Beautiful Ruination

“Where am I…..?” The whirring of metal rang in my ears and I had no way to stop it. I opened my eyes to see only a desolate room. Papers were scattered, dust had settled and there was a cloth over a mass on the ground. I felt my form shifting but then again…

“I don’t feel anything. Why don’t I?” I whispered.

I looked down to see a bright shine from my feet, placed upon a pedestal. I followed the shine from a window up my body. It wasn’t skin nor cloth. My figure was of metal. Raising my feet, I stepped down and almost fell to my knees. There was dust on a broken mirror that laid beside me, so I reached for it and cleared some of it away. I looked into my eyes and jumped back. My eyes were red and they moved unnaturally in my head. My face was still and unrelenting at the pressure. They were basic features with some added details to identify.

“What is this? I am..machine now.” Now that I saw it, I could also hear the monotone of my voice. It was harsh and felt cold against my throat. I took a few more steps and kicked something unseen. Upon inspection, there was a cloth over something on the ground. An urge of curiosity washed over and I bent down to uncover. To my surprise..no..horror, there was a half rotted hand peeking out from under it. I tore the cloth off and a body was laid bare in front of me. I look at it and his mouth was inhumanely dry, like his life faded away from it. I wanted to look away, but something took my attention; a small golden hue coming from a closed fist. I reached for it and his fingers broke against the weight of mine. When I pulled my arm back up, there was a golden locket. It was in the shape of a heart, though my larger hands made it feel notably small. I couldn’t tell myself why, but it was inexplicably drawn to me. It felt right to hold. I was hesitant for the new strength frightened me, though I still tried to open it.

“Love is a seeker.” I read and saw a photo of the dead man and a small child. His face held so much more life and vigor. I felt my chest warm, though I believed it was whatever was keeping me running at the time. I touched the photo and looked closely at the man. My eyes narrowed with familiarity, but was interrupted by a thud. I reeled back with my arms at the ready, but instead heard a whine from an adjacent door. The gears at my joints spun violently before settling once again. I walked over and made no second thought about opening the door. At my feet, there was a small fox that emerged and pressed against my feet. I leaned down, wanting to pet it. I hovered his hand so as to not hurt it.

“Looks like you know more about me than I do right now, little one. Do you know about this?” I asked, waving the locket in front of it for a little bit. It sniffed at it and pushed against my chest. I didn’t know what it meant but followed its steps and pressed in, myself. A hiss of steam came from me and an opening where my heart should have laid came forth. Nothing was there but I saw the fox staring back to my hand. I took the hint and placed the locket inside.

“I guess, I’m going to follow you for a bit. I do wonder how you survived if he hadn't. Think you can tell me where I am, or who for that matter.” I watched the creature retreat into the other room and dig around some. This other room was much smaller, and held a very little bed. There was a protrusion from the covers but I didn’t press much further. The fox pulled two items from deep inside. He came back with a collar that said Brachae and a very rugged journal.

“I take it that this is yours, Brachae.” I picked up the book.

“Ev..Evi Terran. Dr. Evi Terran, was that the man outside?” I asked him. He just sat and stared at me. Why wasn’t he afraid of me? I walked back into the main room and found the front entrance. However I found myself not wanting to leave quite yet, as it seemed something was amiss. I scanned the room again and noticed a desk. I must not have been paying much attention. The fox went ahead and jumped on the desk, though it stared at the pedestal. The desk was in mass disarray, but there was one oddity. A medium sized contraption was placed near him. I looked at it close and it held the shape of a face mounted on a metal pipe.

“It looks like his. Some kind of apparatus, whatever for?” I reached my hand and grazed my fingers along them, feeling the fine details between them. I raised my other hand to my own face and traced them together. They were the same, as if I was made from it. I lost myself in thought before the fox scratched at my head. He climbed down and walked over to the door, sitting patiently.

“Thank you friend, I’ll keep with you then. Do you know where I can go for answers?” I asked, leaving the desk behind. Once I reached to the door, the fox nodded up at me. I was hesitant at first, taking a step outside. I knew nothing of what I was going to do or even find. All I knew is that I was awake now, and I needed to find a way.

“Well, first steps and all. Lead on.” I pushed the door as the fox ran out. The light shined against my form and I took a long breath, though it was not worth the effort. No air to fill my lungs, no scent to flow into my face.

“Where am I….”