Johnny sat at the table writing furiously word after word after word, no breaks, no conversation, no food. Helena kept placing mug after mug of fresh coffee besides the computer. The sun went away to the night motel and made way for his eternal lover, who projected her pale blue light through the window. Johnny’s rhythm was starting slow down.

“Do you want some dinner?” Helena asked placing a glass of whiskey next to his hand.

“No, thank you.” Johnny muttered.

“Okay, then go to the bathroom.”

“Huh?”

“I don’t want your kidneys failing because of this book. Go! Now!” she ordered.

Johnny came back, took a sip of whisky and started writing again, feeling renewed. Morning came and Johnny hit the keyboard for one last time.

“I think it’s done.” he sighed. “It’s...done.” he was looking bewildered, his eyes wide and bloodshot.

Helena, who had stood behind him the entire time, hugged him and he felt her breasts on his back. She helped him to slowly rise from the chair and took him up the stairs. He fell asleep in the process so she carried him up with unnatural ease. Johnny slept the entire day and woke up around midnight. He panicked. Helena was not beside him.

“Helena!” he yelled as loud as he could, fearing it had all been just a dream. His heart stood in place and his breathing stopped.

“Come downstairs.” the reply came and Johnny jumped out of bed and rushed down the stairs almost falling.

He ran to hug Helena so fast that the force of the impact sent them both tumbling across the floor. He started kissing her frantically on the mouth and then all over the body. She laid there giggling.

“Ok, ok, loverboy.” she said pulling his head up to face her. “You need to eat.”

Johnny ate with great appetite and had a few beers.

“Now, do you want me to read your masterpiece to you?” she asked smiling.

“Is it good?” Johnny asked.

“You’ll see.” she said taking the laptop in one hand.

Johnny laid on the couch and watched Helena as she read his book to him. She accompanied every word and paragraph with a motion of the body, turning his words into a dance. The book was brilliant, engaging, heartbreaking, enthralling, but he couldn’t keep his eyes off Helena.

“..and then Dan leapt into the fire. The End.” Helena said as the morning light creeping through the window threw shadows on her naked body.

“Wow!”

“I thought it was great, but I wanted the makers opinion. You know, most artist hate their work. I think you should send it to the publication now.” Helena said elated.

“No. Come here.” Johnny said firmly holding both her arms towards her.

She dropped the laptop and came to him. They made love for the n-th time and it was as new and exciting as the first time. After laying together cradled for what seemed like eternity Johnny broke the silence.

“Do you really think i should send it?”

“Hard yes.”

Johnny got up and sent it to the publication. He stood in front of the stove looking through the window to notice the snow starting to melt in places.

“Hey, I think soon we’ll be able to go into town. Maybe catch a movie.” he said projecting how his life would look from now on. “I’m gonna show you the world.” he giggled.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea.” she said flatly.

“Why not?”

“It’s just that I am not prepared to interact with crowds of people. And I have no identification papers.”

“Oh, who cares about papers here? And you’ll like the people, each with his or her own quirks. We can make fun of them.”

“I like it here, with you. Don’t you?”

“You kidding? I love it here and I love you.” the words came out of his mouth before he could stop them. He wasn’t sorry he’d said that, quite the opposite. Finally admitting that out loud made him feel lighter, better.

“I love you too.” she said and smiled.

Just when the sun was getting ready to set Johnny’s phone started to ring. He answered and had a lengthy conversation in which his only contribution were a few ‘Ok’s, ‘I see’s and a ‘Great’. He turned towards Helena with a blank look.

“Who was that?” she asked pouring Johnny a glass of whiskey.

“What’s that for?” he asked pointing at the glass.

“Well, I feel you’ve earned it.” she giggled.

“So what did I do to earn it?”

“Don’t try to hijack the conversation.” she said cupping his scrotum. “Tell me who it was or I swear I’ll squeeze.” she giggled.

“It was the publication.” he said in a low voice.

“And?”

“And they loved it. They’re extending the contract for the other two books and we have this cabin for another full year.” he yelled.

Helena started jumping on the spot, whiskey was flying out of the glass all over them and then she jumped in his arms, legs around his waist, kissing him hard.

“Well, shouldn’t you get started writing them?”

“No. Let’s live a little then we can pull an all-nighter.”

Spring came and they started going out into the woods around the cabin on day trips. Johnny went into town a couple of times for provisions, but Helena never joined him. The steady diet and physical activities had helped with Johnny’s physique. He was proud of this, he was proud he’d started looking better. Deep down inside he’d always pitied Helena for having to deal with his blobby body. Now he wouldn’t embarrass her at least, not that he would ever be able to match her perfect body.

He was happy and life was good. He’d often caught himself wondering if he could ask for more and coming up short of answers.

The snow had cleared up completely, the air was still cold but had a warm smell to it and the two had just finished making love in the wet grass next to the cabin when Johnny heard a ring from inside the cabin.

Johnny got up lazyly and started walking towards the cabin. He knew it must have been the publication. He knew by heart how the conversation would go, with them asking for updates, him bullshiting them and other pleasantries. While he was looking for the phone it stopped ringing.

“Well, can’t sure as shit find it now.” he thought and started towards the door. Then the phone started ringing again.

