Hereafter - Book One of the After Series [On Going]

CHAPTER SIX |

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
SEPTEMBER 24TH, 2006

     THE NEW robotic Leo, now known as D1, sat at a table, holding his new robotic-hands together. But, Leo wasnt the same. A tattoo D1 was across the back of his neck. Below that tattoo was another one on his back:

PROPERTY OF THE
TECHNOLOGY REINFORCEMENT
RETURN IF LOST

His eyes now had an electric blue flare, leaving his emerald green eyes as nothing more than a memory. These sober eyes were accompanied by an emotionless look on his face, since D1 could not feel any emotion within his walls.

Vincent entered the room, sitting across the table from D1 in a fancy suit.

"D1," Vincent began.

"Yes master?" D1 now had a deep and raspy voice with no Southern accent anymore.

"Tell me about Leonardo Raphael Stevenson. Who is he?"

The information piled into his mind through his artificial brain system, Oksana. Everything she informed him, D1 followed "Leonardo Raphael Stevenson was a 33 year old man, born on October 10, 1973 in Austin, Texas. He was raised in San Antonio, Texas as the youngest of three adopted children. His siblings are Christopher Robert Stevenson, born on January 15th, 1970, and Jane Casandra Stevenson, born on August 3rd, 1971. Leonardo worked at a home-building department called Texas Homes, and had a daughter out of wedlock. Her name was Maria Joanna Elouise Stevenson-"

"Who was the girl who had the baby with?" Vincent interrupted.

"Charlotte Dawson. She died on June 24th, 1992. Birthdate unknown."

Someone kicked the door of the room open. This man had a gas mask on, and a hunting rifle in his hands that looked very similar. He directed his gun at Vincent, and shot him in the shoulder.

Vincent yelped and covered his arm, falling out of his chair like a moron, and swearing like an angry drunk.

Leo arose from the chair, facing the man, rather than Vincent.

At first, the man pointed his gun at Leo, but lowered it, once he took closer look at his face. He squinted, tilting his head to the side. "Leo?"

"My name is D1."

No. My name is Leo not D1!

He shook his head.

"No!" The man exclaimed. "You're Leo! Leonardo Stevenson! Dont tell me they brainwashed you!"

"We did." Vincent grunted. "You were too late."

"This has nothing to do with you! What is wrong with you, changing people like Leo into robots?"

"No. They invent robots from scratch." D1 corrected. "They invent the future, we don't change anyone into anything."

Richard widened his eyes at his old friend, who was now nothing more than a puppet on a string. "Leo, I can't believe you."

"Again. My name isn't Leo." D1 corrected.

STOP CONTROLING ME! A sharp pain struck in D1's head. He shut his eyes tight, rubbed his head and tilting it downward.

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Leo saw a much younger Richard standing behind a storm-door with a blue truck parked in a driveway of a city-like neighborhood.

Before Richard became wrinkled and old, Richard had thick brown hair, and a long brown mustache that looked like a caterpillar beneath his nose, covering his upper lip.