Deviant Heart

Chapter 15: The Escape

November 10th, 2038 10:51 pm

On the West Side industrial area of Detroit, Clara, Kara and Alice walked through the snowy night.

"The last bus leaves in 20 minutes," Kara said. "We've got to move fast." Clara nodded in agreement.

"I'll go check ahead to scout for troops. Be right back," Clara quickly snuck to the end of the street.

Kara stepped in front of Alice and looked down at her. "Are you all right?"

"I... I'm really cold..."

She placed her fingers on the side of Alice's head and deactivated the young android's 'cold sensitivity.' "You'll feel better now..." she brushed some snow off Alice's shoulder.

The little one smiled up at her. "Thanks."

They continued down the street to meet with Clara. Once they did, they saw her sadly looking at three dead androids lying in the snow, a discarded gun near them. Kara hid Alice's face at the sight, and the two women shared a sad look. She looked down at the gun, then decided to pick it up. She studied it for a moment, then glanced at Clara, who looked at the gun, then at her friend.

"It might be a good idea to have some kind of protection when I'm not with you," she shrugged. Kara tucked the gun in her waistband.

"Come on," she reached for Alice's hand. "Let's not stay here..." The three went to walk, but just then a large military truck started to roll in their direction.

"Get back!" Clara hissed. The three flattened themselves against the wall. The truck stopped, and they could hear people moving.

"No, please don't hurt me..." they heard someone say. Kara peaked out from their hiding place and saw two soldiers shoving androids to the ground, demanding they get to their knees, guns pointed at their heads.

"What are we gonna do?" Alice whispered.

"We have to keep going if we wanna catch that bus," Kara whispered back.

Clara nodded. "As awful as it is, Kara's right, Alice."

Kara knelt down in front of Alice and grabbed her hand. "Stay close to me... We're going to sneak past them without being noticed. We're gonna make it, Alice. I promise you." The young one nodded.

Clara watched on with a fond smile then let out a harsh breath. "Alright. I'll follow behind to make sure they don't see or follow us."

Following Kara's lead, the three ladies crouched to hide behind a parked car, the soldiers and other deviant voices echoing around them. Kara looked around, then dashed for a parked van, Alice and Clara following close behind. "There're soldiers everywhere..." Kara whispered. "We need to be careful."

A soldier forced a blonde android past a pick-up truck to where others were waiting for their fate. Once they passed, Kara dashed to the pick-up. Another pick-up, lights on and facing a group of huddled androids, sat in front of them. As soon as it was clear, the trio dashed over to hide behind it. Clara cautiously kept watch from the back, watching out for the soldiers. Kara peaked out from the back of the truck where she saw two androids on their knees, hands above their heads, and a guard training a gun on them. Alice peeked out and saw the androids as well. Among them was a familiar face.

"Look over there," Alice whispered. "It's Luther!"

"Who?" Clara asked.

"He was the third person in our group. We got separated in Jericho," Kara explained. She turned to Alice. "We can't help him, Alice. The soldiers are everywhere."