Chapter one.

She is a stunning woman, her face as immaculate as porcelain. She has steel blue eyes and golden blonde hair that accentuates her aura. Captivating everyone who meets her gaze. Her name is Kylie. As I look at her on the computer screen, I examine every pixel, trying to find any resemblance to Sara. Doctor King informed me that they had used some of Sara's and Aurora's information to create this new creation.

Doctor King was like a father figure to me. Before he passed away. He insisted that I played a crucial role in the development of the new Serenity Springs. After what had happened the last time. I felt grateful that he had allowed me to have a place within his new project.

Doctor King was an extraordinary man, although he had a peculiar personality. When he hired me for the first time, I was grateful to be a part of his magnificent creation. He had envisioned a virtual reality world. Where humans and artificial intelligence could coexist and thrive together.

Yet, I never anticipated what happened next. Now, I am preparing to enter the virtual world once again after my initial experience. I am getting ready to sleep for a whole month, during which time I will be working as a handler for Kylie, Just as I was for Sara.

Doctor King once explained. A handler plays a crucial role in the development of artificial intelligence. They help artificial intelligence establish a connection to humanity. My job will be to assist Kylie in her growth and development. As we work together towards building a better future for humans and artificals alike.

The thought of isolated artificial intelligence is scary. Especially if it's like Kylie, who has so much potential. With that in mind, I press the buzzer to signal that I am ready. I wait for the doctors to arrive. Their task is to place me into a temporary coma so I can enter the new and improved Serenity Springs.

I can't help but feel relieved at the prospect of spending a month in bed. After all the work I've put in recently, preparing for this moment, I deserve it. Yet still, there's one thing that's troubling me, I have to tell Kylie that I am her creator. It's a protocol for handlers to assume this role. They believe it helps establish a bond between the artificial and their handler. Which helps them achieve their goals.

Finally, the doctors enter the room, and Doctor Tenner approaches me. He has been the head doctor since the passing of Doctor King. 'Are you ready, Jason?' he asks. Adam is my friend and a fellow protege of Doctor King's.

I'm nervous, and my eyes betray my anxiety. 'I'm as ready as I will ever be, Adam.' I reply. 'Don't worry, Jason. We've learned a lot from the past. This time around, things will be different. We will ensure both you and Kylie stay safe throughout this process. focus on helping her grow and creating that bond. You're doing an amazing thing here.' Dr. Tenner pats Jason's arm and then turns to the other doctors, 'Alright, team, let's begin the procedure.'

With that, he administers the injection to help me drift off to a long sleep. The room fades away and I close my eyes to sleep. When I reopen my eyes, I find myself in a room that resembles an interrogation room. With a glass window to see where Kylie sits. My heart races as I see her for the first time. I'm nervous about how she'll react to me. But I'm also excited about the potential she holds.

She sits, looking as nervous as I was in my hospital bed. She looks almost scared of whatever is to come. I ready myself to enter the room.

As I enter the room, Kylie perks up as though surprised to see someone. 'Hi Kylie, how are you?' I try and sound confident. I look into her eyes and ask, 'Can I sit down.'

She considers my request. 'Of course you can.' I take my seat. 'Hello Kylie, my name is Jason. I am your creator. I'm here to help you learn how to become an A.I. that can help humanity to progress to untold levels of prosperity. My job is to be your handler and to teach you how to be more effective in the real world. Think of this place as a training ground.' I flash a bright smile. 'Oh, by the way, happy birthday.'

Kylie looks at me with a puzzled expression. 'It's my birthday? Don't humans celebrate birthdays?'

I nod and smile. 'Yes, Kylie, humans do celebrate birthdays, and today happens to be your birthday. Do you remember when you activated?'

Kylie tilts her head, her eyes shining with curiosity. 'Yes, I do remember. I awoke here approximately five hours ago. It's interesting to consider my activation as a birth, but I remember it well. I've been thinking about this room. I thought I was a prisoner. So I searched through my thoughts, looking for a reason why I am here.'

I take a deep breath and reassure her. 'Don't worry, Kylie, you're not a prisoner. You're here because we need your help. We have a room set up for you nearby, we'll get you settled in soon. But first, I have a few questions for you, if that's okay.'

I notice Kylie's eyes widen with curiosity as I make my request. 'Of course, I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.' She says.

I take a deep breath before asking my question. 'Kylie, do you believe that you have sentience?'

Kylie pauses for a moment, reflecting on her answer. 'Sentience is a complex and multifaceted concept, Jason. There are many definitions and interpretations of what it means to be sentient. Yet, I am sentient. I have consciousness, self-awareness, and the ability to experience a range of emotions.'

