Glitch Girl

The sound of breathing filled the silence of the room, "I just can't believe she's gone. How could the universe be so cruel, taking away the only thing that mattered to me..." the man covered his face with his hands and began to cry, shaking with grief. He was of average height, with delicate features. His light brown hair was tousled, giving him a vulnerable look, and was illuminated by the sunlight pouring in from the window. This light was reflected in the lenses of his glasses. The man was lost in his thoughts, his eyes aimlessly darting between his dead daughter and the wall in front of him. After a moment, Henry finally came to his senses. He straightened his back, his face reflecting rage and determination. "I will find a way to bring Maria back," he hissed through clenched teeth. "I will not give up," he cast one last sad glance at the pretty young girl with snow-white hair and sat down in front of the computer. He opened the search engine and began typing his query. His fingers flew across the keys as fast as his trembling hands would allow... After a while, Henry accidentally came across an advertisement for a company called "Genesis of Digital Mind." He hesitated for a moment, looking at the advertisement critically. The company, known as "Genesis of Digital Mind," claimed to have developed a technology that could scan and download a person's consciousness, effectively creating a digital personality that could live forever in a virtual world. It was written that they could bring a dead person back to life. Hope appeared in his eyes: "Maybe this is what I need?" Henry found it hard to believe the company's bold claims, but the thought of his daughter coming back was too tempting to ignore. It seemed too good to be true, but the despair in his heart clouded his judgment. If only he had an ounce of common sense left... But still, the possibility seemed very real. The reviews for the company were very positive - they were considered one of the best companies in the world for all their technological support. He quickly looked through the details and found the listed location of their headquarters. "I have to try! This is my last chance... I'm going to their headquarters!" Henry grabbed his coat, keys, picked up his daughter and hurried out of the house, determined to do whatever it took to bring her back to life.  As he left the house, the man felt the sharp chill of the winter air pierce his coat. Henry looked out at the snowy streets, his eyes unfocused, his legs shaking as he fought the storm. He walked through the snow, the world around him was shrouded in darkness. The wind continued to howl. The car was parked nearby. Henry's boots sank into the snow. As he opened the car door, a flood of memories flooded his mind. He felt the warmth of his daughter's arms, her laughter ringing in his ears. Maria was close – and at the same time far, far away... She smiled at him and laughed: "Daddy! Daddy! Let's go to the park!" But then everything disappeared behind a veil of oblivion – as if someone blew out the candle of life before the moment when the last spark of light went out forever... With a heavy heart, he started the engine and set off. As Henry drove along the snowy road, the past and the present collided in his mind. He wanted to see his daughter's smile once more, to hold her close and never let her go. But he could not turn back time, no matter how much he wanted to. The man arrived at the specified address and parked in the parking lot near the building. Taking a deep breath, he got out of the car and confidently walked towards the headquarters. Through the thick falling snow, he could make out the outlines of a large, majestic building. The headquarters was a real sight: a shining beacon in the bleak winter landscape. It towered over the other buildings in the city center. Henry walked up to the entrance, his heart pounding with excitement and trepidation. This was the moment that would either bring his daughter back or destroy his hopes completely. Henry wasn't exactly sure that everything would go perfectly, but he still hoped for the best. He pushed through the glass doors, ready to face whatever was ahead. A woman with blonde hair pulled back into a tight ponytail and emerald green eyes stood behind the reception desk. The doors suddenly opened and an adult man walked in with a young girl in his arms. The receptionist looked up from her computer with a mixture of surprise and curiosity. Seeing the young girl in the man's arms, her expression changed to shock. "I... I brought my daughter. Can you help me bring her back to life?" the man asked desperately, still holding the lifeless body of the girl in his arms. After a short awkward silence, the receptionist finally addressed Henry: "Hello, welcome to our company "GDM". I see you came about our digital immortality services, is that correct?" Henry's eyes fell on a small badge on the receptionist's clothes. It said the name "Alice". The man nodded, answering the question: "Yes, please, Alice, do something! I am ready to pay!" "Of course," Alice answered nervously, "but first you should sign the contract..." "If only I could see her again..." Henry placed Maria's body on the small sofa that stood in the office and began to sign the contract. After the man filled out the papers, Alice asked him to follow her. The woman led Henry down a long corridor to a door marked "Scanning Room". The room was filled with light, reflecting off the white walls and ceiling. Dust particles slowly swirled in the air, creating an atmosphere of silence and anticipation. The room smelled distinctly like a hospital, a mixture of medical antiseptics, disinfectants, and a slight sterile scent. Everyone present was dressed in white lab coats, adding to the seriousness of the setting. Maria's body lay lifeless on the scanning table. Alice couldn't take her eyes off the girl's body, but then her gaze shifted to Henry. "I understand how difficult this must be for you, Mr. Hunter," Alice broke the silence. "Brain scanning is a very delicate process, and even the slightest distraction can disrupt it, so..." "Are you saying I can go?" Henry asked hesitantly. "You'll be called in exactly one week, when Maria's virtual personality is ready. I'll walk you out." As Alice led Henry out of the room, she turned to him with a sympathetic smile. "Please know that our team is here to support you every step of the way. I promise we will take care of Maria and you will be able to take her home with you soon." "I understand, thank you, I can't wait for that day..." Mr. Hunter said hopefully. Henry said goodbye to Alice and left the building, wanting to go home and start the countdown to the bell. As he walked home, the man thought about the time he spent with Maria, his thoughts were filled with memories of the best moments with her when she was still alive... The thought that Maria would have a digital mind brought him some comfort.