Become Human

Unexpected Consequences

His phone died, the screen shattered to many pieces and it was scattered around the floor but he just sat there, he didn't even bother to look at his phone. I couldn't explain his expression, It was just beyond words. 

He was just staring off to the wall, much like if he was a vegetable or something. I walked up to him shaking him off. He still hasn't snapped out of his black out, the next thing I did was slap him as hard as I could, but he still isn't moving

Then suddenly, tears slowly come out from his eyes. It was awkward and it looks incredibly inappropriate, it was weird to see a grown man cry, especially since I didn't know why he cried and because of his masculine look and physique. I walked back a bit, then he eventually snapped out it.

"What happened?" I asked Neil as I held his shoulders

"He... He's d.." Neil replied

"Who?! and What?!" I asked once again. But the halfway through as I said it, I think I already know what he was about to say

"He's dead." Neil replied with a lifeless voice

"Who?! Who died?!" I asked Neil

"My best friend, Franc" Neil said 

"How? Isn't he in Japan?" I asked in confusion

"He is. Apparently, the news got to Japan and the Androids started a rebellion. They attacked the Android Factory there. He called me, asked me for help, but I couldn't. It's painful to hear my best friend's final words and screams, I couldn't do anything" Neil said in remorse

"I'm really sorry" I said to comfort him

"It's fine, maybe I just need some time alone" Neil said

I nodded then I left him alone in the room. I can hear him sobbing from the outside of the room. I walk away slowly. I contemplate about my life. It's really crazy how some trivial things and decisions can change a person's life forever

What happened right here seems just like a tree with branches and this is the end of this branch. It all started from the moment that I was born, Franc was given a choice, to let me live or to deactivate and disassemble me, If he chose the latter, I would be the one who's is dead and he would be still alive, also society wouldn't be breaking down right now.

Slowly as I walk, the realization and weight of the situation gradually hits me, like bullets, shooting through me, slowly filling my body with holes. My body just feels more and more heavy, I start to walk more slowly, I couldn't help it, I just can't walk faster, eventually my legs feel too weak to carry myself and I just fell on my knees. I just broke down. Although Neil doesn't blame me, I know it myself. I am the root and cause of everything.

I slowly crawl to the nearest bed. I slump myself on the floor and incline on the bed. I pressed my hands against my head. I thought of Franc's last moments before his death, did he regret anything? because I'm sure he did. I could not get his face out of my mind, then I imagine the same face as a battered and bloody one, looking at me directly.

I could imagine hearing his voice in my head saying "You did this. You caused my death. You're the one to blame."

It was horrifying. I was there for about 30 minutes, until my alarm rang and notified me that it was already 1:30 PM and I would have to do my chores at 2:00 PM. I stood up and prepared myself mentally and physically. Although I didn't cry, I was on the verge of it.

I walked out of the bedroom. The ambiance and feel of everything is somehow different than before. The whole place in general suddenly looks and feels cold, monotonous and dreary. Everyone looks lifeless and exhausted. Exhausted of life.

It seems that the only source of warmth  is coming from the laughter from the infirmary. I originally wanted to check on Hazel and the twins in the infirmary to tell them about the bad news, but I decided not to, as I'd probably disrupt their happiness.

I proceed to the next task on my schedule. The whole day went on. It was boring and lifeless. We all ate dinner. Neil went out of his room to eat but he looked depressed, after he ate, he went straight back to his room.

I was dreading the day to be over as I hoped that the following day would bring hopeful news and that it would clear all the gloom away that took over almost everyone from the previous day, but it was the exact opposite.

More Deaths and Sorrow. That's what we heard the whole day, from the news, from the gossips, from everywhere.

This continued throughout the whole week. I could only describe the whole week as dull and tedious. The only good thing that happened this week was that Neil found a spare leg part to put on Kurt's amputated leg.

I guess things could've been much worse, but thankfully, It didn't. Neil was slowly moving on, but he still had some unpredictable bursts of sadness that he had kept inside him. We tried to keep him busy and away from the thoughts that keep on bothering him inside his head.

Then it was finally Sunday. It was Franc's burial. His body was returned to America three days ago along with the other american workers who were killed in the Tokyo Factory sabotage. Neil was invited by Franc's family and friends to his burial who were unaware that Neil is with us.

Neil initially didn't want to go to his burial. The picture of his best friend dead on his head was too overwhelming for him. But he decided to go anyways after Nathan talked with him and how that it would be the last time that he could see his best friend.

Hazel, Clark and I were concerned with his behavior and emotional impulses, so we went and talked to him. When we got to his room, he was talking with Nathan while taking off his black sweatshirt then he dressed himself up with a dark black suit. Upon seeing them, Clark went back outside, Hazel tried to make him come back but I stopped Hazel and let him go

"Are you going to be okay? I saw you had some emotional breakdowns throughout the week" Hazel asked Neil

"I'm pretty sure, I'll be okay" Neil said with an obviously fake smile

"When will you return?" I asked Neil

"I'll return before sun down" He said

He looked at himself at the mirror and fixed his hair

"Do I look good?" Neil asked

"You look great" Nathan said

"It's for a funeral though" Neil whispered, but I managed to hear it

Neil tied his shoe laces and left the room. We followed Neil to the outside of the warehouse to his car. We just stood there as Neil entered his car. He closed the door and hesitated for awhile if he's going to turn on the engine or not, but he turned it on anyways.

Before his hand held the wheel, Hazel knocked on his window. He lowered down the window

"One last thing, be safe." Hazel said then she gave him a light peck on the cheeks

"I will." He said then he smiled

Neil raised the window then He left. We just stood there then we were about to go back until we saw the first snow flakes falling. I was amazed with the sight. I've never seen snow. I held my hand out to catch one, then I looked at it, It was so small and tiny, It's so simple yet it looks so beautiful. It was truly a sight to marvel at.

"This is the first time I've seen snow" I said in amazement

"I've seen them plenty of times" Nathan said

"This is the second time I've seen them, but this is the first time I've actually held one. The first time I saw it, I just looked at them behind a window" Hazel said

Nathan and I just looked at Hazel.

"Well, I'm gonna have to go back now" Nathan said

"Me too" Hazel said then the both of them came back inside

I stood still. I slightly shivered. It was cold and unforgiving. I somehow got an odd feeling that this beautiful thing signifies the start of a bad one.