From "Side Effect" by Laura Lond

“Hi, Arnie,” Parkins said, trying to look calm. “What’s up?”

He saw a small reflection of himself in the robot’s gray eyes. He was completely at its mercy. No chance to escape, shut the door, or even grab something and hit the machine. Arnie would outdo him no matter what he attempted. The reaction speed of this model was sixteen times greater than that of a cat.

“Mr. Kumidi has asked me to inform you that he disapproves of how you treated Dr. Stromberg today, Mr. Parkins. You were impolite.”

Parkins took a slow step back. “…Well, I did act kind of rashly. I’m sorry. Would you please relay my sincere apology to the doctor. And to Mr. Kumidi as well.”

Arnie’s thin lips moved, forming a smile—just like the lips of a human. Series-R models had a wide range of facial expressions. Parkins considered it one of his engineers’ best achievements and usually liked watching the robots’ faces change, but this time it brought him no pleasure.

“Very well, Mr. Parkins. I will do that.” Arnie stepped back from the door. “Good night.”

Parkins breathed a sigh of relief. It was just a warning, nothing more.

From "Vibrational Passage" by Kimberly Lee and Jennifer Dustow

He pointed towards the open windows. "This window is now active," he shouted over the gusting wind. "It is your portal through space and time. The gold coin will pull you towards your destination. I cannot stress enough. Center your thoughts! Or you will not make your mark."

     Frank Hyde was the first one to go. He pulled out the piece of white Birch bark from the pouch hanging around his neck. Frank cradled the thin woody paper in his hands, reading the handwritten words scrawled out in black. He gently kissed before carefully cradling it, and placed it back into the silk pouch.

     Then, Frank walked out of the window, like he was leaving the room and that was that. He did not scream, he did not look back, there was a blast of light, and then he was gone. The men were choking from the smoke, as one by one, they jumped.