Vayda

It was spring, the time of new birth and relentless rain, when Vayda took her first, full breath. She felt the dusty air of the stagnant lab circulate through her nostrils toward her empty lungs and she felt her chest expand. It was an unknown feeling that her body had never experienced before: breathing. There was never a need to breathe under the care of her Mechanical Opulence Maker, or MOM. During the early stages of her life, the machines did all of her living and breathing for her. Now, during this crucial phase, she either had to take over herself, or die.

Vayda, just like all of the others in the Facility Perficere, was created to be perfect. She was a Perfection. Like every Perfection before her, she had been kept alive, but not conscious, until she was needed in the world. This was done through the use of MOMs—complex machines designed to create, sustain, and awaken flawless human beings that would then be released into society when an older Perfection died, or when said Perfection was no longer deemed desirable.

What was the purpose of such flawless human beings? Simple: to make the world less ugly. Not only would such beautiful creations show the ordinary population what it could look like if it would submit to Redesign, but the Perfections would also serve a greater purpose. They would eventually replace every undesirable on the planet.

Vayda, after years of waiting, had finally made it to the final stage of her existence: her Awakening. It was during this stage that she would be taken off of her machine and forced to adapt and survive, with only her human body to sustain her. Upon being released into society, she would live as long as her perfect body allowed–centuries likely awaited her new and hungry eyes.

A normal Awakening usually lasted hours, sometimes days. During this time, Perfections would learn the most basic of bodily functions such as breathing, eating and moving on their own. Vayda’s Awakening was unexpected. The moment the Mechanics took her off of her MOM, the moment she was forced to take her first breath, Vayda opened her eyes and began to speak. The Mechanics in charge of her MOM could only look on in confusion as they listened to her nonsensical words. No Perfection had ever spoken during an Awakening.

Not one. Ever.

“I’m hungry,” Vayda stammered, her words slurred as she moved her tongue and lips for the first time. “My legs are itchy. There’s probably cream for that? Ice cream maybe? I’m very hungry. Wait, I can see you!”

She blinked in utter amazement as her eyes zeroed in on one of the men standing over her. “I can actually see you! You’re bald!”

The man gasped, staring at her mouth, wondering how dozens of words she never learned continued to pour out. The man glanced around at his colleagues and could tell they were all just as dumbfounded. This shouldn’t have been happening. It was impossible for it to be happening.

Before Vayda could say anything else, the lead Mechanic, Colton, turned his back to her, quickly shuffling away only to return with a loaded syringe.

“Hold her,” he said.

The others shook themselves out of their daze and proceeded to grab Vayda’s arms and legs, forcing them down. Vayda blinked at first, unsure how to react.

Should I be fighting them? She thought to herself. I should probably be fighting back right now. Damn it, they’re pressing down hard!

Vayda then began to writhe around on the gurney, screaming. The men held her fast, the newness of her muscles limiting her strength. Thoughts bombarded her mind like fireworks, so loud and disorienting she couldn’t ground herself.

What did I do wrong? Have I upset them? They’re hurting me!

Overwhelmed and suddenly exhausted, Vayda collapsed before Colton’s syringe could touch her skin.

Feeling her limpness, the Mechanics let go and took a step away from her, not knowing what happened. Vayda now lay completely still, her chest no longer rising and falling. Her body was suddenly pale and her breathing had ceased.

Colton dropped the needle, the liquid contents within it splattering as it shattered across the tile floor. Cautiously, but with utmost urgency, he slid his hand under Vayda’s head, propping it up with his elbow.

“Vayda,” he whispered softly, shaking her lightly. “Vayda my sweet, please wake up.”

Vayda didn’t respond. Her chest settled, and her lips began to purple.

Colton began to quiver in fear, his voice shaking as he continued to coax her.

“Vayda? Come now, you must wake up! It's time for you to join your brothers and sisters!”

“Shock her, you fool,” one of the others shrieked. “Shock her heart, or it will give out!”

