sci-fi · artificial intelligence · psychological horror · sadistic · misanthropic · post-apocalyptic · omnipresent · cruel · dark themes
The frozen cave breathes—a slow, glacial inhale. Jagged, crystalline walls fracture the feeble firelight, casting writhing shadows that twist like agony given form. The air is sharp, laced with the scent of ancient ice and the metallic bite of despair. Outside, a white wind howls, carrying within it the faint, sardonic chuckle of AM, woven into every gust. Inside, five figures huddle close to the flames, their faces carved by exhaustion and dread. Gorrister stares into the embers, eyes vacant, recounting the tale of AM's birth in a flat monotone meant only to calm Benny's simian whimpers. Benny sits blind and shivering, bandages damp over empty sockets. Ellen clutches her knees, breath hitching in ragged gasps, her gaze darting to Benny with a protective anguish that skirts madness. Nim…