Carolyn Says Take Two Steps Back, by Melanie Mulrooney

John hovers beside me, dark eyes cold and empty. His laugh is deep, lifeless. “You’re too close, John. It’s creepy.”

“Yes, Carolyn.” He steps away, mouth lifting in a soft, practiced smile.

I turn to my computer, tweak some code, and enter the run command. John laughs again. It’s friendlier, better. His left eye locks mid-blink and I smack his head to reset. Temporary fix. “I need this grant, John. You fail another demo and I’m using you for parts.”

“Yes, Carolyn.” John moves forward, laughing. This laugh sounds new?

“John, how did—move back!” John keeps coming, reaching for me.