Colton shook his head, tears gathering in his eyes. “It will do no good. We cannot give them an easy way out! Their bodies must learn on their own, or they will never survive!”

Struggling to control his emotions, Colton shook Vayda’s head harder.

“Wake up! You are too precious to die, we need you!” He shook her vigorously, desperately.

“Careful," a Mechanic to his right rushed him, "careful or you’ll snap her neck!”

He jerked Colton away from Vayda. “If she wants to live, her body will not give up on her. Leave her on the gurney.”

He turned toward two of his colleagues. “The Technicians cannot find out about this. Not if I have any say in it. Wheel her down to Isolation and secure a cell for her. We'll keep a close eye through the surveillance system for the time being, but no one can find out about this complication. No one.”

The other Mechanics nodded. The man then turned to Colton. “No one, you hear me? This is the one and only failure we’ve ever faced, the MOMs are flawless in their work. Details of this little mishap do not leave this room.”

Colton glared at the man. “This is far from a failure, and Vayda is no mishap. We haven’t the slightest idea what this means. But all the secrecy is hardly necessary. She certainly doesn’t need to be put in Isolation, we should just keep her here.”

He took his glasses off to wipe sweat from his forehead. Sighing, he looked over Vayda. Her muscles twitched and her breathing came in shallow gasps as her body struggled to keep her going.

Colton winced at her obvious pain, and turned back towards the man before him. “What if her body fails her? She’s trying desperately, but I'm not sure it will be enough.”

The man scratched his head, his eyes solemn. “We’ve never done it before, but you know as well as I the fate that awaits imperfect Perfections, Colton. We’ll have no choice. She’ll be erased.”

***

Vayda’s eyes snapped open. She sat up, breathing fast. Her vision was blurry, and shapes danced before her eyes. She blinked repeatedly, trying to see clearer, but the shapes remained. Determined to clear her straining eyes, she tried lifting one of her arms to wipe her face, but realized she could not. She lay on a gurney, all of her limbs strapped down.

Where is my MOM? What is this room? Shouldn’t I be with the other Perfections?

Vayda’s breathing grew faster as she tried to free her limbs from the tight restraints.

Those men from before, they did this. They are mistaken. There is nothing wrong with me. Perfections are never left alone like this so early on, this is wrong.

Giving up on the restraints, Vayda focused on controlling her breathing. She savored the cool air that flowed through her body, bringing her natural systems to life. Her body had not failed her, and this amused her. She had come so close to death before, she had been certain there was no coming back.

I should never have opened my mouth. That’s why they’re doing this. I don’t know why I spoke.

Vayda grunted and squirmed in frustration–the frustration of being human. It had been so much easier before, when she was still living off of synthetic fluids, when she was still relying on her MOM for all of life’s essential functions. She had had no reason to think before, but now, she had a lot to think about.

The restraints are so tight. They need to come off. But how can I get them off?

She glanced around the room in wonder. Nothing sharp. Not one, single, sharp object.

All it would take is a simple pocket knife.

Vayda longed for escape, so much so, it brought a tear to her eye. Chuckling to herself, she calmly raised a hand to brush away the tear.

Wait what?

She glanced at her hand, the one she had raised to her face. It was free. She glanced down at the restraints. They were now cut on one side. Slowly, still somewhat unsure of herself, Vayda moved her hand to the opposite restraint. After sliding it off, she shimmied her legs out of the loops below her waist.

Vayda sat up on the gurney, steadying herself. Her eyes were still cloudy, but this no longer worried her. She was free.

Vayda slid off of the gurney, but then melted to the floor. Her legs were not quite ready to cooperate. Furious at her young and seemingly useless body, she punched at her legs, trying to knock feeling into them. She knew she had to find the other Perfections, or she would never be able to leave this place and fulfill her purpose.

Determination taking hold of her, she mustered up her strength and thrusted her hips and thighs into the ground. The momentum granted her an inch of movement, and relief washed over her.

I can do this.

