Aromatic

O N E

O N E

Claudia felt the aching in her bones as she stretched her arms. The pebbles beneath her made soft scratching sounds as she sat up, rubbing her strained neck. It was oftentimes she woke up feeling this way.

"Miss Claudia, it is twelve in the afternoon, may I be of any assistance?" In front of Claudia stood a human-sized hunk of metal, purely artificial intelligence and yet so lifelike. She hadn't decided to name it, even though it had been her pet for the past three years, a gift from her late father on her twentieth birthday.

"No, I'll get up in a bit." Claudia announced, her fingers plunging into the sharp knots within her neck, rubbing with force even though it didn't relieve any of the pain.

She looked at her wrist, the ever-so-bright pale numbers flashing out at her as if to remind her that she would forever be waiting.

4152.24.867

She didn't understand what they meant; she only knew that they were slowly counting down.

4151.24.867

She glared, realizing that staring at it wouldn't make the time move faster. She grunted loudly when she forced herself off the ground, her wild red hair surrounding her face, outlining the lines of her thin face.

She glanced outside the window, observing the white snow howling with the wind, scattering across the world.

It felt empty, alone, sorrow-filled. She huffed loudly, kicking the pebbles beneath her as she stood up and approached the metal bars.

"Travis!" She shouted, hoping he would hear her and come let her out of the cell.

"Travis!" She yelled louder, "I have to use the bathroom!"

A couple minutes later, Travis approached, permanent frown lines on his face and furrowed brows. He glared at her.

"Why didn't you ask your robot to let you out?" He scowled.

"It's broken." She declared, crossing her arms as she turned her blue gaze to her pet. The metal stood up and approached.

"Miss Claudia, it is twelve in the afternoon, may I be of any assistance?" The robot spoke again, it's voice smooth— almost human-like.

"She's been stuck saying the same thing for the past two days." Claudia wrapped her long fingers around the metal bars of the cell, clenching tightly as her knuckles turned white. "I promise I won't run anywhere, brother, please I have to use the restroom." Claudia announced as Travis narrowed his eyes.

His broad shoulders stiffened as footsteps approached from the hallway.

"Cyan!" He called, "Take my sister to the bathroom and return her promptly. If she runs, you have permission to shoot." Travis said as shudders ran down Claudia's spine. She kept her face expressionless, never leaving Travis' blue gaze.

"Yes, sir." Cyan approached, her hair tied in a strong knot and her gun upholstered. Claudia took a deep breath, this was what she had been planning— she even destroyed the last remnants of her father, the robot he had given her, for the sake of escape.

She only had one shot at this. If she failed, she would be killed.

"Come." Cyan said, slowly taking out the keys and unlocking the prison door. Claudia stumbled out, the pain in her neck sending jolts across her body, all the way down to her toes. She took a deep breath, her heart was racing. "Don't try anything."