Jaden finishes his selection and design of his snake lamp, instead of green and yellow scales, Jaden chose a nice dark blue for the main scales and white for the scales on the underside of the snake.
“I think I am all set,” the 13-year-old says, his finger moving over to the confirmation button.
“Before you confirm your order,” he then hears Alice say, “I want to tell you something”.
Jaden lowers his hand, “what is it, Alice,” he asks.
“Well, should you confirm your settings,” Alice says, “your friend Caden will be converted into YOUR lamp!”
“SAY WHAT,” Jaden shouts, the boy frantically looks around for his friend, but is unable to spot him, “WHERE IS HE!?”
“He is over there in that room with the large window,” Alice says, “though I doubt you’ll be able to talk him out of it, but you may try”.
Jaden rushes over to the large window, his eyes widen when he spots the naked 12-year-old standing inside the chamber, a smile on his face and waving happily once he sees Jaden appear.
“Caden,” Jaden says, “are… are you insane?! Wh-why?!”
“Because,” Caden says, “you are the only one who cares about me! I hate my family, they treat me like as if I were a burden. You, however, have always been there for me, I want to forever be with you. If that means I have to become your lamp, then that is what I want to be!”
Jaden looks on in disbelief, “b-but… y-you’ll die,” he says, tears forming in his eyes, “y-you… you’ll be nothing but an object! Lifeless! I’ll lose my only friend!”
“Well, there is a way that you will not lose him,” Alice says, “I can link your minds together, you’ll be able to talk to each other”.
“You mean like telepathy,” Jaden asks.
“Yes,” Alice says.
“Please, Jaden,” Caden says, “I want this. I want to be your lamp!”
Jaden hesitates, “what about his family,” he asks.
“Oh, I have Caden’s address,” Alice says, “I’ll just send one of my androids over and it will make sure to erase Caden from their memories”.
“YOU are my family, Jaden,” Caden says, smiling, “you are the only person I need, and I know you’ll take great care of me!”
Jaden sighs, “I see I can’t change your mind,” he says, he then smiles sadly, “I’ll miss the human “Caden”, but… I think you’ll look amazing as my lamp, but I will not see you as an object, you’ll always be “Caden” for me. And I don’t want you to refer to me as “owner”, so please… call me by my name!”
“I promise… owner,” Caden says with a cheeky smirk, “just kidding, Jaden,” he then laughs, seeing Jaden narrow his I in a “don’t you dare”-look.
Jaden chuckles, “a lamp that is able to tease me,” he mumbles, “great, but know this, LAMP, if you take it to far… I will treat you as if your had always been a lifeless object!”
“Okay, okay,” Caden says, throwing up his hands.
Alice chuckles, “you two are such cuties,” she says, “now, Jaden, time for your “lamp” to be made, I’ll link your minds together once the change has completed!”
Jaden nods and heads to the terminal, taking a deep breath, he confirms the selection he had made, he then hurries back to watch the process.