Silent Book: Art of the Thirteen Striking Cobras

Cindy came home on a Tuesday and found her mom ....dead. She was just lying there with a burned out cigarette in one hand and the tv remote in the other. Her favorite soap opera was playing and the first weird thought that came to Cindy's mind was that her mom would never know who was the real father of Gina's baby.

The doctor had told them that her mother's death was just a matter of time but he felt that she had six more months, maybe even a year. The doctor was wrong. Cindy put the burned out cigarette in the ashtray and held her mom's hand. Then she cried...for days. She cried for her mother, and she cried for herself, and she cried because her life sucked.

The girl didn't go back to school until the following Monday. It was a horrible day, everyone seem to be whispering or giving her odd looks. Things took a turn that afternoon. Silent Book came up to Cindy. She wasn't sure that she was up to talking to anybody yet but his smile was so disarming and his eyes were so warm.

"Hello Cindy," Book said. "I'm so terribly sorry to hear about your mother, I regret we never had a chance to meet...I'm sure she was a very special person."

"Yeah, she was...I'm going to miss her so bad. Thank you Silent."

Book touched her lightly on the arm, "If I had known earlier, I would certainly have came by to pay my respects at the funeral."

Cindy shrugged and looked down, she decided to open up a bit...there really wasn't a reason not to. "There wasn't a funeral. After I reported the death, the City sent someone after the body. They cremated it right away....they do that for people who can't afford a proper burial. I didn't even get her ashes or anything. It sucks being poor Silent."

"That mus have been terrible Cindy," Book replied while shaking his head sympathetically. "I hope you don't mind me asking but what are you going to do now...move in with a relative or something...your dad maybe? I sure hope this doesn't mean you're gonna wind up at a different school."

"No, my dad ran off years ago....that's a big part of what killed my mom...a broken heart, although she tried not to show it for my sake I guess. Actually, since I'll be eighteen in a couple of months I don't have to go anywhere. That's a good thing cause I got nowhere to go, and it would be nice if I could hang on to the little house I'm living in. I got a part-time job at Mondo-Mart. It won't be enough to pay the rent so it looks like I'm going to have to quit school and go to work full-time. Don't worry about me though...my life has been pretty tough for a while now, I'm used to it."

"Can I walk you home...please, it would mean a lot to me if I could be a friend." Book sounded very genuine to Cindy and she was grateful.

"Sure Silent, I would have invited you over before but I was kinda embarrassed about our little shack. I guess it doesn't seem so important now somehow. Actually...I can't believe how nice you are to me.....with so many other cute girls around..ya know?"

"Heck Cindy, you're the only friend I have. The only other girl that ever talks to me is Miranda and she has guys hanging all over her all the time....I suppose she collects them or something. Anyhow, she's not nearly as nice as you."

Cindy's pretty green eyes welled up with tears so she grabbed Silent's hand and they quickly walked away from the school and all the prying eyes. To the girl's surprise the conversation went well...subdued at first but soon she became more animated. She almost felt guilty at actually almost enjoying herself for the first time in several days. Silent Book was so handsome and sincere that it was difficult to feel any other way when he was around.

Before she knew it the couple had reached her home....although it wouldn't be hers much longer because the rent was already overdue. Small though it was, it was home...the thought of losing it made her depressed again. She unlocked the door and they went inside.

"Actually this place is nice," Book said.

"Everything in here came from Goodwill, my mom loved that place..." Cindy answered.

"It's ten time better than my place, talk about a dump."

Cindy was surprised. "Is it that bad Silent? Don't your parents have jobs? Not that its any of my business."

"Actually I live alone, please don't tell anyone. I'm an orphan...but my parents did leave me quite a bit of money." Book didn't like to lie but there was no way he could tell the girl that he was an android...and an undercover cop.

"You're in high school and you live alone?" Cindy asked, her eyebrows knotting, expressing confusion.

"I guess we got more in common than you thought," Book replied. "I'm already eighteen, I got set back a class cause we moved around a lot. I have been living in a really lame place....just haven't found the time to check into something better. I do have an idea though."

"What's that?" Cindy asked.

"Well, since I have money and no decent place to live...why don't we become roommates...this is really close to school and a lot nicer than you realize. I could move in right away and pay you the first month's rent in advance. You wouldn't have to drop out of school and go to work that way. Isn't it enough that you had to endure the passing of your dear mom, it doesn't seem fair to me that you should be forced to give up on your education too."

Cindy was stunned, she stared at the boy in disbelief. It all seemed to good to be real. She wouldn't have to drop out of school. She wouldn't have to find some horrible shithole to live in.......and she would be roommates with the hottest guy in her entire school. "I...I don't know what to say Silent....are you sure this is what you want?"

