"The Memory of a Toy" by Julia Starr: September 2024 1st Place

Kye Tracer held up his watch, observing as its light glanced off the window.

“Mum,” Kye began, “have you ever thought of…”

He was cut off short by the roar of a motorcycle’s engine whizzing by.

“Great,” Kye muttered. 

He had forgotten what he was about to say, and now…yes, his mother was turning to face him.

“Continue, Kye,” she smiled patiently.

“I forgot,” Kye whispered softly, embarrassed. 

His short term memory was not the only thing about himself that Kye could not forgive. As he sat there thinking these things, imagining, wanting, and wishing, a soft buzzing on his wrist reminded him that he was not a disappointment. He was better than that.

Their house, located just next to the freeway, was not the best location to raise a boy like himself, but it wasn’t his fault. Kye tried his best, and that was all that he could do.

“Here, Kye,” his mother softly rubbed his cheek, “set your watch down, and we can go take a little walk.”

Kye smiled gratefully. His mother could always tell when something was awry. Setting the watch down, Kye joined his mom at the door.

Unbeknownst to them, however, once Kye had exited, the house stirred to life.

“Attention everyone,” the voice was coming from the watch, “it has become apparent that Kye is losing his memory. At this age, the only thing to be done is to insert our memory into his. We have kept him strong for years without coming to this, but unless we take action immediately, I’m afraid our beloved boy will fall victim to Firstcall.”

There was much murmuring among the once inanimate objects. After a long time of chatter, they turned to the watch.

“We agree,” a pencil rolled forward, “he is very important to us.”

The watch nodded, “Three…two…”

Kye entered the room.

“One,” the watch finished.

Kye crept towards them, “I heard the whole thing,” he was aghast, “and may I just say, what?”

The whole room went still. Everything was as it should have been. And yet Kye could remember everything.