Inhumanity

Chapter 21

I flinch away as headwood tries to run a hand down my cheek, he grimaces "come on dear, let's make this as easy as possible" he says. One of the guards taps his club threateningly against his leg "does it again, just step aside and let me deal with it" he reminds them. Headwood tries again and I remain still, if I imagine myself to be a statue then maybe it can't hurt me. I can forget I'm standing here in my underwear, feeling just about exposed as you can be. He finishes his inspection of my face "well apart from a few signs of wear and tear, you seem to be perfectly fine in the outside.

His wife nods and hums in agreement marking down on a clipboard, circling parts on a diagram of where they've found 'imperfections'. He forces my mouth open while she inspects my mouth with a flashlight "missing a molar, right at the back" she notes it down. He chuckles "care to explain how that happened?" He questions. I shrug "I was eating a hard boiled candy". And with that I am released, I cross my arms, my watch beeps 'low battery'.

The last few days this has been a regular occurrence. They only power me up enough to do what they want before I need to go back to my cell to be recharged. It's like threading me with death each time. I sigh loudly "can I put my clothes back in please". They glance at each other "Wilford has ordered your other clothes to be delivered back to snowpiercer" I raise an eyebrow "don't worry he's already asked for new clothes to be brought to you, they'll be waiting in your cell when we're done here". I shift uncomfortably "thought we're done here? There's not much else you can have left to do. He sighs and pulls out a few cables "Wilford wants your memories uploaded so that he has evidence of what he needs to fix in snowpeircer". I straighten up "well tell Wilford that I said no fucking way" as soon as my anger spikes there's a sharp sting in the base of my forehead. The guard steps forward and swings his club at me but I catch it before it can land on me "okay I'm gonna be going now"

I swing the club back at him and knock him out with one well aimed blow. The headwoods have already fled. I take off down the hall, just because I haven't lived with the BCRU for 7 years doesn't mean I don't know how to bypass it. As long as they swing first i can classify all my actions as self defence and preservation. I feel like I'm back in the front lines of the revolution again, and I ease back into the way of it. I don't kill anyone just knock them unconscious and break a few bones. Time ticks in, every second my battery is draining. Need to get back to snowpeircer. No time for sneaking about. Need to move quickly and use my energy efficiently. I get to the canteen, and of course there's the remaining crew having their daily meal. Everyone freezes and stares in disbelief. But then it quickly shifts and again I'm swinging the club left right and centre. But I'm loosing the fight, there's too many. I press against the wall and let out a sob "please let me go", a guys goes to lunge but I swing the club in front of me "get back, get back. GET BACK!!"

They all take a few steps back, there's a slow clap from above. Wilford and Audrey stand above watching the desperate scene "well congrats Eve, you made it... 20 cars. Better luck next time" I let out a scream and once again the fight begins. I don't know where this resolve has come from but now is not the time to question things, now is the time to act. I go to lunge at a woman who has separated herself from the group. She tries to shield herself with her arms, a terrified expression "Eve!" I pause. That voice I haven't heard in so long, I mustn't dreamt it "Eve" this time the voice is softer. The woman scrambles away and the rest of them huddle at the other side of the room "I- you can't be here... it's not real" I mumble. He laughs "luckily for these poor sods I am" I swallow thickly and drop the club. I close my eyes tightly "come on turn around, I want to see your face". I shiver at his voice, it has to be real but it can't be "okay" I let out a deep breath slowly turning around, I quickly open my eyes.

Adam. The second out of Wilford's AI project. He tentatively walks closer to me, I also take a couple of shaky steps. We're standing chest to chest now, I can't resist throwing my arms round him "missed you" I sob. We separate "missed you too". With one swift tap he reaches up and taps under my chin, shutting me down.