Raised In a Mansion

Chapter 7

Half an hour later, N and I were still in the library, N sitting in a state of shock against the bookshelf, and me pacing back and forth as if it could improve my thought process. Something had to have moved V there, her systems didn't just crash while she was standing eerily still above a trapdoor. My first thought was Cyn, but I couldn't imagine her being able to carry a drone all the way here. There was something in the mansion that did this to her.

What if it came for N next?

~~~

Watching Uzi pace back and forth in front of me was maddening, and my positive outlook on life couldn't help me this time. As far as I knew, there was no bringing back drones once their systems crashed like V's had.

Sure, we could ask Tessa, but if her parents found out they'd probably send V to the dump. I remembered the time I spent with her during our work hours, and sneaking to the library together. Would I ever get a chance to laugh with her again?

~~~

I continued pacing until I couldn't bear N's miserable expression, and I came and sat down next to him. He didn't say anything as I took his hand in mine, squeezing it tight. I wasn't exactly sure what to say to him, since no one was ever there to comfort me after my friends had been stripped of their personalities and memories. It wasn't the same as death, but it sure as hell felt like it.

"N, I-I'm so sorry about what happened to V... If you want, we could go see Tessa?" I felt his grip tighten on my hand as he took a shaky breath. He caught my worried gaze and offered the weakest smile I'd ever seen him give. "Yeah, that would be great. Just... give me a minute." He said, closing his eyes. "Of course, take all the time you need." I whispered, leaning my head on his shoulder and taking the time to really think.

~~~

"I'm sorry N, there's nothing I can do for her. Her programming's been completely locked down by a virus of some sort. I don't have access to any of her files..." Tessa delivered the grim news I'd known was coming, one comforting hand on N's shoulder. N nodded, telling me he'd known V most likely wouldn't be coming back.

The sorrow deep within me grew as Tessa embraced N in an awkward hug, before leaving. It hurt more than I was used to watching as N picked up V's shattered glasses from the ground and put them back on her face, whispering something to her I couldn't hear.

~~~

My head jerked up as the first thing I saw were two bright yellow eyes. "Oh god, N!-" I rubbed my head where it hit the wooden beams above, feeling for a dent. "S-sorry, I didn't-" he mumbled, sitting up and giving me more room than necessary. "It's okay N, you just caught me off guard." I reassured him.

In reality, I'd forgotten he'd fallen asleep in my bunk, and thought he was Cyn, and death would come early. But I couldn't just tell him that his friend was a cannibal. Technically, I was a cannibal too now.

"Uzi, you good?" N asked, bringing me back to the present. I shook my head and offered a smile that was somewhat genuine. "Yeah, I'm fine. Shouldn't you be working though?" I asked, avoiding the question I felt he was about to ask. "Um, about that, I have something I kinda need to tell you..."

I sat up against the wall, noting N's hesitance. "Everything all right N?" I asked, debating whether or not to scoot over next to him. "Yeah, it's just... I-I'm not sure I want to stay here any longer, without V, and Mr. and Mrs. Elliot being... jerks, you know? If you still wanted to, and could bring me along, I'd be willing to escape, I guess." N said all at once, and it was as if I could feel every emotion he held.