Artificial Heart
23

The walk back to her sister’s home was a dull trudge, hands tucked into her pockets, head bent over the pavement. She didn’t feel sad. She didn’t feel angry. Simply hollowed out. Her mind and heart clung desperately to those last few hours with Alf.

They’d been the best hours of her life—and nothing would come close to matching it. She’d lived through the peak of her existence. The best of her life was over. It was depressing.

Prisha stood at the front door, unsure what to do. She didn’t know what time it was but it was clearly late. Very late. Or was it very early? The street was dead. A car roared in the distance. Moonlight gleamed onto the neighbour’s solar panels. She should call, so her sister wasn’t startled by her unexpected return, but she couldn’t be bothered sliding her phone out of her pocket.

She tried the handle—it was open. Renee must have left it unlocked for Prisha’s arrival.

Inside was quiet except for the gentle lull of the filter in the fish tank and the hum of the fridge. A clock ticked. Very quietly, she checked on her sister. Her door was open. She was asleep, rolled onto her side. Prisha left her alone, slumping into bed with a sigh. She didn’t want a shower. She didn’t want to change. She could still smell him.

She rolled onto her side, staring through the window and the stars above. Her face was sticky and her chest was aching from all her dumb crying. Her body was stiff and sore like she’d been bucked around on a bull. She’d managed to get a little sleep while on the ship, wrapped tightly in Alf’s arms.

A little.

Suddenly exhausted, she closed her eyes.

‘Prisha!’

Prisha’s eyes snapped open. She squinted against the grey morning light pouring in through the window.

‘Oh my God, Prisha!’

Prisha rolled over. She sat up quickly as her sister launched herself across the room.

‘You bitch!’ Renee gasped, clutching onto her. ‘How could you do that?’

‘I’m sorry.’

‘I didn’t know if you were coming back. I tried to call!’

‘Uh … well … not much signal in space,’ she said miserably.

Renee frowned. ‘Are you okay? What’s happened?’

Prisha nodded, then her face screwed up and she burst into tears.

‘Prish!’ She grabbed her shoulders. ‘Are you all right? You’re not hurt?’

‘He’s not coming back,’ Prisha choked.

‘What?’

‘Alf. He’s gone. He’s not coming back.’

’Oh … oh, Prish. I’m so sorry.’

‘I’m sorry for worrying you. I’m a terrible sister.’ She pointlessly wiped the tears from her face even as they continued falling.

‘Yes, you are. But that’s okay, you left a note.’ She laughed. ’Honestly, Prish! But you’re okay?’

‘Yes.’ She gave her sister a watery smile. ‘You didn’t tell anyone, did you? I forgot to tell you not to.’

‘Do you honestly think I’m that stupid?’

Prisha shrugged and gave another watery smile.

Renee kissed her on the forehead. ‘I’m very glad you’re back. I thought … I thought maybe you wouldn’t.’ She turned her face as she choked.

Prisha bit down on her trembling lip guiltily. After all, that was exactly what she’d been hoping for.

Renee took the day off from work and did her best to try and make Prisha feel better. It did help. It kind of felt like they were kids again. Movies. Bad food. Lots of ice-cream. Lots of video games and old music. Her sister even managed to get her laughing by the end of the day.

Later that afternoon, they went for a walk. The sun was setting and Prisha couldn’t tear her eyes away from the sky.

‘You can’t stop thinking about him,’ Renee observed.

‘How can I not?’

Their footsteps scuffed against the pavement. They were both wearing light jumpers and jeans. Prisha’s long dark hair gusted about in the breeze. Renee had her hair up in a bun. They were both looking down at their feet.

‘If he gave you the option, would you go with him?’ Renee asked.

‘What’s the difference? There is no option.’

‘Would you?’

‘Yes.’

Renee nodded. ‘I was always worried about you—being alone.’

‘I’m not lonely. I just like him. I-I…’ Prisha swallowed, unable to say it. ‘Are you upset?’

‘About what?’

’You know—that I would choose to leave.’

‘No. I get it. I’d just be sad. That’s all.’

’If you had the option, wouldn’t you leave?’

