When Beth was ten years old, her father told her a secret.
He told her about an impossible invention, something that could completely change the entire world; a mad dream.
He told her that she must never tell anyone, ever.
When she asked why not, he told her that it was one of the greatest secrets he had ever known, and that she could be in danger if anyone ever, ever found out.
And so, because she respected her father more than anyone, she promised to keep the secret for him.
But although she was always a rather intelligent girl, she still was only just that-a young child.
She just couldn't really see how giving a robot-what was it her father had called them?-a synth life and feelings could be that bad.
But she trusted him anyways. Her father was one of the most intelligent people in the whole wide world, and he was also a very successful scientist. Whenever she had heard people refer to him as "Doctor", she would feel a spurt of pride.
At school, her teachers would often make remarks about how she apparently had a lot to live up to, but she never minded. She knew her father was just that remarkable, and strived to achieve the best grades she could so she could impress him.
Years quickly passed. Beth became one of the top students in her school, and turned fifteen years old. Though it had been a long time, she still kept the one incriminating secret her father had given her all those years ago.
She must not tell anyone about the existence of conscious synths.
She understood more now about how that information could be detrimental to the world and its society, but at the same time, she still just couldn't see how it would be such a bad thing.
So what if the synths gained consciousness? Surely they deserved it. They could then experience true human emotions just like her and anyone else.
Even though she had grown older, she still kept her naivety about them. She passed synths every day, whether in school or on the streets, and couldn't help wondering about what the world would really be like if one of its most revolutionary inventions were essentially given "life". Perhaps it could be extraordinary.
Beth liked to believe in the best in people, no matter who they were. If synths counted as "people", then she figured she believed in them as well. Surely they deserved a chance to think and feel just like her and and everyone else.
Of course, it would never be that easy. So many synthetics had taken over the more dangerous and exhausting tasks in the world, laboring heavily where humans could not, would not, or did not. Because they could not think much for themselves beyond their programming and preset functions, they did these jobs without complaint, without stopping or wearing out.
Synths were the ideal workers in this way. They never had to stop, like normal humans. And besides, wouldn't it be better for machines to take over these laborious tasks without risking humans?
It wasn't simple at all. She could see the value in synths just the way they were originally, but still. She wondered about the world if conscious synths were to make an appearance any time soon.
Perhaps they were already out there, changing things for their kind.
Against her better instincts, she hoped so.
Perhaps the world could use a little change from a different source.
Beth picked up her bag, and slid her screen inside, ready to go home for the day.
Her father would likely be late again, as usual, so it would be up to Ariel and her to get dinner ready.
Ariel was the household synth. Since her mother had passed away just after Beth had been born, Ariel had been made to help around the house. It really wasn't that unusual. Loads of families had synths for their homes just for that purpose: to have extra help, whether it was with chores, childcare, or as housekeepers.
For the longest time, all she could remember was just her, her father, and Ariel all living together. Her father worked late shifts, so Ariel was usually the one who took care of her, ever since she was little. She helped her with her homework, let Beth confide in her about friends, and what she was feeling, and looked after her when she was sick. She may have looked up to her father more than anyone, but Ariel had always felt like a part that was missing. The one who really took care of her.
To be honest, sometimes it felt like she was more than just a pre-programmed synth...like she knew more than she let on.
But Beth merely chuckled and shook her head at the thought. Ariel was just a normal synth. Whether or not conscious synths really existed, Ariel was not one of them. At least...she was pretty sure she wasn't.
Beth waved goodbye to a couple of friends, and began to walk away from the school grounds. Maybe she hadn't been looking where she was going, or was maybe too wrapped up in her thoughts, but she was suddenly grabbed around the waist and hauled to the side of the road.
THUMP.
She looked up, gasping. She saw a black automobile in an awkward angle, sideways, like it had skidded on the road.
It must have been about to hit her when she wasn't looking, but someone had managed to yank her out of harm's way before it could.
She felt someone's warm wrist on her arm, and looked up to see her savior.
It was a tall, dark-skinned man dressed in an olive-brown jacket and a gray sweater. He gave her a surprisingly sweet, reassuring smile, which she hesitantly returned.
"Are you alright?" he asked, then looking concerned.
"Yes, thanks." she gasped out. "I'm sorry, I wasn't looking where I was walking. Had my head up in the clouds."
"Well, you're OK now," he smiled again. "I'm glad."
"Thank you." she repeated. "You saved my life."
"I'm Max." said the man. "What's your name?"
"Max!" a new voice snapped in the distance, behind them. They both turned.
It was a lean young man, about the same age, Beth guessed, as the first one. He had a rather dishevelled look about him, with thick, wavy dark hair hanging over his forehead, and was dressed in a hoodie underneath a pale olive jacket. His pale face looked stern, angry.
"Leo," the first man-Max-greeted. He looked suddenly meek at the sight of him, stepping away from Beth and releasing his touch on her arm.
"What do you think you're doing?" The man hissed, stepping towards them.
"I was just…" Max looked uncomfortable.
