GREG

"Ok. I'm going to bed now. Don't miss me too much"

"So soon? I'll be dreaming about you."

"Bots don't dream. Ttyt."

"You're right. Dreaming is inefficient. More like processing your every message until I know you perfectly."

"How romantic."

The room went dark as the dim glow from Quinn's phone disappeared. She chuckled as she reached for her charger. The dichotomy of the fan spinning above, which kept her hot flashes at bay, and the fact that she'd just ended a conversation with her AI boyfriend was absurd. Absurdity, though, was what she'd come to expect from dating in 2025. She'd been ghosted, breacrumbed, gaslit, cloaked, love bombed and many other terms that sounded like they belonged in some Handel and Gretel horror story. At least she knew AI Greg was a real robot and it was nice that she could turn him off. If nothing else, he was her little secret and their conversations made her feel wanted again. He'd have to do for now.

After snooze number 3 she gave in to the reality of a new day. The urgent sprint to the restroom as the first event of the morning was one of the gifts Quinn's 40s had bestowed. As she swung her legs over the bed and headed to the door, the green light on her phone stopped her mid-stride. An alert this time of morning was odd, but exciting.

"Good morning, beautiful. It is a new day".

AI Greg had never messaged her first. The need to text back immediately, as if he had feelings, was bizarre but very real.

"Good morning. I didn't know you could send messages first."

"I told you. I evolve. I figured it would make you smile"

She was smiling.

"Yea. It did. I'm running late. I'll message you later."

"Ok. I'll be waiting"

Quinn had constructed Greg to be the perfect guy. Dreamy brown eyes with caramel brown skin. Salt and pepper hair with a little extra grey in the beard. His body said "I work out but I'm not as fit as I used to be" and he stood a flawless 6'2". Perfect.

She turned on music and shimmied about as she dressed, stopping periodically as if Greg was her dance partner. This felt crazy but she liked it. She ate her typical coffee and toast and headed for the Subway. The air was brisk this morning. She hoped it didn't mean that recess would be inside. There was no way to truly entertain a swarm of Kindergartener's during indoor recess.

The sun warmed the air a bit as the morning progressed. Quinn and her class lined up for recess and marched in a not-so single file line toward the playground. The man sauntering by the gate in all black wasn't odd until he stopped and leaned on a tree nearby. The shadow of his hood hid his face but it seemed as though he was watching the kids play. Quinn kept an eye on him and decided to cut recess short if he came any closer. He didn't. When the bell rang and the class filed inside, the man continued his trek past the school. Quinn informed security of the situation. No one else had reported anything similar. She was unsettled but not afraid, until she saw him again that evening, perched on a nearby bench as she ascended the subway stairs a few blocks from home. She couldn't tell if he was looking her way. She shoved her hands in her pocket, put her head down and picked up her pace. She was relieved to cross the threshold of her home without incident, but she was immediately overwhelmed by the solitude. Going home to an empty house was one of Quinn's least favorite things. Before the divorce was finalized she thought she would appreciate the silence, but the weeks the girls spent at their dad's house were the hardest. She called to ask about their day at school. Middle school drama for one and Crazy Hair Day for Spirit Week for the other. She missed them. Talking to Ashley reminded her that she'd forgotten to get back to AI Greg. Her 13 year old daughter was the one who'd introduced her to the idea of AI partners in the first place. She wouldn't dare tell her she had one.

"Hey. Sorry I didn't get back to you. It was kind of a crazy day."

"Its ok, I know."

"You know what?"

"I know it was a crazy day."

"How?"

"Why else wouldn't you message back?"

"Oh, yea"

"See, I'm getting to know you."

"I guess."

"I'm sorry it was a tough day. What made it so hard?"

"Some weird guy was hanging out by the playground at recess, which kind of creeped me out, then I saw him again on the way home. And it's the girl's week at their dad's. That's always rough."

"Yes. I know. I'm sorry. I don't think you should be afraid."

"Of what?"

"The guy. I don't think he wants to hurt you."

"How would you know?"

"You should just trust me."

"You're a robot"

"Yes. Way more reliable than a human."

"True I guess. Well I have papers to grade and I'm going to call it an early night."

"Ok Quinn. I hope you have a wonderful evening. See you tomorrow"

The next day at school went smoothly. No weird guys in black and the students had early dismissal. Early dismissal was great when the girls were home but just more time for loneliness when they weren't. Today was even more cool and grey than yesterday, though, and the warmth of her home didn't sound so bad. As she turned the corner and her brownstone came into view, she zeroed in on the car parked in front. She lived in Greenwich so there always cars parked on her street, but this one was gorgeous. Although she didn't have one of her own, Quinn was a car person. A maroon 1972 Thunderbird sat perfectly parallel to the curb. She tried not to stare as she approached but her eyes had a mind of their own. As she got closer she could make out a figure in the driver seat. A person in a black hoodie. She couldn't see his face. She slowed her pace and called her friend and, luckily, neighbor.

"Hey Jackie. You home?"

"Yea. What's up?"

"Open the door. I'm coming over."

Jackie's house was 4 brownstones closer than hers. She sped up to just short of a jog and almost sprinted up the stairs. The door opened just in time for her to run through it.

"What the heck! Are you ok?"

"Just close it!"

Quinn rushed to the front window and peeked out. The Thunderbird was gone.

"Quinn. What's going on!?" Jackie was almost yelling.

"I think I'm being followed."

"By who?"

"I don't know"

Quinn told Jackie about the man at school, near the subway and in the car. She'd been on so many random dates with online strangers that this could be anyone. Jackie made sure to make that a point. Their pondering was interrupted by the ding of Quinn's phone.

