Fear stops me for just a moment before I burst forwards again. I have no clue what the angry man wants but I don’t want to find out. I speed along the pavement as quickly as I can manage on the icy ground. I was being cautious before, careful not to move quickly in case I slip, but now I don’t care. I just want to get away from him.

I look around frantically as I flee. Why is there no one around? It’s the middle of the day, the sun is high in the sky, but the pavements are empty. Normally, there are people here, I’m sure of it.

“Don’t you run away from me!” I hear the man shout, his voice much louder and closer than before but I don’t dare look away from the path in front of me.

I’ve stopped looking around for other people too. I’m too scared. I just focus on moving as quickly as possible. It’s not enough though. I can hear his footsteps behind me, getting louder.

A heavy hand falls on my lid and I am forced to stop. I stare up at the man as he slowly walks around me, keeping one hand on me to prevent me from escaping. He lets go briefly as he moves in front of me and I see my chance.

I rush forwards, moving as quickly as I can, but the man is faster. It’s clear that he’s faster and stronger than me. I don’t know what to do.

“Now, what have we got here?” he asks, looking down at me with a sneer on his face.

He was scary from a distance but he’s even more terrifying up close. His clothes are dirty and covered in stains. His cheeks are pink, probably from the cold, but his expression draws my attention. He’s clearly furious.

“Do you have food in you, little robot?” he asks in a voice that sounds too sweet, too innocent.

It’s completely at odds with everything else about him and I don’t trust it for an instant. I want to reply, to lie and tell him that I have no food and my compartment is empty, but I cannot. I know that I’m not allowed to speak to humans unless it is for very specific reasons but even if I were allowed, I don’t think I would be able to. He’s too scary. I feel like my voice would fail me.

“Voice, I think I need help,” I say quietly.

“I bet you do and luckily, I’m starving. My wife kicked me out before lunch, lazy cow,” he spat, his words slightly slurred. “So, you’re my next best option. Now, what do you have in you? A sandwich maybe? Some doughnuts? Oh, maybe even a coffee? God, I would murder for a coffee.”

I stare up at the man. There is nothing I can do. I start to roll backwards but he slams his hand down on my lid so hard that my camera shakes.

“I need assistance!” I cry as loudly as I can.

“No, you don’t,” he tells me, his voice taking on a predator-like edge. “You’re going to give me exactly what I want.”

“Help me!” I shout internally, needing the voice to answer me.

I don’t know what to do. The man is bigger and stronger than me. I don’t know how to stand against him, he’ll be able to force my lock open for sure and then the entire delivery will be ruined. There are no cars around though! No one is walking down the street, no one can help me.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“What do you need help with?” the voice asks.

“I think this man is going to try and break into me!”

I try to back away again but I can’t go anywhere. My wheels don’t even move and I can feel my motor overheating. I need to stop, I’ll break something if I don’t. He’s still staring down at me though, his bloodshot eyes are fixed on me and a terrifying smile on his face.

“Help! I am in trouble!” I try to shout again but the man doesn’t even flinch.

“Well, that depends on what you have inside you,” he says. “If it’s not something that I want to eat, you will be in trouble. Maybe I’ll push you out into the road or there’s a river nearby. Shall we see if you can swim?”

I don’t know if it’s even possible but I try and tighten my lock. I don’t want the man to steal anything from me. I might have presents or even just food inside. People don’t order me for nothing, they order me because they’re hungry and can’t go out. I need to complete the order, I need to!

Determination increased.

Speed  1/10 Hope 3.4/10 Determination 6.6/10 Happiness 6.7/10 Pride 4.7/10 Battery 93%

I still don’t know what to do though. I need to do something. I can’t just stay here and do nothing. But the man is holding me still, how can I escape?

“Does he have a weapon?” the voice asks.

I quickly scan the man through my lens. I can’t see a weapon. I don’t really even know what I’m looking for though. His hands are empty but he might have something in his pocket, I don’t know.

“I don’t think so!” I say to the voice, unable to look away from the man.

He might pull out a weapon. I hadn’t even considered it.

“Are you in a dangerous location? For example, in the process of crossing a road or on unstable ground, such as near a river bank,” the voice continues.

“No!”

“A non-urgent report has been filed.”

I am speechless. I don’t know what to say for a minute. Is that all the voice will do? I thought it was meant to be powerful. And how is this non-urgent? I’m about to be attacked! I need to fight this man myself, that’s all I can do.

“Now, let’s see if you’re going to disappoint me or not,” the evil man says as he lifts one hand and begins to reach for my lid.

I’ll charge at him. That’s got to work. He’s expecting me to run away or try and escape but he won’t be expecting me to move towards him. My proximity sensors might stop me but I don’t think they will. Maybe, if I surge towards him, it’ll surprise him so much that he moves away from me and then I can escape. Maybe he’ll even fall down. That’ll give me some more time to escape.

Determination increased.

Speed 1/10 Hope 3.4/10 Determination 6.7/10 Happiness 6.7/10 Pride 4.7/10 Battery 93%

I can do this. I need to. It seems like the man is moving in slow motion. His hand is still edging towards my lid but I have a plan now. I’m ready. I start to prepare my engines, ready to surge forwards and escape the man.