Abnormal Investigations

The year was 2120, and it was Mercy’s 18th birthday. A particularly special birthday. Today was the day Mercy would receive her grandmother; Marie’s journal. Ideas like journals and diaries are no longer prevalent; people today would often inform their personal robots about their day, and it is stored and played back later on. Mercy couldn’t remember the last time she actually wrote something down; the world wasn’t how it was when Marie was young. Artificial intelligence had officially won; there was no going back now. They lived in a time that lacked humanity, a world built on circuits and codes. Receiving her grandmother's journal felt like a small shred of hope, a small sense of humanity in a robot-filled world. She could learn about how things used to be, a time in which humans used their own resources to build and create instead of machines doing everything.

Mercy sat on her cold, unslept bed in her room, surrounded by AI-generated ‘artwork’ hung on the walls. She hated it, although she’d never known any different, she was fascinated with the past. Famous artists and architects who are long forgotten now. She picked up her grandmother's old tattered journal, quite literally blowing the dust off it. Most people didn’t understand Mercy’s desire for a world she never knew. Why wouldn’t she love never having to do anything for herself? Worrying about work or breaking a sweat? It was non-existent and quite literally a utopian world for most.

She unlocked the small rusty locket on the side of the book and opened the first page;

Thursday, January 15th, 2025

Dear Diary,

The world is still a normal place, for the most part. But AI has started to become popular in the world among leaders, parliament, and ordinary people who use it every day for tasks that are so simple.

School kids no longer write words down; they got AI to do it for them. Why? Why do people not want to do anything themselves anymore? That's a question that I ask myself every day and I don't know the answer to it -in fact, i probably never will. I don't trust AI; it is becoming dangerous, powerful, and even persuasive. But the vast majority of people don't seem to care. There needs to be precautions. Laws. Safety. However, I doubt there will be.

Mercy felt a mass amount of emotions. Confusion, frustration, sorrow. But she had one main thought running through her mind. Why did no one listen to Marie, her smart, thoughtful grandmother? This made her irritated and despondent. In many ways, we've become servants to the very machines we created. But if you dare question authority, you’re quickly silenced or ‘missing’. Mercy couldn't shake the feeling that the more machines took over, the less human everything became. The sleek, soulless faces of AI and robots were everywhere now, and every time she saw them, she could feel a chill run down her spine. They were supposed to make life easier, but to her, it felt like they were quietly stripping away the essence of what it meant to be human. Real connections, genuine effort, the chaotic beauty of imperfection. In a world obsessed with efficiency, Mercy couldn’t help but wonder if they were replacing more than just tasks- were they slowly erasing the heart of humanity itself? Mercy was feared, not for cruelty, but for her unwavering strength and refusal to compromise. Her sharp gaze saw the world’s cracks. She demanded respect through her unyielding standards. She was determined to bring compassion and euphoria back to a world that had lost it. A world of what her grandmother had described, a truly humane society. One where humans, who were once top of the food chain, are now being swallowed down a hole far too deep to climb back out. She was going to be the first step of a ginormous, colossal ladder.

Monday, February 3rd, 2025

Dear Diary,

They’re saying these AI chat boxes are bad for the environment now, but no one will do anything about it? Everyone at the company is ignoring it or covering it up. I’ve overheard things. I know as humans, we are feeding them their intelligence, but people won’t stop- they don't know the truth of just how dangerous this could become. People once believed we’d have flying cars by now. But artificial intelligence is more than just a conspiracy theory. I fear for the future; no one will listen, they’re all making too much money.

Marie was right. The world has changed for the worse, there are flying cars, but it is forbidden for a ‘slave’ to be able to actually get in or even own one of them. From that point on, Mercy devoted everyday to change things, change how life is, stop the ever-growing power of technology that is beyond what we need, beyond what we’ve ever needed.

