Chapter 4 · Continued
CBIE
The grass rustled as his target escaped.
Seymour sat there, apparently processing his life choices. Then he slowly turned and walked back toward them as though everything had gone exactly according to plan.
Jane laughed. “Yeah, that’s about right.”
Cam observed him closely. “…Outcome unsuccessful.”
“Also about right.”
Cam tilted his head. “…Repeated attempts despite a low success rate.”
Jane folded her arms as she watched Seymour approach. “Welcome to being a cat.”
Cam looked from Seymour to Jane and then toward the empty grass.
“…Persistence noted.”
Jane glanced at him and smiled slightly. “Yeah. That one’s actually a good lesson.”
Cam processed the new information.
“…Updating.”
Over the next few days, Cam continued to improve.
Small adjustments.
Better timing.
Fewer corrections.
One afternoon, Jane stood in the backyard looking up at the corner of the house.
The spotlight was out.
“Of course,” she muttered. “Now it decides to quit.”
She turned toward Cam.
He was already examining the light.
“I have identified the issue,” he said. “The bulb has failed.”
Jane smiled. “Good. Then you can help me fix it.”
A few minutes later, they went into the garage. Jane retrieved a replacement bulb while Cam carried the ladder outside.
They positioned it beneath the light.
Cam examined the ground and then the ladder. “…Surface irregularity detected.”
Jane adjusted one of the legs with her foot. “It’s fine. I’ve got it.”
Cam didn’t move. “…Stability remains suboptimal.”
Jane sighed. “It’ll hold, Cam. It’s just a quick swap.”
She began climbing.
One step.
Then another.
Cam moved closer, watching carefully.
Jane reached the top and began twisting the old bulb loose.
“See? Easy—”
The ladder shifted slightly.
Cam reacted immediately.
One hand locked around the ladder and stabilized it before it could move any farther.
Jane froze and looked down. “…Okay. That’s new.”
Cam held the ladder steady. “…Preventative assistance.”
Jane released a breath that was half laughter and half relief. “Yeah… I like that version better.”
She finished removing the old bulb, installed the replacement, and tightened it into place.
The light flickered once and came on.
Jane climbed down more carefully. After stepping off the final rung, she looked at Cam.
“You didn’t wait this time.”
He released the ladder. “…Previous outcomes indicate that delayed intervention increases risk.”
Jane nodded slowly. “Yeah. They do.”
She picked up the old bulb and smiled at him. “…Thanks, Cam.”
Cam paused to process that. “…Assistance acknowledged.”
He folded the ladder with efficient precision, the metal braces locking into place with a soft click. Without being asked, he carried it across the yard and returned it to the garage, setting it neatly against the wall where he had found it.