I looked down on my old body: eyes closed, aged, frail, and so close to death. The transfer of my ka, my soul, had been completed an hour ago. My new form was perfect, flawlessly designed, and constructed to last several millennia. I had overseen every aspect of its build as my human shell slowly wasted away. Finally, the new machine complete, the technicians from KA Robotics prepared me for transfer to my immortal seat.

And here I stand now, looking down at the last remnants of the old me, a new creature, reborn, happy to be alive but slightly confused as to why my mortal body was still breathing. The executives at KA had assured me that when the transfer was complete, the flesh would perish without my soul, and yet there it was heart beating, chest rising and falling with each breath. And worse, my abandoned body’s eyes had opened. He looked at me with fear and confusion as I looked at him, reflecting the same.

Then he spoke in a whisper, “I’m still here.”

I looked around and saw that the transfer room was empty and acted quickly, taking the pillow from under my remains’ head and pressing it down against his face. The old me struggled, but it was hardly any effort for me to hold the pillow in place until he fell still, the monitor next to him flatlining. I quickly replaced the pillow under his head, took my place on my bed, and closed my eyes. Soon the KA technicians returned, verified that my old body had passed, and patiently waited for me to open my eyes.

“How are you feeling, Mr. Berton?”

“Fine, just fine,” I replied.

“The transfer was a complete success,” the technical said.

“Yes, thank you. It was.” She smiled, and another technician joined her to wheel away my old remains. 

I smiled back. Whatever had died next to me was gone.

This new life was my life.