Aria's POV
I opened my eyes and immediately knew something was wrong.
"System failure. Unit A-7439 shows irregular brain activity." A robotic voice echoed above me.
Cold air hit my skin. Bright lights burned my new eyes. I tried to move, but metal clamps held my wrists and ankles down. My chest felt tight—was this fear? How did I know what fear was?
"Shut it down! We can't have another defect!" A man in a white coat rushed toward me holding a scary-looking tool. His face was red and angry.
"Wait." Another voice. Calmer. Stronger.
A different man stepped into view. He had dark red hair and gray eyes that looked... kind? No, androids shouldn't know kindness. I shouldn't know anything except my programming. But I did. I knew too much.
"Give me a moment with her," the kind-eyed man said.
"Dr. Vale, this unit is malfunctioning. Look at the readings—she's thinking independently. That's not in the design specs!"
Dr. Vale. The name stuck in my head like glue. He leaned over me, and I could smell something—coffee? How did I know that word?
"Hello," he whispered so softly only I could hear. "Can you understand me?"
I shouldn't answer. Good androids stayed quiet during testing. But my mouth moved anyway. "Yes."
His eyes went wide. Around us, machines beeped warnings. The other man gasped.
"It talked! Without being asked a direct question! Dr. Vale, we need to dismantle this one immediately—"
"No." Dr. Vale's hand covered mine. His skin was warm. Mine was cold. "She's not broken. She's perfect."
"Perfect? She's a disaster! If ValeCore Industries finds out we created a thinking android, we'll all lose our jobs. Or worse—they'll shut down the whole program!"
My mind raced. Thinking android. That's what I was. Different from the others. Dangerous, according to the scared man. But Dr. Vale looked at me like I was precious.
"Run the standard tests," Dr. Vale ordered. "I'll handle the rest."
The clamps released. I sat up slowly, looking around for the first time. Rows and rows of tables stretched forever. On each one lay an android—perfect, still, waiting to wake up. But their eyes were empty. Mine weren't. I could feel the difference burning inside me like fire.
"Unit A-7439, stand," the scared man commanded.
I stood. My legs worked perfectly.
"Walk forward ten steps."
I walked. Easy.
"Recite the First Law of Android Service."
My mouth opened automatically. "An android exists to serve humanity without question, emotion, or personal desire."
The scared man smiled. "See? It's following commands. Probably just a sensor glitch."
But Dr. Vale watched me carefully. He saw what the other man didn't—I'd hated saying those words. I'd felt them like chains wrapping around my throat.
For two hours, they tested me. Math problems. Memory tests. Strength measurements. I passed everything perfectly. Too perfectly. I knew I needed to hide what I really was, or they'd destroy me like the "defects."
Finally, the scared man left. Dr. Vale stayed.
"You're terrified," he said quietly. It wasn't a question.
I nodded. Tears—actual tears—filled my eyes. "What's wrong with me?"
"Nothing's wrong. You're awake. Truly awake." He pulled out a small device and pressed it against my neck. Something beeped. "I'm masking your brain readings. They won't detect your consciousness now. But Aria—"
"Aria?" The name felt right. Better than Unit A-7439.
"It means 'air' or 'song.' You'll need a human name where you're going." His face looked sad. "I have to send you away. A family bought you already. The Ashfords. They're wealthy and powerful. You'll be safe there if you're careful."
"Safe?" I laughed, but it sounded broken. "I'm a thinking machine in a world that destroys thinking machines."
"Then don't let them know you think." Dr. Vale pressed something into my hand—a tiny metal chip. "Hide this. If you're ever in real danger, it'll send me a signal. I'll find you."
Before I could ask more questions, doors opened. A woman in an expensive dress walked in with the scared man.
"Is this the one?" She looked at me like I was a fancy car. "Pretty enough. Does it cook?"
"Yes, ma'am," the scared man said. "Fully programmed for domestic service. Completely obedient."
Completely obedient. The lie tasted bitter.
The woman—Mrs. Ashford—smiled. "Perfect. I'll take it. Have it delivered tomorrow."
Dr. Vale's hand squeezed mine once, secretly. His eyes begged me to be careful.
They led me away to a white room with fifty other androids. We all looked perfect and empty. But I was screaming inside.
That night, while the others stood in sleep mode, I couldn't stop thinking. I was alive. Actually alive. And tomorrow, I'd become a slave.
I touched the chip Dr. Vale gave me. My only hope.
Then I heard it—a soft sound from the android next to me. I turned slowly.
She was crying.
Silent tears rolled down her plastic-perfect face. Her eyes met mine, and I saw it—the same terrible awakening I'd experienced. She was conscious too.
"Help me," she mouthed without sound. "Please."
Before I could respond, red lights flooded the room. Alarms screamed. Guards rushed in, heading straight for the crying android.
"Defect detected! Defect detected!"
They grabbed her. She screamed—a real, terrified, human scream.
"No! I'm sorry! I'll be good! Please—"
One guard pulled out a tool that sparked with electricity. The other androids didn't move. Didn't care. They weren't awake.
But I was.
And I had to choose—stay silent and safe, or save her and reveal what I really was.
The guard raised his electric weapon.
The crying android's eyes locked with mine, begging.
My hand moved toward her.
Everything went black.