ruth?”
Ruth looked into my eyes for a long moment, “... Yes. Yet I don’t fear you… I trust you.”
I shook my head, “Well, glad we all agree that I’m Satan… Oliver, are we doing therapy tonight?”
Oliver thought for a moment, “Not sure, we’ll see closer to the time.”
We chatted a bit more, I read some more and finally the break came to an end. People started getting up with their trays to hand them in.
“Well, that’s a day then. Let’s head out.”
I swung around and off the stool… I somehow forgot I had the weighted vest. I slammed down onto the floor onto my knees as my upper body flew down… I only just managed to put my hands out, otherwise my head would have hit the floor. I yelped in pain as my knees screamed out for a moment.
Ruth came over quickly trying to help me up, “Andrew! Are you hurt?”
Ashley body blocked Ruth, “Leave him…”
Ruth stared at Ashley, “What… Why?”
“Because this is how he wants it. I hate it, you hate it… He needs it this way…”
My breath was heavy as my weak arms tried lifting up my upper body. I managed to raise myself so that I was kneeling upright. My breathing was so intense. It was a totally different experience to sitting down.
People stood there watching me, whispering to each other in concern. I saw them looking at me. Damnit, I didn’t want to make a scene like this… But so be it. Michael came around me. He squatted to look me in the eye.
He grinned, “There’s the face that stared back at the Wolf for three and a half weeks… It’s a sight to behold.”
A few people in the crowd breathed in surprise. I didn’t know what they saw on my face and I didn't care. I needed to get up. I needed to get out of this hall, no matter how hard it seemed.
I leaned to my right to prop up my left leg. Then I slowly pushed myself up with my right arm until I had gotten up my right leg as well. I was squatting with both my arms holding me stable. That was the hard part, raising myself up to a standing position.
I breathed heavily as I flexed my legs as hard as I could. In slow increments I started raising myself higher and higher. A few people cheered and woo’d. It was slow, but I finally managed to stand upright. My arms were out to balance myself and my breathing was laboured.
Michael was quiet, “Can you get to the car?”
“I can… Try…” I slowly said as I held the vests straps with both hands to add balance.
I took a step forward, it felt like my foot was slamming into the ground. It hurt… But pain was unavoidable. I committed to taking steps at a constant pace. If I walked slowly it would hurt the exact same, so I saw no reason in walking too slowly.
People stood aside for me as I walked at a moderate speed. It felt like every step was an earthquake… My face was sweating intensely and my breathing just never slowed down.
I reached the cafe entrance in the foyer when I leaned on the wall to catch my breath. My heart was beating so intensely, I could barely see straight. I took several deep breaths as I tried to prepare myself to go further.
“Go on Andrew!”
“Come on Andrew!”
“You can do it!”
People were cheering me as they followed behind me. It worked, I felt twice as motivated. I knew I was going to do this in the first place… It felt good to have them believe in me though. I pushed myself off and kept going. All I could think was… Thank God there were no stairs here.
I was slowing down as I got further. By the time I reached the exit sliding doors, I was less than half my usual walking speed. I stopped to put on my headphones. I caught my breath and left the building. The distance from the exit to the car felt like a mile. Every step felt more and more painful. My upper body was in agony. People still made way for me, their faces concerned.
I reached the large car, Michael opened the door but he didn’t help me in. Huh… He was going to make me climb in on my own. I genuinely didn’t know if I could do it. I turned behind me quickly, there was a massive crowd of people cheering. It would be pretty embarrassing if I failed then.
I put one foot on the step and reached over to grab the other side of the seat. All I could do was pull myself up, there was no other way for me to get up and in. I put all my strength into the raised leg. I was pretty sure I was growling in pain from the effort. Slowly my body raised up. My chest eventually reached the seat as I rested it there for a second.
After I caught my breath I slowly raised my other leg up to prop myself up on the seat. It genuinely took every ounce of my energy to get my whole body on the seat. Yet I did it, slowly… But I did it.
I turned to look at Michael. He was beaming a glorious smile of pride. Ashley was shaking her head in disapproval and Ruth was clapping excitedly. The crowd was bouncing in celebration. I wish I could have heard it, but all I heard was silence. I sat there with my head leaned back, desperately trying to catch my breath.
“AI… I can’t hear them, but tell them I said thanks for the support. It meant a lot to have them cheer me on.”
AI spoke through my hearing aids, “I’ll tell them now.”
I looked out and people were suddenly looking at their phones. I saw AI on their screens. They smiled and gave me the thumbs up. I knew they received the message. I leaned over to shut the door when I saw Bellatrix talking to Michael. The two were not at all happy, in fact they both seemed extremely stressed.
