Robot Boy

Chapter Fourteen

It was the evening of the next day.

Aurora stared at her refection in the mirror. A solemn girl stared back at her, wearing a braided bun that rested low at the nape of her neck.

She wore a soft green and white dress that fell to just below her knees, the colors blending into each other to give a tie-dyed effect.

Gold sandals were on her feet, and -

What on Existence am I doing.

Going on a date with my best friend because I'm too afraid I'll hurt his feelings...I just don't want to hurt him.

Moaning to herself, she turned away from the mirror, them nearly jumped a foot in the air when she heard a melody chime from the room's ceiling.

Someone was at the door.

She froze for a moment. Tyrian would be on the other side. He'd look so eager, so happy...

Her throat closed up as she inched her way towards the door.

You can do this Aurora. It's just Tyrian. It's not the Underground. It's not -

She swiped open the doors.

It's not Tyrian.

Hands clasped behind his back, hair tied back, his black eyes were already on hers the moment the doors slid open, as if he had been seeing through the door.

But that would be impossible, of course.

He was in his camo SIG uniform as usual, neatly pressed, not a wrinkle, not a thing out of place. But rather than be unnerving, as it was to her when she was younger, it was oddly comforting to her now. Familiar, but not in an overfamiliar way.

"Are you ready to go?" He questioned, studying her face carefully with those eyes of his, but not sparing a glance to the rest of her.

She quickly fixed her expression, realizing he must be sensing her distress somehow.

It didn't fool him, she knew it didn't, but he didn't say anything about it either, only let go of his hands behind his back to reveal a blindfold, motioning for her to turn around.

"Uh. What is that for?"

"To cover your eyes."

"I know that. I mean, why do I need it?"

"Mr. Quasar wishes for his plans to remain a surprise to you."

"And by 'Mr Quasar,' - you mean Tyrian."

Her guard nodded. Apparently he didn't seem to care about her dryly spoken words.

Fighting an eye roll by taking in a much deeper breath than usual, - she slowly turned, and closed her eyes.

The soft fabric of the blindfold settled over her face, and it's straps tightened slightly about her head as he tied it. Not too tight, nor too loose. She relaxed at the feeling of his hands on her head, never realizing how calming such a thing could be coming from him, - but it was.

And then his hands were gone. Too soon. She stretched out, trying to find - anything. Not being able to see was an unpleasant experience!

Colliding with something solid, two hands dutifully came onto either side of her arms to stabilize her.

"Are you coming? To protect me I mean." Aurora blurted out, suddenly needing to hear his voice.

A pause. Then, -

"Yes. I'll have to."

"Did you know my mother?"

Where did that come from?