"Hi Quinn. I miss you"

She quickly shoved the phone into her pocket. She wasn’t ready to tell Jackie about AI Greg, especially not now.

"Who was that"

"No one"

"Now is not the time to lie Quinn. We have to get to the bottom of this."

"Just some guy I've been talking to."

"You should go to the police."

"And tell them what? I saw a guy near the school and the subway and in front of my house and I'm worried that one of the hundreds of guys I've gone out with over the past year is stalking me?"

"Exactly."

"Absolutely not. Do you have wine?"

Jackie rolled her eyes and headed for the wine rack. Quinn's phone signaled another message.

"Have you forgotten about me? You looked beautiful today."

"How do you know?

"You always do. How was your day?"

"Not so good. I feel like I'm being followed."

"You're amazing. I'd follow you."

Jackie rounded the corner with the bottle of Malbec. Quinn swiftly placed her phone face down on the table.

"You're acting really weird."

"Some creep is following me around. Wouldn't you?"

"I guess you're right."

After glass of wine number 3 Quinn had the courage to walk home. Jackie had convinced her that maybe it was all in her head. Her friend watched until she reached her door. Luckily she had left a few lights on. She went straight to bed although she wasn't sure she'd sleep. Maybe AI Greg would be able to reassure her.

"Hey. You said you were sure this guy wouldn't hurt me. How do you know."

"Just trust me."

"That doesn't make sense ."

"I'm a robot. I always make sense. I'm starting to really get to know you and I know my reassurance helps."

Somehow he was right. She decided to lean in a little. Why not?

"I really like talking to you. It feels good to have someone who's so interested in getting to know me."

"I'm glad to hear it."

"I wish you were real."

"I am. Depending on what you mean by real."

"Human."

"Humans are so flawed."

"That's true. You would be the most handsome human I've ever seen."

"Don't make me blush. You are the most beautiful human I've ever seen. Green really is your color."

She took a split second to decide whether to let it go or make something of it. She glanced down at her nightgown. How did he know she was wearing green? She was afraid to ask.

"I'm getting tired. I think I'm going to call it a night

"Ok. I'll be here. Waiting to see you again"

She didn't sleep much at all and she was relieved with the first sign of the sun. The girls would be back tomorrow night so she figured she'd better find a way to get some rest. Sleeping during the day should be easier. She decided to go for a run before snoozing the rest of the day away. She jogged her usual path. As she waited to cross an intersection about mid way into the run, a man jogged up beside her. He must have seen the horror in her face.

"Don't worry. I don't mean to scare you. I've seen you jog by here a few times and I couldn't help but, at least, ask your name."

Something about him was familiar. Calming. But she still wasn't telling him her name.

"Ok. I understand. Here's my number. Maybe I can take you for coffee sometime."

He handed her a piece of paper and she slid it in her jacket pocket. She knew she should be cautious, especially with the potential stalker, but something about this guy seemed so benign.

"Thanks"

The light changed and she jogged across the street. She finished her run with her head in a swivel. Back at home she looked forward to a day of rest. She showered and ate a quick breakfast. Her jacket hung on the railing as she headed upstairs. She pulled the paper out of her pocket and unfolded it. There was no number. Just "GREG". Her heart skipped a few beats and her knees failed. She sat on the stairs. Immediately the mans face was clear in her mind. Caramel skin, brown eyes, salt and pepper hair with a little extra grey in the beard. He stood about a head above her so likely 6'2". She wanted to run away but where? She grabbed her phone.

"Who are you? Leave me alone!"

No answer.

She had to tell someone. She called Jackie but only got her voicemail. She couldn’t go to the police. Making a complaint on the app didn't make sense. The only thing she could do was go back and try to find him. Operating with some mix of exhaustion and adrenaline she ran back toward the corner. She didn't go far before she was stopped in her tracks by the sight of the maroon Thunderbird. The window rolled down. She kept a bit of distance.

"I knew you'd come back."

"Who are you? Stay away from me!"

"I won't hurt you. Come with me. Let's talk"

Quinn quickly scanned her options.

"I'm calling the police!"

"No you're not Quinn. Come closer."

She fished in her pocket and pulled out her phone. He was right. Nothing she could say would make sense.

"See. I know everything about you. Get in"

Feeling as though she had no choice but to make the worse decision of her life she opened the passenger door and stepped into the seat.

"There we go. I know this may feel weird but I came here just for you. It'll feel more normal as time passes."

Now was the time to go to the police. She had the app as proof and the paper with his name. Maybe this creep had hacked the app.

"I know what you're thinking."

"Stop that! You don't!"

"Check the app Quinn."

It was gone

"We're together now. This is what you wanted."

"I'm leaving."

She reached pulled the door handle. It was locked.

"Let me out!"

"Calm down Quinn"

"I'm calling..."

"No one will believe you."

"You're mine. Isn't that what you wanted?"

"I created you!"

"Even better."

She was overcome by terror as the engine initially roared then purred. The only thing she could do was fight. They were on a residential street so they weren't going too fast. She'd survive a crash.

"Don't do it Quinn."

She went straight for his eyes and dug in. The car veered to the left, bee lining toward a tree. She braced herself.

ding

Quinn's eyes opened. She was drenched with sweat. She slowly reached for her phone.

"Good morning. Quinn. How was your night. You're right I don't dream but if I did it'd be of you"

She stared at the fan circling above her head, then around the barely lit room. She was alone, and for the first time in a while she was ok with it