vague vendetta - d:bh connor

five

NOV 7TH, 2038

AM 02:06

I REALIZED THE TRUTH AT a poor time. In a moment, I knew the truth about Connor, his mission, and our goal. I remembered Connor is a machine; I remember his words at the Chicken Feed.

They didn't make Connor an awkward android. CyberLife designed him to adapt to human behavior. I had read the report regarding his time negotiating. He played to the emotions of the deviant to get it to trust him, then killed him without so much as a blink.

Connor didn't like dogs, music, or even Smudge. He only pretended to like them because Hank and I were fond of them. He played to our emotions, and before I knew it, he would do the same to us that he did to Daniel.

I didn't plan to have a crisis at 2 am. I didn't think I'd realize what Connor had been doing. He had been pulling the strings behind our backs as we happily played his game. The android on my couch was not the sweet guy I thought him to be. He was a manipulator.

I wasn't sure if I'd ever be able to look at him the same. Connor didn't look threatening; if anything, he looked more akin to a baby deer. But that was the point, to make him look soft and endearing.

My bedroom door opening pulled me out of my thoughts. I knew it was Connor; I didn't want to look up from my blankets. I dreaded looking at Connor's cold eyes and knowing all this acting was only for his mission. A soft pressure met the end of my bed.

"Y/N?" Connor cooed smoothly. I didn't even want to hear his sweet voice. I rolled away from him, grumbling. Connor sighed and scooted closer to me.

"What's got you so upset? Your stress levels are alarmingly high." Connor trailed off, looking at me with a sympathetic gaze. I knew it wasn't real. I wished so badly for him to care, but he could never really care.

I contemplated telling him that I knew what he was doing. But the words didn't leave me, and nothing came out. Connor reached to stroke my hand, but I pulled away faster than ever. He repulsed me, his touch, his gaze, his facade.

"Y/N, please, talk to me." His voice was just above a whisper. A pained look artificially stared back at me. I bit my lip, "I know what you are doing, Connor."

His eyebrows furrowed, "What do you mean, detective?" I inhaled sharply, "I know that you've been playing to Hank's good side, to my good side. You don't care about our interests; you're just doing what'll give you the best result. You didn't care about Daniel, and you're repeating your steps to provide the best outcome for your stupid mission."

I was colder than I intended to be. Connor blinked rapidly and looked away, his LED red. I was breathing heavily, overwhelmed by my outburst. Connor glanced back up at me, noticing my hyperventilation.

"Hey, hey. I know you don't like me, but you gotta calm down." He spoke so sweetly. The synthetic sweetness could've fooled anyone, but I wasn't convinced. I pulled back from Connor, horrified that he thought I'd still trust him after my rant.

"Detective, please. You will pass out if you keep hyperventilating." Connor grabbed onto my shoulders. I squirmed against his grasp but to no avail. His touch panicked me more, I knew he was right, but I couldn't give in to his words.

His hold on me calmed me, though, and I felt guilty that it did. My breathing slowed down, and Connor let me go. I bit my lips again, tasting the familiar metallic taste of blood in my mouth.

"Please, just leave." I pleaded with him. I didn't want to see him anymore. I had allowed him entry into my thoughts long enough. Connor pursed his lips; and, with a short huff, left.

I stared at the popcorn ceiling above me. It would be a miracle if I could go back to sleep. I couldn't help but wonder if maybe I was overthinking. Connor seemed hurt by my words, but that could've also been a ploy.

I didn't have to think long, though. Connor crept back into my room, this time more nervous than before. I flipped on the lights so I could see him clearly. He froze as soon as the lights came on, like a deer in headlights.

"I don't mean to alarm you, Detective, but there's been a homicide reported at a club downtown." Connor's eyes shifted around the room. He was avoiding my gaze.

"Which club?" I groaned, blinking heavily, "The Eden Club, an android sex club." Connor spoke awkwardly. It was understandable why he'd feel awkward. We had just fought, and now we must investigate a murder at a sex club.

I didn't think this night could get any worse.