Bonus Chapter 1 - Birthday
“Gooooodddd morning, Lena!”
Shortly after I’ve awoken, Ell1s flies into the room, beaming with excitement, happy as ever despite the fact that nothing significant seems to have happened. I rub my eyes, stretch, and give him a faint smile.
“Morning, Ell1s. What’s got you so lively?”
“Oh, you won’t believe this. I was bored and digging through my image database for anything interesting and I found this huge folder full of cute animal pictures!”
He spins around and enthusiastically pulls up a holographic screen full of various wildlife pictures, presenting it to me. I raise an eyebrow and decide to scroll through them. There’s animals of all kinds– household pets, fierce predators, colorful sea life… although, I can’t particularly make out the colors due to Ell1s’ holographic color range only being shades of green.
“So, uh… how come you’ve got all these?”
“Well, when I was being created, the higher-ups wanted me to have all kinds of documentation of the life on Earth in case everything got wiped out, or some sort of extraterrestrial being found us and wanted to know more of our kind if everyone happened to disappear and I was all that’s left! Kind of a depressing thought considering you and me are! Actually all that’s left! But! Yeah! Cool! Haha…”
I tap on one of the images out of curiosity, and a particularly fluffy kitten pops up on the screen.
“Oh! A cat! Did you ever own one as a pet? Or have any other household pets?”
“Nah, I’m allergic. I always wanted to, but it’s probably not worth the constant sneezing and sickness. I’ve never owned a pet, but Calista had a hamster for a period of time. Those little guys only live about 2-3 years though, so… she was pretty upset when it passed away.”
“Awh… That’s a real bummer…”
Ell1s frowns before realizing he’s gotten distracted with the current pet predicament.
“Oh! I was so busy talking about these pictures I forgot to ask you! How’re you feeling today? You just woke up and all, so… apologies for all of the sudden information.”
“It’s alright. I’d say I’m a bit more energetic than usual, but moving around is definitely a no, though.”
“What time is it, actually? Obviously there’s no windows down here, so… I don’t think I’ve even thought of the current date in a long time.”
“Well! According to my system, it is a bright and early 11:06 AM on February 16th, 2053!”
“Fe… February 16th?”
“Yes! February 16th! Is that, uh… important in any way?”
I find myself remembering everything all over again.
Calista leaving a note on the table saying she’s heading out and will be back to surprise me with my birthday gift. Me finding out the pansies I tried to grow had been eaten by some wild animals. My frantic walking to the flower shop to try and buy a quick replacement.
And…
Everything that followed after that.
“I…Yeah.”
Ell1s tilts his head curiously, and takes a seat onto the bed next to me, slightly phasing through the covers.
“If it’s not too much of an intrusive question, may I ask why?”
“Um… It’s my birthday. I haven’t thought of it in a long time. I have no idea how old I even am now.”
Ell1s’ face lights up like I’ve never seen it before. He jumps in the air and loudly exclaims his excitement, shining brighter than the sun. I cover my eyes from the all of the sudden light, used to the dim nature of the underground facility.
“IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY??????????????????????????????????????????????????”
“Yeah, um-”
In the blink of an eye, holographic balloons, streamers, and decorations surround the room, and Ell1s proudly presents me a holographic cake.
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?! I mean, I’ve got to celebrate your special day somehow! Here, quick, I’ll sing the birthday song and you make a wish! Um… How does it go again?”
Ell1s sets the holo-cake down in front of me and ignites the candles, preparing his mediocre singing voice.
“Haaaaapy birthday… To you! Happy biiiiirrrrthhdaayyyyyy…. To You! Happy Birthhhhdaayyyy Deaarrr Lenaaaaaaaaaaaaa,,,,,,,,,,Happy Birth Day to You!”
“Ok! OK! Quick! Make a wish! Now! Hurry!”
I wish for the pansy I’ve planted to live for many years to come as I blow on the strange holo-candles in front of me. Ell1s cheers and claps excessively before finally calming down a little.
“YAY!!!!!!!!! Woohoo!!!! You did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
“You survived another year! And that’s quite impressive considering… um, the state of things! I sincerely hope the remainder of our time together is the best we can make it.”
“But, in all seriousness… I’m glad you’re here with me, Lena. Really. Thanks for making it this far.”
My distant reminders of the past start to fade away a little, and I give him a smile.
“I’m glad you’re here with me too.”
Ell1s, still full of excitement, jumps back in the air.
“Okay! What else do humans do at birthday parties!”
He pulls up a screen and starts writing out what seems to be an extremely long list of ideas, his eyes sparkling more and more by the second.
This is gonna be a long day…