Emotions in Binary

Author : Megan Crosbie

Azrael found the defective droid waiting in the termination chamber.

“Will it hurt?” it asked.

“No,” he replied, injecting the serum. “You weren’t built to feel.”

Its illuminated eyes flickered. “I’m scared…”

Azrael watched the floor as the droid spasmed and emitted shrill squeals. Finally, it lay still.

He approached it, peered into its extinguished eyes and in the black emptiness of its vision screen he saw himself. He looked away and felt his bionic heart flutter.