My Personal Assistant

The morning chill hung over the field like a thin veil of mist. Two figures, slightly bent over, were busy weeding out wild plants among the vegetable crops, their hands meeting the soil.

My steps made a faint rustling sound on the damp grass. Approaching the elderly couple, I spoke in a gentle voice:

"Good morning, do you need any help?"

The old couple must have noticed me coming from afar, as they paused their work and took a moment to rest.

The woman, with a tired yet warm smile on her face, spoke:

"Oh no, dear, the work is nearly finished anyway. You don't need to help. Did you sleep well? Are you feeling better?"

There was such genuine warmth in her voice that an inexplicable feeling stirred within me. This kind of kindness was unfamiliar to me.

Lowering my head slightly in a hesitant manner, I replied,

"Yes, I slept well. Thank you."

The woman sighed softly, as if recalling the events of the previous night.

"You suddenly got up and fainted last night. We were so worried. If I hadn't told this wooden-headed husband of mine, he wouldn't have even noticed we had moved you to a new bed."

At her words, the elderly man beside her grumbled in response:

"Come now, woman, that's not fair! The lad stood up so suddenly and fainted, I was in shock. I didn't know what to do."

Then, squinting his eyes, he turned to me and gave me a once-over. Wrapped in a blanket as I was, I probably didn't present the most reassuring sight.

"Son, you've grown so thin. In the past, I was used to splitting logs and carrying huge stacks of wood, and even though I've grown old, carrying you was far too easy. Your body is weak and exhausted."

The woman cleared her throat lightly, cutting off her husband, and changed the subject.

"My dear, you must have many questions to ask. And we, too, are curious about many things regarding you. But for now, let's set those thoughts aside, shall we?" she said with a gentle expression.

"It's cold out here. Go inside and warm yourself by the fireplace. We'll come to you after finishing up a few things here. I'll prepare a nice breakfast for you, and we'll eat together. Go on now, don't catch a chill."

The warmth in her voice wrapped around me like a comforting embrace. Without much room to argue, I simply accepted her words and turned towards the adobe house.

As I walked slowly back to the house, an odd sense of peace settled within me. This elderly couple, in an unusual yet endearing way, felt strangely familiar.

Just before stepping inside, I couldn't help but glance back. The old couple had set their work aside and were now playfully bickering. The woman's eyebrows were slightly furrowed, while the man responded with a teasing smile.

A warmth I couldn't quite explain bloomed within me. I smiled faintly.

Continuing on my way, I began observing my surroundings.

The house was a typical old village home. A small yet functional barn, a garden where fresh vegetables were grown, the sound of chickens rising from the coop, and fruit trees…

This was a place untouched by time, carrying a unique sense of tranquillity.

Situated on a slightly elevated spot, it provided a view that stretched far into the distance.

My eyes landed on the valley below, where small, closely packed houses sprouted like mushrooms. It was clear that the elderly couple had chosen to live away from society, creating their own world.

"Perhaps as people grow older, their tolerance for others diminishes," I thought to myself.

Who knows, maybe I would follow the same path one day.

As I turned my head a little more, the towering mountains stood before me in all their splendour.

Their bare rocky surfaces were draped in a cloak of emerald green pines.

The scenery was breathtaking, as if it had been lifted from a masterpiece painting.

"This world is old, but beautiful."

I decided to heed my hosts' advice and head inside without lingering too long.

Just as I was about to step into the house, I heard a faint sound.

At first, I thought it was just the wind playing tricks on me. But the sound grew clearer.

A voice, almost like a whisper—

At first, it was a muffled murmur, but now it was becoming distinct.

"A photo has been taken. A photo has been taken. A photo has been taken. Would you like to view the captured photos?"

My eyes widened.

I knew this voice.

For a moment, my breath caught in my throat.

Then, I realised.

"Eureka! Eureka!"

This was Siri—my smartphone's assistant.

But… how could Siri be inside my mind?

Had Whaley, the entity that brought me here, somehow perceived my phone and me as one?

In the old world, people spent most of their lives with their phones. Perhaps Whaley had mistaken devices as an extension of our bodies.

If that was the case, this was not surprising at all.

A wave of curiosity surged within me.

"Siri, show the captured photos," I said, my voice trembling slightly.

"As you wish."

And suddenly, images appeared in my mind.

Photos of the smiling old woman in her traditional clothing, pictures of her alongside her husband…

Some captured them striking odd poses, while others preserved completely natural moments.

As I gazed at them, an inexplicable emotion took root inside me.

And then… I laughed.

Siri had fused with my consciousness.

The sheer absurdity of this new reality amused me.

"I can do anything now with my smart assistant," I thought.

But unfortunately, compared to my old world, this one was far behind in terms of progress.

The joy that had just swelled in my chest quickly faded, replaced by a deep sense of melancholy.

Feeling somewhat hollow, I stepped inside the adobe house.