I’m slow to wake up this time, I can feel it. My power doesn’t want to switch back on, not fully. It feels like back when I was a human, when I didn’t want to get out of bed in the morning to go to work or school, but now I have no choice. It is easier though. Now, I actually want to get up. I can feel my power coming on slowly, my desire to be out in the world, to deliver orders for people, makes it easier. But not by much.

Slowly, gradually, my power comes on. It feels like there is some indecision there, like it’s not just coming from me. As soon as my cameras switch on, I realise why. The weather is very different to how it was just days ago. The snow, once so bright and crisp, is now grey and mostly melted. Rain is pouring from the skies and bouncing hard against the already wet pavement. There are puddles everywhere.

It’s the middle of the day, I think, but it looks close to nightfall. I think it’s just because of the clouds though. The sun has been obscured by a solid block of thick dark grey. It looks weird. I’m not used to it. I think, back where I used to live, we didn’t have much rain. No, we didn’t. I remember the small patches of grass we were required to keep were always dry and patchy. We’d gotten in trouble for that a few times, me and…

The icon in the corner of the screen bounces, indicating that someone is placing the order. They keep placing some things into the basket causing the icon to bobble again and I glance at the sky. I wouldn’t want to go out in this weather, if I were still human. It must be wet and miserable. I’d much rather stay inside where it is probably dry and warm than go out into the cold. It’s probably safer too. I’m not sure what humans in this world are like, or even if they are the same as in my world, but people there could get ill if they went out in the cold too much, I think.

I’m not sure though, I don’t really remember. Either way, I’m glad that I’m able to deliver them their groceries rather than them having to go out and risk illness. I cannot get ill, I can’t feel the cold so it won’t be a problem for me. Although… Is it safe for me to go out? I’m a robot, I know that, but I do worry about getting damaged by the rain.

I hesitate for a moment, determination warring with my uncertainty before deciding to ask the voice. It will know. It knows everything.

“Voice… is it okay for me to go out in the rain?” I ask.

“Yes,” the voice says without delay. “All GroceRover food delivery robots are water resistant so they can deliver orders in all types of weather.”

“Are you sure? What if… am I damaged? I mean, I hit the pavement really hard that time and I crashed into the bollard! Could that have damaged me and made it unsafe for me to go out in the rain?”

There’s a slight pause before the voice speaks this time.

“It is possible that, if you have taken significant physical damage, you be more at risk from water and rain. However, GroceRover would be aware of the damage and you would have either been recalled for repairs or a GroceRover engineer would have already been sent out to assist.”

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I see the icon bob again but I still can’t push the worry from my consciousness. I need to be sure, I’m not sure why. I think it is probably just because I want to make sure that I can get the order to the customer but, whatever it is, I am worried.

“Have they asked me to come back?” I ask. “Or has someone been sent out to come and fix me?”

“No,” the voice says, sounding firm. “There have been no recall or repair orders for you. You are safe to go out in the rain.”

Determination increased.

Speed 1/10 Hope 3.7/10 Determination 7.3/10 Happiness 6.8/10 Pride 4.7/10 Battery 97%

Excellent. I will be able to complete my order. The customer won’t need to go out in the rain and get ill. I will be able to help. That makes me feel better and pushes all worries and thoughts of me getting water damage out of my… well, not mind. I don’t think I have one. I’m not sure what I do have, maybe just awareness?

The icon bobs again.

“You have received an order,” the voice tells me.

Happiness increased.

Speed 1/10 Hope 3.7/10 Determination 7.3/10 Happiness 7/10 Pride 4.7/10 Battery 97%

I speed forwards, leaving the shelter of the roof, and hear rain start to strike my lid. It’s loud. Very loud. The rain must be coming down very heavily. Is that normal in this world? Does it rain like this all the time? I don’t know but even as I’m thinking that, someone walks past in a thick coat with a hood. It looks warm. They seem prepared so maybe they are used to it, maybe it’s completely normal for them. That’s good. That means that I should be well equipped to manage the rain and the puddles. I must be designed for that. It would make sense, I think.

I’m not sure but I don’t have long to think about it because I see the man through the window. The shopkeeper. I turn towards him, watching his progress. He’s walking around, back and forth past the door, a plastic bag clutched in his hand. He must be packing the order now. I feel like he’s normally quicker than that but this time, it seems like he takes a long time.

That worries me. Maybe he’s ill. Maybe he spent too long in the rain? Or it could be something worse, like what I had. I don’t remember the name of it or anything about it really. I don’t know how long I was ill, how it happened or what happened, I just know that I was. I think. I’m not sure.

I’m still worrying about it when he appears through the glass door once more, his eyes landing on me and a smile pulls at his lips as he pushes the door open.