HiveComb

My only source of income had dried up.

We are out of blood, the man behind the counter said. His face was as emotionless as his voice.

Slowly we got used to robots trying to talk like humans and humans copying robots. It was unclear if he expected a reply.

That's why I'm here to provide you with blood..

I wouldn't say that if I were you. There's a reason for everything. he looked at the screen and shrugged.

The blood price, is it still...

We stopped taking it, he interrupted me, being interrupted by a rumbling way louder than the sound of my stomach.

There it was again. An earthquake?

Behind you. If you don't turn around and face it it's easier.

The voice irritated me but could be clearly heard above the rumbling noise accompanied by now by some roaring.

So this is it, I thought, Grandma was right after all. The world was close to its end and I had to pay the blood price so the robot-like personage could stay and warn others.

The last thing I saw was his short nod before I closed my eyes and felt the wet, hot warm embrace accompanied by iron.