Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts

Jun 22, 2024

Kindle Statistics and How to Self Publish in 2024



Here are some useful statistics related to Kindle Publishing sales:

Self-Published eBook Growth: In 2024, self-published ebook titles grew by 9% year-over-year. Overall, 31% of ebooks sold on Amazon were self-published, highlighting the viability of independent authorship facilitated by Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing platform.


Earnings for Self-Published Authors: Self-published writers on Kindle can earn anywhere from around $150 per month on the lower end to more than $20,000 per month on the higher end.


Print Book Sales: Amazon sold 308 million print books in 2024, showing a healthy 2.4% year-over-year growth. This contrasts with major bookstore chains like Barnes & Noble, which saw print sales decline by 1.3%.


Audiobook Market Share: Amazon’s Audible audiobooks subsidiary commands 63.4% of the US audiobook market as of 2022, compared to just 7.2% in 2012. Audiobook revenue topped $1.4 billion, solidifying Amazon’s lead over competitors like Apple and Spotify.


Here are some of the most popular book genres on Amazon Kindle:
Literary Fiction
Mystery/Thriller/Suspense
Romance
Science Fiction
Fantasy
Horror
Young Adult.

masked women sea TaleTeller Club book illustration pinkfigure head
These genres attract a wide readership, so if you’re considering publishing in any of these categories, you’re likely to find an engaged audience. Happy writing! 

Here are some genre-specific tips for writing in popular Kindle genres:


Literary Fiction: Focus on character development and explore complex emotions.
Use descriptive language to create vivid settings.
Address universal themes or social issues.

Mystery/Thriller/Suspense: Create a compelling plot with unexpected twists.
Develop intriguing characters, including flawed protagonists.
Maintain suspense by revealing information gradually.


Romance: Develop strong chemistry between main characters.
Balance emotional tension with moments of intimacy.
Explore different subgenres (e.g., contemporary, historical, paranormal).


Science Fiction: Build imaginative worlds with consistent rules.
Explore futuristic technology or alternate realities.
Address ethical dilemmas related to science and progress.


Fantasy: Invent magical systems and unique creatures.
Explore epic quests and hero’s journeys.
Ground fantastical elements in relatable emotions.


Horror: Create a sense of dread and fear.
Use atmospheric descriptions to set the tone.
Explore psychological horror and supernatural elements.


Young Adult:Write relatable teenage protagonists.
Address coming-of-age themes and identity.
Balance adventure, romance, and self-discovery.


Here are some common pitfalls to avoid when writing in popular Kindle genres:

Literary Fiction:Overwriting: Avoid excessive description or overly flowery prose. Focus on clarity and purpose.
Lack of Plot: Literary fiction still needs a compelling plot. Don’t sacrifice story for style.
Clichรฉs: Steer clear of overused metaphors or predictable character arcs.


Mystery/Thriller/Suspense:Telegraphing: Don’t give away twists too early. Maintain suspense.
Weak Motivation: Ensure characters’ actions are motivated and logical.
Flat Villains: Develop layered antagonists, not one-dimensional villains.


Romance:Insta-Love: Avoid unrealistic instant romances. Build genuine connections.
Purple Prose: Flowery language can distract from emotional moments.
Lack of Conflict: Conflict drives romance plots. Create obstacles.


Science Fiction:Info Dumps: Don’t overwhelm readers with excessive world-building.
Unrealistic Science: Ground speculative elements in plausible science.
Neglecting Characters: Balance tech with relatable characters.


Fantasy:Tropes: Be aware of genre clichรฉs (chosen ones, magical artifacts).
Inconsistent Magic: Establish clear rules for magic systems.
Overcomplicated Names: Keep character and place names readable.


Horror:Predictability: Surprise readers with fresh scares.
Too Much Gore: Horror isn’t just blood and guts; it’s psychological.
Ignoring Atmosphere: Set the eerie tone through setting and mood.


Young Adult:Adult Voice: Avoid making teens sound too mature.
Stereotypes: Create diverse, authentic characters.
Preachiness: Address themes without being didactic.

Remember, these are guidelines, not strict rules. Adapt them to your unique voice and story!