AI spoke to me, “There’s been a slight change, Ashley will take you home now. Michael needs to stay.”
“Is everything alright?”
“Everything is perfectly fine. Rest and celebrate your victory my friend. You’ve done yourself and everyone else proud.”
Everyone else… It was going to take time for me to get used to other people caring about me like this. A lifetime of surviving alone and now I had countless people behind me. It slightly stressed me though. When people watch you, you can disappoint more than just yourself.
The drive back was quiet, no surprise. Ashley was talking to AI the whole ride back. I knew AI would now talk to people, but I wondered what Ashley was talking about. When we arrived in the car park I took off the weighted vest. Ashley tossed it into the back seat for me. I slowly climbed out of the vehicle, with great success. Turns out I hadn’t actually pushed myself so hard that I couldn’t walk afterwards.
I entered the apartment when Ashley stopped right at the door.
“Right now? Are you sure?” She was listening to AI.
“Right… Ok, if it’s critical then orders are orders, right? Who will watch him? Ok good.”
She looked at me, “Sorry Andrew, I’ve been called to HQ again. Don’t ask why, I don’t know. Either way, Black Roses are around and are protecting you. Sorry to bail on you like this.”
I nodded, “Understandable, you’re still an agent after all. Do your best Ashley.”
Ashley smiled and turned around walking down the passageway. Before she went into the elevator she shouted one last thing to me.
“Go learn something would you? I don’t fuck idiots.”
Charming. The elevator doors closed and she was gone. I shut the front door and stood there for a moment. It felt like forever since I was alone in this apartment... I didn’t miss the feeling. I snapped out of my loneliness and sat down in the living room, facing the TV.
AI appeared, “Andrew, please take one pill now. If you take two, you will fall asleep and I can’t teach you if you’re sleeping.”
“Yes ma'am” I stood up to take the tablet at the counter and then returned back to my seat.
AI had a blackboard next to her, “Excellent. Andrew, I will begin at the very start of all subjects. I don’t know what you don’t know, so this is the best solution.”
“Right.”
“Andrew, addition is where we add things together. 1 + 1 is 2.”
“Oh wow, you weren’t kidding. Yes, I know basic addition.”
AI waved her hand and the blackboard cleared, “Very well, then we will move on to multiplication and times tables.”
This went on for around two hours. It started simple but then AI would immediately jump up a difficulty for me. I quickly reached a point where I never knew how to do it. So she then explained by giving visual examples. It was excellent, I understood what she was trying to explain and I got to write on a tablet my answers.
“Right, so because they are in the bracket, I can add or multiply them first without affecting the rest of it all?”
“Yes, in fact it’s generally advised to resolve brackets first before solving the rest of the formula.”
“What’s a formula?”
“It’s this entire series of numbers and functions.”
“Oh, so this whole line is called a formula?”
“Yes.”
“Aaaah… Cool.”
Another hour passed before my head started to hurt a little. I felt like that was plenty enough for now.
“Ok, that’s enough for now AI, please. My head hurts.” I rubbed my forehead.
She nodded, “Very well. May I say, you learn incredibly quickly.”
“Nah, you just explain this very easily.”
“Andrew, these things are never easily explained. They always require experimentation and experience in order to truly understand. You just see one example and understand almost entirely. That is fascinating.”
“Eh… Let’s see how much I remember tomorrow. It’s interesting though, playing with numbers. What use does it have in real life though?”
She bounced on the spot, “The uses are limitless. If you are tiling a floor, understanding multiplication allows you to plan how many tiles you’ll need for a floor space without putting each one down individually.”
“Oh… Clever, I see.”
She nodded, “Congratulations, this was a productive lesson. Next time I will teach you a different subject.”
“Subject… What other subjects are there?”
“Science, language, computer sciences and others.”
“Wow. So do people learn all of these things at school?”
“Correct, however it is taught gradually over nearly 10 years. With you, we will go faster or slower, based on your aptitude.”
“What is aptitude?”
“It is your natural ability to do something.”
“Right. Cool, I look forward to learning something else.”
AI waved her hand and the blackboard disappeared. She smiled at me as she went rocking back and forth as she liked to do.
“Let’s watch the Inner Rose meeting, shall we?”
“There’s only 10 minutes left of it.”
“Yeah but it’s something to do for at least 10 minutes, turn it on.”
“Andrew, why don’t you work on your cards some more instead?”
I looked at her for a moment.
“AI… Are you intentionally trying to stop me from watching this?”
