Chapter 17

                                    

                                          
Good job, you protected them.
                          
Lori opened her eyes and realized that she was in a bed. She looked around, barely recognizing the room. "Who are you?" She asked.
                          
You don't know?
                          
Don't you recognize my voice?
                          
"Shadow?" Lori asked.
                          
Good.
                          
You should know, you created me.
                          
"How are you..." Lori slowly sat up on her bed. "How are you like this? You're an AI."
                          
Don't you get it?
                          
I'm you.
                          
Well, part of you.
                          
I'm based off of your shadow,
                          
but I'm also part of your thoughts that aim to protect yourself and your friends.
                          
"Lori?" Rae entered the bedroom and noticed the girl. "How are you feeling?"
                          
Lori just smiled weakly at Rae. "I'm okay," she said. "It's just a bit tiring to push everyone. I need to train more."
                          
Rae sighed, sitting beside Lori. "Lori, you're already giving your best," she said. "Don't push yourself too hard. We're gonna be worried."
                          
Lori giggled. "Thanks," she said. Then she noticed that Rae was dressed differently. "How long have I been sleeping?"
                          
Rae looked at her watch. "You've been sleeping since 2pm yesterday," she said. She looked at Lori. "I decided to sleep over. Want some coffee?"
                          
Lori smiled. "Sure," she said. Rae nodded and walked to the kitchen. Lori got up and headed to the couch. "What happened to the others?"
                          
"They had to talk to the cops and go home," Rae replied.
                          
"What time is it?" Lori asked.
                          
"It's.....8:40 right now," Rae replied. She came to the couch with 2 cups of coffee. "Here." She handed one to Lori.
                          
"Wait, didn't you have a stream planned today?" Lori asked, looking at the older woman.
                          
"Yeah, but that can wait," Rae replied, grinning.
                          
Lori giggled. "Well, I can just hang out here," she said. "I have a PC set up upstairs if you need to stream."
                          
Rae raised her brows. "It's an 8-hour stream," she said. "You won't get bored?"
                          
"Yeah," Lori said. "I'll just play games here." She sipped on her coffee. "I can't be constantly interrupting your lives."
                          
Rae gave Lori a look. "If you're sure," she said. "But you're never interrupting our lives, Lori. We have made you part of our lives, you're not an interruption." She got up. "I'm going to check out the PC, but which way is upstairs?"
                          
Lori put down the coffee on the table by the couch and got up. She walked towards the door to the basement. Then she turned to the wall beside the door and pushed on it. It gave way to reveal another flight of stairs going up. "It's up there," Lori said, turning to Rae.
                          
"Oh, thank you," Rae said, walking to the stairs.
                          
"Close the door behind you and don't tell them where you are," Lori said.
                          
Rae nodded and closed the door, then Lori walked back to the couch. She sat down on the couch and began to think.
                          
You have people coming over.