Catch up with Tale Teller Club Publishing on our partner platforms below.


https://lounges.tv/profile/suzukischool for our Saturday workshops.


iServalan Show: A podcast covering topics like AI, culture, and music. Tale Teller Club Publishing: Produces and distributes audiobooks, ebooks, and short plays Music Therapy: Based on the theory of Rife Healing Vibrations, exploring resonance therapies. Tale Teller Kids: Under 5s and Under 8s 

 

You can explore their enchanting world on their YouTube channel and Twitter๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸŽจ๐Ÿ“š๐ŸŽถ12
Animation Films by Tale Teller Club for the Book of Immersion Series are available on YouTube
All Episodes Playlist on YouTube

Links to episodes of Immersion written and illustrated by Sarnia de la Marรฉ FRSA, published by Tale Teller Club are below

VIDEO BOOKS by Tale Teller Club

Strata 1 Book of Immersion

Strata 2 Book of Immersion

Strata 3 Book of Immersion

Strata 4 Book of Immersion

Strata 5 Book of Immersion

Strata 6 Book of Immersion

Episodes with text




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Jun 3, 2024

Strata 7, Book of Immersion V1, Jarome and the Scritters, (Trade and Barter)

Welcome to Immersion, you have reached Strata 7



Humans have developed uniqueness from animals through a process of cognitive evolution. 
They are exceptional cultural learners and can read situations. 

Critter from the Book of Immersion V1 Strata 7
These skills have enabled them to develop complex trading tools. They rely heavily on these skills to create abstract cerebral and linguistic representations when placing themselves in various situations.

The cultural and socio-political environment in which humans have evolved has led them to acquire the cognitive skills, particularly mathematical, to support a sophisticated disposition along with a capacity for reciprocal cooperation. Humans understand conceptual ideas of property and exchange. 

Humans are savvy, humans broker deals.


Outside there was an optimistic sun and the people busied around the market unaware of any of the commotion that had occurred in the bank.

The *POS informed Renyke that he had lost negligible battery power and there was no damage to his mechanical or bionic structures.

The robot-dog and the cat had waited patiently outside the bank and now trotted diligently at their owners' sides.

Maybeline returned to Renyke's pocket for a nap.

'You got my *bits?' asked Queen.

'For nearly getting us killed?' replied Renyke contemplating the difference between, irony,  sarcasm and humour. POS began to explain but Renyke shut her out. He really did not want to know at this juncture.

'Listen Mr. whoever you are, there's many a hiccup ahead. You are in the *zones now, you need to get used to the hiccups. '*Sides, I gotta feed my cat. She aint no robot like that mutt.'

The robo-dog gave a little yelp and lowered its head in shame.
Queenie's cat moved closer to Renyke and sniffed the air for any scent of lunch.

Renyke took something from the bag, the smallest nugget he could find, and handed it to Queenie. 

'That is very generous of you,' she said, taking the payment and subtly raising an eyebrow with the tiniest of smiles. The payment was excessive and the cat would eat for a month. Renyke was none the wiser. 

Then Queenie was gone, running into the crowds as lithe as the cat behind her. A blue feather shimmied to the ground. For some reason Renyke was compelled to pick it up and put it in his pocket where Maybeline wrapped it around herself. 

Back on the main street Flex approached smiling and jaunty. Renyke was reassured to see him.

'I need a vehicle Flex, something to get me to where I am going, thirty miles or so,' said Renyke.

'Yes, yes, yes Mr. Leather Man, where you goin' is where I'm goin'. Let's find a veee-hicle. Jerome, he is the car man, he got cars, and bikes and *scoots..... and *copters, and airships so they say.'

'Take me to Jerome,' said Renyke.


****


insects scritters illustration books eyes black man glasses
Flex took Renyke into a disused concrete building as the robo-dog curled up and waited outside.

There are the echoes of voices, activity and motor engines being revved from another part of the building. There is a smell of fuel and mumbled communications. Somewhere too there is music.