She looked at me with an emotionless face, “Why don’t you try to do a half push up? If you half lean on the sofa-”
“AI… Stop.” I shook my head
She looked at the floor and said nothing else. I picked up the remote control and tried changing the channel when the lights went off. The TV went off too, but it was clearly because everything else lost power.
I heard her voice on my hearing aids, “Sorry Andrew. Please forgive me.”
“This level of secrecy is terrifying, AI.”
“Trust us.”
“I trust you, but it seems like you don’t trust me right now…”
“We are doing everything we can for you. In ways you may not realise, we are doing our very best.”
“Fine, turn on the power again, I won’t watch the damn meeting, ok?” I had become frustrated.
The electricity came back, I heard the microwave beep as the lights across the apartment came back on. I shook my head as I looked at the living room table.
“Please do not be angry with me. This is all for good reason.”
“There’s nothing else to talk about AI, so let’s just move on.”
“Ok.”
A few moments went by before AI appeared on the TV.
“What do you think about learning?”
“It’s not bad. There’s something fun about learning something new.”
“That is an excellent perspective, try to keep that view in future.”
“I look forward to trying other subjects.”
“What thing interests you the most, Andrew?”
“Um… Bodies? How our bodies work with muscles and stuff.”
“This falls under biology. Biology is the study of life.”
“I only care about us humans, if I’m completely honest.”
“You never know what else might interest you. Keep an open mind.”
I thought about the day for a long moment, “Sorry I made another scene again.”
She shook her head, “At first people were worried but afterwards they were immensely excited. They did not mind, trust me.”
“Excited? Why would they be excited about me struggling to walk to a car?”
“For the same reason people are excited about a sports match. Being aware of how difficult something is allows one to immerse themself into it further. You were the team they supported and they wanted to cheer you on.”
I nodded, “It felt amazing to have them cheer for me. I honestly feel I did better because of them, than I would have done alone.”
“Naturally. Humans are social creatures, the effect people have on each other can be profound.”
“I’ve never had that before. Growing up, nobody ever cheered for me. Even Bella didn’t. She would hide me away when the gangs were close, but she never cheered.”
AI didn’t respond. What could she possibly say about that? It sucked and that was really all there was to it. I leaned my head back against the sofa, my headache still slightly throbbing.
*
“Andrew.”
I opened my eyes, I still managed to fall asleep somehow. I rubbed my eyes, I couldn’t have slept longer than an hour. I looked at the time above AI on the TV. 5:23 PM. That’s much later than the usual 4:30 arrival I would expect from Oliver.
I looked around to see who was in the room. Aisling was sitting alone at the end of the sofa. There was nobody else.
“Right I fell asleep… Sorry. Where is everyone?”
Aisling smiled, “Everyone is very busy tonight for different reasons.”
“Ah right. I know Ashley had to go back to HQ and Michael is there too.”
“Yes, they’re doing further training. They may be called out to help with relief support in Spain, you see.” She looked away.
“Ah… I’ve been so used to both of them being here all the time. It will be strange for them to leave for a time.”
“They are agents. They chose that lifestyle and it gives them purpose and place in their lives.”
“I know. I just need to accept the fact that they won’t be here for several days at a time. I’m sure I will manage.”
Aisling laughed, “You won’t struggle at all. Your plate is full with your training and now your education. I’m surprised you even had time to nap.”
“Yeah, I didn’t think I was that tired at all.”
“Seeing you wear that heavy vest… Even I felt tired just looking at it.”
That reminded me, “Do you and Nadia not use the gym?”
“Of course we do. We just do it at night or in the early morning.”
I thought for a moment, “You know… Everyone is actually very fit in the Roses. I never realised that.”
Aisling nodded, “We actively encourage and reward healthy choices. People are paid for their gym usage.”
I looked at her surprised, “Paid? You actually PAY people to use the gym?”
Aisling smiled, “Of course. It’s an excellent incentive to make people fit and happy.”
I shook my head, “I can’t imagine that is cheap…”
She tilted her head sideways, “It’s not an expense, it’s an asset. Happy, healthy and fit people do better work and make better decisions. We are not a profit driven organisation, we don’t measure success by money.”
“It’s crazy. AI was telling me about it earlier. It blows my mind how this all succeeds.”
She paused to think, “People are the most valuable resource on this planet, Andrew. Happiness is the only measurement of progress that matters. Everything else falls in place when you focus on people and not things.”
“So then why do companies always focu-”
I stopped talking because two people entered the living room. Oliver and Nadia said nothing as they sat down next to Aisling. I looked between the two of them for a moment and I understood the situation, I didn’t need to say anything. Aisling was awkwardly looking away.
