Chapter 8
A Robot's Lonely Wish
Unit 734 explains, through simple beeps and whirs, its desire to learn to read. It believes collecting letters is the only way to understand words.
Tara stood before Unit 734, her heart thrumming a frantic rhythm against her ribs. The robot, a hulking collection of polished chrome and whirring gears, tilted its head, a soft blue light flickering in its optical sensors. Around them, the town square was a testament to the chaos, signs twisted into nonsensical shapes, shop names erased, and even the proud town clock missing its numbers. Librarian Agnes stood beside Tara, her expression a mixture of concern and quiet understanding, while Sam, the delivery person, hovered nearby, their usual energetic bounce replaced by a cautious stillness.
“You… you took the letters?” Tara asked, her voice barely a whisper. It seemed impossible, this hulking machine, responsible for the jumbled mess that had bewildered their town.
Unit 734 emitted a series of soft beeps and whirs, a language of clicks and hums that Tara, surprisingly, felt she was beginning to understand. It was like deciphering a new kind of music. The robot extended a metallic finger, pointing to a discarded sign that once proudly proclaimed “BAKERY.” Now, only a lone ‘Y’ remained, clinging precariously to its post.
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