Dickory

Did You Miss Me?

Green eyes widened as he choked and trembled. He could feel it on his face. Oily. Greasy. Bile rose in his throat again, choking him more. Phck-phck-I-can't-breathe-I-can't-breathe-A sob finally broke free of his constricted gullet. It was a pathetic sound. The barest whimper, no louder than a mouse. Hot tears blinded him as he cried in shock and fear. Heavy footsteps pounded the stairs outside. He heard the shout of his name before the door was kicked open so hard it almost took the old frame with it.

"Gavin!" Nines ran to his crumpled body and gathered him against his chest. He'd only seen him this bad once before, at Cyberlife Tower after that nightmare. He re-opened the memory file and reviewed what he'd seen Elijah and Connor doing. "It's alright, Gavin...I'm here. You're safe...Just follow my breathing...Breathe, Gavin...Breathe." His low, gentle voice rumbled in his chest, soothing him. Gavin clutched at his white jacket with blue stained gloves, quivering in shock and fear as he was caressed and rocked. He was soaked with thirium. It coated the arm of his jacket, his side, and his jeans. It was soaking through his clothes, matting his hair, and smeared his cheek. Nines used his own sleeve to wipe his face a little, hushing and soothing him as he wheezed and choked in his arms.

"Killer-back-he's-ba-I-ca-" Nines repeated his calming instructions through the panic and stroked his slicked hair. He continued soothing and rocking Gavin as his sharp eyes analysed the gruesome scene. All the parts he could see seemed to have come from a single android. Two shocking blue eyes had halted outside the small clock doors to stare blankly across the room. He could see audio processors and various other chips and circuitry for motor functions and memory storage. There was a perfectly removed thirium pump, two hands, two feet, thigh sections, calf sections, forearms, and upper arms. The power core had been rewired to act as a lightbulb, flooding the room with a gentle glow. He would need to analyse the parts to be sure they all came from the same model, but it certainly seemed like a once complete android.

He examined the writing on the wall. Talent had gone into it. It was deliberately sharp and jagged, the way you'd expect a sick and twisted person to write, but with far more nuance and precision. He wanted it to look disturbing. Nines saw the music box lying in the puddle of thirium. Hickory. There was an ornate G carved into the upside down lid. It was made for Gavin. Hand carved. There was a small piece of paper on the floor, just within reach. His head tilted curiously as he snagged and read the note Gavin had found. An android had written it. With thirium. He ran his tongue over the blue writing and began an analysis. The results made him hold Gavin tighter, LED spinning red in the darkness. Aaron Hughes, WR500. Reporter, Detroit Daily. "Is-it...Nines...Is-it...It's-not..." All the parts could easily have come from a WR500 android. Nines analysed the thirium he was kneeling in to make sure. Aaron Hughes, WR500. Reporter, Detroit Daily.

"It's Mr Hughes...I'm sorry..." Gavin's chest wracked with helpless sobs as he burrowed himself further into Nines' chest, shaking his head in denial. "I'm sorry, Gavin...Come with me. I'll get you out of here. " Nines spoke softly as he pushed himself to his feet, lifting Gavin with him. There was no way he'd be able to withstand his own weight at the moment. He could barely get enough air without choking. He was shaking like a leaf, skin paler than Nines had ever seen it. Ashen. The scar across his nose looked red in comparison. He needed to be outside in the open air, away from the gore and carnage. Connor and Hank were just pulling up as he stepped out.

"Shit, what the fuck happened?" Hank demanded as he hurried over. His blue eyes were frantic as he ran them over Gavin's frail body. He'd curled himself into Nines' chest, green eyes dull and vacant as he trembled. Nines waited until he'd set Gavin on the steps with his head tucked between his knees before turning his attention to Hank, who instantly sat at his side. That was good. Gavin trusted Hank when he was vulnerable. He was breathing a little easier the moment Hank's firm hand began rubbing circles on his back.