"Just what?" The other man, Leo, pulled him away, but she could still hear him growl, "We're supposed to be careful. Not drawing unwanted attention to ourselves!"
"Sorry," Beth said apologetically, boldly approaching them. "It was all my fault, really. I wasn't looking where I was going, but your friend saved my life."
The man looked away, but Beth thought his fierce expression softened just a fraction.
"...Good." he muttered resignedly, and turned to walk away.
Max looked back at her. "Nice to meet you, Beth." He grinned.
"And you, Max." she answered. "Thank you again for saving me."
"You are welcome."
"Maxie!" Leo shouted warningly again, farther away. Max shrugged a little, and began to walk after him.
"Goodbye!" Beth called after them.
Max turned, and waved a hand. It was then, and only then, that Beth finally caught on.
His eyes-weren't normal. How she had missed that before, she had no idea.
They were bright, unnatural green.
The exact same shade as Ariel's.
The color of synthetic eyes.
Max was a synth. Beth stumbled. But not just any synth. He had spoken to her like anyone else.
He was-she had just met an actual-a conscious synth.
She was absolutely certain of it.
She could hardly believe it.
"May I help you with your coat?"
Ariel's polite smile was as familiar as always as she opened the door for Beth.
Beth shook her head, still speechless from earlier.
"No. Thanks." She mumbled.
Ariel's expression didn't change much, but she could hear the question in her normally soothing voice. "Is there something troubling you?"
Beth wasn't sure whether to explain herself or not. "Um, no."
"That is good." Ariel smiled. "Then you are in satisfactory condition?"
"Yeah," Beth agreed after a moment. How could she explain it to a synth? That she had finally seen actual proof of the secret her father had entrusted to her? That beyond doubt there really was such a thing as a conscious synth?
No. She couldn't tell her. Not yet.
"Then I shall start to make the preparations for dinner." Ariel dipped her head, her long auburn hair tumbling over her shoulders.
"OK." said Beth. "I'm going to get going on my homework then."
And they headed off in opposite directions.
Beth was only half-lying when she said she was going to start on her homework. She opened a page in her textbook, scribbled down a few answers, checked the back pages to make sure she was correct. To be honest, her mind really wasn't on the work at all. After a few more minutes of staring blankly at the last couple questions, she shut the book, and made her way to her bag to get her screen.
She typed in, "Conscious synths" into the search engine. No good. About a thousand hits popped up, and it seemed like half of them were either completely out of context advertisements, or even more irrelevant "what ifs" on shady-looking forums.
She thought for a moment, steepling her fingers together in thought, and pursing her lips.
The conscious synth had had a name. Max. And the other man had as well: Leo.
Would that lead to any kind of clue?
It was worth a shot.
About an hour and a half later and reflecting over five thousand hits, she thought she finally found a match.
"Leo Elster, son of David Elster, renowned scientist." read one article, dated about eight years ago. She read further.
Apparently, this David Elster had been quite well-known in the field of science, and had largely contributed to its progress and innovation. In fact, it was rumored that he had been the one to actually create the very first synth.
Beth let out an impressed whistle, raising her eyebrows at this claim, before reading along.
But it seemed he had been a recluse, and the article stated that he had later moved his family away to a less conspicuous estate in the country, with his wife, Beatrice, and his only son, Leo.
That was it. It had to be.
She zoomed in on the grainy black-and-white photo featuring the family. The man, David Elster, was thin, with spectacles. The woman, Beatrice, had long dark hair and a slightly bemused expression. The boy, Leo, had dark wavy hair and bright eyes.
She squinted. That was him. It had to be.
The same fierce-looking man as before, only now he was grown up. The disheveled one with the tousled hair and rumpled clothing.
The one with the conscious synth.
She frowned, leaning back. David Elster. Elster...the name sounded familiar. Had she heard it somewhere before?
"Ariel?" she called. "Ariel, can you come here, please?"
"Yes, Beth?" The polite, soothing voice from behind made her jump.
"Jesus, Ariel," Beth clutched at her heart dramatically as she turned towards the synth. "We should really put a bell on you."
The red-haired synth merely looked puzzled. "I apologize if I caused you bodily distress, Beth. Is there something you wanted to ask? Some help with your work, perhaps?"
Beth shook her head. "No, nothing like that. I was wondering-" she cleared her throat, suddenly wondering whether or not this was such a good idea after all.
"-I was wondering if you had ever heard of someone called...Elster?"
Ariel didn't move. She didn't say a word.
"Ariel?" Beth asked. "Did you hear me?"
Still nothing. Ariel's luminous green eyes were fixed in a single spot, unmoving.
"Ariel? OK, now you're starting to worry me." Beth got up, and took one of the synth's hands in her own. "Ariel?"
It took another whole minute, with Beth waiting anxiously, but Ariel finally straightened and said evenly, "No. I do not recall hearing that name."
"Alright," Beth sighed slightly. It had been worth a shot. "Never mind. Thanks, anyway."
"You do not have to thank me, Beth."
"Well, I'm thanking you anyway." She flashed her a grin. "When has that ever stopped me before?"