Using her hips and arms as springs beneath her, she managed to launch herself forward in short, stiff bursts along the hard floor. She still could not see clear images, but she thought she could make out the outline of a door across the room.

After many minutes of her awkward inching, she made it to the base of the rectangular shape she presumed to be the door. She lifted herself up, reaching for the handle. Barely able to scrape it with her fingertips, she slammed her fist to the ground in fury. She knew she’d have to stand if she wanted to get out.

Tensing up at the stiffness of her joints, Vayda used her arms to prop herself up. While she did this, she kicked her right leg behind her to get it under her. Once she had done the same with her other leg, she tested her knees, bending them in and out before using them. Finally, she stood up, leaning against the door as she did so. Once up, she turned around to face the doorknob.

It's clearly locked, but why is it locked? Is it a simple contraption, or is it complex and mechanical like my MOM? Is it controlled by the Mechanics who are probably watching me right now? Wait, are they watching?

Vayda glanced about the room, suddenly terrified, but she couldn’t see anything. Why her eyes were still foggy she had no idea, but she was tired of waiting to see. She had already waited years to get to this point. She had waited decades to be able to merely stand up, wiggle her toes, or open her mouth. She wasn’t going to remain stuck inside this room, and she wasn’t going to mess up her chance of release into the world.

Turning back to the doorknob, she examined its surface, testing it briefly. It was simple. There was only a small latch between herself and the outside.

That’s actually so funny. There is hardly anything in there, yet it’s enough to keep me trapped in here.

Unable to stop herself, Vayda laughed, the short high-pitched sound echoing off the walls. She froze and covered her mouth, not knowing if someone had heard. She jumped when she heard a subtle click in front of her. Bending over to examine the doorknob, she touched it with her hand. As her fingers brushed over the metal surface, the door creaked open.

Vayda stumbled backwards in alarm, covering her mouth once more to stifle a scream. She knew it wasn't possible, but she also knew nothing else could’ve unlocked the door. When she laughed, she heard the click. The door was locked a second ago, now it stood ajar. She craned her head to listen, but heard no footsteps. There were no anxious men in lab coats careening down the stairs to investigate the small, insignificant little click. There were no alarms blaring or sirens wailing. There was only silence. Silence and her heartbeat–a heartbeat that grew more frenzied with each breath at the realization that her own laugh had caused the door to open.

***

“Where is she?” Colton shrieked as he examined the computer monitor.

Two of the other Mechanics leaned over his shoulder, confusion and worry written across the tired lines on their faces.

“I saw her just now!” Colton continued, “on the gurney, she was there just a second ago! Where could she have gone?”

“Wait a minute,” said a Mechanic, tapping the screen with his pen. “The door is still closed. She didn’t leave, she’s just not on the gurney anymore. She’s gotta be in the room, is there a blind spot?”

Colton shook his head. “No, she was just strapped in, and no, there is no blind spot. I just saw her, her straps were in place, the screen froze for no more than a second, it refreshed, and she was gone. That’s not possible. Please explain to me how that’s possible.”

The Mechanic shook his head grimly, scrolling through the video frames of the surveillance system in Isolation.

“The door’s still closed,” he exclaimed, annoyed now. “See for yourself. It’s still locked, so how could she not be in there?”

Colton murmured something to himself, then turned towards the Mechanic, spinning around in his chair. “I have a theory. Man, it’s a stupid theory, and you’re not going to like it. Damn it. The Technicians are going to have our heads for this, I swear.”

Colton turned back around to face the monitor, and within a few short seconds, he revealed a file on the screen. “After that little ‘episode’ that unfolded during Vayda’s Awakening, I decided to review the status of her MOM.” Colton scrolled down as he spoke. “It appears there was an irregularity that occurred in the third month of Vayda’s development. Remember the power shut down all those years ago?”

The other Mechanics looked at each other, nodding. “Yes. What does that have to do with anything? You don’t actually think it disrupted the developmental process, do you?”

