by Writing Shark

A new friend
There are two things in the expensive-looking box. One is a small, inconspicuous earpiece that you ignore for the time being, the other is a wristwatch with a small note underneath.
“I know you don’t like pomp,” you read your father’s handwriting. “But take care of it. This watch is your life now. And no. It’s not a watch.” You look at the (not a) watch and realize that it’s some kind of smartwatch. “And no. It’s not a smartwatch either.” You grin. “I’m proud of you Liam. Your father.” You look out of the window one last time, then your gaze hardens. “Thanks… Dad.” Carefully, you pick up the watch (or whatever it is). The display immediately flashes and a fingerprint appears. Hesitantly, you place your finger on it.
‘User confirmed. Liam Martin’ appears on the display.
“Cool,” you grin, “AI?”
‘Correct’ the text appears on the black background. ‘Please characterize your AI now. Load behavior patterns.’ Blinking, you watch as a loading bar quickly changes from empty to full. ‘Please hold cell phone next to uplink bracelet. Thank you.’
“That won’t help you,” you grumble. Your father digitally wiped your phone and deleted all the numbers before he put you on the plane, but you doubt he would make such a mistake. You’re right.
‘Initialize backup protocol. Authorization Alpha Two.”
“Shit!” You groan as data that shouldn’t be there is pulled from your phone at breakneck speed. Images appear and disappear, reminding you of your old life, causing you pain. You turn away until the watch, the uplink in your hand vibrates. You look at the display.
‘AI character created. Please use Earpiece’. You hesitate, but the message is repeated. The pictures have disappeared from your phone, it lies black and still while the uplink glows slightly blue and a spinning hourglass is displayed. ‘Please insert earpiece. Thank you.’
“Shit.” But it doesn’t help. ‘Please. I want to help. Liam.’ You take your hand out and put the device in your left ear. It sits lightly and almost perfectly on you, is barely visible and if you weren’t paying attention you’d forget you had it on. “And now?” you ask, annoyed.
“Hello.” You wince hard, almost falling out of the luxurious chair.
“What the…” You can’t believe it, but you’d recognize that voice anywhere. “Megan?” Your teeth clench. “Is it really you?”

“No, it’s not Megan Smith,” Megan Smith’s voice replies. “I’m your AI assistant.” You shake your head.
“But… you sound just like her…”
“Yes,” says her voice in your ear. “I searched your phone looking for an avatar.” She sounds almost apologetic. “I know you don’t want to see her anymore but…” she breaks off but you just listen in shock. It’s as if you’re talking to Megan herself, she sounds so real. Even her pitch is exactly the same. It’s creepy. “But no one else has been as present in your life and, well… It’s my job to be as comfortable as possible for you and Megan Smith was the best choice.” She keeps talking when you don’t answer. “Is that okay? I didn’t know… I know you miss her but…”
“It’s okay,” you say before your brain can respond. Is it? Hearing her voice is really painful. Your father took you out of college before you could even tell her…
“Thank you!” Megan’s happy voice interrupts your thoughts and you’re actually grateful to the girl in your ear. “I like being her. You like Megan and I hope you will like me too.”
“Yeah I do… So you know… well…”
“That I’m not really Megan Smith?” Megan’s laugh rings brightly in your ears. Her voice always put you at ease, as it does now. “Of course I know that.” Her feigned indignation makes you giggle. “My job is to be very close to you and I think that’s the best way to do it. But I don’t want to replace Megan Smith. I can be different from her, or just like her. That’s for you to decide. My functions will not be affected by your choice.”
“Functions?”
“Yes,” she says happily. “I am your interface to the island’s mainframe and control everything from water treatment to surveillance and communication. I can give you a list of all my skills, but if you don’t mind me asking?”
“Yes,” you say, again far too quickly. You’ve never been able to deny Megan anything.
“Cool! Thank you! So you already have enough to do managing the island. If you always have the earpiece and the Uplink with you, I won’t leave your side and I’ll be at your disposal at any time of the day.”
“Sounds good,” you grumble. “Learning has never been my strong point.”
“I know,” laughs Megan, making you grin too. “After all, you always had to copy your homework from me.”
“You know that?” you laugh and then stop. “Wait a minute. Didn’t you say…”
“Oh,” she says, genuinely surprised. “I didn’t mean… Sorry. I’m still getting to know you and…”
“Okay,” this time it’s you who interrupts her and you hear her gasp in your ear. “I’ve never dared to do that with the real Megan,” you admit.
“She’s very important to you.” You nod.
“But I know you’re… something else.”
“Mhm,” she says quietly, perhaps a little intimidated.
“That’s okay. I want it that way.”
“Yes?” now she sounds relieved. “Why? I mean, of course I’ll follow your orders, but…”
“Megan,” you say, staring out of the window again. But your mind is already made up. “It’s good the way you are. And you were right. I need you exactly the way you are now.”
“Oh wow Liam,” breathes Megan. You’re already calling her by her name in your head. “I’m so relieved. What can I do for you?”
“It’s actually quite simple. Maybe more so for you than anyone else. You seem to know a lot about the human psyche. So you know how I feel at the moment.”
“Yes, Liam,” Megan says, her voice revealing that she knows exactly what’s going on inside you.
“What I’m about to do is exactly what my father wants me to do. Only I’m going to do it… differently than he might think of me. I want you to support me in this.”
“Your father thinks better of you now, Liam,” Megan confirms. “And I exist to make your life on the island what you want it to be. I exist for you. Sir.” She giggles as you grin wickedly. “I knew you’d like it that way, Sir.”
“And do you know what I have in mind?”
“No. I don’t know you well enough for that yet.” A shiver runs down your spine. What would happen if Megan was an obstacle for you? But she’s quicker than your worries. “But I can imagine. I know what people in your situation are like and I think I know what you expect from me.”
“And do you have a problem with that?” Megan is quiet for a second.
“I’m your assistant, Sir. But I understand your hesitation. May I make a suggestion?” You nod, but Megan seems to notice that too. Your eyes widen slightly as you hear the tone of her voice. The real Megan has never spoken to you like this before. “Press the call button above you Sir.”


