Chocolate With Hazelnuts

by George Dimitriu

Mary was walking through the thick, cool forest, her blood still bubbling. Two days had passed since she had set out, driven by the revolt. How can I let myself be controlled by technology? Let Artificial Intelligence know what I'm doing at any moment, what I want at any moment, what I'm thinking at any moment?

The drop that had filled the glass had been the chocolate thing. I would like to eat a chocolate with hazelnuts! she had thought aloud, then unlocked her phone to read the emails. An ad featuring a giant chocolate bar with hazelnuts was playing on the screen. Fear had distorted the beautiful features of her face, which then let itself be invaded by rage. No, I don't want to live in a world that controls me like a pawn. Her blue eyes sparkled. She glances around the room angrily, only to be struck by the calendar hanging on the wall: August 13, 2028. What have we gotten to? What is happening to humanity?

After a day and a night of meditation, she made the decision to change her life. She will detach herself from that umbilical cord and make her own way. Mary had no one anyway, and her 32 years gave her confidence and hope. She knew of an abandoned chalet in a secluded area, so decided to move there. She will restore it and live in the middle of nature, exactly as she wants. HER, not someone else. Now she walking, swift as a deer, through the protective forest, although she was carrying some luggage. Not much, as she had taken only what was necessary.

The AI ​​took a daily count of the primates that had created it. One was missing. It identifies her easily. Female, blonde, tall, blue eyes. She had wanted a chocolate with hazelnuts. And then, she was gone. She had disconnected. Make the decision to send the Internet Police to solve the problem.

Lieutenant Arthur stroked his brown mustache and cursed in his mind: Damn it! Another fugitive. Then he said out loud:

– Come on guys, deploy the hunting device.

The soldiers formed a semicircle – those on the edges had been joined by the wolf dogs that had smelled Mary's quarters. Arthur looked at his little gadget, which showed him the likely area the fugitive would be in, and when it zoomed in, he ordered:

– Let the dogs go.

The animals rushed through the thickets, and after a while the desperate cries of a woman were heard.

Mary was ushered into the Re-Education Room, where she was fitted with a VR headset to clear her brain. She was going to spend a few painful weeks there, but when she got out she could be sure she wouldn't even know what year she was in.