The Darcy Project

“Just another minute, Darcy,” Dr. Corey’s voice sounded from the speaker above me. I nodded, continued to pedal on the bike with the same amount of enthusiasm as I had for the whole hour of working out.

My day had been dedicated to testing my strength, flexibility, agility and endurance. It was now 4:49, and in about thirty seconds I would be allowed to stop cycling. I didn’t mind doing it. I could have kept going for an indefinite number of hours before my muscles would burn and grow tired.

A loud buzz filled the room and I slowed, coming to a complete stop on the bike. I stared at the mirror in front of me, knowing that on the other side were my creators, watching me, analyzing me. They still worried, still questioned my perfection.

I picked the bottle up from the small table beside me, drinking the cool, refreshing water. It was something necessary, a need, not a desire. Not to say I didn’t enjoy the liquid, it was delicious in a perplexing way, seeing as it had no taste.

“Alright, well done,” Dr. Corey said into a mic and the door to the exercise room unlocked, sliding open. I placed the bottle back on the table, exiting the room.

“Are there any more tests you’d like me to get done today?” I asked, standing in front of him with my arms behind my back. My other creators watched without even trying to mask their stares, taking down notes as if I were doing something interesting.

“No, that should do for today. Micah will take you to the dining hall,” Dr. Corey said, gesturing behind him as Mr. Evans stepped forward. He smiled at me and walked over, opening the door of the observation room, revealing the spotless and plain white hall. We stepped out, strolling in the direction of the dining hall.

I was now three days old, and I wasn’t allowed to go anywhere without one of my creators. I understood that my perfection still wasn’t certain their eyes, which meant I couldn’t be trusted without supervision. I didn’t mind. It let me get to know them better. Micah usually went with me most places, because he was an artist and didn’t see the point in writing notes, which is what the others spent most of their time doing.

After dinner Micah took me back to my bedroom, which was a room attached to the laboratory.

“Remember, don’t stay up too late, and also, I have another rule for you,” Micah said as I stepped inside of my room. I nodded, watching him expectantly. He rubbed the back of his neck, hesitating. I continued to wait though, allowing his moment of uncertainty. “Don't try to leave the room without one of us with you, ok?”
I cocked my head to the side, curiosity filling me. His behavior was strange, he was generally a relaxed individual, but I could see his tight fists, his muscles tensed.

“Why?” I asked, but as soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted them. “I’m sorry, you’d don’t have to answer that.”

He waved it off, smiling, taking a step back.

“It's all good, just don’t leave the room, alright, Darcy?”
I smiled, nodding, beginning to close the door. But my interest on the rule was still clouding my thoughts. Why would that be a rule? Was there something that could hurt me outside of my room? Were they worried I’d break something? I shook my head, shutting the door completely, exhaling.

All that mattered was I’d been given a new rule, and a perfect being didn’t break rules.