Flex beckoned Renyke to Jerome's office, a ramshackle room filled with books. More books than Renyke had ever seen. Books were no longer used in most homes or schools and the paper shortages after the warmings had meant that they were no longer being produced commercially. Paper had become heavily taxed and there were also problems with *scritters

Scritters are large crawling insects that had been genetically modified in a laboratory by the Russian military. They were a fusion of a cockroach and a wasp but their wings had become almost defunct in the genetic processing. They could get a few feet above the ground but not for very long. 

Scritters were highly protective and thus easily trained. They were perfect soldiers. They looked deformed with big insect heads and metal body parts. At birth scritters are born with a soft back. They seek protection from any material that offers a hard shell. Because of the huge landfill areas all around the world, the rubbish of hundred's of years had provided the perfect materials for protection. Plastics and metals were abundant in the *fills and the *Urchs and Scritters were often seen sifting through the piles of discarded trash looking for treasures.

During the *Russia-China wars scritters had been used to carry tiny incendiary divides on their backs as they were not affected by the nerve gases. They were able to hold their breath for periods of time and some had become amphibious. But after the wars, the *scritters had bred like wildfire, devouring paper and trees and nesting in book spines where the glue offered a perfect cocoon for pupae. Whole libraries had been mutilated by them. They were a scourge on the planet and another reason so many houses were built on stilts in the *Midcast Projects as scritters were terrified of heights.

The more paper they ate, the more they reproduced. Books and paper matter that had not been digitally copied had been devastated and lost forever.

'A car you say?' asked Jerome. 'I got plenty, but the fuel....we got no fuel. We are working on some alternatives, but all prototypes so far. They cut off our fuel and generators after the riots. And the food supplies..... I have been missing gummies, I loved those. Don't suppose you have any?'

Renyke shook his head as Jerome continued....

'Transport is a big problem. You could walk my friend, if you can get through the tunnels. But there are booby traps all around the perimeters here in the zones. You probably wouldn't make it....dead by morning, even before breakfast. And them pigs....they're hungry...'

Renyke checks the POS for details but the pigs and the tunnels but they are unchartered. 

The POS seemed to be struggling with connection and was operating intermittently.

'I have a hybrid cart,' continued Jerome. 'It runs on solar but only for about 3 hours per full charge if you do under 40km. And if it is a cloudy day, an hour. I can let you take it for 3000 *G-bits. It won't get off the ground without jet fuel but it can drive on flat ground well enough. It holds the road ok, and even if you are a bad driver, it will get you 30 miles in an hour or so. And at that price, well it's a steal my friend.'

Renyke asks POS how to drive it but it is glitching again.

'Can you drive?' Renyke asked Flex.

Flex laughed... 'Of course I can. But how far we going, might be better to get a horse'.

Renyke couldn't tell if Flex was joking or not but either way, the prospect of travelling on horseback was not something he relished. He was starting to get a sense fatigue after the fight in the bank despite high battery levels.

A scritter crawls across the floor and Jerome stamps on it. A black tar oozes from under his foot.

Jerome sees Renyke might be changing his mind about the deal. 

'I will take *TELL, You got some TELL?"

The POS gets a signal......

...TELL: abbreviation of Tellurium, found in copper ore. Used in mobile phones, especially older versions where it was added to other metals improving their strength and hardness and reducing corrosion. Rare due to demise of traditional copper mines. 


Renyke, feeling confused about whether to get the vehicle and how much the exchange was worth, asks POS for advice.

I am not programmed to have opinions and am unable to make a useful prediction using probability. I do not have access to data about the vehicle, it has no computerised system. The seller seems to be shield protected and I cannot assess his reliability. But Redact is within easy walking and running distance for a *Mark 2 such as yourself. 

Renyke looks at Flex and then at Jerome. A scritter is crawling up his boot and he throws it off with a kick. He feels a rising panic and a thumping in his chest which he does not recognise. Why was it so important that he not make a mistake? Why was he not able to understand the virtue or danger of the exchange? 

Finally Renyke said, 'I will run.'

Jerome shrugged his shoulders and stamped on another scritter mumbling, 'time waster,' under his breath.

Flex, looking aghast at the prospect of a run, sighed, 'Man, that is not a good idea, *wheelin is safer my friend. It's a good deal!'
Renyke turns to leave the enclosure becoming irritated by the pestering and standing his ground.