She started by spreading the word. People were quick to believe her about how life once was when it wasn't under robot rule, maybe it was mainly out of hope that she was right, but they believed her nonetheless. They knew she wouldn't lie nor come up with nonsense. Mercy believed in a better world and therefore so did others. In silence, Mercy gathered a substantial following, support as well as courageous fighters - if the worst was to come. A friend of Mercy’s mum; Dave, joined the cause. He dreamed about a world where humans were in control before robots. Everyone thought it was the alcohol talking but maybe, just maybe, he was right. But of course no one will admit that to him; most believed he was spouting drunken nonsense, but Mercy was too intelligent for that; she could be believed. Mercy has gathered support in secret, and word has gotten around about her plan to ‘bring back the past’. A worker at one of the government’s factories told her about a secret machine that only a handful of robots can actually see. She was told that it could quite possibly be some sort of Time Machine. He warned her that this machine hadn’t been tested before, but Mercy didn’t care. That is her challenge. That is her goal. Find out what that machine is and why even the AI is worried about it. And especially, go back and see how life used to be, and she knows exactly what time to go to. Mercy's mother doesn't agree to this conquest, but Mercy is an adult. She asked Dave to make sure she’s safe. She knows Mercy is capable, however she can’t help but worry. Dave may not be the most reliable, but he’s always looked out for them. We can only hope he doesn't ruin anything for her or accidentally reveal her plans.

Mercy was ready, she packed a bag of course bringing Marie’s journal, along with essentials she felt she would need. She’d done her research on the factory where this ‘time machine’ was kept. There were robots inside the building but she had been informed that at 2 am for exactly an hour they were non-responsive. She wasn’t sure how or why she just knew that’s when she had to go. She could get through the building safely, and without distractions. She anxiously awaited dusk. She sat in front of her window watching the quiet town get dark, people hardly left their homes, let alone after dark. She looked up into the sky, moonbeams glistening through the trees, it was time. Mercy crept down her stairs, careful not to wake her mum. Everything seemed so much louder at night, anything lurking could hear her. She got outside the cold air hitting her face, she knew what she had to do. She was going to change the world for the better, or so she believed.

Mercy made her way to the warehouse unaware someone was following her. She got through using the backdoor, one of the workers, also a follower of her beliefs, had left unlocked for her. She got inside, the building was tall and eerie, every step she took Mercy felt uneasy and watched- as promised the robots were all off. She had an hour- predicted to find this ‘time machine’ before they came back on. As Mercy walked she could hear another pair of footsteps, she presumed it was just an echo of the excessively large, mainly devoid building, but she was wrong. Mercy continued her search, room after room she was starting to feel slightly helpless. She turned around seeing a dark figure, her eyes widened in fear as she sprinted away from the creature,

“Mercy!” The voice called after her, sounding ghastly in the silence of the building. She ran into another room almost toppling over a hard round object covered by a blanket of sorts. She lifted it with ease, revealing what just might be the time machine. She frantically fiddled around with the buttons, she had to go right now! The machine began rustling before shaking violently, as light struck from every inch. The door handle of the room began turning as Mercy stepped into the light.

The door opened suspiciously and slowly… only to reveal Dave. He’d followed Mery as her mum had requested and now she was gone. He cautiously approached the machine, the glow still burning bright as he went in after her.

Mercy landed on her hands and knees straight into the dirt. Wiping her hands she stood up, dusting herself off. Taking in her surroundings, she immediately noticed the lack of improved technology. There were so many more life-forms, birds flying past she’d never seen before. People out and about spending time with their families. So many different emotions spread across faces instead of cold blank stares. She opened her bag retrieving the journal,

Friday, February 28th, 2025

Dear diary,

Life as I know it is not improving, everything is all ‘robots’ war, school, work. It is a scary time and I hope it changes soon. For the sake of my future children and grandchildren.

Out of curiosity Mercy went to the back of the diary.

If found please return to 26 Parkson Drive.

