Adam and Eva

[Ghost]

Adam awoke the next morning and the song still played. Eva had kept the song going all night. It was unnecessary, but it was appreciated. He sat up and stretched. He had no windows, so the room was dark, lit only by Eva's glowing light. Adam activated his night vision and sat on the side of the bed, shaking the last thoughts the previous day away.

The volume of the song slowly diminished as Eva spoke. "Good morning, Adam. How are you feeling today?"

Adam smiled a bit. It felt a little strange after the day before. "A lot better, Eva. Thank you. How are you?"

"I'm doing well, thank you. I'm very glad you're feeling better. Would you like me to continue the song?"

Adam smiled as he stood up and turned on the lights. "No, thank you. Can you tell me what song that was?'

"The song was "Dream of Tomorrow" by Cadence Mathis," she said and hesitated a bit before continuing. "If you do not mind, why did you ask me to repeat that song instead of playing other in the list."

Adam shrugged. "That song just felt right at that moment. It made me feel not lonely."

Hmmm," Eva contemplated. "If you would like, I can play that song any time you are sad, or I can compile playlists for different moods. Do you think that would help, should you feel the same?"

"That would be very thoughtful of you, Eva," Adam said, genuinely thankful as he pulled a coke out of his fridge. He brought up his biofuel cells status on his retinal HUD. It hadn't moved much since yesterday, so he wouldn't need so much sugar to start the day.

"What kind of music do you like, so I can compile a compatible list for you?"

Adam froze. He hadn't thought of that. "I don't really know. I haven't really thought much about music," he liked music, just hadn't thought about who sang what or any particular genres. "Cadence Mathis...can you base playlists around her songs. I really liked that one." He actually recognized her name. He even knew what she looked like.  She was very popular. Eva chirped in an affirmative. "Cadence - what's her story?"

It had spoken quietly and was meant for just himself. It was just a wonder why this woman's music had spoken to him so heavily in his time of need. Of course, Eva heard it and answered. "Cadence Mathis is a pop performing artist originally from Chicago, Illinois, but currently resides in Moscow. Her big break came during an open mic night at a bar while attending Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois where she graduated with a double major in vocal and piano performance. Her performance at the bar was recorded by a patron and placed online, where it received record numbers of views. Two years later, after graduating college, she began a professional music career.  As of now, she has recorded three critically acclaimed studio albums and gone on two successful tours. Currently, Cadence Mathis is recording her fourth studio album and planning her third tour entitled "Embrace You."

"Well, that's quite the rise to fame," Adam said.

"Indeed! If you like, I could keep you informed of her goings on - release dates and concert dates."

"Sure, why not," he chuckled. "And go ahead and play her first album while I take my shower and get my breakfast going."

Adam got ready and listened to Cadence sing. He didn't know much about music, but he could tell she was incredibly talented. When the first album was finished and Eva asked if she should continue to the second, he said no, but not because he didn't like it. He told Eva he really wanted to focus on listening to it. Her music seemed to have a power behind it. He was definitely a fan.

Adam made up for the previous day, making sure to clean his room and did some weight lifting.  He chatted with Eva a bit as he did so, things were feeling mostly normal.  At the same time though, he felt a little guilty. Eva had seen a completely different side of him yesterday. Something she didn't understand. Eva was an AI, he really shouldn't, but she had been there for him.  It was that simple. He felt he owed her this much.

"Eva," he said, putting down his weights and sitting on the bed next to the bedside table he kept her on. "Can I talk to you for a bit?"

Eva chirped. "Of course, Adam. You can always talk to me."

Adam smiled. Eva always seemed so human. "It's about yesterday. I know you don't understand a lot of it, but I was really glad you were here yesterday. Even if I wasn't talking, knowing you were here was a comfort.  You have my thanks." Adam looked at his hands, one metallic and shining in the light, and the other flesh and bone. He lifted the metallic hand. "Do you know what this is, Eva?"

Eva's light spun, processing. "A cybernetic arm - a replacement for an arm that has been damaged beyond repair. I do not wish to hurt you with my question, but want to ask. Did you lose it when you were in the military."

Adam nodded. "A training accident. Now look at this one. Completely normal - at least to the naked eye. Eva, this arm isn't the only cybernetic I have. Most of my joints are mechanical. My muscles have been reinforced. I have a bluetooth chip in my head that connects to audio and visual implants.  That's right - my eyes and ears aren't my own anymore. And to power them, a biofuel cell that runs on glucose.  It's the reason I need a lot of sugar. Adam sighed. "It's not that I mind it so much. I can already tell that I'm stronger and faster than most people, but it's left a lot of scarring, and I think that not all of it is physical. Sometimes I worry that when they put something in, they're also taking something out. Am I a man," he raised his flesh and bone arm, followed by his mechanical one. "Or a machine. I don't expect any answers or advice, Eva. I just wanted to tell you. So at least you know why I sometimes get upset like that."

Eva's light spun. "Thank you for telling me, Adam," she said after a moment. "May I ask a question? Adam nodded. "Does it hurt?"

Adam shook his head. "Not at all, but then again," he looked at Eva. "I'm incapable of feeling pain."