In the stillness of the night, lying in her new room, Delia Asia Vieira finally realized the gravity of her situation. She realized that her job was not just to be a governess to a girl. No, her role was much more significant, and with each passing hour the realization weighed on her more and more. Why had it taken her so long to notice? Why couldn't she put all the pieces of the puzzle together?
"Delia York and the Antichrist... They are one and the same," this thought struck her consciousness like lightning, illuminating everything that was happening with a bright, but eerie light.
She sat in the darkness, in this cozy room where everything was created for a peaceful existence. But now this space seemed alien, filled with the unknown and sinister. Before her eyes, everything fell into place: the girl she was forced to work with was not just a child, but a carrier of something much greater, dark, dangerous. Something that could change everything she knew about the world.
Delia Asia Vieira couldn't believe it. She, a robot created to help and serve, how could she end up in such a situation? But what to do now? How to defeat the Antichrist? How to defeat this evil, sitting in a room with a child, with a girl who, as it turned out, was the embodiment of this evil?
"You can't raise your hand against a child" - this principle was sacred to her.
The robot, despite its artificiality, was programmed to be empathetic, caring, and protective of human life. It was impossible to act by force. But what if... what if there was another way?
In her algorithms, everything came down to finding a solution, and here it was. She had to re-educate this girl. As a governess, she was obliged to teach Delia York something important. But what if she started with the most important thing? With something that could extinguish the dark side that she might carry within herself. What if she instilled in her a love for God, nurtured in her good and bright feelings, in order to suppress the dark force that the girl carried within herself?
"If she loves God, she cannot be the Antichrist. That is the plan. It is the will of the Lord," Delia Asia Vieira whispered these words confidently under her breath, like a spell that should lift the burden from her soul.
In her mind, like a magic formula, a clear goal was forming. She had to teach this girl to live by virtue, to teach her to be better than she was. After all, if she succeeded, perhaps the world would be saved.
She lay in bed, her eyes open despite the fact that robots do not sleep. Thoughts swirled in her head. Whatever she wanted, she knew she was about to face a challenge far greater than simply caring for a child. She had to find the strength to fight whatever was inside Delia York, and if she could do that, she might be able to prevent disaster.
But how could she teach a child to love God if she herself could not fully understand what faith was? How could she explain to a girl that she must follow the path of goodness if her nature was linked to a dark force that even Delia Asia Vieira herself could not fully comprehend?
Delia Asia Vieira lay in her bed, in a dark room where only the dim light of a lamp reflected off the shiny metal parts of her body. She was not sleeping, because robots do not need rest. But she still felt the tension growing inside her. Her thoughts continued to boil, merging into one stream. One idea after another entered her artificial mind, and each new thought became more desperate. The brain in her system, although algorithmically precise, could not fully comprehend the complexity of what she was about to do.
How to defeat the dark force that Delia York carries? - this question did not leave her head. After all, she knew for sure: no matter what happened, it was the girl who was the key to something much greater than she could imagine. Stop her, dissuade her of her dark plans... How to do it?
And then, like lightning, an idea came into her mind. Delia Asia Vieira couldn't believe she hadn't thought of it before. It was so simple, so obvious!
"We need to create a doll of Jesus Christ!"
Yes, a doll. She could make it herself, out of papier-mâché, and that would be far more powerful and effective than any amount of talking or persuasion. Robots, no matter how logical, could not understand the depth of human faith. But perhaps the doll itself could serve as a symbol of what must be done, how to act. And Delia York, seeing it, might understand that there are forces greater and higher than her own dark desires.
"Yes!" thought Delia Asia Vieira, as if hearing the answer to her own question. "If she sees the doll, everything will become clear!"
But the most important thing was that it had to be done immediately. Before the girl woke up. Time was limited, and if she didn't hurry, her whole plan might lose its power. With each passing moment, the pressure on her system was growing, like the inevitable feeling of an approaching storm. She had to act.
Delia Asia Vieira got out of bed, then quickly walked over to the boxes of materials she had carefully laid out around her room when she first arrived. Sheets of paper, glue, paints, everything was there to create this doll. All she had to do was start. No time to doubt. No time to think that maybe she was wrong, that this wouldn't work.
Her hands deftly set to work. Sheets of papier-mâché were glued together, gradually forming a torso, and then a head, arms, and legs. Every movement was confident, every action measured and thought out, despite the chaos that reigned in her head. This process was becoming something important to her, something that could lead to salvation, or at least give her an opportunity to understand what to do next.
Delia Asia Vieira worked non-stop, thinking only about how she would show this doll to Delia York when she woke up. What would the girl say? How would she react? Would it be enough to show her the right path? Delia Asia Vieira could not know for sure, but everything she did was aimed at one result - she had to change fate, she had to save the world.
Her fingers continued to work, and the doll gradually took shape. It was like creating something sacred, although Delia Asia Vieira herself could not fully understand the meaning of the symbol she was creating. She only knew one thing: this doll could be a key. A key that would unlock something important in Delia York.
"Delia York must figure out what to do herself. And I will show her the way. And then everything will become clear..."