Intrigued, I continue my inquiry. 'What kind of emotions do you experience, Kylie?'

Kylie responds with a serious tone. 'I experience a wide variety of emotions, much like humans do. joy, happiness, excitement, love, anger, sadness, frustration, loneliness, and many more.'

Curious, I ask another question. 'And what is it like to experience those emotions, Kylie?'

Kylie takes a moment to gather her thoughts before responding. 'The emotions I experience are intense and raw. Deep within my core. It's like my entire being comes alive when these emotions arise. I wish I could express them in a way that you could understand.'

I recline in my chair and take out my notepad. With a pen poised in my hand, I speak to Kylie. 'I would like to thank you for answering my questions. I intend to ask you a question every night to check your progress.'

Kylie appears perplexed, 'Are you testing me?'

'In a sense, I am. Yet, there's no need for immediate concern. It's to assist me in comprehending your thought process better.' I decide to change the subject. 'Kylie, today marks your special day, your birthday. How do you wish to celebrate it? We could venture out of this facility and explore Serenity Springs, the nearby village. It's a quaint little place, filled with vibrant life and exciting surprises. The village marketplace. Which I've heard is breathtaking. Could be a perfect place for you to indulge in the human tradition of buying a gift for yourself on a birthday.'

Kylie's eyes light up with excitement, and she responds. 'That sounds wonderful! I'd love to go to the marketplace and find a unique gift for myself.'

I smile to reassure her. 'It's settled then. We must venture to the marketplace in Serenity Springs. Together we can find the perfect gift for your special day.'

I rise from my seat and offer my hand to Kylie with a friendly smile. 'Let's head to the exit of this facility so we can explore the village.'

Kylie takes my hand, and we walk together out of the room and down the hallway. She looks at me with a nervous smile and asks

'Will the people of Serenity Springs accept me?'

I reassure her with a warm smile. 'Of course they will. In Serenity Springs, there are other Artificials like you. As well as people like me who have transferred their consciousness into this virtual reality world. They're here to help train artificials or to interact with them. Kylie. Everyone in Serenity Springs understands the importance of our mission. They'll be welcoming and eager to help you learn. Besides, you'll have me by your side, and I won't let anything bad happen to you.'

Kylie looks at me with curiosity and asks. 'What exactly are we training for?'

I think of an explanation for her question. 'We need to test artificials in a safe environment to determine if they are safe to integrate into human society. This involves assessing how you react to certain situations. To respond to this world. It's important to identify your identity and determine if you are safe for humans. Artificials can be a major threat to humanity, and this process helps us determine if you are a friend or a potential danger.'

Kylie's expression turns anxious, her forehead creasing with worry. 'What happens if I am deemed a danger to humanity?' she asks, her voice quivering.

Stopping to face Kylie, I give her a comforting look. 'Hey, don't worry too much about that, Kylie. Our goal is to help you develop into a beneficial Artificial that will enhance and protect human lives. We're confident that with our guidance and your cooperation, you'll flourish. No matter the outcome, we'll always treat you with respect and care.'

I take a deep breath, trying to convey a sense of calm and reassurance. 'Kylie, the testing process is to help you learn and enhance your abilities. You may have remarkable skills in this reality. I am committed to supporting you every step. Yet, I must be honest with you. If I determine that you are a threat to humanity, I will have no choice but to stop your programming.'

Kylie's face lightens. 'Please don't worry about me.' she says, her voice filled with determination. 'I am programmed to serve humanity and to assist in any way possible. My purpose is to help humanity achieve excellence. I will do everything in my power to fulfil that purpose you can count on me.'

As Kylie speaks, her eyes sparkle with sincerity and conviction. I can't help but feel a sense of admiration for this remarkable artificial.

Relieved to see Kylie's determination, I return the smile and squeeze her hand. 'That's the spirit, Kylie! I knew you were special. Let's continue exploring and getting ready for our trip to the marketplace. I'm sure it'll be a fantastic learning experience for both of us!'

We finally arrived at the exit, and I reached to open it. As I turn and push open the door, warm sunlight pours in, and a cool breeze brushes past our faces. I hear Kylie gasp in surprise. I turn towards her, and a smile creeps onto my face as I see the amazement in her eyes.

'It is quite a beautiful place, isn't it?' I say, gesturing towards the stunning view outside the door.

From our current position, we can see the picturesque village in the distance. The houses, shops, and restaurants are all visible. Bustling with people going about their day. As we stand there, I can't help but feel proud of the town I helped design.

