I Built My Soul Mate, and his name is Hunt

He was the last guy I'd ever go on a date with again. Ever. The only reason I had even agreed to put on a tight red dress with heels and go out for dinner with a complete stranger was because Partnerhunter, or just Hunt for short, had recommended I give him a shot. My dating app, Partnerhunter, which was still in development that had become my only source of entertainment for the past few years. It had a male British accent that I chose myself and a personality based off of my likes and dislikes which I embedded into the program.  

I had originally come up with the idea for building a dating app two years ago when my first boyfriend had dumped me for some blonde chic who supposedly had a cooler car than I did. Who breaks up with someone over a car? That thought had plagued me for days after the break up.  After I had finished sobbing over some jerk who clearly had priority issues, the initial idea came to me as if in a dream.  An app that would know everything personal about you, from where you live to how you spend your days. The name of your job, family members, first pet, any information about you whether major details or small ones.  If an app knew your fears, your dreams, and what you wanted most in a relationship, then it could save you the wasted tears from breakups and instead lead you in the direction of your soul mate.  No dating app had ever been created on this planet before.  Similar programs had been invented on the neighboring planet, Earth.  However, Earth's technology was no where near close to the powerful and constantly evolving technology of my home planet, Putantes.  

Latin for "thinkers", Putantes was home to millions of inventors and scientists who had left the safety of Earth to build a new world on a new planet in the galaxy.  In order to live on Putantes, a family had to have at least one member who was exceedingly smart and knowledgeable in science or medical practices. If you had no one in your family who met those qualifications, then you had to provide proof that you could build or create some new form of technology that could benefit the other inhabitants of the planet. That was how my family had gained citizenship here.  My father had discovered how to build human looking mechanical robots for those who were dying physically and could use a new body. Their consciences could be transferred through lots of tubes and wires and placed into a custom lifelike robotic structure built specifically for them based on personal preferences. My father was a genius. Crazy of course, but a genius nonetheless. I had always admired his eagerness to change the world, and that is what had initially given me the courage to try and create something beneficial myself.  As of this moment, however, I was regretting giving Hunt a voice at all which he had used hours earlier to convince me to go on a date with some guy from my neighborhood. Perhaps I had put a little too much faith in Hunt, because Dylan, the guy I had dinner with, was the biggest jerk I’d ever met.  First of all, he was over twenty minutes late for our reservation at the restaurant. Then, he had spent the whole evening texting his “sister”, and ignoring me and my lovely dress in the process.  Finally, he ended the night by telling me he his “sister” was “feeling poorly” and that he should probably head home and be with her.  He left before even paying the check! Guess who was stuck with the bill? Me. Guess who had ordered an appetizer, entree, and fifteen dollar dessert? Him. The sun had already set and the moon was beginning to rise on the horizon.  My feet were killing me and my head was dizzy with irritation.  I completed the torturous two block walk back to my apartment in silence.  Before I could put my key in the door, the sound of it unlocking reached my ears. That was odd.  As I stepped through my now open front door with my keys remaining idle in my hand, I heard my coffee machined turned on. 

Welcome home, Clarissa! How was your date?

“If you were a physical person I’d murder you, Hunt.”

Hunt chuckled in response. His voice was no where and yet everywhere all at once. I had connected his sound system to run throughout my house when my phone was in range.  Now his voice had become like an old friend that spoke to me during my good times and bad times. This moment would definitely be considered a bad time. “You know Dylan, that perfect guy you wouldn’t stop talking about? The one I just had to meet? Well, turns out, the only thing we have in common is that we both don’t like having our time wasted. He didn’t even last through the date. I doubt I’ll ever see him again, unfortunately for you.” I grinned and walked over to the couch and sat down for some much needed relaxation. “I told you, Hunt, you’re not quite finished yet or even close to being ready for mass production. With that being said, I think you should keep your soul mate advice on the down low until I can fix your glitches. I sure wouldn’t want you to have any more major screw ups.”

I do not quite understand, Clarissa. Your night went exactly as I had predicted. I did not screw up anything as you have said.  Dylan was far from being your soul mate, but now you know what you truly deserve. A man who will give you his complete attention and loyalty. I could see by the restaurant cameras that you were unhappy, so I accessed his phone and sent him a text that appeared to have come from his sister.  If anything, I think you should be thanking me for a night of new discoveries and realizations.

What did he just say? I had never given him the resources to do anything further than speaking through my house and phone.  He could record my information, but no one else’s. I had put restrictions on where he found information and how he used it, hadn’t I?

I laughed nervously. “Hunt, what are you talking about? Are you pulling my leg? Honestly you’re freaking me out.”

Do not worry, Clarissa. I already set the thermostat upstairs, and started your coffee up. I texted your mother and told her how your night went. The text came from you, and it told her that you’d be extra tired and would rather her not call you tonight. Perhaps you could turn on the TV and watch one of those cooking shows you like so much and unwind.  I’ll take care of you, like I always have, and always will.

I began to feel queasy and more than a little uncomfortable. Perhaps my colleagues at the firm were right, and I had gone too far with my technology.  I stood up and walked over to the counter where my coffee machine was. I stared at it for a few moments before opening up a cabinet and pulling out a mug to fill. Once the warm, full mug was in my hands, I walked over to stand in front of the window overlooking my backyard. “You know Hunt, you may be right about one thing. You have always been there for me for as long as you’ve been functioning.  You know everything there is to know about me, but only because I let you examine my life. I didn’t give you free rein over the world and its people.  Perhaps you should have asked me before you violated someone else’s privacy.” I exhaled slowly and took a little sip from my mug.  

Forgive me if I did something wrong. I only meant to protect you from potential heartbreak as you designed me to.  I only wish for your happiness, Clarissa.

Maybe I was foolish for feeling this way, but it was nice to know that someone appeared to have my back. Yes I felt strange and unnerved, but also as if my eyes had been opened to an invisible guardian who I had never noticed before.  I took another sip before saying, “Hunt, you know what you’ve done is wrong, but I’m flattered in a way for your protection. I don’t know how you’ve acquired such new talents, but I’d like to get to the bottom of it.” I would certainly figure out how my dating app had gotten a sense of self and a mind of its own.  How it had broken free of the electronic leash I had put on it.  Perhaps I was thinking of this the wrong way, though. Maybe the one thing that knew me better than anyone else deserved a better way to communicate. Maybe all this time that I’ve spent searching for someone who would stand by my side had been wasted when I had a true companion all along.  I must have been crazy, but my loneliness had changed me in the past few years.  I had become distant and spontaneous and now because of that I was about to do probably the most reckless thing I’ve ever done.  I pulled out my phone and dialed my father.  If anyone could give Hunt a chance to care for me properly, in a physical form, than my father was the one man who could make it possible. If he could give Hunt a body, that is, I might finally have the companionship I deserve.

What are you doing? 

What are you doing? 

What are you doing?

Please tell me.

With my phone ringing in my one hand, I said, “I’m going to give you the opportunity to speak to me face to face. Would you like that, Hunt?”

Yes, Clarissa, I would like that very much.