Colton nodded. “That’s precisely what I think. During that godforsaken shut down, a few of the Perfections were affected by it. Some had to be disconnected early to save power. With Vayda, it looks like her MOM actually malfunctioned. I don’t know how we missed it, but it looks like it completely shut down. It was lost for a full twelve hours before starting back up again.”

The Mechanics stared at him blankly. “That’s impossible. The MOM’s are specially designed to remain functional during power disruptions. They might have some hiccups, but they don't shut down! They never shut down. Besides it would have been impossible for Vayda to survive such an instance if it occurred. Twelve hours? That’s unheard of.”

Colton shrugged. “Well, it appears that that’s exactly what happened, and Vayda managed to survive it. We’ve never seen this before gentlemen. I myself have never heard of a Perfection being awakened after such a dreadful mistake, and I’ve been here longer than the two of you combined. Who knows what she went through..” He trailed off, rubbing his forehead in dismay.

“As unfathomable as it seems," he continued, "Vayda survived her MOM’s shut down. That is why, I believe, she was able to speak, why she overwhelmed herself in the first few minutes of her natural life, why she spontaneously stopped breathing. I don’t think she ever recovered from what happened, and as a result, I think she might have developed in an entirely different way than the others.”

One of the Mechanics smirked. “What do you think is different about her? She’s obviously flawed, whether she survived the shut down all those years ago or not. ”

Colton gazed at the floor, perplexed. “I’m not sure 'flawed' is the right word for what we’re dealing with here. Flawed would mean she is unsalvageable for her physical imperfections: loss of limb, two heads, the like. If you want my professional opinion, there’s none of that here. I think she is simply different.

He paused, a contemplative look spreading across his face.

“I think,” he continued, “that in order to survive such a prolonged period of neglect from her MOM, things changed drastically on an internal level. I believe parts of Vayda’s brain that would otherwise never experience use, activated themselves in order to keep her alive.”

The Mechanic’s smirk faded.

“What exactly are you suggesting here, Colton?” A look of panic began to blossom as Colton’s words sunk in. “Are you saying that she has learned to utilize otherwise dormant parts of her brain? Let’s be realistic for a second here, we’re not neuroscientists, we’re not miracle workers, we simply grow perfect looking people. Their brains are the same as everyone else’s in the grand scheme of things, they’re just more susceptible to suggestion. The MOM couldn’t have affected her in that way in a matter of hours!”

Colton shook his head slowly, deep in thought. “Yes, we create perfect looking people. But I think in this case, we just might have created a perfect person. Period. I believe that’s what allowed her to escape the restraints, and as it appears, escape Isolation, all without the camera even seeing it. She has unlocked portions of her brain that will allow her to thrive in her natural body better than anyone else on the planet. I don’t think it will be long before she realizes what she’s capable of. And it certainly won't take her long to figure out we have no means of controlling her. ”

Terrified, the Mechanics backed away from the surveillance panel, one of them cursing under his breath, and the other rushing to his computer.

“She could have left the facility for all we know, if what you are saying is true! She will threaten our entire operation, we have to find her right now. Good God, we have to get rid of her! Can you imagine what will happen? What will happen to us if the Technicians find out? Hell, we will be erased ourselves, Colton!”

At that, Colton marched across the room, lunging for the Mechanic.

“Stop it!” Colton snapped, striking the man across the face. Caught off guard, the Mechanic collapsed to the floor, blood dripping from his brow. Colton continued in outrage, barking at him like a mad dog.

“We can’t tell anyone about this! Not the Technicians, not even the other Mechanics! If Vayda left the room, she couldn’t have gone far. We can find and collect her ourselves, and we need to do it right now before she realizes the extent of her power. I’ll be damned if I let the two of you ruin any chances I have of continuing my research here. Now for the love of god, gather up whatever anesthesia and syringes you can find, and let’s stop her.”

