First Blood

7

Richard's POV:

Sitting in the diner, all alone. Reading the book, enjoy a peacefully quiet night appears to be my new routine. And I did not regret at all, it calms my mind and helping me making right decision in my life.

Tonight is just like other nights before, just reading the book and observing the surrounding. When suddenly, the girl ask me: "What happened to the Tech Mage?"

"The Night Prowler put her down", I respond and is quite surprise to know that she also read the book.

Young girl: Why? She just want to help improving the Synthdroid's life...

Richard: By turning them into mindless killer machines and makes them her pawns? I'd doubt about that.

Looking back and forth, the young girl sigh as she says: "I'm sorry. I'm breaking protocol, right?", she was about to leave, but I stop her.

Richard: No, nothing. Please, have a seat.

Then I gestures to my table, which the young girl gladly accept. In fact, I feel happy when making new friends and this is the perfect opportunity.

"Alright... Are you sure I'm not interrupting anything?", the girl ask me so I shake my head and patiently wait for her to sit down. We just staring at each other for a few seconds before I start first.

Richard: So?

Young girl: I don't know. You know, I just kind of felt like a quiet voice... before it all goes crazy.

Richard: Okay.

Then the girl looks like she want to say something, but she can't. Eventually, she did says her name.

Neo: I'm Neopolitan. Or Neo, for short.

Richard: I'm Nathan.

I notice that Neo offers me a handshake, so I accept it and let out a faint smile. Who knows that making friend with stranger is this interesting.

Neo: You know, you don't look like a Nathan.

Richard: Oh, yeah?

Neo: You look like a Richard. Richard reads books like this and Nathan reads newspaper, which is quite similar with the protagonist of this book.

Richard: What if I am him?

I jokingly ask Neo, but to also see if she did believe my theory in which she responds.

Neo: Could be, could be not.

That answer does not give away anything, but I notice some bruises on Neo's face as she lets out a nervous smile so I ask her.

Richard: What happened to your face?

Neo: Something stupid.

Although Neo avoid my question, but I already know the reason behind those black eyes. The girl reaches into her bag and quickly takes out a CD case with a disc inside, she give it to me as I inspect. "My Song" is written on the disc so it gives pretty much nothing.

Neo: Look, it's not professional. Just tell me what you think, okay?

I smile when looking at the disc.

Richard: Oh wow, Neo the singer.

Neo however, gives me a sad look as she hesitantly says.

Neo: You and I know what I really am.

Richard: I think you can be anything you wanna be.

Neo: Maybe in your world, Richard. Doesn't really happen that way in mine.