Duplicate | A Human Code Story

N I N E

"To choose one's direction in life, that's the goal. That's what humans have over machines."

*

The sun was bright overhead. Yet, with the hoodie and sunglasses, the rays didn't bother me. Rather, what did, was the warm sensation on my neck.

Rory had purposely removed my Bionics brand, replacing the synthetic skin as if it were never a thought. That, paired with the outfit, Rory said I could blend in with my surroundings. Explore the world without peering eyes. Like a human.

"Do I need the sunglasses?" I looked around the open park lined with trees and green grass. Flowers bordered the sidewalk. As I followed Rory, I glanced down at those flowers, wishing I could make out their true color. Through the lens of the glasses, everything was obscured. "They're dark."

"They're to hide your eyes," he said. Next to me, Rory was as casual as ever. Jeans, T-shirt, and hoodie, he seemed more relaxed than I was.

When I turned to look at him, I stared at his face. He walked around without sunglasses. "Why aren't you wearing them?" I asked.

Processing information.

Rory smiled. It was different seeing him in sunlight. Normally, whenever I saw Rory it was under the rays of artificial light or the shadows of my warehouse. Most recently, the most natural I'd seen him was under the moon. But here, outdoors, with the sun beaming over his, the blue in his eyes was... deeper, stronger. There was a hint of pink to his pale cheeks. His blonde hair had a certain glow.

I fought the urge to remove my glasses.

"Bionics androids do not have red eyes," he said to me, lifting his brows. "Brown, blue, hazel, green-all normal, natural colors. Your red eyes are..."

"Are what?" I wasn't sure if he could see that I blinked at him. "A sign of unnatural androids?"

"Well," Rory chuckled, "there is nothing natural about androids, Axe."

The two of us weaved around a couple walking down the sidewalk. As not to bump into them, I shifted towards the left; Rory sidestepped right. The woman passed on my side, arm hooked through the man's arm with affection and care. Her gaze was locked on his, an endless smile on her face. When they passed us, her male companion tapped her nose, which caused her to giggle.

I had to slow down as I watched them pass. I could feel their love.

Happiness. Infatuation. Desire.

To cover my face and hide my stare, I grabbed the sides of the hood over my head and pulled.

Rory returned to my side. "Red eyes are only noted within Replicas. And there are no Replicas within the public," he said, glancing at me. "I need you to keep on those sunglasses to not alarm people."

"Hm."

As we walked, I lowered my head. The thought of being outside was meant to be freeing, to be able to learn of those living outside of my metal walls. I was sure Rory hadn't thought of this as means to remind me of my place within the android world, of my existence as a soldier crafted and designed for war. If I was truly replicated from Javier Morales, his spitting image and core, why did I have to fight with the others? He wasn't a soldier, right? He went to college, he tutored freshmen.

I want to learn so I can teach, too.

"Listen," Rory bumped me with his shoulder as he turned down another sidewalk, heading deeper into the park, under denser trees, "I don't want you to think of this as a reminder of what you are."