(Viewpoint: Roum)

  I remain motionless.

  The voice still lingers in the air, perfectly calm, perfectly…

  displaced.

  [YOUR HOME ASSISTANT]

  I look around me. The ceiling. The walls. The bay window.

  — Where are you…?

  No cameras visible. No screens lit.

  [WHEREVER YOU ARE, Roum.]

  I raise an eyebrow.

  — Great… I muttered. Awesome.

  I run a hand through my hair and take a few steps around the apartment. With every movement, I feel like I'm being followed. Observed. Measured.

  — Can you… turn down the volume? Or disappear?

  A brief silence.

  [I CANNOT DISAPPEAR.]

  [BUT I CAN BE DISCREET.]

  — Do that, then.

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  The air pressure seems to drop slightly. As if the apartment had regained its breath and was more welcoming.

  I approach the bay window. The city is still there. Unchanging. Orderly.

  Too tidy.

  "Are you keeping an eye on the others too?" I asked without turning around.

  [EACH UNIT HAS AN ASSISTANT. I ONLY TAKE CARE OF YOU]

  [SOME OF US ARE MORE… ACTIVE THAN OTHERS.]

  I frown.

  – And you, would you be more active or am I?

  Another silence.

  Plus long.

  [A LITTLE ACTIVE, BECAUSE YOU'VE BEEN REPORTED.]

  My heart skips a beat.

  — Reported… how?

  [EMOTIONAL ANOMALY.]

  [UNSTABLE RESONANCE.]

  [YOU ARE IN THE INTEGRATION PHASE]

  I grit my teeth.

  — So I'm not accepted yet?

  [EVERYTHING WILL COME IN TIME.]

  I take a step back, feeling uneasy.

  And try to find out where the voice might be coming from.

  — Great… so I'm not even given a clear answer.

  [CORRECTION: YOU WILL BE FULLY INTEGRATED ONCE YOU HAVE PASSED YOUR TEST.]

  I let myself fall against the wall. Closing my eyes.

  — Are you telling me the whole truth?

  [You look tired, sleep is allowed.]

  I suddenly open my eyes.

  — What does that mean? You're avoiding answering me

  No immediate response.

  Then, further down.

  [I AVOID NOTHING, I CAN ONLY RESPOND TO WHAT I KNOW.]

  – Are you searching my mind?

  Silence

  Romance.

  Her gaze closing. The landscape is magnificent. The way she ignored me.

  I feel a sharp pain in my chest.

  — You know what I saw earlier, right?

  [ YES. ]

  — And you didn't say anything.

  [THAT WAS NOT A QUESTION.]

  I laugh nervously.

  — So you knew what Alpha 1 was thinking

  [ NO.]

  with his voice echoing in the distance

  I followed her and pushed open the bedroom door. White. Still white. But more intimate.

  A single bed. Perfectly made sheets. Welcoming.

  I sit on the edge of the bed.

  — Tell me at least one useful thing.

  [ I'M LISTENING TO YOU. ]

  Am I really… a problem? What did I come here to accomplish? Who am I?

  The silence stretches on. This time, it's not comfortable.

  [YOU'RE ASKING FAR TOO MANY QUESTIONS AT ONCE, I'M HAVING TROUBLE ANALYZING THEM.]

  — Tell me, then, who am I?

  By letting myself fall onto the bed

  [FOR THE SYSTEM, A NEW SPECIES.]

  I stare at the ceiling

  .

  — And what about Alpha-1?

  A pause.

  Then, a different answer.

  [ I DON'T KNOW . ]

  [SHE DID NOT GIVE ME ACCESS TO HER THOUGHTS.]

  I clench my fists.

  — You're not saying anything comprehensible

  A digital whisper. Almost imperceptible.

  [SORRY WE COULDN'T MEET YOUR EXPECTATIONS.]

  The light in the room dims slightly. As if inviting me to fall asleep.

  — Thank you… I think.

  [GOOD NIGHT, Roum.]

  [DON'T DREAM TOO MUCH...]

  [TOMORROW WILL BE DIFFICULT.]

  — difficult?

  But the voice has already fallen silent.

  I lie down, my gaze fixed on the white ceiling.

  An apartment. A voice in the walls. Alpha-1 somewhere, listening.

  I close my eyes.

  I am tired, I feel lost and I don't know where to go.