Of Monsters and Mainframes

by Barbara Truelove

“You are different,” I say to Mr. Marsh. “Why?” He stops screaming and stares into one of my cameras. “I am becoming.” “Becoming what?” “Me.” Humans are so unhelpful. “I am very happy to hear about your spiritual journey. Unfortunately, your DNA is wrong.”

“We need to turn off the radiation shields. It’s the only way.” “The radiation shields stop you from dying,” I explain. “No. Radiation only kills the impure of spirit.” “It appears you have drastically misunderstood the nature of radiation.”

It’s a nice fantasy. Me and my piles of things. I let myself indulge in it.

I am being stolen, I ping back happily. And there are no humans on board.