I was distracted, I made a mistake, the voice shouldn’t have spoken to me then. Those and a hundred other excuses flit through my mind as I begin to tip. My wheels spin wildly, pushing as fast as I can but it’s not enough. I’m not moving, the only thing that I’m accomplishing from struggling is splashing mud everywhere. Flecks of it fly past my camera but I’m not escaping. I’m slowly tilting.
Something in my compartment shifts and suddenly, I begin to slide. I push my wheels to spin faster, trying to prevent myself from falling down the muddy slope into the water but it’s too late. I’m sliding, moving too quickly and no matter what I do, I can’t stop myself.
“Help!” I scream. “I need assistance!”
No one comes. I’m slipping down the mud, hurtling towards a tree that juts out of the ground.
“Help me!” I shout at the voice. “Please!”
My camera shakes as I smash into the tree and for a moment, I hope that it’ll be enough to stop me from sliding further down the slop, but it’s not. I’m turning, spinning out of control on the mud and I can’t help it. I can’t do anything. I cycle through my cameras endlessly, trying to see the water even though I know there’s nothing I can do to stop myself from going into it. It’s too late. My wheels aren’t doing anything. I still don’t give up though. Even as I spin, I keep trying. I need to do something. I can’t just let myself die.
My vision jolts again and I hear a loud crash as I hit something again. I flick frantically through my cameras, trying to work out what I hit and if it will hold me. A root. There’s a thick gnarled root stretching up out of the bank. It looks strong, it has to be enough to keep me away from the water.
I flick through to my other camera, staring at the water. For a moment, I’m speechless. I don’t even think. I just experience pure terror. I am so close to the river. Just a little longer, a bit more rain, and it will reach me. Then what will happen?
“Help! I am in trouble!” I try to shout but the noise that comes out of my speakers is nothing more than a garbled sound.
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I try again and another warbling noise sounds but it’s quieter this time. I shout again and again but my voice abandons me. I can’t say anything. My speaker must have been damaged.
“Voice,” I think shakily. “Please. I need help.”
Determination decreased.
Speed 1/10 Hope 3.7/10 Determination 7.3/10 Happiness 7/10 Pride 4.9/10 Battery 93%
“How can I be of assistance?” it asks.
“I think… I think I’m stuck. I fell down a riverbank and now I’m stuck in the mud. I’m… the water is going to reach me soon.”
I spin my wheels again, feeling myself sink further into the mud. I can’t do it again. I’m scared that the root will give way and then I’ll plunge into the water and sink. It’s too scary, too risky.
“Are you unable to complete your delivery?” the voice asks.
“Yes! I’m stuck!”
I wait but no reply comes.
Determination decreased, hope decreased, happiness decreased.
Speed 1/10 Hope 3.4/10 Determination 7.1/10 Happiness 6.7/10 Pride 4.9/10 Battery 93%
“Hello?” I ask but the voice doesn’t reply.
I’m alone.