Eve, susan bowes [best manga ereader .txt] 📗

When her feet finally touched the ground she said, "I'm so happy Christen and I can’t wait to see everything you've described about Earth. I’m so excited.”
“When do we leave?” I asked the captain when I turned back to him. Newman hung his head. He seemed distressed. “What is it? What’s wrong?” I asked as the smile disappeared from my face.
“Er---, you’re forgetting that no one knows about Eve. You can’t bring it with you Christen. I’ll get into trouble; probably even be court-martialed. Besides; you’re only allowed to bring ten pounds of weight. You can replace this model with a newer one when you get home - a better one. You’d be surprised what they’ve come up with these past months. They even look different from one another. Not like these models which all resemble each other.”
“What?” I asked not believing I couldn't bring Eve along.
“The android has to stay here.”
“No. I can’t leave her. I won’t do it.”
“It isn’t human Christen. You have to leave it here. You’ve no choice. I’m sorry, but that’s the way it has to be. You’ve got an hour to pack anything else you want to bring. I’ll wait on board.”
I turned back to Eve. Could I leave her? Newman was right. She was only a machine. One that could easily be replaced. “I don’t know what to say Eve. You heard him. I can’t bring you with me.”
“It’s alright. I will shut myself down after you leave.” Tears came to her eyes and she looked away.
Tears? She was an android and could not possibly feel emotions like a human being. I grabbed her chin and forced her to look at me. “What’s this?” I asked as I wiped the moisture from her eyes.
“Just a malfunction. Do not pay attention to it.”
“Malfunction my ass! You’re crying.”
“I am not capable of such a thing.”
“You aren’t telling me the truth. You’re trying to ease my conscience. That’s a human trait. What else have you learned from me Eve?”
She couldn’t mask her inner self from me any longer. “I’ve learned how to love my darling, but you mustn’t let this stop you from returning home. You must leave me. Now hurry. You must pack all your treasures and leave this place.”
“You are the only treasure I have. I won’t leave you behind.”
“You must. I am not a human. You must return to your kind.”
“I can’t.”
“You will.”
I hung my head in sadness. I knew she was right. I belonged back on earth. My heart ached. I didn’t want to go without her.
*
“Are you sure about this. I can’t come back for you. You’ll be stranded here forever.”
“I’m sure. I’ve fallen in love with Eve and won’t leave her.”
“Love? She’s a machine for cripes sake! Come to your senses man. There’s more androids on earth.”
“With emotions? You see; Eve has learned to become more than just a machine Newman. She is a human being as far as I'm concerned. She’s learned to love me and I return her love. She’s all I want in life. She’s everything to me and I know I’ll be happy with her. I don’t need to go back to Earth. Eve has become my home.”
“What happens when you run out of food? You’ll die.”
“There’s plenty of food and water here. I’ll survive. I think I’ll even name this moon. How does the name of Eden sound to you?”
“That supposed to be funny?”
“Not in the least. It will be my Eden Newman. And you’ve given me my Eve.”
“There’s no way I can talk you out of this?
“No.”
Newman shook his head in frustration. “I could force you to leave. I could destroy her. Then you’d have no choice but to return with us.”
“I know, but I don’t believe you’d be so cruel.”
“What will I tell them back on Earth?”
"Tell them anything you want. Tell them I’m dead. Tell them I committed suicide. Maybe they’ll think twice before ever doing this to another human being again."
The captain nodded his head in agreement.
"I can’t thank you enough for bringing Eve to me. She saved my life.”
"Are you staying because you think you owe this machine something?”
"No. I want to spend the rest of my life with her.”
He sighed knowing I’d never return to Earth; not without my Eve. “Well, I guess this is goodbye then. May God bless and protect you Christen.”
“My blessings go with you as well.”
We shook hands. Newman walked away, but then turned at the ramp. He waved a final farewell. Eve and I waved goodbye. The ship took off and left one human and one android behind on a moon I named Eden. Imprint

Text: This is a short story based on a "Twilight Zone" episode that I saw. Some of you might recall it. The story stuck with me through the years. I don't intend to infringe on the true author as I cannot remember his name, but hope all will enjoy it. I did make some changes to the original content.
Publication Date: 09-30-2009

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