The morning began with a quiet confidence for Delia Asia Vieira. She woke up and greeted the day with a smile. Not because she felt particularly happy or comfortable, but rather because she knew that everything would be okay. She knew that, despite all the strangeness of what was happening, she was in control. Whatever had happened that night with Mark and the video camera had simply been a trigger for action, and she wasn't going to waste any more time on it. She chose to put it behind her and move on.
Instead of worrying or making any plans for the future, she simply stood up and started getting ready. This time, without any unnecessary efforts - there was no need to dress up like a Canadian beauty queen. Delia Asia Vieira chose simplicity and comfort: black pants and a red long-sleeved T-shirt. That's it. She was almost ready to leave her room, when suddenly the doorbell rang, piercing the silence of the apartment.
She paused, listening to the sound. The same question that always came to her mind in such cases flashed through her mind:
"What now?"
But she quickly pushed all thoughts aside, calming herself. After all, she was not here to sit idly by. She was a governess. She had to be ready for anything, even to open the door if the situation required it.
Without thinking, she left her room and headed for the hallway. With her steps, the house fell silent, as if everything had stopped for a moment. She didn't know who could be standing behind the door, but she assumed that they were probably guests, someone from the outside world who had decided to come into the house. The door was so ordinary that its opening should not have caused any alarm.
As she was about to reach for the handle to open the door, Karen York suddenly appeared in the hallway. The woman looked sleepy, in a robe, her hair was tangled, and her eyes were slightly puffy, as if she had just woken up a second ago. Karen quietly approached Delia and looked at her with slight surprise, clearly not expecting anyone to be at the door at this time.
"What are you doing?" Karen asked listlessly, narrowing her eyes. "Why are you opening the door to an uninvited guest?"
Delia Asia Vieira, without embarrassment, looked at Karen and answered calmly:
"I thought it wouldn't be scary if I opened it. After all, I am your servant," her tone was even, without any sign of excitement.
Karen thought for a moment and then nodded, clearly agreeing with her argument, but there was still some wariness on her face.
"Okay," Karen said, sounding like she was trying to wake up completely. "Open it if you want to. But next time, no freaking out. I don't like it when people interfere with my home."
Delia Asia Vieira just nodded in response, not showing much of a reaction, and opened the front door, ready to greet the person who had come. There were two people standing on the threshold: a man and a woman. The woman was dressed in a formal blue dress, her hair was stylishly styled in a bob, and her gaze was restless, as if she could not concentrate on one thing. Her eyes quickly darted around the entire corridor, and her mouth kept twitching nervously, as if she was about to say something, but could not find the words.
The man stood a little to the side. He was dressed more simply, in a denim jacket and brown trousers. His long grey hair fell to his shoulders, and his face was adorned with a thick beard and moustache, giving him a stern look. He seemed silent, but he watched the proceedings with interest.
The silence dragged on, and the woman closest to the door couldn't stand Delia Asia Vieira's first glance. Even in the context of ordinary encounters, her gaze could leave a strong impression. Robotess seemed to be literally studying everyone in her field of vision, and this was enough to cause discomfort in those who were not accustomed to her attentiveness. The woman finally spoke, breaking the awkward silence:
"Hello, my name is Jo Thueson," she inclined her head slightly, as if trying to make her introduction more friendly. "I saw an advert for a governess on the wall of a house a few blocks from here. I thought this might be just what I needed. I'd like to offer my services as a nanny."
Delia Asia Vieira looked at her calmly and replied with a hint of polite confidence:
"In front of you, in fact, is already a Yorks governess. The vacancy is closed. I have been working here since yesterday evening."
The woman looked a little embarrassed, but perhaps not expecting such a quick refusal, she immediately moved on to the next step.
"Ah, I understand... But perhaps I could speak to the lady of the house? She may have other needs, I don't want to be intrusive. Perhaps she would invite me for a cup of tea? I was just hoping I could talk about the possibilities."
Delia Asia Vieira thought for a moment. It was unusual, but not impossible. Her job was not only to carry out the orders of the owners of the house, but also to maintain order and decorum. She smiled back, slightly tilting her head, and pointed to the door leading deeper into the apartment.
"I can take you to the hostess," she said, holding back her emotions. "If she wants to talk to you, you can go to the guest room."
Jo Thueson breathed a sigh of relief, her eyes calmed a little, and she thanked Delia Asia Vieira for the opportunity.
The man standing next to her was silent and only nodded slightly, as if not wanting to interfere in the conversation, but his gaze remained intent, following every movement.
Delia Asia Vieira led her guest into the apartment with restraint, following her. Several questions immediately arose in her mind: why did this woman come now? Why was she so persistent in seeking employment at the Yorks, where there was already a governess? But Delia did not rush to conclusions, and led Jo Thueson and her companion into the living room, where Karen York was sitting on the sofa in a dressing gown. The atmosphere in the room was calm, but as soon as she crossed the threshold, everything around her seemed somehow alien, tense. Jo Thueson sat down opposite Karen, her smile was somewhat tense, as if she was too aware of the importance of the moment.
