Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

Cyborgs never really got to choose how-or when their stories ended.

Fiona was just stating the obvious. Grace might have had thoughts of her own, might have understood every word, but that was just a side effect of her programming.

"You can upload what I'm saying to the Country M research lab," Fiona said, her smile sharp and cool, "or you can keep it to yourself forever. Your call."

Almost immediately, a strange red light flickered across Grace's eyes-like a warning signal.

Fiona stood up from the couch and gently patted Grace's shoulder. "You don't have much time left. Still not going to talk?"

Grace hesitated. She knew it was over for her. But the chip burning in her skull was wired not to let her spill any secrets.

"All I know is they want cyborgs to replace humans, to build their own empire. That's it. I don't know anything else. I don't even know if Jackson's parents are at the lab. Ever since I was created, I've been locked away in some sterile white room. Then, over ten years ago, they sent me here and I became Amy."

As she spoke, the detonator inside her sped up, and the red light in her eyes pulsed wildly.

"First-generation cyborg Grace: self-destruct order received. Initiating full-body scan. Detonation will follow upon completion."

"Scan complete."

"Beginning countdown."

"Ten, nine, eight, seven-"

"Countdown finished. Self-destruct engaged."

dull boom echoed through

programmed to make sure

apart right in front of her, turning into nothing but shards and pieces. Her face stayed cold, unreadable. She

on the staircase, still holding half a pomegranate, eyes wide and

was trembling as she stared at the chaos below. She'd only come because she'd heard

"Wh-what happened?" she stammered.

her a look, her face still blank.

soon. If you want to

will," Amy said, her voice shaking

luck," Fiona said, and headed

at the computer until she was sure everything was set, and sprinted back down. Without hesitating, she