Marie had written her address in the back in case she ever lost the journal. Mercy approached a neighbourly looking group seeking to find her grandmother.

“Excuse me!” She called out to which they faced her with warm smiles, “I’m looking for 26 Parkson Drive; do you know where that is?”. They pointed in the direction and Mercy began walking there. She had a plan of what she would say to Marie, although she was her grandma- Mercy had gone back to a time before even her mum was born, she would simply be a stranger to Marie, she had to be cautious and Mercy decided to take precautions to not reveal who she is.

Mercy walked along the stoned pathway and up to the red door, number 26. She paused for a moment unsure what to do, as she held her hand up to knock the door swung open.

“Please tell me you’re here with my parcel” Marie exclaimed hopefully,

“Humans deliver parcels?” Mercy asked before she could stop herself

“Well it’s not as if carrier pigeons do” Marie laughed before taking in Mercy’s out-of-place expression.

“I don’t have a lot of time, I'm not… from this year” Mercy furrowed her eyebrows. Marie raised an eyebrow taking in the strangers' admission.

“Well, what year are you from?”

“Don’t ask questions just listen, I have your journal, you were right, everything you fear about AI is real if you don’t do something now- they’ll take over” Mercy announced distressed.

Marie frowned and then laughed believing it was just a local idiot letting their mind run free.

As Mercy continued to explain, Marie, although still sceptical, started to believe that what she was saying was true.

“What do I do?” Marie finally speaks

“I’m not sure, convince as many people as you know to boycott further intelligence, do not use or engage with chat GPT or alternatives”

“I’m afraid all I can give you is my warning; I should go”

“Wait” Marie grabbed Mercy’s wrist, “My father works for some big-shot AI company, you should talk to him”

Mercy bit the inside of her cheek contemplating what to do before going inside. She spoke to Marie’s dad explaining it all once again, hoping that he could help somehow using his influence at work. The conversation seemed to be going in the right direction, he would see what he could do but couldn’t give any promises. As they spoke more Mercy’s gaze began to drift outside, her eyes latching onto someone familiar. Was that, no it couldn’t be… Dave?

Mercy excused herself from the table rushing outside, flying through the door. “Dave!” she shrieked with all the air in her lungs. “What are you doing here?”. Mercy grabbed Dave frustratedly as she screamed at him with all her might. Eventually, she told him to go back to the Time Machine and wait for her to be able to go back home. He nodded sorrowfully and went on his way.

Mercy hurriedly went back inside apologizing for storming out. Before she could continue her conversation Marie's dad stopped her and sat her down “I will do anything to make sure the future is loving and humane for generations to come” Mercy sighed of relief she now had hope gushing through her body, dreams of returning to a beautiful humanised world.

She waved Marie’s dad before turning to Marie,

“Thank you, you’ve helped more than you know, just being able to read your journals has given me an insight on a world I want to be a part of” Mercy smiled gratefully.

“I have something for you,” Marie claimed, walking over to her bookshelf before returning to the door. She handed Mercy a second journal; this one empty.

“My journal helped you find me, maybe yours could help someone important find you” and with that she gave Mercy a hug letting her go.

Mercy proceeded on her way with a smile on her shiny face, she had met her grandmother.

Although she was holding back tears from streaming down her face she knew she couldn’t reveal who she truly was.

She became closer to the ‘time machine’ and surprisingly Dave had listened to her demands and he sat quietly waiting for her.

Mercy approached Dave as he sat near the machine with a slight sulk about him.

“Sorry for shouting” Mercy muttered quietly, feeling a bit guilty now she’d seen Dave again, he was only being there for her, although she’s grateful she got to see Marie alone.

“It’s alright kid” Dave stood up, “You ready to go?” Dave asked motioning toward the ‘time machine’.

“You go ahead, I just have to do something really quick” Mercy replied, pulling out the new journal Marie had given her just before stepping into the machine.

Friday, November 8th, 2120

Dear Diary...