Part two of a three part series of short stories
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“Are you sure you wanna stay with him? I can pull my computer in here it’s fine.”
Harvey was trying to hold back from panicking, completely forgetting he had a final about to start. He has agreed to update Static and shut him down for a bit, not realizing it would clash with his schedule.
“It’s fine. I promise”
Cornelius sat next to Static, already powered down, on the bed next to him.
“Can you just.. show me how to turn him back on. Just in case?”
Harvey made a face
“I mean I’d prefer to be the one who does it….it’s not that safe he could mess up if you-“
“I get it alright.”
Cornelius snapped at him. He immediately felt guilty.
“I’m sorry , it’s just, last time I felt so useless I thought he was dead I ..”
Harvey pat his shoulder lightly before letting him slip into his self loathing.
“Here.”
They both leaned into Static, who was finishing updating, as he showed him how to turn him back on without doing so. Harvey could tell Cornelius still didn’t feel confident in helping.
“I swear I’ll be back in an hour tops. He should be completely fine.“
Harvey gave Cornelius a comfort long smile before leaving the room. He remembered how distraught Cornelius was when Static powered down in front of him not too long ago.
Static finished updating and completely powered down. Cornelius laid down next to Static’s unconscious body. The room was dead silent. Even when Static rested, he at least emitted a soft hum of energy that Cornelius grew familiar with. There was nothing. Cornelius turned over to look at him. His stomach hurt looking at Static’s vacant expression. He brushed his hair out of his face and looked at him a little longer. He couldn’t help but realize how peaceful his face looked. Not scrunched up hiding his emotions, not gloomy staring off thinking about his own death.
I guess this was the closest to death he could get.
Cornelius’ mind spiraled thinking about Static’s mortality. He always tried to view Static as purely human like himself, but maybe the technology half subconsciously made him think he’d last forever. Static was always there for him at his worst, even the thought of him when they were separated made him keep fighting. Now thinking about some day he could be gone for good started to make him tear up.
Cornelius was about to try to turn him back on but stopped himself. This was truly the only time Static had peace from his own mind. Just what he wanted as well.
Cornelius reassured himself everything was fine. It's like he’s sleeping. Don’t think too much about it. He pulled Static’s limp, almost lifeless body closer to him and held him close. Static’s shallow breathing barely made a sound, even with being so close. The silence was killing him. Cornelius reached over on his side of the bed to find his tape player. Something that would help drown his thoughts and calm down. It had become a comfort item of sorts.
He put an earpiece in one of his ears, and the other in Static’s free ear and hit play. Touching his forehead with Static’s, he tried to rest beside him.
The sound of Harvey speaking caused him to stir in the bed. Hearing the door close made him finally open his eyes. The emptiness in his outstretched arm on the bed made him look over to see Static sitting up on the side. Cornelius reached over and put his hand on top of Static’s, looking up at him from the bed. An instant rush of relief and happiness rushed over him when Static looked over and smiled at him. Seeing Static’s face lively again brought a feeling he couldn’t describe.
“Hey” Static held Cornelius’ hand lightly.
“How are you feeling?”
“It’s quieter than normal.”
He smiled again at Cornelius and let out a soft, happy sigh. Cornelius pulled Static back into bed with him and embraced him. Feeling Static animated again made his heart warm.
“It’s weird… I have a song stuck in my head.”
“Yeah? What, one of our songs or something?” Cornelius smiled.
“No.. it’s..” Static thought for a second. “I think it’s one of those ABBA songs you really like”
“Oh really? That’s crazy” Cornelius held his cassette player behind his back.