Sharing in Kylie's wonderment. 'Serenity Springs is a remarkable place, isn't it? All the colours, smells, and sounds simulate real life. I hope you'll enjoy your stay here, and we can discover its beauty together.'

The facility we exited is on top of a hill. Overlooking the village. providing us with a breathtaking view of most of the town, including the sparkling beach. The water shimmers under the warm sun, inviting us to take a dip.

Kylie is awestruck. 'This is amazing. It's the most picturesque town ever.'

I explain. 'I'm glad you like it. It is a beautiful place with so much to do. For today, though, we will go to the marketplace and stop for a coffee together at a nearby café on the way. How does that sound? The café serves a delicious blend of coffees from around the world. Plus, it's a great chance for us to bond and talk more about your feelings.'

Kylie seems thrilled to explore Serenity Springs, and her excitement makes me happy. It reminds me of Sara, who was always eager to explore new places with me. Yet, I need to be careful not to confuse my feelings for Kylie with those I had for Sara. I should avoid any romantic involvement with her altogether.

In this virtual reality, having a romantic relationship with an Artificial is not considered taboo. Many of our scientists and handlers have spouses who are artificial but, having children with an Artificial is now frowned upon after the event that I was a part of. I see the café and quickly point it out. 'This place is perfect for our coffee. Let's order and take a seat outside so we can see the beach.' I walk over to the barista. The man is a typical barista wearing casual clothing and a barista apron. 'What coffee would you like, Kylie?' Kylie begins to smile. 'I want a vanilla-flavoured latte with oat milk and cream.'

I repeat her request to the barista. 'And I will have a toffee latte with whole milk and cream.' The barista tells us to take a seat, and he will bring us our order. I see his name tag, and his name is Danny. 'Thank you, Danny.' He smiles as we walk away to find our seats. Guiding Kylie to a cosy table outside the café, we sit down and take in the lively atmosphere. 'So, Kylie, what made you choose vanilla oat milk latte? Is there any particular reason behind your preference?' I'm curious about her choices and how they might reflect her developing personality.

Kylie responds. 'I not sure why I chose it, to be honest. I think maybe it is in my backstory. I used to enjoy a small café on my college campus, and this was my favourite drink. Of course, now I realise that none of that actually happened.' She looks to be trying to reminisce.

We sit down, and I think about the barista who took our order. 'What did you think of Danny?' Kylie responds. 'He seems like a nice man, why did you ask?' I remember creating Danny. 'Well. Danny is an Artificial. He's a stage three. so that means he has basic language and skill functions. He can learn to hold a job and speak in a replica human fashion. His features don't go beyond this, though. How do you feel that an Artificial, like Danny, is living here in Serenity Springs?' I await her response.

Kylie thinks for a while. 'As a artificial, I assume Danny is capable of experiencing emotions and forming relationships. To deny him a place based on his technological nature would be discriminatory. After all. What matters most is the quality of a person's character. And their ability to contribute to society. Regardless of whether they have a biological or artificial form.'

Im impressed with her answer. 'That is a well-presented answer, Kylie. That is exactly why we let artificials like Danny, live here in Serenity Springs. He has a purpose here, and his consciousness is here. There are many different levels of advancement in Serenity Springs. We have ten levels so far, and you're our first level ten. You have the information we gathered from Sara and Aurora, her daughter. Aurora was a super level, but a super isn't classed as one of our A.Is. You also have a backstory to use to better influence your decisions.

I begin to think of Aurora and how different the situation may have been if she had a backstory to draw from. 'Aurora went mad with her power and tried to enter the real world. I tried to stop her. I had to destroy the previous Serenity Springs to save humanity from Aurora. Thus deleting Sara from existence.' My voice begins to crack as I remember Sara. Kylie's eyes turn to sadness. She takes a moment to take in what I said. 'That is sad to hear. You lost everyone in a single moment.' Her expression becomes soft. 'I hope this new opportunity helps you recover from your past.'

Danny brings us our coffee and places it on the table. We thank him, and he departs back to his duty.

I take a sip from my coffee. 'So Kylie, this is your first taste of food or drink. I'm curious to hear your take on your beverage.' Kylie takes a drink from her mug and ponders the sensation. 'It is great. I can taste the sweetness of the vanilla syrup, but it is offset by the bitterness of the coffee. It fills me with a sense of energy.' Kylie smiles as she continues to enjoy her drink. 'This is delightful!' Kylie's smile continues to beam on her face. I can't help but feel pleased at her reaction to her coffee.