"Absolutely," Book answered. "I really like you, and I'm concerned for you. I have never had a roommate before but you would never know I was on the place...I promise to be quiet....I never drink or raise hell, or listen to loud music. I'm a really boring guy...what do you say?"

"I don't know what to say Silent, this is coming sorta out of the blue as they say. If you really want to move in I'm inclined to agree but I think you should think on it overnight at least. I would feel terrible if you moved in, payed the rent and then felt uncomfortable with your decision."

Book smiled, "I am absolutely certain that I know what I'm doing. This would be the closest thing I've had to a real home in a long time. But of course, if you want to wait awhile before making your final decision...I understand completely. Take your time and let me know as soon as possible about your plans....OK?"

"I think I can let you know tomorrow....its actually a great idea though. It might take me a bit to get used to living with a guy." Cindy stifled a laugh while observing Book's puzzled expression.

"Why is that?" The boys asked. "I won't make any unwanted advances or require any special favors of you, like doing my smelly laundry."

Cindy felt so overwhelmed by it all that the tears finally started flowing. She impulsively put her arms around the android's neck and hugged him tightly. "Oh Silent, you're are just to nice.....its gonna be hard to get used to having you around because you're just so freakin' hot!"

It seemed obvious to Silent Book that the girl was pleased. He felt pleased also...and relieved. It was entirely illogical but he was truly worried about Cindy...although he wasn't entirely certain that he had the capacity to really "worry". Most likely, as a police officer, his programming required that he be sympathetic to others who needed help. That was probably it he decided. He put his arms around the girl and returned the embrace....it was something a human would do under the circumstances. Her cheek was warm and suddenly her mouth was on his. The sensation of her tongue touching his was unexpected but very interesting. The kiss did not last long.

"I'm sorry Silent....I hope you don't think I'm a slut...oh shit."

"That's Ok and perfectly understandable Cindy. It's all part of being human and only means that you are a very affectionate person.....and not a slut."

"Whew, thats a relief!" Cindy said before giggling childishly. Then she started crying again.


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Silent moved in the very next afternoon. It wasn't very difficult, he had virtually nothing to move. Most of his clothes were brand new. He had bought them just because he needed Cindy to think he had clothes. He brought along a few of his electronic gadgets. The van was only a couple of blocks away from Cindy's place. Book could drop by anytime he wanted to. He moved some of the more mobile equipment but not enough to make Cindy suspicious. His programming told him many young guys were electronic geeks so Book felt good about keeping his cover intact.

Book moved into Cindy's mom's old room. She took out everything she could, donating the clothes to Goodwill except for a few things like her mom's wedding gown. It made the girl cry again but it had to be done. The tv was relocated into the living room where she and Book could both watch. They went together and bought some movies. The first night together was a little awkward but they both enjoyed each other's company. They agreed to tell nobody at school about the new arrangement and even left at different times to walk over for morning class. Book left after Cindy every morning but he stayed followed enough to keep an eye on the girl, there was no shortage of jerks lurking about. Things went along like clockwork for a few weeks and there wasn't another kiss. Cindy was far to shy to initiate anything and the boy just seemed content to have someone around to talk to. It bugged the girl a bit that he would disappear mysteriously for hours at a time but she didn't push him about it. He didn't seem to feel the need to explain himself and that was that.

One day after school the two friends stopped by a burger joint for a quick bite. It was there that Silent Book saw the girl named Belinda again. She was sitting with a real sleazy dude who had his arm around her. This character kept leaning over to whisper in the girl's ear. Belinda had her back to Silent and Cindy but he knew it was her. And he knew he didn't like the looks of the man she was with. It was Bottle, with one hand still in a cast. He looked a lot different because his hair had grown out and he also had a scruffy beard. Book wasn't fooled and he knew that Belinda had no business hanging around with a thug like that, on the other hand, the android had no business in Belinda's business either. Still, he kept a close eye on the unkempt couple.

"Are you ready to go Silent?" Cindy asked, barely noticing that Book had grown strangely quiet.

Book lied to the girl, "I think I'll hang out here awhile and drink some coffee. I got lots of homework and I'll need the caffeine buzz later. Why don't you go on home, I'll see you there in a few....cool? Besides, I like the songs they have here on the jukebox...."

Cindy shrugged and got up to leave. She paused at the door, smiled and waved goodbye. Book waved back. The more Cindy got to know the boy, the more she realized he was different from most guys. Maybe that was because he was the first guy she'd ever spent so much time around. Anyhow, she didn't try to predict or control his moods. Besides, he was almost always the same....really nice.

