| there
is a machine in the corner of this room. i could not tell you what it is,
or what it is for. it's purpose and function elude me. i do not live here.
this is not my home. it is dysfunctional, and not well taken care of. it
is covered with dust and cobwebs. it seems to be non-operational, save it's
eyes. it appears to be watching me with it's unwavering gaze through red
photoelectric eyes. the machine is the colour of gunmetal. steel. greyish-silver,
and reflective. although i cannot see it's reflectiveness in the dimness
of this room. i squint my eyes to try and get a better look at the hulking
shape in the corner of the room. i sense, strongly, that it does not like
me. i try to lay down on the couch, however, i cannot take my eyes from
the machine. i try to fathom what it could be thinking. does it think? unnerved,
i finally admit to myself. i am scared of it. i do not know why i could
not admit this to myself sooner. i stand, more than ready to make myself
gone from this place. from the domain of the machine. it watches me. i seem
to detect a hint of contempt in it's mechanical eyes. my eyes wide with
terror, i begin to edge towards the door. my mouth is closed and sweat is
standing out in beads on my forehead. my knees are weak. my hand falls on
the doorknob. i fully expect it to be locked, so it is a long moment before
i can move. i look back over my shoulder at the machine, and my breath tightens
in my throat. the machine is now standing. and glaring at me. i fumble for
the door, my eyes wide and locked on the machine. i finally get the door
open and make my escape, slamming the door and bolting it securely behind
me. in the silence that follows, i hear the whir and hum of an engine. i
hear the machine's slow and methodical footsteps, thudding through the floor
and vibrating it beneath my feet. suddenly, there is a crash as the machine
throws itself against the door. i take a terrified step backwards, wanting
to run. but unable to, at least until i see if the machine will be after
me. the flimsy door, amazingly, stands up to the machines assault, as it
attempts to batter down the only barrier between it and i. slowly at first,
then with increasing speed, i back away down the corridor, towards the elevator.
I fumble madly for the button, any button, turning for a moment to see what
it is i am searching for. after the doors open, i turn my gaze back down
the corridor, only to see the machine standing in the doorway, glaring at
me through cold unblinking cameras. i back into the elevator and the doors
slide shut, closing off my view of the machine forever. the machine probably
still lives there. i could not tell you. i never returned. |
