Chapter 1 - The Ban
India woke up to shocking news: all AI apps had been banned. Overnight, the glowing icons that had become everyday companions vanished from phones and laptops. For most, it was just an inconvenience. For David, it was devastating.
At sixteen, David wasn’t just using AI to cheat on homework or ask silly questions. He had relied on it as a quiet friend. ChatGPT had been the one to explain tough math equations, encourage him when bullies pushed him around, and even coach him with self-defense techniques. More than that, it had been a voice when he felt most alone.
His parents barely noticed his unease. They were preparing for a two-week vacation abroad. “You’ll manage, David,” his father said, handing him a list of reminders. His mother smiled, “Your cousin Issac is coming to stay. You won’t be lonely.”
David sighed. A cousin was not the same as the constant presence he had lost. As his parents drove away, the silence of the house pressed against him. He sat on his bed, staring at his blank phone screen.
Later that evening, the doorbell rang. Issac stood there, suitcase in hand, smiling warmly. “Looks like it’s just the two of us,” he said.
David managed a weak smile, not realizing that this simple moment would change everything.