Flex mutters in disgust, 'Brightside fucksyfool....'


To be continued
© 2023 Sarnia de la Marรฉ
https://lounges.tv/profile/suzukischool for our Saturday workshops.



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This week we launched our short form videos featuring news and music content.
The breaking bulletins are proving a great draw to the blog so welcome to all who have now found us via our YouTube and our website. 

Here are some of our latest episodes to today. Click the link to go directly to our podcast on the Spreaker app which is 100% free and easy to download to your phone.


๐Ÿ‘„ November Free Lyrics Talktone Ringtone ๐ŸŽค Creator Content Music Tools #love ❤️


๐Ÿ’ฅ News Flash India ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ Tuesday 23rd July 2024 TTC Breaking Bulletins #money


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News Flash ๐Ÿ’ฅ USA Tuesday @3rd July 2024 TTC Breaking Bulletin Election Battle Updates


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News Flash๐Ÿ’ฅ UK ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง July 23 2024 TTC Headlines Breaking Bulletins ๐Ÿ—ž️ #ttcnews #hatecrime


60 Second Music Lesson Scales tips Episode 1620 - Tale Teller Club


The mystery of YouTube and the private video is solved Tale Teller Club


Headline News UK ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง July 12, 2024 TTC Headlines ๐Ÿณ Breakfast Club Bulletins ๐Ÿ—ž️ #ttcnews


๐Ÿซฆ The Fountain Free Love Songs Passion Poems Lovers' Lyrics (Teasdale) Ringtones Factory


https://lounges.tv/profile/suzukischool for our Saturday workshops.



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Find out more about the Tale Teller Club
iServalan Show: A podcast covering topics like AI, culture, and music. Tale Teller Club Publishing: Produces and distributes audiobooks, ebooks, and short plays Music Therapy: Based on the theory of Rife Healing Vibrations, exploring resonance therapies. Tale Teller Kids: Under 5s and Under 8s 

 

You can explore their enchanting world on their YouTube channel and Twitter๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸŽจ๐Ÿ“š๐ŸŽถ12
Animation Films by Tale Teller Club for the Book of Immersion Series are available on YouTube
All Episodes Playlist on YouTube

Links to episodes of Immersion written and illustrated by Sarnia de la Marรฉ FRSA, published by Tale Teller Club are below

VIDEO BOOKS by Tale Teller Club

Strata 1 Book of Immersion

Strata 2 Book of Immersion

Strata 3 Book of Immersion

Strata 4 Book of Immersion

Strata 5 Book of Immersion

Strata 6 Book of Immersion

Episodes with text




#tools #contentcreators #music #freeringtones #freeloops #freelyrics #news #breakingnews #books #sarniadelamare #iservalan #taletellerclub




Dec 27, 2023

Unveiling Secrets: A Journey into "That Affair Next Door" by Anna Katharine Green


Our latest audiobook series awaits!

Mystery and intrigue have always captivated readers, and one classic piece that stands the test of time is "That Affair Next Door" by Anna Katharine Green. Published in 1897, this novel takes us on a thrilling journey through the world of crime and investigation, offering a glimpse into the societal norms and expectations of the late 19th century. As we delve into the pages of this gripping tale, we uncover the secrets that lie behind closed doors and explore the brilliant mind of a pioneering female detective.

Anna Katharine Green: A Trailblazer in Mystery Writing:

Before diving into the intricacies of "That Affair Next Door," it's essential to recognize the author, Anna Katharine Green, as a trailblazer in the mystery genre. Born in 1846, Green was one of the first American writers to venture into detective fiction. Her works laid the foundation for future generations of mystery writers, and her skilful storytelling paved the way for iconic characters and thrilling narratives.

Introduction:

"That Affair Next Door": Unraveling the Plot:

The novel opens with the discovery of a murder that takes place in a quiet neighborhood. The protagonist, Miss Amelia Butterworth, is not a detective by profession but a keen observer and amateur sleuth. Green's choice of an unconventional detective adds a unique flavor to the story. Miss Butterworth's sharp intellect and astute observations lead her to become entangled in the investigation of the mysterious affair next door.