“Insistent buggers.” he said finally locating the whereabouts of the ringing.

Johnny found the phone in one of the creases of the couch, took it out and flipped it screen side towards him and dropped it immediately like it was made of hot lead. ‘DrexLabs’ the display read. Johnny stood there looking at the phone like it was an instrument of evil until the ring died down.

“Maybe they won’t call again. Maybe they’ll think I died. Maybe they’ll forget.” Johnny thought just as the phone started ringing again. He answered.

“Hello. Mr. Barber? I am calling on behalf of DrexLabs. I wanted to inform you that arrangements have been made to pick up the product in three days from now. ” the same automated voice he had spoken to in the past said. “We apologize for the inconvenience. Have a good day.”

Johnny stood mute, wanting to scream but not able to utter a word. His whole body was frozen in shock. All he kept thinking is that they wanted to take her away from him.

“Wait!” he managed to croak in the end.

“Yes, Mr. Barber?”

“I want to keep her.”

“But sir, we must relocate her for a proper beta test.”

“I’ll test, I’ll test. Just give me some time.”

“Very well, I will inform the project manager that you are willing to test. However do keep in mind that the maximum period is one month. Afterwards we need to recall the product.”

“I see. Say, is there an option to buy the product?” the words made Johnny feel dirty for uttering them. “Product” he thought with disgust. “She’s not a product, she’s the love of my life, you asholes.” he wanted to scream but decided to play it cool.

“Once the test phase is finished and the feedback is analyzed the commercial production will be authorized if all is well. Afterwards you can place an order with our sales team. Of course, being part of the beta test group you will receive priority and a discount for your order.”

“No, I mean if i can buy this particular one.”

“I’m afraid not sir, but when you place your order you can specify that your unit be built as per specifications of H3-L3-N-alpha.”

“Why can’t I have her?”

“This model is a prototype and will probably be destroyed during the analysis we conduct when the product is returned. Also, who would want second hand merchandise, sir?”

“I would. And it’s not second hand, it’s character. She is my goddess, not another made in her image.” Johnny thought.

“May I help you with any other information, sir?”

“No, thank you.”

“Good day.” the voice said and the call disconnected.

Johnny stood there numb looking at the black mirror in his hand. His whole world had just came crashing down on him and he didn't have any idea on how to make things better. He started crying like a child and cursing at his inability to make things better. He started thinking about the days, weeks he’d wasted keeping her away, being afraid of her. He wished he could start all over and do it differently. He wished he wouldn’t have been so blind and realized they would come for her. He should have made plans to run away, somewhere they couldn’t find them.

“Run away. That’s it.” he thought and a sliver of hope budded in his heart.

Helena was just walking in through the door when she saw him standing there, back towards her, his shoulders rising and lowering rhythmically.

“John? Darling? What’s the matter?” she asked frightened.

He turned around to face her with the expression of a man who had learned that his father or his dog had just died.

“They’re coming to take you.” he said.

“What?”

“Come, let’s get some stuff together, get in the car and drive away as far as we can.” he said with a spur of energy.

“John, my love, there’s no place they can’t find us.” she said walking towards him. His expression became even graver.

She softly placed each hand on either side of his head and lifted his face so they could see eye to eye.

“You’ve already taught me so much. Much more than I could have ever hoped for.” she said and started squeezing her hands together, more firmly by the second.

He was looking into her green eyes and she was looking into his. The grip became stronger. Johnny felt the pressure in his head. There was a cracking sound, then another one. Blood started trickling from his nose first, and then from his eyes and ears. He kept looking into her eyes until the moment he died and there was no fear there, only love.

Johnny’s cranium gave way with a loud crack and sploosh sound. His head was an inhomogeneous mass of blood, bone, brain and other tissue.

With blood soaked hands Helena picked up Johnnys phone and dialed a number.

“DrexLabs. How may we help you?” the automated voice on the other end said.

Helena opened her mouth and a mechanic chirping sound came out.

“Authentication accepted.” the voice said.

“Ingress point secured” Helena said in a flat voice. “I need a new shell delivered to my location. I am sending the physical specifications now.”

The call was disconnected.

*** 1 YEAR LATER ***

The large sign in front of the small bookstore to read: John D. Barber signing | TODAY | 11:00 a.m.

It was already 3 p.m. and there was still a long line starting from John’s desk.

“Who do I make this out to?” he asked for the hundredth time that day.

“Betty!” the young girl chirped. She was young, tall, brunette, with an athletic build and blue eyes.

“Well, Betty, here you go!” he said handing her the signed book.

“Thank you Mr. Barber. You know, I just loved your book about the guy who fell in love with the android girl. Oh, I wish I could write as well as you do...”

“You know, I have a small cabin up north. If you want, I can take you there and offer you a crash course. That’s where I found my voice. I’m sure it would do wonders for you as well, no internet, no distractions, just you and an oldschool typewriter. ”

“Ummm...”

“Don’t worry. It’s not one of those pervy things. I’m just trying to give back to the community. I’m hosting a writing camp, a write-a-thon if you will. Something small, not too big. I got my publication to endorse it, so if anything good enough comes out it may get published. There are already a few signed up, so here’s my card in case you want in.” he said handing over a small piece of paper with his name and a telephone number on it.