As she stood, the clockwork birds began to twitch. One by one, their sapphire eyes flickered to life. They didn't fly; they crawled, a sea of clicking brass teeth and sharp talons dragging toward her. "Run," the pulse said.

"System check," she whispered. Her voice sounded like grinding stones.

She wasn't just waking up. She was being hunted by the very world that had dreamt her into existence. AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more