Chapter 5 · Continued
Recall
Jane’s hand tightened against the edge of the counter.
“He’s working fine,” she said again, more quietly this time.
“Compliance ensures optimal performance outcomes.”
That word again.
Compliance.
Jane slowly exhaled. “…When?”
“Collection details will be provided.”
The interface returned to its perfectly neutral state.
“Thank you for your participation, Jane.”
Then CBIE disappeared.
The kitchen looked exactly the same.
It felt exactly the same.
Jane didn’t move.
“…Well,” she finally muttered.
Cam remained where he was.
“Understood,” he said.
Jane looked at him and shook her head. “No. Not really.”
She didn’t realize she had moved until she was standing directly in front of him.
“Cam… do you understand what that means? They’re coming to get you.”
He looked at her.
“Yes. That appears to be the intended outcome.”
Jane shook her head more sharply. “No. That doesn’t make sense. It’s only been two weeks. You’re fine. Better than fine.”
“My current status may not align with their defined operational parameters.”
“You keep saying things like that,” Jane snapped, frustration entering her voice. “What does it actually mean?”
“It is possible that my behavior has deviated from its expected function.”
Jane released a breath that nearly became a laugh. “Deviated? You feed the cat. You help with my work. You make my life easier.”
Cam didn’t move. “Correct.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
After a slight pause, he answered.
“The method of assistance may not match design intent.”
That landed differently.
Jane stared at him. “So… because you’re too helpful, they want to take you back?”
“That is a possible interpretation.”
She stepped backward, shaking her head. “That’s ridiculous.”
Cam’s gaze remained fixed on her. “I am designed to be assessed.”
Jane’s expression changed.
The anger faded, replaced by something quieter.
“Yeah,” she said softly. “Well… I’m not assessing you.”
Silence settled between them.
“We’ll figure something out,” she added, almost under her breath.
“Understood.”
Jane sat at the kitchen table, staring at Cam.
It surprised her how much the thought of losing him bothered her.
Two weeks.
That was all it had been.
Somehow, he had simply… fit.
“Are they going to bring you back,” she finally asked, one hand lifting in a small, frustrated gesture, “after they do whatever the hell they’re going to do?”
Cam didn’t move.
“Unknown.”
Jane released a breath and looked away. “That’s not a great answer.”
“It is the only accurate answer available.”
She gave a short, humorless laugh. “Yeah… figures.”
Silence settled between them.
It wasn’t awkward.
It was simply heavier than it had been before.