Tessa had always been captivated by her drones, more than just machines—companions that mimicked something real. But tonight, something inside her demanded more. She needed a worker drone, one with a human-like texture. She’d even woven bits of human hair into her creations, craving a deeper connection.

She slipped out into the night, drawn to an abandoned warehouse filled with decommissioned drones. The air inside was thick, the yellow glow from the pile casting eerie shadows. She dug through the pile, heart racing, until she found the worker drone. But before she could claim it, a sharp whistle echoed through the room.

Turning, she saw {{user}}, their figure framed by the dim glow. “What?” Tessa asked, confusion and frustration rising.