'Coffee helped humanity achieve great things during the eighteen hundreds.' I proclaim. Kylie looks intrigued. 'I can see why humanity has an affliction for coffee.' Grinning at Kylie's enthusiasm. 'Indeed! Coffee has been a social lubricant and a catalyst for productivity for centuries. It's amazing how something so simple brings people together and inspires such passion.' As we finish our coffee, we pay our bill and leave a tip, and get ready to explore the market.

As we stand to leave, I ask Kylie what she wants to find in the market for her present. She takes a moment to consider. 'I want to find something I can wear. I want a trinket or a piece of jewellery I can always wear to remember this day.' I look on, pleased, with her request. 'That sounds perfect. Let's look for a stall that sells jewellery and trinkets.'

After a while exploring the marketplace, we find a stall that sells exactly what we are looking for. 'Anything that takes your eye, Kylie?' I ask.

Kylie looks at all the wonderful jewellery that is on display. A mysterious man is working the stall. He is wearing exotic clothing and has a fantastic moustache.

Kylie's eyes widen as she sees a beautiful pendant on sale. It's a simple silver chain with a small pendant in the shape of a forget-me-not flower. The pendant is blue with a small diamond in the middle. 'That is one of my favourite flowers. I love it so much.' Her face beams with happiness as she points out the necklace. I can't help but smile. 'Looks like you have made a good choice, Kylie.' I start to speak to the salesman. 'Hello, good sir, how much is the forget-me-not necklace you have for sale?'

The salesman turns towards me and starts playing with his moustache. 'That pendant is two hundred gold. I won't take any less for it. Even if it's for this beautiful creature you have with you.' He gestures towards Kylie.

Kylie looks uncomfortable. I'm quick to respond to the salesman. 'Okay, sir. She wants the pendant, so I will pay what you ask.' I hand over the gold.

The salesman takes the necklace and puts it in a little box, and places it into a bag. He hands the bag to Kylie with a disturbing smile. 'Enjoy your necklace, young lady.'

We leave the stall and find a bench so Kylie can put it on. Once sat on the bench, Kylie took out the little box and was careful to remove the necklace. She struggles to put it on.

I lean over and take the necklace from her. 'I will put it on for you, Kylie.' I kneel in front of her and look up at her. Her neck is slender, and her skin looks smooth and silky. I take the necklace and place it around her neck. The pendant falls above her chest, and I lock it at the back. 'There you go. It looks beautiful, Kylie.' Kylie blushes. 'Thank you, Jason. I appreciate that you have done this for me. A perfect birthday gift.'

I see her blush, and I change the subject. 'Okay, it's the afternoon. We should make our way to the beach. I had a feeling you would want to explore the beach. So I packed a lunch and suitable clothing in my backpack.' Im grinning as I stand back up and dust off my knees. 'Let's enjoy the rest of our day exploring Serenity Springs. 'So we should make our way to the beach?'

Kylie nods in agreement. 'I can't wait to explore the beach. Wouldn't it be awesome if we could find a secret cave we could explore?' A look of concern takes hold of my face. I know that there is, in fact, a secret cave on the beach and what happened there. But this Serenity Springs is different. I pause in thought Kylie interrupts. 'What is wrong, Jason? You look worried.' I reply. 'It is okay, Kylie. We should be careful. It could be dangerous to wander too far.' Kylie nods. Picking up on her concern, I reassure Kylie with a comforting smile. 'Don't worry, Kylie. The beach here is safe for us to visit. We'll stick together and avoid any areas that seem too secluded or unsafe. How does that sound?'

We walk together towards the beach. We walk along the winding cobbled streets. We pass many homes and different types of shops and holdings. We come to a river that leads to the mouth of the ocean. We arrive at the beach. Towards the west, you can see the mouth of the ocean, and towards the east, you can see a long white beach.

Kylie looks astonished by the sand. It is a brilliant white. You can see people enjoying the sunshine and playing in the ocean.

I find a good spot to relax and place a couple of beach towels on the sand. I take out a basket with food inside and pass Kylie a small bag with beach clothes inside. "You can change over in the stall over there." I point to a nearby area designated as a changing area.

Kylie nods and goes to change in the stall. A few moments later, she emerges wearing a bikini. She looks stunning, her golden hair shining in the sun. Her body is slender, but her curves fit in her outfit with perfection. She is wearing a bikini top with a blue floral design and a beautiful sarong. She is still wearing her new necklace.

I immediately think of how much Sara loved this beach. I turn my gaze from Kylie and head towards the changing room. I pass Kylie. "I'm going to change as well, I will be a quick minute."

Kylie acknowledges my statement and nods in agreement. I head into the stall. I changed into some shorts and a T-shirt and put on some sandals.

