Blue. [DETRIOT: BECOME HUMAN- CONNOR ]

Twenty-five

Connors pov

I stepped out into the cool, brisk night air. Sumo rushed to the end of his leash though he knew to slow before he pulled on it. I stepped off the porch and crossed the cracked pavement path that cut through the front lawn. Sumo always liked when I walked him, I could walk longer than Hank, which the old but energetic dog appreciated. The air was damp as Detroit always is in fall. I wondered briefly how humans feel the weather. Is it similar to my analysis of internal body temp and coolant levels?

Sumo and I turned to the right when we reached the sidewalk, the dog happily taking the normal path we walk. I look up at the stars-- or what little I could see of them. With the city's light pollution and many years of built up car exhaust, the sky lacked the glow it has in the countryside. My mind wandered back to the first time Hank and I left Detroit; we drove into the country and camped out under the stars. I'd never seen so many stars. Maybe when the is all over we will go camping again? I'd like that a lot. I wish it was over now. I don't want to deal with this anymore. No more mysteries, no more murders--hell! Do I even want to be a detective anymore? Did I ever want to be one in the first place?

My mind is too cluttered with these thoughts. I'm losing focus. I need to figure out why I'm missing time, and what I should do about it. Maybe it was just an error of some kind, though it's usual that there is nothing on my internal scans. Perhaps it was just a one-time thing that won't happen again so there is nothing to worry about?-- I hope that's true. I don't want to worry anymore. I don't want Hank to worry anymore, that's why I couldn't tell him. It's stupid-- I know.

I slowed to a stop a Sumo became distracted by some bushes and began sniffing all around. I gazed over the empty streets, damp, reflecting the golden street lights. Not a soul in sight, just empty streets and parked cars, liminal and errie. Gazing at it, something caught my eye - a shadow? A silhouette of someone standing just on the edge of what I could see. Seeing people even at this hour is not unusual, but something about this didn't feel right. Something about the way they stood seemed... unnatural. They looked as though they were being head taut from an invisible string; their feet barely attached to the earth. It sent a uncomfortable chill through my circuits.

The figure didn't move and neither did I, and as I stared I felt my breath grow heavy. I tore my eyes away, and forced myself to keep walking down the path ahead, but panic still gripped me tightly around my chest. Soon I found myself gasping, and I stopped walking to catch my breath. What's happening to me? I've never been so scared. My thoughts raced. I leaned over, placing my hands on my knees, breath trembling. Sumo looked up at me, he seemed concerned, but confused. Whatever was affecting me, didn't seem to bother him. There is nothing to be afraid of, I thought in an attempt to console myself. It was just a trick or the light. Nothing more. I felt dizzy, almost sick. I tried to pull myself together. I stood straight again. There is nothing there, I thought again, and this time I turned my head to confirm.

Looking back where the figure was - the street was empty. Nothing there at all. I started at the spot where it had been, breath heavy and labored. It still didn't feel right.

"Behind you." The voice came through my thoughts so clearly it was hard to tell whether of not it was spoken. I jumped back and turned around, instinctually reaching for a gun and wasn't on my hip. Nothing was there. I just stood there, gasping starting at the empty yard next to the sidewalk. Sumo tilted his head looking up at me. I need to go home. I turned around and began walking back down the sidewalk from were we had come. Sumo followed me, concerned. My knees began to wobble as I walked. I felt faint. I put my hand to my face, I felt hot all over. I swayed, vision blurry. What's happening to me.. was the last thought I had before I collapsed to the ground.