Once Upon an AI's Story : AXEL

Chapter 3

Erin felt the warm kiss of morning lights escaped through her open glass windows. It was a new day, new battle. She stretched her hands and legs before she sat on her bed. She roamed her eyes in every corner of her room. Trying to paint every details of it in her mind. A fainted smile was drawn on her lips.

"You've seen me at my best and worst. Thank you for the shelter and comfort. Maybe sooner or later, you'll have another guest here. "

She talked to her room as if it can respond. After a couple of time, she started to fix her bed and clean the room. It was already six in the morning and by eight o'clock, Caleb will fetch her and they will move to their new place. Everything was ready. Bags were packed and windows were closed. She changed into a simple crimson oversized shirt and a leather short. She matched it with white running shoes. That's her most comfortable outfit she can pick from her closet.

She released a long deep exhalation as she scan her room for the last time, before heading to her door and walk downstairs. The maids bowed at her for the last time. According to Caleb, the maids will stay in the house and they will have a new tenant. Because they cant bring those with them. It makes her feel at ease, as those who helped them throughout their lives won't lose their source of income.

"Please take care Miss Erin. "

She was Ali, her personal maid. She was with her ever since she was a toddler. She's getting old now, but her beauty was still visible. Erin smiled back at Ali and hugged her.

"Thank you".

She acknowledge her with full sincerity. Ali tightened her hug, not wanting to let go of her. Erin was like a daughter to Ali. She knows her very well. Even those tears she kept on hiding.

For the last time around she hugged Ali and bid good bye.

The trip was too long. Not wanting to take a nap, Erin faced Caleb who was driving the car.

"Why?"

There's a lot of questions she wanted to raise but she didn't know how to start. So she just ended up getting one piece from the puzzle and let Caleb figure it out.

"We are heading to a place in West Valley City where it was only between Sandra, me and you Ms. Austin who knew about it."

West Valley city is the twin city of their former place. But much popular and rich.

Caleb tried to surpass Erin's hanging curiosity. So he just answered indirectly her inquiries.

"Quit the formalities."

Caleb looked at her confused and then back to the road.

"Just call me Erin."

She continued.

Without a word, Caleb accepted the offer.

" How confidential was my mom's whereabouts that even Ali cannot go with us ?"

" I cannot elaborate it right now. Maybe if we arrived you will have the answer on your own."

"Why can't you just spill it out in my face?"

Erin was getting impatient. Although she showed a little interest yesterday, since events took place uncontrollably she started to feel uncomfortable that she wanted to dig and seek information about her mom and the likes.

"I'm sorry".

'Here we go again' Erin whispered between her sighs.

"The ride will still took two hours and a half, you can get a nap and then I will wake you up if we arrived."

Erin gave up. She rested her head and shut her eyes.

After an hour, Caleb moved Erin's shoulder slowly. Enough to wake her up. They reach their new place. And Caleb was excited to show it to Erin.

Erin opened her eyes and scanned the place through the tinted window of Caleb's car. The place was surrounded with pine trees and other variety of fertile trees. She couldn't deny that from inside, she was starting to admire the place. Wanting more of the view and ambiance, she jumped out of the car and soon as she greet the environment, she was automatically embraced by fresh cold air. She walk tracing the narrow pathway that was guraded by sweet vietnam roses.

"Where are we? "

Without looking back at Caleb she asked curiously. But Caleb didn't answer. So she checked him only to find out that Caleb was struggling to carry her luggage bag and his. She smiled wryly at Caleb's helpless face and approach him to get her bags. But Caleb insisted to bring all the stuff.

"This is mine. Let me take care of it."

After Erin successfully took her things, Caleb lead their way. It was just few steps and behind the thick leaves of the trees, there a white contemporary house with concrete plains and full glass windows was built.

"You call this thing a pent house? "

Erin asked in disbelief. With the luxurious architectural design it surely cost tons of money. The house was not ordinary. Too big for a pent house.

Caleb continued to walk until they reach the main door. It was made of high quality steel and a security code was attached. He typed in the password and the door opened. As soon as the interior of the house was revealed, Erin gasped in awe. The lavish interior design made her jaw dropped.

'Our house before is beautiful and huge, but this one is way better than before'.

"Your room was upstairs. Just step right in front of the doors you'll see on the right wing. Your room will recognize you."

Confused but tired, Erin followed Caleb's instructions. She started to pull her bag to the stairway. When she rewched the top, she positioned herself on the first door on the right. There is a tiny built in camera lens. She stared at it and nothing happened. After few seconds she felt annoyed and went to the next door. Soon as she aligned with the door, it opened unexpectedly. Erin was mesmerized from what she experienced.

She take one step inside was completely dumbfounded with the room she had. She was welcomed by a mint green themed room. There was a pair of feather white sofa , a queen sized bed and a walk in closet.

She was too overwhelmed that she fed her eyes with the fancy and well designed room for a couple of minutes before she came into her mind and start to unpack her things.

She took a picture frame of her and Sandra from her bag. After realizing that her mom's dairy was just behind the frame, she was stunned. Unsure wether she will touch it or not.

'Can I?'

Erin talked to Sandra through the photo. Her heart beat is racing. An excitement and nervousness both invade her well- being. She inhaled deeper, collecting courage from within. And started to flip the cover of her mother's diary.

' Alex '

Soon as she read the title of the first note, she became more curious yet frightened.

'Who is Alex? ' She asked in the wind, not making another reading.

Indside the diary she noticed a folded white sheet of drafting paper. She took it and open. At first she thought it was just a simple sketch of an ideal mechanical toy, but when she realized that it was not as simply as a toy, she felt uneasy. She read every detail of the portrait. She assumed that it was a man's figure. Somewhat a copied version of a man from somewhere. A human figure brought to life through the sketch and maybe there's more.

'Alex the AI '

She read the text below the whole portrait aloud.

'An AI? A robot? '

She was completely confused. Questions started to arise as well as her curiosity.

' You will be the strongest AI my Alex. I will make sure that you'll live like us humans. Capable of everything and will have human cognition. You will be able to live with your own. Walk on the street or drive a car. The world we have will also be yours. Just hang in there and your time is near to come. '

After reading her mom's first letter behind the the blueprint, she lost her focus. Erin searched for an appropriate reaction, but she couldn't find any. All she had is her undying 'why'.

'Why does it seem like mom was into Alex?'

'Why does it look like mom has a great affliction towards Alex?'

'Why did she developed Alex?'

Even though she wanted to read the whole stroy inside Sandra's diary, and find the answer on her own, she chooses to close it. Composed herself and went outside her room.