Stare down the stars
Why is it that I feel like this? 413 years old, the entire universe. I seen a lot in my time. So why is it that when I see the wide open nothing, I feel smaller than I ever have?
I sit with my legs dangling off the radio tower, watching the town pass bustle beneath me. Carlos' car can be seen in the distance, exiting the lab. Old Woman Josie and one of the Erika's exit the Ralph's with arms full of groceries. How long will that Ralph's be there? How long will it be there before STREX® CORP, replaces it?
How long before STREX® CORP replaces the town?
How long before they replace me?
I don't want to leave. I don't want to leave Josie, or the Erika's, Hiram, or the Faceless Old Woman who secretly Lives in Your Home.
Or Carlos. Oh, gods I don't want to lose Carlos. 413 years, I've never felt like this about anyone in the world. I've never cared about anything but my job for hundreds of years.
I don't want to go.
As I stare at the lights above the Arby's I wonder if STREX® CORP will replace those as well. Then I look further up and wonder if the stars will ever stop twinkling. If something newer, more efficient comes along and replaces the little dots up there.
Carlos' car pulls into the front lot of the station and he calls up to me, "Cecil! It's time to go home!"
I smile, and climb back down the tower. As I reach the edge of the lot, I get a message on my phone.
Don't worry about me, Cecil. I'm doing just fine here, wherever I am. Don't worry about you either. Your fine there. Wherever you are.
"Carlos! I got a text from Dana!"
I act cheerful as I get in the car, but in the back of my mind, my worries still linger.