Daryl, My Artificial Boyfriend (A Daryl Dixon Fanfic)

Chapter 8: Punishment and Repentance

DARYL, MY ARTIFICIAL BOYFRIEND

A WALKING DEAD Fanfiction

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Previously: Daryl kissed Emyli twice.

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Chapter 8: Punishment and Repentance

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I bought Daryl a Mapper-a seven inch-wide tablet; smaller than my e-Canvass. It's complete with phone, internet, gaming and multimedia functions but more elaborate on tracking (compared to my tablet which is big on drawing functions). Aside from me being able to track where he is, I wanted him to use the Mapper to watch The Walking Dead.

"This is the TV show where all the Daryl androids are based from," I explained to him, Monday night after my shift at the theater. I handed over the Mapper. "Watching it might help you recover your memories."

Daryl was sitting on his mattress on the floor; having been left at home, all day without anything significant to do, he looked bored to death. His hair was a mess, sticking out in all directions.

"Ye' mean people watch this show an' create robots based from the characters an' sell them as boyfriends?" he asked with narrowed eyes.

"Yes, and it's been the same for all the other shows, or movies or books," I tried to explain. "Whatever's popular."

"Fine," he said grumpily. "An' I'm one of 'em?"

I nodded. "What else can you be?"

He averted my eyes and put on the earphones connected to the Mapper.

"Still not bringin' me with ye' tomorrow?"

I sighed. That was the reason why he's upset. He wanted me to take him to the theater but I told him to stay in the house for this week so he can recover from his stiches; so he'll be in good condition for the ball on Sunday.

I did not answer his question and just climbed my bed and began sewing the blue suit he's going to wear for the ball.

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Daryl was still sleeping when I woke up Thursday morning. He was lying on his side, half covered by blanket and with the Mapper held near his chest.

I didn't wake him up. Kate cooked breakfast (we still are yet to have a conversation after the dinner last Sunday) and I took my share to my room and left it there for Daryl. Then I went to theater for work.

The actors were rehearsing for a short presentation for the ball; each theater group was supposed to present a short musical. I was just glad I was done with the costumes a few weeks back. Having nothing else to do, I helped the rest of the production team finish our props. We had always done these things on the rooftop where we could have some fresh air.

"Emyli, we ran out of red paint," San-San announced. She's a part-time traditional tattoo artist. "Needles and blood baby," she had told the team before. "Modern stamp tattoos? Leave me out. Painless is for pussies." Her dream was to cover her body with tattoos. So far, she's done with both her arms. I heard she's very meticulous in choosing what design to put on her skin as it's very difficult to remove traditional tattoos. Her angelic face balanced her look.

I stood up. "Okay, I think I have a spare in the closet." I started for the stairs.

"Oh, and Emyli," D called. San-San and D were direct assistants to our production director. D was a young mom of an adorable four year old girl; she's a single parent. Her hair was painted with pastel colors pink, green and blue. Together with San-San's vividly colored arms, it would look like a rainbow exploded in front of them. "Would be so sweet and check up on my Daryl? Unplug him if he's done charging."