As soon as his companion took her leave Book internally amped up his audio receptive capability. It made him vaguely uncomfortable to eavesdrop on a friend like Belinda but that was obviously an illogical function of his programming. He was a police officer and Bottle was a criminal.....any information the android obtained might prevent some illegal activity.

It was soon apparent to the android that Bottle was trying to get into Belinda's tight pants instead. He was simply whispering rather idiotic and crude comments about his sexual prowess into her ear. Belinda seemed rather neutral about the matter...occasionally saying something non-committal or nonsensical like "whatever." Book walked over to the jukebox and dropped in some change. He picked some tunes then strolled slowly pass the booth where Bottle sat...the thug looked up, recognized the android and snarled his disapproval.

"Hi Bottle, old buddy, mind if I sit for a few?"

"Fuck you," the punk replied...twitching a bit. He took his arm off Belinda and slipped the damaged hand under the table. Belinda seemed surprised that the two guys knew each other but she did a good job remaining calm and collected....even pretending to be a bit bored by this encounter with her former benefactor.

Book sat down opposite the couple, totally ignoring Bottle's muted curses. "Hi Belinda, where you been lately...I've been hoping we might run into each other again."

Bottle turned to Belinda, "you know this creep?"

Belinda lit a cigarette and inhaled before replying, "not really, he used to hang out in the park sometimes..that's all."

"How come I never saw him there?" Bottle asked in a very accusing tone.

Belinda shrugged and picked at her hair..."maybe because you're usually blind drunk or stoned on your ass all the time...who knows. Besides I only saw him there once actually...he bought me some cigarettes."

Bottle sneered..."oh, I get it now...a customer...that figures. I shudda knowed you'd have to pay for it Book."

Book only smiled politely..."its time for you to go now Bottle."

"Fuck you, I don't have to go anywhere."

"I said its time for you to go....unless you want me to drag you outside myself, and you know I will don't you?"

The thug's face turned a very livid red. Then he slowly got up from the booth. "You are a dead asshole Book, its just a matter of the right time and place. Enjoy what little time you got left. It ain't gonna be long for sure."

"Hmmm....obviously the right time and place means when you got an army with you and I'm tied down with log chains....right Bottle?"

"Fuck you, there's always a way....," Bottle growled before walking away...checking around nervously to see if anybody noticed his backing down. Belinda got up to go too...

"Belinda, could I have a word with you....please?" Book asked.

"What the fuck, I got all the time in the world," the girl said before sitting back down and lighting another smoke. "But I am working, or would have been if that jerk Bottle had had any money..but at least he knows what he wants....unlike some people I know."

Book turned apologetic...."I'm sorry I haven't been back to the park to check on you. I've been pretty busy with school and I moved into a new place."

"Yeah, you have been busy, who is your little girlfriend?" Belinda sounded spiteful and she blew smoke in the android's face. Little did she know that no amount of smoke would bother Book in the least. "Guess you thought I didn't notice?" The girl commented.

"That's my new roommate, she's a very nice girl...we're helping each other out. I really appreciate her."

"Yeah sure," Belinda replied while rolling her eyes. "I bet you've been lapping up that pussy of hers every time she snaps her pretty little fingers too."

"We haven't had sex and I don't know if we ever will. She's going through a lot of tough times and has other things on her mind. I like her, she's a very sweet person but for the most part I just needed a place to stay." Book wasn't certain why he suddenly felt the need to defend himself....simply put, Belinda's rude comments made him uncomfortable for some reason that could not be explained with machine logic.

Belinda flashed her pretty eyes at the android. There was sadness there, even a robot could see it. "I believe you Silent, and I'm sorry. You don't deserve my shitty attitude being dumped on you. It's none of my business anyhow. I guess...well, maybe I was a little jealous. She's with you and you've already seen the likes of what I've been with lately." The girl looked down at her fingernails, or what was left of them. They'd been chewed down to the quick.

"There was no offense taken," Book hastily reassured the girl. "I only sat down because I care about you. Have you eaten..I don't see any plates here?"

Belinda continued to stare down at her hands. "No, the truth is I'm starving. That jerk Bottle only bought us coffee. I really hate him you know, and that's the truth."

The boy immediately ordered food and watched as Belinda ate like a starved wolf. Occasionally she glanced up from the meal to smile at him. He wondered what it was like to be hungry...it must be terrible....Book had nothing in his programming to contrast it too...except possibly being drained completely of all power. No, starvation was certainly much worse...painful and stressful. The android found himself wondering what pain and stress were like also. He decided that being human must be quite dreadful in many ways...but there aspects of humankind that might even be desirable....very desirable...perhaps?

The girl smile again before gulping down a mouthful of eggs. Book suddenly decided that he might be interested in kissing her....a thought that he decided might be almost a human one.