Maria Singleton, Anatomy of a Rose

humans for the rest of our lives. The Spector took our choice away from us, and we didn’t do anything about it. Humans’ souls make them determine that if they don’t have a choice, they don’t have a reason to live. There was never a time in the history of our universe where we were given or created a choice for ourselves. Humans have accomplished what we never will.”

It hits him in that moment. That he’s watched these bodies float across the Beholder Window and thought condescendingly of them. To realize that all it takes is one trip to the Scooping Room for Humans to become the superior species-it’s frightening. It doesn’t matter how long it takes for a Human to reach its true power. He’s not the superior anymore.

Aurora stands, heels clacking as she goes to stand behind Orphan. She can tell that this information is too much and feels regret blossom in her chest. Once again placing her hand on his left shoulder, her delicate hand gives the tense muscle a reassuring squeeze. Glancing up at the clock on the wall, she sees that it’s almost time for the souls to be “scooped” into the Humans. Her hand slides off Orphan’s shoulder as she makes her way to the doorway. Before she rounds the corner, she leaves Orphan with one last piece of information.

“Humans are like my children. I’ve been creating them and teaching others how to create them for so long that it’s all I know. Just like any parent, I wish a better life for my children. A life where they have a choice, a reason, to live. A life where they chose and determine why their lives matter.”

With that, Aurora walks down the white, porcelain hallway as a thunderstorm begins outside. Orphan is still sitting in his chair, staring at the Humans soullessly, as a heavy downpour starts to assault the factory outside.