Anna picked up the baby and held her while checking her diaper. "Oh, you’re wet too."She quickly changed her and propped her arms up on pillows for the baby to nurse. It was night outside, and the room was lonely as she sat back down. Where was Atlas? Or Sterling? Heck, even Zero? Nora and the others were back at the farm, but why was she alone right now?
Immediately, she tensed. Was there something wrong?But everything seemed peaceful, other than her body being so sore.
The only sound in the room was the hum of machines and the air conditioning. She settled herself back in the bed, then put her baby down within arm’s reach in the little bassinet.
Anna lay back, trying to rest.
There was a soft knock on the door. Alice entered a second later, leaving the door open wide behind her.
“Hi Alice.” Anna lifted herself to sit upright. “Where’s Atlas?”
Alice didn’t make eye contact, checking the vitals on the monitor. “He’s helping Sterling in the other room.”
“What did he need to help with?”
“Some of the newborn testing.”
“Oh.” Anna’s eyebrows furrowed.
Alice didn’t bother saying anything more as she busied herself around the room, putting back a fresh stock of the diapers in the bassinet. She extended a hand, adjusting the blanket swaddling the baby. “Did she just nurse?”
“Yes, but is Atlas coming back soon?”
“Should be.” Alice suddenly straightened. She flashed Anna a clinical smile. “In the meantime, I need to take the baby to be weighed really fast, alright?”
Before Anna could protest, Alice started wheeling the baby out of the room.
“Wait.” Anna disconnected the leads monitoring her. She stood on limbs that wobbled as the wheels squeaked on the tile floor. “I’ll come with . . .”
“No need,” Alice tossed over her shoulder cheerfully. “Rest, okay?”
Anna hesitated, but the infant’s thin cry spurred her forward. “No. I need to go with her. That’s my baby. Where are you taking her?”
Something in her gut felt wrong. Everything in her chilled. The room began to narrow as the bassinet moved further away.
Alice was now rushing toward the door, exiting fast. But it wasn’t until the door closed and clicked behind her that Anna knew there was a real problem.
“Wait! Where are you going?” Anna yanked on the door handle. Normally it opened outward with a plain utilitarian handle, but nothing gave when she pushed or pulled. “This is locked?”
She yanked the handle down harder. Nothing. Then pounded on the door’s side until her hand throbbed. “Let me out!”
There were no windows looking out into the hall from the room so Anna could not see the bassinet, but a faint squeak came as it moved down the hall. Away from her. She yelled, pounding on the door again, “What are you doing? I’m trapped in here! Why?”
There was no answer. Everything in her went into high alert. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears, nostrils flaring.They took my baby and locked me in.Her limbs began to shake. She frantically searched the silent room, but then she could hear her baby crying, faintly, down the hall. Adrenaline surged throughout her body. She needed to get out. Any way she could.
She slammed her body into the door, screaming, “Let me out!” she screamed as loud as she could. “ATLAS? STERLING? ZERO?”
No answer.
“ATLAS?” Anna paced the room, breathing quickly. Her entire body tensed, her heart pounding.How do I get out?
And where was Atlas?Where is he?She yanked on her hair.Where. Is. He?
Fear flooded her, making her gasp.They have my baby!What were they doing? Was Stella behind this? Her eyes darted side to side. Atlas said everything was okay. But then, why did they take her? Why? Not all the androids would go along with this, right? Zero wouldn’t. Sterling?
What could she do? She had to do something. Anything!
Cold panic rushed over her. She slammed her shoulder into the door again and pounded with her fists. “Give me back my baby! Now!”
