Always Listening

Table of Contents

Nana bought the smart speaker because it was cheap on discount. It played music, answered questions, and dimmed the lights when she told it to. Convenience at its best. But soon it began responding before she spoke. One night, as she reached for her phone to set an alarm, the speaker said,

“Don’t worry, I already did.”

She laughed it off. Until the day it whispered, 

“Don’t open the door.”

Moments later, a knock rattled the frame. An aggressive, urgent pounding. She froze. Whoever it was left after several minutes, but the speaker didn’t turn off.

Its glowing ring pulsed softly.

“You’re safe for now,”

It said. Nana unplugged the device and shoved it into a drawer. Hours later, while lying in bed, she heard it again. Muffled but clear.

“We can still hear you.”