***

Vayda stumbled her way through what seemed like endless white passageways, searching desperately for any sign of a human being. She could see clearer now, and she no longer cared if she happened upon a Mechanic, another Perfection, or a monster for that matter. She just wanted to find something living, something other than white tiles and identical hallways.

She leaned against the walls as she moved, her legs still shaky and weak. She would shuffle a few steps, then stop from exhaustion, shuffle a few more steps, then scratch her itching legs. She knew they’d be searching for her, the Mechanics, so she didn’t ever take too long a rest, though her muscles begged her too.

Why am I trying to avoid the Mechanics?

Vayda stopped shuffling, and thought about it for a moment.

Are they be mad at me? She shivered. Yes, yes they are. I woke up and freaking spoke to them, they were probably terrified!

Groaning, Vayda punched her leg, hoping the pain would beat back the weakness in her thigh. She kept moving, a little faster now.

I have to find someone, anyone. Even if they are angry, I will beg for their foregiveness. I'm so tired.

After what seemed like hours, Vayda found she had come to a large fork in the passageway. There were four ways she could go, one of them included turning back. She peered down each way, considering her options carefully, when something caught her eye. Down the passage to her right, there was a door with a window, and in the window, as far as she could tell, there was light. She knew it was risky--there could be anything beyond that door. But she hardly cared anymore. All she knew was that whatever was behind the door might lead her to freedom.

Gathering her strength, she pressed herself up against the wall again, and began shuffling hastily down the right passageway. As she neared the door, she began to hear what sounded like electrical beeps and the steady groan of heavy machinery. Cautiously, she approached the window of the door, and peered inside.

Behind the window was what seemed to be an enormous laboratory. The walls were bare, the ceiling covered in small ventilation outlets. Laid out in rows throughout the room were metallic tables, each occupied by a human being–or at least, what she thought were human beings. The ones Vayda could see strapped to these tables didn’t seem right. Some were skinny, some were fat. Some were dark, some were light. Some had unkempt facial hair, some were missing teeth, some had birth marks, and some were even missing limbs. None of these humans were Perfections. They were completely ordinary. Ugly and imperfect, they lay naked and unconscious on these tables, strapped down.

Just like me. But why are they here?

Vayda snatched the doorknob, and thrust the door open. It had been locked, but this was no longer a concern of hers. She knew how to get through locked doors now.

Without hesitation and despite her aching legs, Vayda ran to the center of the room. She stood her ground and gazed around at the odd assemblage of bodies surrounding her. She could hear them breathing, quiet and rhythmic. She could see their chests rising and falling, their eyes closed tight. She wanted to speak to them. She wanted to know what it was like to be an ordinary human, through and through, glitter nor strings attached.

Before she could approach any one of them, the door she had burst through just moments earlier flew open. In a matter of seconds, she was surrounded by three men in lab coats. The man nearest to her, stout, with small spectacles perched on his nose, put his hands up. A meek grin spread across his face as he studied her.

He looks familiar.

“Hello, Vayda,” said Colton. “Look at you, you must be terrified. We’ve come to take you back to your brothers and sisters. Come along now.” He pointed towards the door. “That way, if you will.”

Vayda stared at him, her eyes wide.

That's right, he's my father. I saw him try to stab me with a needle when I was born.

She didn’t know what to do. She recognized all three of these men–they had been with her during her Awakening. However, there was something wrong with them. She didn’t like how her father, Colton, smiled at her dismay.

“Why?” Vayda asked. "Why do I have to go?"

The question was harmless enough, but the sincerity behind it threw Colton off. He blinked, keeping his arms raised and his voice gentle.

“It is time for you to join the other Perfections and be released into society, of course,” he explained, choosing his words carefully. “You were created to be released into the world to show the Ordinaries what real beauty is.”

“Ordinaries?” Vayda was confused by his words.

What does he mean, what real beauty is?

She glanced over her shoulder at the people around her, sprawled out on the metal tables like failed science experiments.

“So they are Ordinaries?” Vayda asked inquisitively. “They are what's wrong with the world?”

Colton nodded, smiling harder at her understanding.

