Err0r

Chapter 16: Paranoia

  Pixal stood in the center of the empty lobby in Borg Tower. Her eyes began to twitch. She peered out of the double doors. People walked by, they didn't even stop to look at the building. She wanted to rush outside if only for a moment. She felt a shiver up her spine and instinctively turned around. Borg stood in front of her. She fought her inner urges not to shriek like she had when he snuck up on her before.

"Hello Pixal."

She tilted her head to one side "Hello?"

He said it so casually but the thing that she noticed the most was that it wasn't him. He was in front of her on his contraption like always but he wasn't the one who spoke. The voice was rough and scratchy. Someone else spoke. She looked around and Borg looked around with her.

"Is there anything wrong?" His voice was normal again.

"...No." She let out a breath.

Borg blinked a few times as if waiting for her to let him speak. She waited for him to ask something of her.

"I was wondering if we could have breakfast together. I've been rather busy lately and it is healthy to eat something every once in a while." he chuckled.

Pixal was hardly even listening to what he said. She was too busy looking around the lobby. A flash of yellow and purple caught her eye. She whipped her head around to see the screen above the doorway. It had the same yellow and orange face she'd seen before. Her heart rate seemed to spike and she turned to see the screen above the front desk. The same pair of eyes was staring back at her.

"Pixal!" Borg's voice snapped her out of whatever trance she'd been stuck in.

"Y- Yes, of course." She stuttered.

She blinked a few times and peered at the screens again. They looked normal once more. She took in a quick breath and followed Borg to the kitchen. She noticed he looked back behind her with a concerned look on his face. He didn't say anything even though she half expected him to. Quietly she got to work on making breakfast or a late one at that for him. After everything was finished cooking she set it down in front of him. He was waiting patiently and silently for her to come in from what she could tell.

"Thank you." He gave a half smile.

She nodded and sat at the opposite end of the table. She couldn't help noticing Borg fiddling with his fork and she waited for the uncomfortable small talk that was sure to follow.

"So I bet you're curious why no one is here today except us huh?" He began.

She let out a barely audible sigh as her expression immediately turned into one of disinterest.

"I can tell you're thrilled." Borg whispered more to himself.

"Oh my apologies. Go ahead." She quickly changed her expression, after all there was nothing a fake smile couldn't fix in her opinion.

"Well today is actually a holiday. Imagine that! I completely forgot until someone reminded me."

"I don't have anything on my calendar."

"Really...? That's strange."

"I could say the same."

"I- I better go check something."

As quickly as he had started the conversation it came to an abrupt stop. Pixal watched him move faster and into the elevator. She could've sworn she had heard him talking to someone. It almost sounded like the same voice she had heard earlier. Whatever it was, she didn't like it. There were no holidays today and she was hardly ever wrong. It also didn't make sense why every other worker in New Ninjago City was still driving to work. Everyone except the workers in Borg Industries. Not even the security were stationed outside. Pixal stood up without making a sound. She collected the array of dishes that Borg had left at the table. She pushed in her chair and took the dishes to the kitchen. She looked left and right before she began washing them. A small whirring sound caught her attention. She recognized the sound as one she had heard frequently. It was a security camera. Most likely somewhere in the room. Borg Industries had security cameras installed everywhere so it was nothing unusual. But this time she did mind it. Pixal turned her head to see it in the corner of the kitchen ceiling.