GENESIS by Matt K. Turner

Author:Matt K. Turner [Turner, Matt K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Synchrony Publishing
Published: 2016-05-04T04:00:00+00:00

SIXTEEN

NOAH PARKED THE TRANSPORT vehicle a mile from the NuGen building as planned. Aiden watched as he re-checked their supplies for the eleventh time. Aiden had spent the entire trip fighting the urge to call off the mission. He needed Noah’s help, but allowing him to sacrifice himself was admitting that Noah was expendable. If Noah was expendable, Aiden was as well. They were the same being, only separated by experience. But Holt had told him he was more than human. How could he be more than human and expendable at the same time? The irony left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Aiden tore into a Snickers bar to cleanse his palette. He had forced Noah to stop at a corner store to buy it on the way. Maybe it was nerves. Maybe Ever was right about his sugar addiction.

“I must advise you that your sugar intake far exceeds your nutritional requirement,” said Noah.

“I know. I have a bit of a sweet tooth.”

“I have observed you eating twelve hundred sixty-two candy bars in the last four years.”

“Twelve hundred? Seems reasonable. Try some.”

Aiden offered the bar. Noah shook his head.

“No, thank you.”

“Come on. It’s a Snickers. You’ve seen me eat about eight hundred of these things. Haven’t you wondered what one of these tastes like?”

“I have desired to experience numerous things. Eating a Snickers is not one of them.”

“Just take a bite!”

Aiden broke off a piece and shoved it in Noah’s face.

“Come on!”

“Will you concentrate on the mission if I eat your Snickers?” asked Noah.

“Yes.”

Noah put the gooey chunk of chocolate, peanuts and caramel in his mouth and chewed.

“Good, right?” Aiden prodded.

Noah tilted his head a bit.

“I can see a certain appeal.”

“That’s what I thought!”

Aiden took another bite and thought about the years Noah was trapped in a laboratory watching a newer version of himself enjoy a full life out in a world that was off limits to him. Now he was finally on his first excursion into the great outside and it would be the last. It didn’t seem right and it definitely wasn’t fair.

“Are you going to tell me why you’re doing this?” asked Aiden.

Noah stared out the window for a moment before replying.

“Do you remember when that bird flew into your kitchen? You spent fifty-two minutes attempting to coax it out. It kept crashing into the same window. You tried to open it, but it was stuck so you broke the window out rather than let it harm itself further.”

“The stupid bird tried to fly out the window above it and broke its neck anyway.”

“Yes, but your intention was clear.”

Noah paused.

“I would not have done that,” he continued.

“It was pointless.”

Noah turned to face Aiden. His eyes sparked with a surprising intensity.

“No. It was beautiful... I do not have that in me. Call it humanity, or... a soul... I have tried to find it... but it is not there. I feel... lacking. Empty.”

Aiden considered the concept of soul. According to most religions, neither Noah nor he could have a soul because they were made by man.

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