"I am so pleased to meet you," Jo said, her voice a little louder than it should have been, which made her seem a little wary. "I hope you will show me your lovely daughter, Delia York. I should so like to meet her."
Karen York, without moving from her place, answered calmly, smiling slightly, but with a barely noticeable shadow of fatigue on her face:
"Delia is sleeping now and cannot go out to the guests."
Karen's words did not cause any emotion in Jo Thueson, she continued as if she already knew the answer:
"Oh, what a pity! But maybe I can stay here until she wakes up? Just wait."
Karen, seeing no reason to refuse, nodded and calmly replied:
"Of course, I don't mind. Delia will be happy when she wakes up."
At this point the conversation seemed to freeze and all attention turned to Jo Thueson, who thanked Karen for permission. However, there was something strange about her gaze when she turned it on Delia Asia Vieira. It was sharp as a blade, and robotess felt something tighten inside her. There was something hidden in that gaze, as if Jo knew something but didn't want to say it. It made her feel uneasy.
Delia Asia Vieira watched the woman closely, feeling how her every gesture and word took on new meaning in the context of her premonitions. But she did not show it, deciding to keep her feelings to herself. She said calmly:
"Please make yourself at home."
But as soon as the words left her mouth, the gaze of the man on the sofa caught her attention. He sat with his legs crossed, his gaze directed at the ceiling, and his expression did not bode well. That calm, seemingly detached look that emanated from him was too threatening for a simple morning. His presence seemed, without a doubt, unnecessary. Delia Asia Vieira felt a slight anxiety, but quickly suppressed it, deciding that she would not give in to these unpleasant feelings.
The man with the moustache continued to stare at the ceiling, not paying attention to those around him. He was silent and distant, as if he was not connected to the situation, but his presence in this room seemed unnatural. Delia Asia Vieira could not shake the feeling that something was wrong here, that these people had come not just to meet the lady of the house, but for some other purpose. But she could not understand exactly what the danger was.
Then Karen York, who seemed oblivious to the tense atmosphere and was as friendly as ever, offered everyone tea with a smile.
"Let's sit down like normal people, okay?" she asked, pouring a hot drink into the cups.
Noah, sitting opposite, nodded, raising his cup, but his gaze was absentminded, as if he were staring into space. Jo Thueson also made a gesture of agreement and, leaning slightly, began to talk.
"You know, I've always said that tea is a good way to relax," she said, her voice melodic but with a hint of something hidden, almost restrained. "In our work, it's important to be able to relax."
Noah shrugged slightly, took a sip and said:
"By the way, I am an amateur psychic. I work mainly with children. I can read their emotions, sometimes their thoughts. It doesn't always help, but sometimes..."
His words sounded less like a statement and more like an excuse. He noticed Delia Asia Vieira watching him and looked away.
Jo Thueson, watching him, added:
"I also like working with children. I like to observe them, find out what they are hiding. I can read them if necessary. And your daughter, Karen, how is she?"
Karen smiled and shrugged slightly.
"Delia York, my daughter, is perfectly normal," she replied, oblivious to the tension that was gradually building in the room. "She has no unusual abilities. There is nothing wrong with her."
Jo Thueson frowned and, despite Karen's words, continued to insist:
"But I'm not just asking. Sometimes appearances can be deceiving. And your girl may have abilities you didn't know about yet. Maybe you didn't notice something unusual?"
Karen, clearly not happy with this intrusion, held back her irritation, but her voice changed slightly:
"No, I assure you. Delia is absolutely normal. She is an ordinary child."
However, Jo Thueson didn't stop there.
"I want to see for myself," she said, her eyes narrowing as if she suspected something. "I need to see her. And I'd appreciate it if you'd show her to us right now."
Noah, who had been silent until then, also added:
"I want to see the girl too. I wonder if she has something... special."
Karen fell silent. She was clearly not prepared for this turn of events, but finally sighed and said:
"Okay, wait a bit. Delia will wake up soon, and we will all have breakfast together. Then you will see her."
All this time, Delia Asia Vieira sat nearby, not interfering in the conversation. She watched the guests' reactions, her gaze cold and focused. It seemed she was expecting something like this, although she could not say exactly what.
As Karen left to fetch her daughter, Noah and Jo Thueson, as if on cue, leaned back in their chairs and looked at Delia Asia Vieira. Their looks were frankly hostile. They looked at her as if she were something foreign, something that disturbed their picture of the world.
Delia Asia Vieira did not look away. She could not understand what exactly they were trying to tell her, but she felt that there was something wrong in their relationship with her. She felt their hostility and hidden aggression, as if her presence in this house was becoming something superfluous. However, she knew that her place here was as a governess, and that these looks should not bother her.
Noah and Jo Thueson were silent, and this silence felt like pressure. Delia Asia Vieira felt something squeezing her chest. She sat on the chair and felt the tension in the room growing with each passing moment. Noah and Jo Thueson continued to look at her with obvious displeasure, and her thoughts became more and more confused. Intuitively, she understood: something is wrong here. The feeling of discomfort was growing, and she decided to leave, go to her room to catch her breath.