Heart Like a Machine

Chapter 46

I walked into the room and closed the door behind me. Aloy was sitting on the bedside and was going through some things on her Focus.

"Everything alright?" she asked, wiping it away.

"Yeah, yeah," I said and walked towards the bed. "It's just that, we've slept together before, but I never thought we would be sharing a living space together."

"I just didn't want your mom to get lost if we moved her down a level. The main level is pretty confusing enough, adding another level will just add more confusion," she said.

"I know. I-I honestly wouldn't have minded taking a space in the main part where we all meet."

"I know, but just like everyone else here, you need your privacy."

"You deserve your own privacy as well."

"I know I do, but I trust that you know when that time comes."

"I'll do my best."

"Thank you. Is your mom ok?"

"Yeah, she's ok. She feels a bit weird without my dad being here."

Aloy looked away for a second before looking back at me, "Do you think I did the right thing?"

"You're regretting it?" I asked.

"Not really regret, but I don't know if this was the right thing to do or not. I think regretting it would be more of me asking if I should have gone through with it. There's so many feelings I haven't felt ever and it's all confusing."

I walked over and sat beside her, resting my hand on top of hers.

"I understand how that feels. You may just be overwhelmed with everything that is happening. First we had to deal with Varl," I said slowly. "Then we had to deal with the knowledge of Nemesis coming. And now you have to wrap your head around killing someone."

"But I've killed so many rebels out there. Not because I wanted to, but I had to. I've killed people and I am not proud of it. I want to save lives, not take them. But there are times where I had no choice. Like Erik and Tilda. I didn't want to kill them, but they gave me no choice, especially Tilda and Erik. But your father," her voice trailed off. "I think he could have bettered himself and not turned out the way he did."

"My father was a stubborn man who was not accepting of change. He didn't want to change and therefore, we shouldn't either. What you did, Aloy, was not only an act of self defense for yourself, but in defense of another. Sure I chose to block the shot, but you made the next one count."

"Was it really defense for another?" she asked, shaking her head.

"Aloy, he threatened your life more than anyone in the tribe. That was a strong reason enough to do what you did. Sure he might not have enacted on it, but he was pretty close that one night when we were staying with my parents. And then he almost killed me. His own flesh and blood. And from what you showed me, he had no regret in his eyes. He only had one intent that day and it was to kill you, no matter who got in his way. It could have been my mother and he still wouldn't have held back.

"I know you're quick and sharp with a bow and not with that mouth of yours." Aloy chuckled. "And you made a decision right then and there to take down my father because of the very reasons I had given. I know we talked about it before we left, but I just want to ease any doubts you have about killing him."

She nodded her head and looked over at me, "Thank you, Y/N."

"Come on. Let's get some sleep. We've got a lot to talk about tomorrow," I yawned and fell back onto the bed.