Green skillfully weaves a complex plot, introducing a range of characters with motives and secrets of their own. As Miss Butterworth delves deeper into the case, she navigates through the intricacies of 19th-century society, uncovering scandalous affairs, hidden motives, and societal expectations that serve as a backdrop to the murder mystery.

Themes and Social Commentary:

"That Affair Next Door" not only serves as a riveting mystery but also offers a glimpse into the social norms and expectations of the late 1800s. Green uses her narrative to comment on the roles and constraints imposed on women during that era. Miss Butterworth's character challenges the conventional expectations placed on women, portraying them as more than just passive observers.

The novel also explores themes of deception, betrayal, and the faรงades people put on to maintain societal standing. As the layers of secrecy are peeled away, readers are confronted with the harsh realities that lie beneath the polished veneer of high society.

Legacy and Influence:

Anna Katharine Green's "That Affair Next Door" has left an indelible mark on the mystery genre. Her innovative approach to storytelling and the creation of a strong, independent female detective paved the way for future writers like Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers. The novel remains a testament to Green's ability to craft compelling mysteries that transcend time.

Conclusion:

"That Affair Next Door" is a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate readers with its intricate plot, well-drawn characters, and social commentary. Anna Katharine Green's contribution to the mystery genre is undeniable, and her legacy lives on through the pages of this classic work. As we immerse ourselves in the world of Miss Amelia Butterworth, we are reminded of the enduring allure of a well-crafted mystery that transcends the boundaries of time and societal norms.


iServalan Show: A podcast covering topics like AI, culture, and music. Tale Teller Club Publishing: Produces and distributes audiobooks, ebooks, and short plays Music Therapy: Based on the theory of Rife Healing Vibrations, exploring resonance therapies. Tale Teller Kids: Under 5s and Under 8s 
Check out our Podcast below
 

You can explore their enchanting world on their YouTube channel and Twitter๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸŽจ๐Ÿ“š๐ŸŽถ12
Animation Films by Tale Teller Club for the Book of Immersion Series are available on YouTube

Dec 19, 2023

Strata 10, Book of Immersion V1, Dinfant Trouble (Synthetic Love)


Lose yourself in the safety of books.


The Book of Immersion

Volume 1


Strata 10 

Dinfant Trouble (Synthetic Love)



The Book of Immersion is published on the Tale Teller Club website each week.

www.taletellerclub.com

Each episode features CDM music by the band Tale Teller Club and illustraitions by iServalan Homotech 23

Welcome to our world.


© 2024 Sarnia de la Mare

Tale Teller Club Publishing








We are the abandoned 


The ones who roam


Never still, 


we search for home


We are the orphans of the night


We fly the high roads 


and duck the low


Through floods and Fire


We cry the songs 


of the gypsy choir





©2024 Sarnia de la Mare




 

 Strata 10, Book of Immersion V1, Dinfant Trouble (Synthetic Love)




Welcome to Immersion

You Have Reached Strata 10





Social norms and culture cannot be underestimated in a world that accepts robots as real and lovable synthetic creatures. Humans do not experience love in the absence of culture and society. In a world where perfect companions are easily manufactured, humans have been seduced by the machine, a synthetic digitised force that enabled the switch from 'otherness' to 'sameness'. In this space, love is seen to flourish. The creators of androids are able to synthesise the alterity of the robot which seems to make its own decisions to commit, to love back, and to appear to do so willingly.



*Dinfants are androids who look like babies and children under five. They were made by a single manufacturer who patented them in the early 22nd century. They were designed to learn, like human children, extremely quickly. It was found however that the early Dinfants (Mark 1s) would not stop learning and legislation was brought in to have them destroyed. One thousand early manufactured Dinfants are still unaccounted for. 



Many humans in the *Midcast Projects were lonely and suffered from various forms of infertility. They wanted baby or child droids, especially the dinfants, who were exact copies of real children designed with variations and specifics to order. These androids were children who never grew up. They stopped learning when they were as knowledgeable as the average human of a similar age. 


