Entity

by Meg Smitherman

Well… I’ve skimmed it.

Big mistake, READ YOUR CONTRACTS

You’ll be turning over your phone upon arrival. Mr. De Leon will return it when you’re finished.”

Uh, no thanks

For a second, I feel like I’m having a déjà vu. Like I’ve been here before, in this very elevator, my pale fingers twisting the dark green fabric of my second-hand trench. But not just that — I feel like I’m going underwater, like I’m falling, sinking deep, my eyes and ears filling up. And for a split second, I almost think… I almost think the whole world flickers out of view. As if every light in the universe had gone dark, and— My ears pop painfully. The sensation is gone.

Not a single paparazzi shot of him exists, and he doesn’t do interviews. Not since the Eros model debuted. In fact, for years he’s said he would never appear in public or give an interview again. Until now.

His smile broadens. “I love the way you think.” “Thank you,” I say, and I feel a telltale blush rising on my cheeks. Fucking embarrassing.

Was I grabbing his hair? I don’t remember. I must have been. My slut hands.

He kissed me to find out if I’m a slut? Okay. Great.

“The more he gets to know you,” he says, “the better he can please you.”

Ian turns to me. “Want to fuck him?”

HUH

“Ignore that. A prototype. Very new. Unpredictable. Disobedient.”

But I think I almost see hesitancy in Eros’s expression, a stiffness in his jaw that wasn’t there before.

“He’ll never be the prototype, but he’s still spectacular.”

Man if you want her to stop bringing up the prototype, stop talking about it

Immediately, I know he’s nothing like Eros. He’s winter and Eros is spring. He’s a god while Eros is nothing but a faithful priest. And somehow, I feel so acutely, so intensely, down to the core of my heart and in the cells of my makeup, that I know him.

“Orpheus,” he answers. “My name is Orpheus.”

Shit

His brows draw together. “You found me.”

“Did you program him for that?” I ask. Ian turns his attention back to me. “For what?” “Yearning. For what he can’t have.” A shadow flickers across Ian’s face. “Yes. Yes, of course.

“You thought you turned me off?” he finishes for me. “What you and Ian understand about me couldn’t fill a thimble.”

I’ve been watching you for years. I’ve been calling out to you. And now, in this place, you can finally hear me.”

Annoyance, and a little unease, tickle at the spot between my shoulder blades. Yesterday, Ian was proud and eager, ready to showcase his creation. He was practically gagging to share Eros with me. Today, it’s like the sight of us pisses him off.

Eros smiles, but something about the expression feels off.

“Don’t trust him,” Eros repeats. “Don’t fucking trust who?” I splutter, my voice high-pitched.

Don’t trust him. He has to be talking about Ian.

Its either him or Orpheus girl...

Like the sensation in the elevator. Like the windows, when I’m too close. I remember the feeling of the fall, the pressure. If I can just get to the other side—

What the hell is going on

So I go inside.

This might be a big mistake

He insists on her.

OH NO HE LURED HER HERE FOR ORPHEUS?

Eros is all over the room.

SHIT

I don’t recognize these buildings.

HUH?

“But I am not this body. I merely use it.”

There are a million worlds out there, Kit, waiting for you. You can step into any one of them. All you have to do is open the door.”

WHAT

“Nothing, Kit. Nothing’s going on. All I did was follow orders.”

Shitttt

I thought if I opened this door… I thought I could invite something else in. A soul to live in my creations. A mind to fill the body.”

“I consume life,” he says. “Vivacity. Souls.”

“Why?” I choke. “Eros didn’t have a soul.” “He did,” Orpheus says quietly. “You recognized in Eros what Ian was blind to. He was so much more than a machine. And if I hadn’t fed on him, I would have lost control, and you would be dead.”