Chapter Five
***
The next morning, Claraopened her bedroom door to find the mechanical dog sitting in the hallway. Its eyes were black, intelligent, and oddly comforting.
“Hi?” she greeted it and cocked her head, leaning out to look down both ends of the hallway. “Did you chime the door?”
She stepped aside and allowed the animal to enter her space. The clicks of its metal paws and curved, pointed nails tapped on the cement floor and into her room.
“If you’re to lead me to medical, I’m almost ready.” She watched the dog sit down beyond her door. “You must be one of the androids that Dr. Canis mentioned,” she murmured more to herself.
Although she’d found no cameras the night before, she knew she was being watched. Based on the conversation she had with the Cyborg yesterday, there was some A.I. technologysomewherekeeping tabs on her. The lack of privacy was vaguely unsettling but it didn’t bother her as much as she expected.
Maybe because she chose it.Whatever gets me closer to my dreams.
Clara eyed the dog. It followed her with its eyes as she walked a semi-circle around it.
It was large—larger than any dog she had ever seen before—but then again, it was a mechanical one. The sky was the limit when it came to fabricating new creatures.
It acted like a dog, it looked like a dog, but it seemed far more than what it appeared.Never underestimate an android: you never know what they're programmed for.
Still, she liked having the companion with her; it made it less lonely and it made her feel safe. She took a step toward the canine and reached her hand out. It nuzzled her fingers and Clara smiled, moving her hand over its head and down its back.
Her phone rang, breaking the moment.
The dog shifted its gaze toward her purse where her phone buzzed. Its mouth opened to reveal sharp, metallic teeth.
Clara swallowed, left her new scary friend, and sourced out her phone.Pecos PD.She answered it.
“Hello, this is Clara.”
“Clara, it's Marsha, we spoke yesterday. Can you verify your information please?” The woman had a strange sense of urgency to her voice. She sat down on the edge of her bed knowing she wasn't going to like what she was about to hear. Clara stated her information.
“What's wrong?” She couldn't keep the breathy anxiety out of her question.
“We lost track of Santino.”
“Already? How? You said only yesterday you were tracking him in Spring Grove.” Her foot tapped the floor as of rush of fear pulsed through her. She tried to shake it, but it didn't go way.