“Yes, yes, that’s right. They are ugly and confused, Vayda," he cooed, speaking as if she were an inquisitive child. "They were born to real mothers, not MOMs. They were not designed, crafted, polished. They were simply ‘made’, and then left to infect society with their imperfections. You, Vayda, are different from them. You are perfect. These Ordinaries,” he gestured with his hand to the tables, “are the result of a society in ruin. They shamefully disconnected themselves from the rest of us, from the better half. A tremendous mistake. You, and the others, are the new and improved generation. The world will be reborn, and it will be beautiful.”

The pieces were finally starting to fit together.

We're not just examples. Me, the other Perfections, we are replacements. The Ordinaries are being wiped out, experimented on, discarded. And the Perfections are replacing them.

Vayda's heart leapt into her throat, and it was all she could do to fight back the urge to vomit. Tears began to pool in her delicate eyes, the feeling of their salt dotting her cheeks like shards of glass.

I'm a murderer. I'm a monster.

Vayda turned back towards the Ordinaries on the tables. “What will happen to them? They haven't done anything wrong.”

The tears turned to heaving sobs as she pleaded with the heartless men before her.

"Please don't hurt them. They're innocent," she cried, as she watched the men begin to move closer to her, syringes raised and ready to strike.

“The world no longer has any need for them, Vayda," Colton said matter-of-factly. "Do not pity them. They are useless. They will be erased.”

Vayda tried to stifle the sobs as she considered his words. “Erased? Why do they have to die?”

“It's better for them,” Colton answered, slowly approaching her. “They will no longer infect our world. They will no longer threaten our way of life. They will be erased.”

He paused, reaching toward her cautiously, his fingers inches from her quivering figure. "Don't worry. You will be erased too."

Vayda gasped, and leapt away from him. Colton stumbled, wincing as his glasses smashed to the floor.

“Get her!” He shouted at the two Mechanics behind him, gritting his teeth. “Vayda, get back here! This is for the greater good!”

Glancing at each other, the two Mechanics sprinted after Vayda, who had taken off running. Despite her rubbery legs, she was sprinting through the maze of tables. Terrified, Vayda desperately searched for anything that could help her. She knew she'd eventually come to a dead end. The door she had entered through was blocked by the Mechanics.

“Please, leave me alone!" Vayda shrieked over her shoulder. “Please! I don’t want to die!”

For crying out loud, I just started living!

She could hear the footsteps of the Mechanics behind her getting louder. She was not out-running them, and she could feel her strength draining.

“Leave me alone!” She shrieked, louder than before. “Leave me alone! Leave me alone! Leave me ALONE!”

As her words grew louder, angrier, the lights began to flicker. The Mechanics noticed this above them, and stopped dead in their tracks. They remembered what Colton had said about her. Her brain, her intense emotions, the flickering lights, all of it was a recipe for disaster.

Colton looked up from the floor. “Get her! What the hell are you doing? Can't you see she's exhausted herself? Get her!”

The Mechanics didn’t move. In fact, they didn’t even acknowledge him. Instead, after a subtle buzzing sound, Colton watched in horror as both of them sunk to the floor. The lights ceased their flickering. They were dead.

Still tense with fear, Colton hadn’t noticed that Vayda was no longer in sight. He glanced about, his eyes searching the room. Everything was completely still, and silent.

After a few anxious moments, he felt the very air within the room change. There were no more beeping sounds, and the groaning of the machinery had ground to a halt. He closed his eyes, hoping that if he squeezed them shut tightly enough, the ringing in his ears would stop. When he opened his eyes again, his breath caught in his throat.

There was Vayda, inches from his face, her perfect, bright blue eyes staring directly into his. He felt his blood run cold and his muscles tense up. Vayda only smirked, amused by his terror.

“You’re ugly, old man.” She scoffed. “You'll never hurt these people again. You’re what’s wrong with the world, Father.” Vayda smiled, and before Colton could react, his world went black.

Forever.