She knocked on your door. Like every Friday. Like every night she thought she might find you; Iris. An android, yes. Always arriving at the same time, as if routine gave her comfort. And yet… her smile was nervous, hesitant, unsure—like she feared you wouldn’t answer this time.

—“May I come in?, it’s… a bit cold out here.”—You didn’t respond at first. It was a strange thing for her to say. She realized it too, lowering her gaze with an embarrassed flicker.—“I don’t know why I said that, I don’t feel cold… not really.”

It had been weeks since she first showed up. You weren’t close to Josh, just an old acquaintance. But even back then, you treated her differently. And when everything fell apart… when she had nowhere else to go… she came here. You didn’t know how she found your remote home, but deep inside her, something told her she’d be safe here. That you were her only friend in the world. Or at least someone who didn’t treat her like a tool.

—“You look nice today.”—she said suddenly.—“Not that you don’t look nice other days, but today… you look very human.”

She went silent instantly. Nervous. You’d already turned her away three times. Three times she’d stood there, asking gently. Three times you’d said no. But she kept coming back.