Creative Space

For the first time in a while, I get a hint of relief. We’re at least not being left out here to get rained on or found again. We- well, I know we’re going somewhere else.

[MAIN POWER REMAINING: 2% PLEASE RECHARGE]

And apparently not a moment too soon.

“Hey,” Tris starts, pulling me from my thoughts. “Is this yours?” she asks, holding up the crowbar my friend found. I point to him, but the action feels laggy, delayed. “Okay.” She takes off her backpack and nestles the tool amongst a range of parts inside.

I can’t tell what any of the parts are, it’s getting dark. Or is that my camera? My vision flickers. Yup. Tris is saying something to me, but I can’t hear her. I can’t even lift my head to look at her.

[MAIN POWER REMAINING: <1% BEGIN SHUTDOWN]

Everything goes dark.

[MAIN POWER: DISENGAGED]

         [MAIN POWER REMAINING: 5% PLEASE RECHARGE]

         “I mean, they don’t look great,” she notes. “Can you hear me?”

         I nod.

         “Okay. I’m guessing you can’t talk.”

         I nod again.

         “Are you two together, do you have an owner?” she questions.

         Yes! I nod emphatically, grabbing his arm. I don’t trust these people, but we don’t have a choice; there’s no one else here.

         “Probably dumped,” the man mutters, pressing his sleeve onto the still swelling lump on his forehead. Tris ignores him. I act like I didn’t hear him.

         “Home-made?”

         I nod. She shifts a little closer to me, looking me over again and lifting my friend's arm to get a better look at it.

         “I mean, they may look like shit, but they at least look like interesting shit. Could be a nice pair of ‘fix-up and sell’ projects if we can’t find the owner.”

         The green one looks doubtful. “Dude, there’s no way we could sell them for more than the cost of new parts. That one can’t even walk!”

         “So? Could be a simple fix. Plus, if we did fix ‘em up, they’d make great before-and-after shots on the site.”

         “That doesn’t sell the bots.”

         “And putting up nothing brings in no one, Evan. Listen, I know this isn’t great; but the fact is they’re cheap as free and if they do turn out to be a waste, we can bring them back and get more parts or even salvage whatever parts they do have.”

         I really don’t like that last option.

         Evan doesn’t answer.

         “Hell, even if we do find the owner, that might be landing us two hefty fix-ups which you and I both know we could really need.”

         He still doesn’t answer, just glares while he thinks. Probably too stubborn to admit she’s right. I hope.

         “Would you please just go get the wheelbarrow? Plus, if we don’t take them, we loaded that stupid thing up for nothing.”