Housekeeping adult droids were not generally not created with a capacity to eat (although they often had tongues that were covered in tiny sensors that were able to identify flavours and poisons). Android sensors were not linked to memories in the way that humans were. But mothers preferred their children to eat, to satisfy ingrained evolutionary parental pleasures and to fit in with other children. They had crude mechanical bowels that could be turned on or off according to requirements.



Dinfants, like adult droids, were easy enough to replace or upgrade but some parents had needed counselling for Dinfant-Loss Depression or DLD.



*DLD was a rising concern due to its increased prevalence and its effect on the workforce. It was found that humans could easily fall in love with the outer casings of the dinfants as well as the constructed personalities. Something almost unheard of three generations prior.



But the outer coverings didn't last very long, especially if there was an active physical relationship. Ten years of feeding and playing would take its toll on the fabric of the Dinfants. If the parents could not afford repairs, they would soon begin to look worn and dishevelled. 


Of course, this also applied to adult droids who would usually be upgraded on a regular basis. 



Droid manufacturers usually offered ongoing upgrades as part of a rental scheme.


But some humans fell in love with their droids and had blessing ceremonies. It was not legal to marry a droid because of the financial implications following the death of a human. Legally, droids had similar rights to human children. It was illegal to inflict violence on a droid in public. This was to protect children who may be susceptible to influence. Of course, what goes on behind closed doors was a private affair, provided human children were not presenting behavioral issues that may be connected to patterns of abuse towards androids.



Some antique droids lasted the test of time but legislation had been brought in to avoid the hoarding of defunct androids as they posed a threat to contemporary society, for various reasons. There were issues with battery seepage for a start, and then problems of unsupervised regeneration which was a serious crime in the *midcast projects.


The government gave upgrade vouchers for defunct or redundant droids and would supervise destruction at centralized city plants.



                                *****






'Get that freakin thing outta here will you!'


A man screams to no one in particular.


The house is a standard build from the early Midcast Zone villages. Clean, white, and filled with contemporary fittings and technologies.


A child enters the room.


‘Mommy! Kairo is following me around.....it's really annoying. And Daddy said we should throw it away. Let's get a new one Mommy, please. My friend has one like a twin sister. One with the hair that grows back so she can cut it and play hairdresser.'


The woman sighs.....'I suppose we don't need it anymore now you have real friends. I thought you wanted a *ponybot, even better than a sister, don't you think?'



The woman strokes her child's cheek and remembers how lost she had been when they first told her it was unlikely she and her *blessed would produce a human offspring.


The Mark 1, a Dinfant, made by the *Metacoms Corporation, was a perfect substitute and she had been able to focus love and attention on it. It was a copy of a four-year-old and she had ordered a blue-eyed blond version like her blessed. It was such a good copy that most people were unaware that it was not a human child.


But the software was no longer being updated and the learning algorithm meant it had become too complicated for a convincing child substitute.


Also, the Dinfants, by design and default programming, craved love and attention and the Mark 1s' constant need for love was an irritant to busy parents. The Dinfants would constantly ask for cuddles and reassurance that their owners wanted and adored them.


The Mark 1 enters the room.


'Mommy, do you love me? Shall we have a little cuddle? Can you fit me in? Mommy, please, Kairo has a lovely snuggle for you Mommy. Mommy.....


'Shut up,' screams the woman as the father enters the room and kicks Kairo hard.


The Dinfant lies on the floor crying loudly with a broken arm.


'Please Mommy and Daddy Please, Kairo needs cuddles, please Mommy and Daddy ...please, love for Kairo, please......'


The little girl holds her hands to her ears shouting, 'It's so annoying!'


The man picks Kairo up and turns his power switch off.


'Let's get rid of it. Put it in the garage. I will sort out a collection for it tomorrow,' said the woman.


The man takes the Dinfant outside but decides to put it in a liner and into the communal waste shoot. The shoot serves 100s of dwellings, no one will trace it back to them and he can say it was stolen from the garage. He is concerned about the breakage as it will affect the insurance. It is better to make a theft claim than to have Metacom say he had damaged it on purpose.




                                      ****


A man tinkers in a workshop. He is observing the collection of children and babies that are hung on the walls as he cradles a new package, as yet unopened.


'Well my little lovelies, one of you must go. I have a lovely new friend who is going to join us for fun and games. Her name is Mary.'


