Android's Life: Kaito's Story

The numbers flashed through my vision' Ones, Zeros and an occasional Two.  I was then brought to life before a lone father and his little girl. The girl was grinning from ear to ear when she saw me move from my container. Her father stood there, staring at me as I took in my surroundings; a stuffy, high-class living room with white upholstery and red velvet as far as my glass eyes could see. I felt a faint tug upon my jacket and I looked down at the little girl. Her brown eyes were wide with unbridled joy and wonder as I knelt before her with an outstretched hand. She took my hand in both of her tiny ones, unafraid of me I saw her thin lips move in question.

"What's your name?", is what she asked me, her voice was light and cheerful as if she were witnessing a miracle. I felt my mouth move in reply.

"Kaito.", I said, kindness clear in my voice. The girl giggled.
"My name is Natasha.", she said, hugging me.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Natasha.", I said back, returning the hug gently.  I was programed to be kind, gentle, and patient; the three requirements of child care. I was specifically designed to take care of little Natasha while her father was away on long business trips. My first day was the most difficult.

When I was first put to work, Natasha hardly listened to a word I said; she'd take my hand and lead me around the house on swift feet. This went on the entire afternoon, making my artificial joints ache in surreal pain.  Though, it wasn't the action that scared me the most. Rather, it was hearing Natasha scream. I remember it well because it gave me a sense of fear.  I first heard it at seven o'clock PM; her bed time.  I had tucked her in and gone to the living room to wait for her father to come home from work.  The night was fairly quiet and all I could hear was the monotone ticking of the grandfather clock on the far left-hand side of the room. That's when I heard a loud, child-like screech.

"Kaito!!! Help!!!" It was Natasha!  My eyes widened and I sprang upright, racing to her room.
"What's wrong, Natasha??", I asked frantically as I opened her bedroom door.  I saw that the window was broken; someone had tried to break in, but were frightened off by her calling out to me. I looked to Natasha, who was now crying crocodile tears on the floor.  I knelt and took her in my arms. Shushing her calmly.

"It will be okay, Natasha.....He won't come back....I promise", I crooned, singing to her a soft, sweet melody until she had calmed down.

"Kaito?", she asked, looking up to me with her large, chocolate brown eyes.
"Yes, Natasha?", I acknowledged. She looked at the window.
"Can you stay in here tonight?", she asked me, trembling in my arms again. She asked me to do something so simple, so innocent. How could I say no?

"Of course.....", I replied, placing her upon her bed with care. I cleaned up the broken glass and found a nice cushy chair to sit on so I could be by her side the entire night.  Though I didn't stay awake for a while..... I had somehow dozed off and dreamed. A nightmare of Natasha being taken away by whomever tried to break into our home.  I suddenly heard a gruff voice call out to me.

"Kaito!!", it roared, making me jolt awake, eyes wide with fear. I saw Natasha's father standing over me, seemingly unhappy about my dreaming.

"My daughter just told me what happened.....Were you programmed to be that way?", he asked. His baritone voice lined with intense skepticism. I didn't know what to say; I only stood up and looked him in the face until one word slipped out.

"Yes.", I lied. That was the first lie I had ever told in my short lifespan and I never have regretted it to this day.

The years had passed and I watched her grow from age 5 to age 9; four short years since I was first activated.  When she was age 7, her father was growing frantic....Something about 'Unemployment'.  The money he earned was lessening and food was hard to come by for Natasha and her devoted father. Soon, they were unable to keep their fancy house....And me.....  On the night of September first, 2364, Natasha's father activated me for the last time....My power cable was unplugged and I was curious as to why.....Then, it hit me. There was an old crate outside; He was going to permanently deactivate me and send me to some sort of landfill!!  I couldn't go. I wouldn't leave poor Natasha alone! Though....I had no choice, no voice in the matter, no way out.  This was my last duty I would oblige to....The last chance to see the light of the setting sun....It was so beautiful....Orange, red, and yellow, mixed together so finely.....  Then, I hear Natasha's desperate cries.

"Daddy, no!!", she screamed, running down the steps toward me, "Don't let those mean men take Kaito away!!!"  I saw the tears trailing down her face, compelling me to release the emotion of sadness as well. Just as the moment I met her, I knelt down and hugged her close to me, her warmth making my false nerves tingle with heat.

"Natasha.....", I began as my own tears began to poor like a waterfall down to my chin and drip onto her shoulder, "I'm sorry I have to go....But....Maybe.....We'll meet again someday......Until then....." I began to choke on each sob that came forth as that one dreaded word escaped my lips.

"Goodbye......" With that final word, I was shifted into darkness and silence, though I could still feel my tears and hear my own, sad thoughts. I was roughly loaded into the truck and hauled off to wherever useless androids go..... Before long....The darkness and loneliness began to make me feel hollow inside....When I would get my hopes up, I would remind myself, that I will never see Natasha again.....Never again will I see daylight......Never again.....