A/N: BrookeBlue doesn't own Absolute Boyfriend, The Bartimaeus Trilogy or any mini elephants.
Chapter 3: Bring Me To Life
Essence went upstairs to her small bedroom and locked the door, still holding the box. The whole time, her imagination ran wild. Was it a mini elephant? A small imp? A djinn perhaps?
She sat at her desk, shoved the notebooks aside and set the box down gently. She stared at it for a few seconds, contemplating what could be inside before she finally tugged the string and pulled off the wrapping paper carefully.
Taped to the small cardboard box was a tiny book. She pulled it off and set it aside gingerly. She turned the small package upright and slid it open like a matchbox.
She was almost surprised by the contents.
Inside a small boy lay on his back. He wasn't small like a baby is small. He was small like action figure small. He must have only been about three inches tall.
He was dressed simply in a white tee shirt, black hoodie and jeans. His hair was a little longer than commonly seen length for guys. It was a dark brown shade, almost black like hers. His skin was fair and his eyes were closed.
Essence could feel her heart pounding and a rarely seen smile grow on her face. This was the kind of present she really wanted. More than any book or journal, she wanted to have a life like those she read about.
She lifted the book up and looked at it, squinting to read the print. She pulled out a magnifying glass from her desk drawer and held it in front of the cover to read it.
KRONOS HEAVEN'S MINI SERIES
She continued reading and flipping through the pages until she came upon the part that told about "Activation". She was near tears of joy by this point.
TO ACTIVATE: Simply tickle the doll's belly and read off his serial number printed below. The sensors will respond to the warmth and acknowledge you as his friend.
MZ04321-0500
Essence eagerly put down the magnifying glass and followed the instructions. She carefully tickled the small doll's stomach and read off the serial number, which she had already memorized, "Em zee zero four three two one dash oh five hundred."
Almost immediately, the boy squirmed under her finger, "Kyya! No! Stop!" he laughed, "It tickles."
She smiled at him, obeying his demands. "Hello… My name is Essence. Do you have a name?" She reminded herself to thank Edward later.
"What fun would that be for you?! Naming me's your job," he replied, stretching lazily then rubbed his eye with his fist.
Essence thought a little, her gaze settling on the boy carefully and ran through the names of her favorite book characters.
Meanwhile, the small boy crawled out of his box and brushed off his clothing, straightening it to make sure it looked right. After the silence proceeded, he began to hop from foot to foot and swing his arms.
"… Malcolm…" she announced, "… I decided your name should be Malcolm. How do you like that for a name?"
He glanced up, his expression showing signs of deep thought, "I believe I like that name quite a lot, thank you."
Malcolm paused a moment then danced a little, "Ahh, so happy…!" he announced proudly.
She giggled very slightly. It was a very quiet thing but it was present.
"I'm going to enjoy having you for company, Malcolm…" she said, petting his head with her finger gently.
Malcolm ducked under her finger like a cat, "I'm pretty certain I'm going to enjoy having you for company as well, Essence!"