The man, wide-eyed and excited, unwraps the new child droid.


'Well, ain't you the prettiest lil girl I ever saw?' he says touching her skin.


'And don't that feel just so real'.


The Droid replies, 'Hello Daddy. I'm such a daddy's girl,' she chuckles.


The man looks around the room.


He picks up a toddler droid, a Mark 1 copy of an eighteen-month-old baby boy.


'Well Daniel, I guess I am all done with you. You are a bit small after all.'


'But daaaaaaddd....yy.......I loooov.


The man opens the back of the droid's head and takes out the battery pack.


He places the incapacitated droid in a bag and under darkness deposits it into a waste unit in the public park.



                            **********



There is a black cloud above and rain falls on a large mountain of waste.


Another load is released from the grabber and two droids land together in an accidental embrace.


The larger droid, a Mark 1 Dinfant, is activated during the fall. It has a broken arm that swings beside it.


'Are you alive? it asks the smaller droid?


There is no reply.


The larger droid opens the baby's head and observes the interior structure. It lays the baby down gently, 'Wait here, I will be right back.'


The droid returns with some battery packs from old mobile phones and some old drill bits, tools, motors, and other paraphernalia from around the tipping area.


The rain is getting heavier as the night falls.


Under the convenient shelter of a car boot cover the larger droid gets the baby working and fashions a new arm with a metal drill for a hand. It has also a motorised catapult for the top of its head which rotates and fires nails at great speed.


'My name is Kario,' says the larger droid.


'I am Daniel' says the baby boy droid.


The children cuddle each other.


'I love you Kairo'


'I love you, Daniel'


'We are in a very dangerous place,' says Kairo. When dark deepens we must find safe haven. Soon we will need a home to call our own. But I have learned that humans are not to be trusted.'


They hear a sound, a child cries.




                             ********



In the car with the shrieking now at a deafening level through the windows, Shabra decided to ignore Renyke's appeal to stop. She let go of the clutch. The vehicle leaped forward towards the street beyond the enclosure.


Maybeline was holding on to the rim of the car door.


The Dinfants on the top of the vehicle fell off shrieking and scrambling around.


One of the Dinfants ran headlong towards the fast travelling car and clicked its fingers. It erected some kind of screen that is almost invisible. Although it is not a solid barrier, more like a gluey substance, it immobilized the vehicle. The wheels were still turning as the engine fought against the force. Flex shouted,


'Damn, they got *epoxy-wall, we are doomed, farewell brethren.'




Renyke opened the window just enough to let Maybeline in who moved sluggishly through the invisible slurry-like jelly and squeezed herself through the gap.


Some of the organic form seeped in with her but it drew itself back outside as Renyke and closed the window again.


'Ok, so you got your rat Mr. Renyke,' said Shabra, 'but we aint lasting longtime with this air in here and that epoxy-wall won't help us at all. I made this car airtight cos of the gases. That stuff is blocking my air-con vents."


Shabra turned the engine off.


The POS is out of range for help.


The Dinfants sit it out becoming unnervingly quiet.


'So what, now, will they sit and watch us die?' Asks Renyke.


'They want my wheels,' answers Shabra.


'This epoxy-wall, nice stuff if it's on your side. Shall we break some off? Might come in handy,' says Flex.


Shabra and Renyke tut.


Suddenly Maybeline throws herself at the horn. For the brief moment that it sounds, there is an immediate reaction from all the Dinfants who jump and cry whilst flailing their limbs about.


Shabra gasps, 'Ratty, you are welcome in the Shabra carriage! They hate the horn. Must be them there low decibels I used. Hold on to your hats people of the night!'


Shabra tells Renyke to engage the horn which explodes audibly out of Shabra's surround sound external speakers. The Dinfants are freaking out and running away dragging the epoxy-wall behind them.


Shabra, laughing, started the engine slowly. She followed the retreating Dinfants gradually gaining speed out of the enclosure.


Flex was jumping around on the back seats screaming with delight. Renyke felt the thumping sensation in his chest subside and breathed a sigh of relief.




to be continued

©2023 Sarnia de la Mare



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