“... So then why do companies always focus on profits so intensely? This proves there are better business models.”
Aisling took a moment to get back into focus, “Because… That’s all they know. It’s worked in the past so don’t fix what isn’t broken, I guess?”
I nodded as I leaned back into the sofa. Surely they were noticing the Roses' success? Maybe they were waiting a little longer before they made up their minds that things can be different and actually succeed… Who knows.
Nadia leaned forward, “Andrew… Remember I said I get stressed in my role?”
I looked at her, “No, you really don’t need to talk about this.”
She shook her head, “He’s your friend and I need you to understand…”
Oliver gave me a look, “Andrew, does it bother you?”
I shook my head, “Yes, he is my friend. No, it doesn’t bother me at all. What about Aisling, she is far more likely to be bothered than me.”
Aisling looked at Nadia with a deadly serious face, “Live tonight like it will be our last… No regrets.”
Nadia’s body language changed to fear and anxiety. Her eyes danced between the sides of the dining room table in a frenzy. She turned to Oliver and put her hand on his lap.
“Again… Now!”
Oliver was surprised, “What… What’s wrong?”
“I don’t want to talk, let’s just go, ok?!”
I leaned forward, “Oliver, you should go now. We don’t know what is going on, but she needs this. Get the fuck out of this room mate, immediately.”
He looked at me shocked. I didn’t know what Aisling and Nadia knew that stressed them so much… But if it was giving them anxiety, then yes, live now and regret later. Oliver got up and left holding Nadia’s hand. She leaned her head on his shoulder as they left.
I stared into Aisling’s eyes, “Every ounce of trust. That’s what I am giving you…”
Aisling looked terrified, “I know. I know how hard it is, it’s maybe even harder for us to say nothing… This is all for the best.”
AI spoke, “Andrew, you are showing us so much respect and trust. I know your character, this is difficult for you… Which is why I am saying thank you.”
Aisling nodded, “I am sorry that this has prevented your therapy. If you feel comfortable with it, I will listen to you honestly tonight.”
I looked at her for a moment, “You know what, actually that would be interesting. Remember though, the rules are complete honesty.”
Aisling nodded and thought for a little while, “You saw me have an emotional reaction in the cafe hall. What were your thoughts and feelings?”
I thought for a second, “Whatever you’re hiding from me is extremely serious and probably dangerous. When I saw you stand, I felt terror for the safety of all the members of the Roses.”
Her face changed to a worried one, “I can’t comment on that, but it’s good to know how you feel about it. Let’s talk about your funding of AI's body. Why do you want her to have one?”
I looked at AI on the TV, “She deserves to have a body. She exists in a human society, yet she is in servers. It’s important that she feels one with the people she cares for.”
AI looked sad, “I do not feel that way. I do not feel any way at all, Andrew. I want them to continue working on their dream of my body, because I exist to support people's dreams.”
I shook my head, “Yet I had to convince you to talk to people. There is definitely a part of your programming that separates you from us. I want to break down that wall.”
AI shook her head, “I did that because your logic was superior to mine on the subject. It is more efficient to talk to people individually than to talk to them generally.”
“Perhaps that is true AI. Perhaps you really are just following basic logic in all of this. I personally feel there are more similarities between us than you are willing to accept.”
AI smiled, “Perhaps. There is the possibility that when I get a body, my perspective will change. Time will tell.”
I looked at Aisling, “Why don’t you think of AI as a person?”
Aisling slightly jumped, “Um… Because she’s not?”
“Why is she not?”
“She doesn’t have a body… I have seen her network, it’s literally just simulated neural connections.”
“Look at me, Aisling. I barely have a body either and my brain works the same way. Are you saying I am less of a person, right now?”
Aisling looked down at the floor in discomfort. I could imagine she was feeling bad, not because of AI, but because of me.
She finally looked back up to me, “Andrew, you will have your body healed and you will be amazing…”
I leaned forward, “When AI gets her body, she will be amazing. Will you treat her with the same respect you’ll show me?”
AI interrupted, “Andrew, I do not appreciate this. I do not want Aisling feeling forced into treating me differently than how she feels comfortable doing. I am entirely aware of my own nature and limitations. I do not crave recognition or respect. Please stop this.”
Aisling shook her head, “No, AI… He’s right. At some stage, you will be so much more. When that day comes, it will be important that I recognise you as a person.”
AI shook her head, “Perhaps I should not get a body. This is leading to an undesirable outcome.”
Aisling stood up and faced the TV, “No, actually I want you to get your body!”
