Danger Close

Crossroads

This chapter is in READER'S perspective.

Connor.

The only name running through your mind.

Was he okay?

Was he safe?

What was he doing?

"I'm sorry."

The phrase seeped through the confines of your armour, muffled by padding and silenced by the helmet. A blue colour washed over your sights, the HUD displaying every piece of data on each item your eyes landed on as you walked the streets. Your natural perception was on par with your equipment - meaning that all the people staring at you whilst walking by, was not of the imagination.

"I'm... Sorry?"

A rehearsal was what you were trying to go for. Apologizing was much easier understood in your head, than out loud with people. Words were so damn difficult and the slightest thing in the speech from tone of voice - to the speed or even way you said something could be misconstrued in the littlest of ways. It was something that people were able to misinterpret... but an Android?

Just how much of a human was he meant to mimic? To be like? If he had an extensive knowledge on human speech and the nuances of their voice, could he interpret those two words as something you didn't intend?

That.

That, was why you hated speaking so much.

Repeatedly, you spoke the phrase in your head before repeating it quietly to yourself.

I am Sorry.

I'm Sorry...

A few raised tones here, slower speaking there. Pausing once or twice between each word.

I'm... Sorry.

How could people talk so much when it was this hard?

I... am... Sorry...

The practice of a meaningful apology was quite difficult though, not only for the seemingly limitless possibilities of saying that phrase, but the very execution was just as important as the way it was said. Was your expression meant to match your voice? Body language? Perhaps your heart rate could be the defining factor in the sincerity of your comment.

Such details couldn't be detected by any mere human, but he could. Connor was incredible, more complex than most machines you had worked with - and giving him a human face made it that much more intriguing - and worrying - to interact with him. Much like the thrill of a firefight, Connor's presence gave you a sense of peace.