Deviants Fallen: A DBH Story

Chapter 52: Second Chance

"You said you rescued Clara, but we have yet to see her." Samuel sat at the head of the conference table, gazing coolly at Eli. "Why is she not at this meeting?"

Eli seemed to hesitate, trying to decide how to answer.

North chimed in, shooting a cautious glance at Eli. "She's still recovering from her ordeal and wasn't well enough to come." Her voice grew cold and stern. "If you recall, she just got out of a very traumatic situation. Where she was tortured. Because you refused to do anything to help rescue her sooner."

"You know the situation was more complicated than that, North." One of Samuel's ally council members spoke up. "Don't try to turn the fault on us."

Samuel held up a hand, stopping the android. "He's right, but North does have a point. I suppose it will take time for her psyche to recover from such an ordeal. She is, after all, merely human." There was a slight note of disdain in the android's voice.

"Will she even be fit to lead after all she went through?" Another one of Samuel's allies spoke up, a female android this time. "Perhaps it's time to let her step down, let someone more capable take her place." She glanced at Samuel.

Eli frowned, face twisted in a disbelieving disappointment as he folded his arms across his chest, casting his eyes around the room to land on each android around the table in turn as he spoke. "Why are you all so quick to forget why you're even here and by who's intervention it was that you're even alive?" He looked at Samuel. "Clara found you herself, abandoned and broken in an alley, barely even conscious. She dragged you to her car alone, then brought you to her lab. She saved you. You wouldn't even be alive if it wasn't for her."

The android at least had the decency to look slightly remorseful as Eli spoke the words. He looked down at the table for a moment.

"And you." Eli turned his attention to another of Samuel's allies, the male who'd spoken up after North. "You were stuck with a physically abusive owner. She bought you from him after her research and then gave you your freedom. She helped you overcome your fear, your despair, everything. You owe her your life, and it's thanks to her that your mind is intact."

He turned to the female android, who'd suggested Clara step down. "And you." He narrowed his eyes. "I don't think I need to remind you what you went through before Clara stepped in. How everyone you met just used and abused you before discarding you like a broken toy. Remember?"

She avoided his eyes, a flicker of pain crossing her face.

Eli looked at the other assembled androids. "Have I made my point yet, or would you like me to continue? I know every one of you has a story like this. Every one of you is here because of what Clara did for you."

Teri, one of the android's who'd advocated for Clara's rescued spoke up, voice soft. "Perhaps it's best we end now. We can reconvene in a few days to continue discussing this when we have a better idea of where Clara is mentally. With a few days of recovery, she may even be able to join us."

"I think that's a fair decision." Markus nodded, exchanging a glance with Eli and North.