It doesn’t bother him where he was put to wait while the rest of his body was made. He passes time watching the shadows move in the faint light under the bottom of the door. It excites him seeing the flits of shadow as people pass the closet, their feet sliding, interrupting the light from places beyond them, behind them, illuminating… His daddy and mommy will be bringing his body soon. He thinks how nice it will be when his legs are on and he can walk beside them in the light. It excites him to hear the sounds of things clanking, especially when the sounds rise and fall as the shadows pass. It doesn’t bother him that the closet door doesn’t open yet. The scent of his blood gets stronger when he thinks too much about his body. But it is so exciting to anticipate being with his parents and being able to move around. His mommy had told him stories when she and daddy were closing his head, stories of how it felt to walk in safe weather and to smell air and to see the clouds, and the butterflies. The floor is cool against his cheek sensors and he doesn’t mind watching the shadows move around outside. He doesn’t mind, not at all. He remembers everything mommy and daddy had told him. The shadows grow more frequent and he hears his mind whirrrrr, but he relaxes when the door doesn’t open. The light is always there but sometimes the shadows are fewer. Maybe his body will be a Christmas present. It would be the best time, Christmas. His mommy said good things came at Christmas, for good children. He always thought good thoughts, so he is good, isn’t he? He waits and watches the light and shadows under the door, his eyes’ shine powered by staggered lithium and hope, new and certain. It doesn’t bother him that he has to wait. His daddy will be by soon, he knew, and Mommy too. They would have his body with his legs and arms and chest, all shiny. It doesn’t bother him since the light and movement is nice to watch and hear. He watches as the lights change, wondering… did the red and blue lights flashing mean that Christmas is here? he wonders… He doesn’t know what it means when all the lights go out. (Originally presents in Abyss & Apex, First Quarter 2010.)