‘Can’t. My children.’

‘They’re grown.’

‘So. They’re still my children.’

‘Right.’ Right.

They smiled and greeted a woman, sidling out of her way as she pushed her pram passed them.

‘What’s going to happen now? You don’t think you can go home?’ Renee said.

Prisha gave her a mocking smile. ‘Did you want me to go home?’

’No! I just mean … how long will they look for you? Are you sure they’ll look for you?’

Prisha had to think for a moment. ‘Which “they?”’

‘Those people in America you met.’

‘Oh, right.’

Renee frowned. ‘What other “they” is there?’

‘Nobody, nothing,’ Prisha said quickly.

Renee continued to frown but didn’t inquire further. Prisha shrugged her shoulders at a chilly gust of wind. ’Yes, they will look for me. They are looking for me. And they will replace me.’

… we will track you down.

‘Why, though? He’s gone and you don’t know anything.’

‘Come on, Nay. This is one of the most momentous things that’s happened to our planet. Do you really think they’re going to let this go?’

Renee folded her arms and looked back down at her shoes thoughtfully. ‘Perhaps. What will you do, if they come?’

Prisha sniffed. ‘Tell them everything I know, I suppose. I have nothing to hide.’

’Then why are you hiding?’

‘I suppose I don’t trust them.’ That aggressive soldier. Black Moustache. Then she thought of all that so-called “data collection” Alf had performed on her. There had been obvious changes to her body. Hospital visits. Changes they might notice. They would do tests …

Prisha shivered.

It was almost dark by the time they turned back down Renee’s street.

‘Oh, shit.’ Prisha stopped in her tracks.

‘What?’

There was a white sedan parked on the curb across the road from Renee’s house. Standing against the driver’s side door with his arms folded was a familiar man with black hair. He waved at them.

‘Who—? Hey, I know him!’ Renee exclaimed. ‘He’s that cop!’

‘Yeah.’

’But what—Oh.’

‘You stay here.’

‘Definitely not,’ Renee said, following.

Prisha’s heart was racing as she approached him. She stopped a safe distance away, folding her arms. She looked over his white sedan and his clothes questioningly. ‘You’re not in your police car or in your uniform.’

‘I’m not here on police business.’

Prisha’s eyes widened. She stepped back in alarm.

He raised his hands. ‘It’s not what you think. I want to help you.’

‘Help us?’ Renee said. ‘What do you mean?’

He licked his lips. His grey shirt was stained and his slacks were rumpled. He glanced over his shoulder. ‘Can we go inside?’

‘We can speak right here,’ Renee said.

’Fine. Okay. They’re coming after you. Right now.’

Prisha’s heart tumbled. ‘Who?’

‘Not sure exactly. ASIS. ASIO. Federal police. The fucking Pentagon. Who knows?’

‘He’s lying,’ Renee said.

‘Why would I lie? They’ve contacted my department and I gave them your information.’

Prisha’s stomach took a nosedive.

‘And now you want to help us?’ Renee said. ‘That doesn’t make any sense. Come on, Prish, let’s go.’ She took her wrist.

He stepped towards them, hands raised again. ‘I made a mistake, okay? I regret it. Let me help you hide. I have contacts. Safe places. I can protect you.’

Renee snorted.

He was gazing at Prisha hopefully, blue eyes stricken. He was looking very young.

‘Okay. Let’s go inside,’ Prisha said.

‘What?!’ Renee exclaimed.

‘What’s he going to do, Nay?’

’It’s my house!’

‘I know. Thank you. I really appreciate it.’ Prisha gave her a crafty smile.

Renee sighed.

Minutes later they were all standing in the living room together. Scott was by the window, keeping an eye out, arm resting against the ledge.

‘So … what did they say—these people who are after me?’ Prisha said.

‘Nothing. They just wanted your details.’

‘A stupid thing to do,’ Renee snapped. ‘You’re a policeman. You’re suppose to help us.’

‘I’m helping you now.’

‘What do you know?’ Prisha said.

‘No more than the general public. Only what I hear on T.V.’ He gazed at her intently, eyes wide with amazement. ‘So it’s all true?’