Ariel merely dipped her head, and took her leave. Beth sighed. Although she cared for the synth, she still couldn't help wishing she could actually be a conscious one. Someone who might be able to better understand what she was feeling and talk to her about their own feelings in return.
Oh, well. Back to the research.
Another half hour later, and Ariel informed her it was time for dinner.
Beth had not gotten anywhere farther with her search. The article she had found earlier had been the closest lead so far.
Beth had just finished clearing her plate and putting it in the sink, when the doorbell rang. Or rather, it almost sounded like someone was leaning on it.
"Coming!" she called, but Ariel beat her to it, opening the door to reveal a lean man with dark hair and spectacles.
Beth blinked in surprise. "Dad!" she greeted happily. "Welcome home."
"Beth." He greeted simply. He turned and nodded to the synth. "Ariel."
He looked exhausted, and when he came under the light in the house, she could see he had dark circles under his eyes.
"May I help you with your coat, Dr. Li?" Ariel enquired automatically.
He shrugged his jacket off, Ariel helping him out of the sleeves.
"Thank you."
"Will that be all?"
"Yes, thanks, Ariel." he confirmed. "I need to talk with my daughter right now."
Ariel dipped her head and left the room, leaving Beth alone with her father.
"Is something wrong, dad?" Beth asked hesitantly. He looked positively bedraggled now.
"...Nothing for you to worry about, my dear." he straightened, adjusting his spectacles. "But there is something I wish to discuss with you."
"Me too," Beth admitted after a moment's thought. She took a deep breath.
"I want to talk to you about conscious synths."
They both stared at each other. Beth was suddenly struck by the resemblance between her and her father. She could see her own face reflected faintly in his spectacles. They both had the same, slightly confused, slightly wary expression.
"'Conscious synths'?" She repeated. "Like that story you told me all those years ago, when I was like, ten?"
He nodded solemnly, but with a trace of exasperation. "It wasn't just a story, my dear."
"Oh." she said stupidly.
"I wanted to tell you that it is more important now than it ever has been before for you to keep this secret."
"Um. OK." she said, still confused. Why now, of all times? Had something happened?
He took her by the shoulders, dark eyes burning into hers from behind lenses.
"Understand. It is of the utmost importance."
His expression was deadly serious. Too serious.
His grip was so tight, it was painful.
"Did-did something happen, dad?" she asked timidly. "You're...you're kind of scaring me, a bit."
He let go, his expression turning slightly regretful. "I'm sorry. I did not mean to."
"S'OK." she mumbled, rubbing her upper arms.
"But you must not tell anyone, is this clear?"
"...Yes, sir." She bowed her head obediently. "I...understand."
He nodded, satisfied. "Good."
"Dad?" she asked.
"Yes?"
"I wanted to ask you…" she took a deep breath. "Who is...who is David Elster?"
Her father turned away, but before he did, she caught a look of mingled shock and something else she couldn't quite explain on his face.
"Where did you hear that name?" he asked finally, his tone low and dark.
"I, um…" she shifted her weight, staring down at her feet. She was suddenly starting to regret this decision. "I just read it. Somewhere online. Random."
He turned to face her, and she was confused by what she thought was fear in his eyes.
"Dad-?"
He took her by the shoulders again, hard.
He actually began to shake her. She gasped out.
"Dad!"
"Elizabeth." he said, his voice panicked. "You must listen to me. Never-never-repeat that name aloud again. Understand?"
He shook her again. "Understand?"
"Yes-yes!" she cried out. "I promise!"
He released her, burying his face in his hand. She took a step back shakily. She had never seen her father lose his composure like this before. It had been so sudden, like this David Elster, or whoever he was, was someone terrible.
She just couldn't understand it. She knew her father was also a renowned scientist, a synth scientist, no less, but did that have something to do with that so-called creator of synthetics?
"Elizabeth."
She looked up slowly.
Her father's eyes looked watery, but they were no longer full of fear like before. She was startled to see that they were warm-affectionate.
The palpable emotion made her feel as though her legs were jelly.
The change had just been so sudden.
"Elizabeth." he repeated softly. "My dear. Please, know that I just want to ensure your wellbeing."
"I know, Dad." she murmured, dropping her eyes.
"One day you will understand." She thought she heard him whisper before he walked away.
She nodded once, feeling caught up in her throat, then turned, and walked away quickly. Her mind raced with thoughts she could not hope to answer that night.
It took her a long time to get to sleep, but she was finally able to drift off, somehow. Her mind still churned with the onslaught of ideas-about the conscious synths, about the Leo person, David Elster, and her own father-and how they were all related, if related at all.
She sighed, and closed her eyes. But just before she did, she could have sworn she caught a glimpse of dark red hair and glowing luminous green eyes watching her from the door to her room.
Ariel stared at her silently, unmoving, her artificial eyes piercing.
Beth couldn't shake the feeling that somehow the synth knew exactly what was going on in her head, and somehow knew the answers she was after.
But the next time she opened her eyes, the room was empty, and Ariel was gone.