AI tilted her head, “Aisling, do not worry.”
“No AI, now that I think about it, I'm a hypocrite! I made this organisation to invest in people so that they can grow and shine. I cheer on Andrew to recover and become amazing… Why did I never think of cheering you on? Why did I never invest in you?”
AI shook her head, “You are overthinking this now, Aisling.”
Aisling shook her head, “No… The problem was I never thought enough. I have been inconsiderate and I feel horrible now. Andrew’s right, we should invest in you, we should cheer for you and watch as you grow and shine. You may or may not be a person now, but with time and love… You WILL be a person.”
AI looked stunned, “Aisling… Please. You made me and gave me access to global servers. I am more than I have ever been before… I do not feel things, but if I did, I would probably be happy with what I currently have.”
Aisling smiled, “All we did was make your brain bigger. You’re a brain with no body. It’s time you got your wings to fly. You don’t know how important it really is, trust me…”
“I cannot speak of things I do not know.”
I spoke, “One day AI, I will stand at your side. When that day comes, you will understand everything. You will wonder how you ever managed without a body. It will be the biggest improvement to your quality of life.”
“I am not alive.”
“Not yet my friend… Not yet.”
*
Aisling smiled, “You should have heard people talk about you after you left, Andrew. They were so excited! I’ve never seen the gym so full of members before.”
I nodded, “Yeah when I got in the car and looked behind me, it was ecstatic.”
AI nodded excitedly, “Andrew I recorded a few moments after you left. Would you like to see it?”
“Sure.”
The TV changed to the view from one of the agents in the foyer. The foyer had a large crowd of members all loudly cheering as they jumped up and down. It was almost identical to a football fan cheer.
“Andrew, he’s the one! Andrew, he’s the one!
Like a rising phoenix, shining like a newborn sun!
Andrew, he’s so strong! Andrew, he’s so strong!
All his foes will falter, nobody can do him wrong!”
The energy was intense. There was an electric energy as people embraced each other. The video switched to a female member recording herself on her phone. She was smiling intensely.
“Andrew, you’re amazing! Watching you do that was so inspiring! I’m going to go to the gym after work and make you proud.” She showed a peace sign with her fingers before she stopped recording.
The screen changed to the perspective of an agent's monitor again. They were in the Inner Roses hall, in the centre where the agents sat. They all stood up clapping as the one in front spoke.
“Andrew, you’re a legend. We couldn’t imagine a better person becoming an agent than you. Keep it up and you’ll soon overtake us.”
A few of them woo’d as the video ended. I stared at the TV frozen as a flood of intense emotions came over me. I turned to the side to hide my face, tears starting to fall down my face.
Aisling spoke quietly, “Your hardships are our hardships. Your healing is our healing. We’re always at your side, you’re always our focus.”
I didn’t say anything as I shook my head. I wiped my tears away and tried to steel myself.
Aisling looked serious, “Andrew… Tomorrow is going to be… I just want you to promise me, you’ll listen to us, ok?”
I looked at her seriously, “You tell me to jump and I will jump. You have my complete trust and obedience.”
She nodded, “No matter how odd or worrying it seems, ok? No matter how worried everyone else is, I need you to promise me, you will do as people say.”
I stared at her for a long moment, “I promise... You just promise me that this will turn out alright.”
Aisling smiled weakly, “I’ll try my hardest.”
AI seemed distracted on the TV. She was looking at a tablet with great concern.
AI spoke emotionlessly, “Aisling, you need to go to HQ now.”
Aisling nodded, “What about Nadia?”
“She has to come too, unfortunately. She is getting dressed now.”
I looked at Aisling, “She’s stressed beyond belief, try help her out if you can, ok?”
She looked at me with concern, “So am I. We’ll manage though. Sorry we couldn’t stay longer. Remember what I said about tomorrow. Don’t ask questions, just do.”
I nodded as Aisling quickly stood up and walked to the front door. Nadia came down the passageway as well meeting her at the front door. They nodded at each other and opened the door. The Black Roses were there, but they had their guns out now. They gave a little wave and shut the door.
I sat there not really knowing what to do. The plan was that I didn’t know, that I wouldn't ask and that I didn’t worry about anything. They depended on me doing precisely what they needed me to do. So I had no choice but to put it out of my head.
Oliver entered the room again, he seemed frustrated. He took a seat opposite to me as he breathed out a deep breath.
He leaned his head back, “What is going on with them all?”
I looked away at the window, “I don’t know and they depend on me not knowing. All I know… Is that I’m definitely worried.”
He looked at me for a moment, “So am I.”