Prisha nodded.

‘Tell me,’ he said, leaning towards her. ‘Tell me everything.’

‘Don’t tell him anything, Prish!’

‘Why not?’ Prisha said dismally. ‘It’s over. What’s there to protect?’

‘Your own life!’

‘What do you mean, it’s over?’ Scott asked.

‘Alf isn’t coming back.’

‘Alf?’

‘The alien.’

Scott blinked. ’His name is Alf?’

‘No. I just call him that. He doesn’t really have a name.’

Scott’s face scrunched up, both irked and impressed. ’Alf. He’s real. What’s he like? What’s he look like? What is he?’ His eyes glittered.

Prisha took out her phone.

‘Prish, don’t!’

’What’s this? You have pictures?’

Prisha handed the phone over. Scott huddled over it as he scrolled, his eyes widening and widening at each new picture. ’Jesus Christ.’ He turned pale. He was swearing quietly under his breath. ’Jesus Christ. Fucking hell. These are really real? This is him?’

Prisha nodded.

‘You’re not fucking with me?’ Prisha shook her head. ‘Not photo shopped?’

‘Untouched. I promise you.’ She gestured at the phone. ’Part machine, part man … well … alien. If you hadn’t already figured it out.’

Sweat had broken out over the young cop’s upper lip. He was flushed now, almost glowing. He scrolled hurriedly through them again. ’We should download these. Get them on the internet. Onto the cloud. Somewhere safe. They’ll take them and the public will never know.’

‘The—the public?’

‘That’s right. They all deserve to know.’

Renee sniffed. ‘You sound like one of those stupid news presenters.’

‘They’re not wrong,’ he said.

Prisha gazed at him. She’d never truly considered disseminating the evidence. It had only ever been a wild fantasy. An impossibility when Alf was still around. But he was no longer around, was he? What did she have to lose?

‘You’re right,’ she said.

He sister’s jaw dropped. ‘What the hell is wrong with you?! They’ll come after you!’

‘They’re already after me, Nay. They said as much. He’s right. They’ll take everything. They’ll destroy everything. And then … and then I’ll have nothing of him left.’ Her throat closed up and she turned her face.

‘You have Facebook?’ Scott said.

Prisha nodded.

‘I’ll send them to my account. To some of my groups. If you’re happy.’

‘Your groups?’

‘Anyone. Everyone. People I don’t know too personally. I’ll tell them to spread it.’

‘Now?’

‘ASAP. We need to spread it as far and wide as possible as quickly as possible. That takes time—especially when most won’t believe it.’

’Are you sure about this, Prish? What if he’s one of them?’ Renee said.

Scott laughed. ‘I’m risking my job for this.’

‘Why?’ Prisha asked.

’For the truth, of course. I mean … this is … this is fucking incredible—if it’s real.’

‘Of course it’s real,’ Renee snapped.

Prisha felt a rush of love for her sister.

‘I’m sorry but it’s just …’ He shook his head. ‘This sort of thing doesn’t happen in real life.’ He looked at Prisha pointedly. ‘But I like to think I’m a good judge of character.’

He smiled at her and Prisha smiled back. He handed over her phone and took out his own. ‘So what do you think? Are you ready?’

Prisha and Renee exchanged looks. Renee was frowning.

‘Let’s do it,’ Prisha said.

‘We’ll have to leave,’ Scott said. ‘Soon. They’ll trace the images back to me. And then to you.’

Prisha thought about her camping gear. ‘I was going to leave anyway.’

They all sat together at the dining table.

‘You must have some … er … interesting friends,’ Prisha said as the young cop focused on his phone.

’I’m part of some interesting groups. They’re not my friends.’

He kept scrolling away and tapping, eyes fixed on the screen. Prisha and Renee kept glancing at each other. Renee looked at the door nervously as she folded and unfolded her hands.

‘Done,’ Scott said, looking up and pushing away his phone. He leaned back in his chair and ruffled his hair with a sigh.

‘Now what do we do?’ Renee said.

‘We wait,’ he said.