EX//MACHINA: EXORDIUM

Chapter VIII - On that day, you

That day was like any other: calm and pleasant, the weather was at the perfect temperature between hot and cold, and it didn't seem like it was going to rain anytime soon. The routine was coming to an end, both had trained until their bodies reached their limits, and now they were just watching some random program on TV while talking about everything. Although it was a common habit, it couldn't be any better.

Listening to the boy talk incessantly about his obsession of the week, Amy couldn't help but smile, receiving a puzzled look in response. She missed this so much, nothing in the world could compensate for the absence these days had left, back when she still had a life. And when her smile began to fade, she suddenly woke up.

— Damn...

She complained out loud as she slowly got out of bed, feeling her body heavy from the previous day. After struggling to resist the urge to sleep all day, she finally stood up and realized she was alone in the room. Great, she thought, and shuddered when she remembered the episode with Emma last night. Even as exhausted as she was, Amy was surprised that she managed to sleep after that.

Her morning routine passed in the blink of an eye, and she was already getting ready to start mapping out a plan, turning the doorknob and sighing when she saw two people waiting for her on the other side.

— Amy, we need to talk. — James announced his presence as he invited himself into the room before the girl had a chance to respond. — Do you have a moment?

— Mornin', James. Mornin', Emma. I'm busy right now.

She replied and prepared to ignore them and leave the room, but James' partner walked through the same door he did and closed it, serving as a barrier to prevent anyone from passing through. This strange behavior from the two could only mean one thing: an ambush.

The plan was actually good, with Emma blocking the exit and James launching an attack from behind, smart, but not smarter than her. The moment she saw the two of them, she instinctively had her hand close to her weapon, and she was confident she could draw it and shoot at least one of them.

— Seriously, we really need to talk.

The redhead said with a serious tone, contrasting with her desperate appearance from a few hours ago.

— Talk, huh? Go ahead, then.

— Why are you acting like this? I mean, it's much better than the pit of apathy you were in last year, but you're so different now. — James began, and for a few moments, he managed to lower Amy's guard, who genuinely seemed surprised by the topic. — I thought among everyone who knew Peter, you would be the one most excited about his return.

Instead of using the pistol as a means of self-defense, Amy now wanted to use it to vent the anger she was feeling at that moment. After everything she had been through, she couldn't believe James was trying to confront her. Amy didn't expect him to know everything, after all, she made sure that no one would know what happened that day, but she was still incredulous at his audacity to come and question her about her actions.

— Seriously, James, are ya really gonna tell me how I should feel?

— Why are you so angry? — he asked, confused, crossing his arms and adopting an expression of indignation. — Our friend returns after months of disappearance, with no memories and needing our help, and you expect me not to find it strange when you keep repeating that it's not him?

He was right, she knew he was right, and for a moment, she considered telling him everything that happened and her plan, but that could never be an option. After yesterday, she made sure she couldn't trust Emma, as she was undoubtedly infected. And James? Well, he didn't seem infected, but it was impossible to tell just by looking, so anyone could be under Vega's control.