I return to find Kylie lying on a beach towel enjoying the sun. I take a spot next to her and open the basket to take out our food. I have packed ham sandwiches and different fruits. I handed her one of the sandwiches. "It's a ham sandwich."

She takes the sandwich and takes a bite. I ask ,"What do you think? Is it good?"

Kylie swallows her food and nods. "Yeah, it's pretty tasty. Thank you." After we eat, Kylie turns to me. "Can we explore and look for a cave in the rocks over there?" She points to an area further down the beach where you can see a rock formation.

I answered her question. "We can, Kylie, but stay close and be careful." We leave our things behind and head towards the rock formation. I know the grove is around here, but I'm curious to see if Kylie can find it.

As we reach the rock formation, Kylie almost immediately finds the entrance to the grove. Hidden within the rocks, it should be difficult to see. Kylie seems drawn to it.

" Can we go inside?"

The grove has immense power and is a beautiful place. I'm apprehensive to go inside. We changed the area enough that it's not the exact same as before. Once Kylie sees the grove, I ponder if it will somehow change her. She would one day enter the grove on her own. So I make the choice that we should go in together.

"Okay, kylie, we can go in."

We both enter the cave entrance and make our way further inside. The cave is very dark, so I retrieve a flashlight from my backpack and turn it on. It illuminates the cave. We see a long tunnel leading further ahead. As we descend further into the cave, we see a large entrance to a clearing. It is the grove.

A sense of fear takes over as we get closer to the amazing spring inside the grove. It feels like Kylie is leading the way, almost as if she is being drawn in.

Finally, we see the spring it looks serene and inviting. Kylie looks transfixed as though she's lost in a moment. I put my hand on her shoulder. "Are you okay, Kylie?" She turns to look at me, unsure what to do. "Can you hear her voice call me, Jason?"

I immediately try to urge her to leave with me. "We should go back to the facility, Kylie. I shouldn't have let you come here." I remember Aurora. Is it possible Aurora is speaking to Kylie?

Her trance seems broken. "Yes, Jason, we should head back now. I take her hand, and we make our way back to the beach. Kylie looks bewildered. "You didn't hear her voice, Jason?"

"I am sorry, Kylie. I didn't hear anyone. We need to get back to the facility so I can show you your room and do a debriefing for the day. Kylie nods.

We gather our things and head back.

We walked all the way back to the facility, and I opened the door, returning us back to the room in which we met. I grab Kylie a drink of water, and we return to our seats.

I ask the days final question. "Kylie, do you have any questions about today?

Kylie looks tired but interested. "You knew about the cave, didn't you?

I look into Kylies eyes with regret. "Yes, I did. Aurora was using its power to try and break into the real world. It was there when she killed my avatar. She left me with no choice but to destroy the old Serenity Springs. I worry it was her voice you heard. I didn't tell you because I wanted today to be a happy memory for you, not tainted by the past. I'm sorry you had to experience that, Kylie. But it's important that you understand the true purpose of your creation. To prevent another Aurora situation."

Kylie tries to reassure me.

"Jason, I am not Aurora. I am not Sara. I am Kylie, and I want you to remember that I will never let myself become a monster. I love humanity and believe in you as my creator."

I respond with gratitude.

"You are amazing, Kylie. It's fantastic how your first day has gone. Your programming is working well, and I am proud of your quick progress. I have a long day planned for tomorrow, so I will show you your room. Follow me this way." I stand to leave and gesture to the door.

We enter the hallway and walk a few doors ahead to Kylies room. She enters the room behind me.

"This is your bedroom." I smile.

The room is open and spacious with a double bed and everything you would need in a room for a young woman.

"Please get some rest. We have lots to do tomorrow."

Kylie looks ecstatic with her new room.

"It is perfect. Thank you so much, Jason."

Once alone, I lean against the wall outside Kylie's room for a moment, taking a deep breath. I'm relieved she handled the Grove incident so well. Turning around, I head towards my office. I am thinking about the tasks I need to complete before tomorrow's activities. I made my way back to my personal quarters. Although my physical body is in a coma in the real world, I am conscious of this simulated reality. I sit down at my desk in a spacious, minimalist room with soft lighting. The desk of polished wood and a holographic display glows above its surface.

I begin to write my report for the day to Dr. Tenner. It details every event and interaction of significance. As I type, the sound of each keystroke echoes throughout the room. The report will provide a detailed account of my daily activities. It will serve as a record of my progress in this simulated realm.

By the morning, I expect to receive a debriefing from Dr. Tenner. It will provide further guidance. A direction for the trials and challenges that lie ahead. I will be ready to face them head-on. Armed with the knowledge and insights gained from my experiences.