The Reveal
“I don’t understand,” Elias said quietly. “What does this mean?” His voice wasn’t sharp. It wasn’t angry. It was controlled — too controlled. Mara didn’t answer him. Not dismissing him. Not ignoring him out of disrespect. She simply kept her eyes on Iris. Waiting. Iris felt it — the space being given to her. The choice. The sketch lay between them like something alive. “So…” Iris swallowed. “I’m a robot?” The word felt strange out loud. Heavy. “I don’t understand,” she continued, softer. “I think part of me always… wondered. There were things that didn’t make sense. Things I couldn’t explain.” Her fingers curled slightly against the table. “But there was still doubt.” Her eyes lifted to Mara. “How?” Mara inhaled slowly. “My grandfather was eighteen when they recruited him
- Writer
