Although I was looking forward to the future of Lunar Lakes, I could not help but look back at my past mistakes and regrets. I revisited the spot where Frida and the other prisoners spent the last moments of their life. A small memorial was set in the form of flowers, balloons and teddy bears.
I allowed feelings of remorse and despair to resurface momentarily, but I did not allow myself to dwell in those emotions for too long.
I knew that those feelings were useless without some type of action to back them up.
If I was truly sorry about my part in Frida’s death, I had to do something about it.
I once again found myself in front of Elise Tamarind’s home; where Frida once resided.
I let myself in and found Elise and Leah, Frida’s daughter, upstairs.
“Hello Elise, how are you feeling?” I asked out of courtesy, although it was obvious that she was in even worse condition than she was the last time I was here.
Her eyes were even more sunken and her body thinner and more frail.
Still she managed a slight smile, “Better now that you’re here.”
“I am so sorry that I stayed away so long,” I offered.
“I didn’t expect anything else. You’ve been too busy trying to change this god-forsaken place.”
“Yes, but I should have at least come after…” I started, but trailed off.
“After Frida’s death,” Elise finished for me; her eyes sullen and glistening with tears.
“I am so sorry that I…that I could not save her.”
“You have to stop blaming yourself,” Elise said softly, although she did not look at me.
“You couldn‘t have saved her without putting yourself in danger.”
Elise continued,” If something had happened to you, where would we be now?”
I considered what she said and saw the truth in her words. Still, I could not shake the feelings of guilt that filled my system. “If only I had never given her that letter…why did I give her that letter?”
Elise finally looked my way, “Because you have a good heart Ardis…you always have.”
Although that was the second time I heard it, it still did not make sense.
“Elise, I am a bot. I do not have a heart…just circuits and gears. I am controlled by a central processing system. I am nothing more than a fancy computer.”
“Hmph,” Elise said, “I don’t know of any computer that would have put itself in danger just to save a group of mortals.”
She looked up at me once again, “You are much more than that Ardis.”
“But I did not save Frida,” I challenged.
“My baby is at peace…and frankly, I’m ready to join her.”
“…but before I go, I need you to promise to take care of Leah. Frida would want you to.”
“I do not know if a bot is capable of caring for a human child. I will do my best to find a human home for her,” I answered.
Elise grimaced in pain as she turned in the bed.
“Whatever you decide to do, I know that she will be in good hands.”
She stopped talking for a while before continuing, “I am just so tired Ardis…”
I watched as a peaceful look spread across Elise’s face. I could not help but smile, despite my sorrow.
With drowsy, heavy eyes, she lifted her head and continued her statement, ”…but, now that you are here, I can finally rest in peace.”
Then she laid down her head and closed her eyes for the final time.
