Rebooting...
My eye scanners came back online. And the scene before me doesn't match any of my parameters. We seem to be in a forest glade and two displays are flashing on my HUD. The one I always see but another at the corner of my vision. My normal HUD flashes.
Searching for matching scenario...
Alert! Scene matches no known scenario...
Searching databanks for directive...
Directive found...
Watch over and protect Molly while Mr. and Mrs. Parkson are gone.
Not enough information on scenario to accomplish primary directive...
Secondary objective gather information...
I realize Molly is clamped onto my leg and is crying. Scanning her I sense no injuries.Whatever happened must of frightened her. Better initiate comfort procedure. After much hugging, crying, and placating I manage to calm her down enough too address the other blaring notification in my vision.
I pull it up.
______________________________________________
Welcome to the System Tutorial.
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
Please check your status and pick your starting ability in the Menu screen.
______________________________________________
Menu? I think and suddenly another screen pops up in place of the first.
______________________________________________
Menu
Status
Body: 3
Mind: 6
Soul: 2
Stat points: 0
Ability points: 1
Abilities known: none
Abilities available for selection...
Currency: 0
System Shop...
______________________________________________
When the menu popped into place some how my probability algorithms knew that if I focused on the abilities a list of available abilities to select would come up and the shop was self explanatory. However, I instead closed the window knowing I could find it again if necessary but at the moment Molly needed attending to.
Databanks searched possible scenario found...Lost child.
Appropriate response find authority figure...
"Now Molly I need you to be very brave for me."
"Where are we?" She gasped out between sobs. "I want to go home."
"I don't know sweety, but we will find out together." "Now take my hand and we will go find a police officer."
"Ok."
We started walking through the glade and along the tree line. Bushes and plants are scattered about and gradually Molly's distress of the situation gives way to the boundless curiosity of youth. Molly stares at fields of wildflowers and butterflies in the evening sun. As we walk she starts reading and soon I'm greeted to an excited squeal as she yells.
"Hey Ida look what I can do." ,as a small fire dart jumps from her fingers.
Still processing what I just saw and wondering where the fire came from, the only thing I could say at that time was my preprogrammed response.
"Molly no playing with fire!"
"Sorry Ida.", she says looking abashed, a small little fire burning off a bush on the side of the dirt path we are following. The commotion of the fire disturbs the bushes and out hops a bunny rabbit. And starts munching on a root nearby. Molly eyes go wide with glee as she sees it.
"Bunny!" She squeals drawing its attention. As it turns to face us I notice blue glowing eyes and flakes of something red along the edges of its mouth. It gives a roaring cry. Then it charges.
