Princess of AMBER

*Bonus chapter 5*

      Summer break was a great way to forget about my problems. I spent a lot of time wandering around the Amber city. Most of it I ended up near a forest of Elkwood family. I wanted so much to see the inside. The bottom wall was three or four meters high and I could only see the bits of trees from street below. I was tired of the desert outside. The view have bored me and I wanted a change of scenery for once. But will there be such a thing? I doubt it. For it to happen, needs lots of resources and money, something that government are not willing to waste.

       Something strange is happening to people of Amber. Some of them seem to be scared of recent robot attacks and they are starting to cause trouble on streets. This is just a minor thing, but how far will it go? This city is been peaceful, as long as I can remember. More policemen are on guard for any abnormal robot spotting. I have not seen any and I think people are fearing for nothing. Few factories have been closed and no infected robots have been let out, they destroyed them as soon as infection was discovered. And of what I heard, they can get infected only in the begging stages of their existence, before they are let out in public. People just exaggerate things more, then there actually is to worry about.

      Even my father is a bit nervous about me spending so much time on streets. It is getting late, sun is setting and whole city is getting it's characteristic shade of orange, as glass buildings are reflecting the disappearing rays of sun.

I notice a group of robot policemen on other side of street attending couple of people, who seem to be causing trouble. I see Cole between them. Not willing to see him, I keep going in opposite direction.

       My dad is so happy about Cole's addition to his group of police workers. Cole is in charge of whole robots in the station, their direct commander - a sergeant is his title. So strange. Can a machine lead others, robots? For me it is hard to imagine. Dad also said, he has a completely new system installed in him. He has no problem of recognizing any person or robot, who is legally registered in the database, on the spot. That's why he already knew Monica's name on the night he met her. Cole is better of detecting human lies and body language, which allows him to better asses the human emotions. And lot more new things are in him, making Cole a completely different police machine. Though, I will not share the opinions of my dad about him. My thoughts are completely opposite. I don't like Cole, no matter how advanced he is. He is still just a machine.

I do not get far, as somebody have stopped me from behind. I turn and see my nemesis - Cole. How did he spot me?

"What do you want? I did not brake a law, did I?" I said annoyed.

"It is late. Detective Solace wants you to head home at this hour. Come and get in to the car." he orders me.

      I hate the way he talks to me. There is no other tone to his voice, just this ordering one. Orders and commands are all that leaves his metal jaw. I am not his subordinate or anything else to him, to be looked down. 

He takes hold of my arm and his grip is as tight as always. I try to shake him off.

"You don't have to hold me. I can walk myself. You make me look like some criminal."

Cole takes me home again. Will he ever leave me alone? And why dad is ordering him to watch me? I can stay on my own. I am not a baby anymore.

     I don't know whats up with my father, but he keeps sending Cole to look for me and take home more often, than I would like. And every time his doll like appearance pisses me off. He could send me a human officer to get me, but no..... I have to put up with Cole every night.

****

       Few days ago an android killed a man in 'CyRo technologies' facility. It was all over the news and they said, that this robot belonged to Kyra Elkwood, the richest young lady in Amber. Poor thing, that she have gotten infected machine, who is capable of killing people. Another thing, that reporters wrote, was that Kyra might be at fault for all the infections occurring. How crazy is that? I have already seen, how crazy some people are getting over this piece of information. 

      One day I was visiting dad at his office. The police station was full with people, so workers had to restrain most of them. They all complained about other robot attacks, which I believe were not true. People are just too paranoid to distinguish the reality from their fear generating imagination. At that day I was mad at my dad again for sending Cole to pick me up late at night, like every night, since that killer robot got free. How big of a chance for me is to run in to him? Almost nonexistent. But he thinks differently. I told him everything, of what I think about Cole and that I don't need him to follow me around. Cole was beside my father too, but he did not seem to be fazed by my little tantrum.

        I believe my father did not listen to me and I can see Cole coming to get me tonight as well. It is just a matter of time, before he finds me. Staying at home is boring, at least, on streets I can see something interesting, than just four plain walls, as it is in my bedroom. 

A car stops by me and I don't need a time to ponder, of who it might be. I already know. It is time to go home.

Today his chin is raised a bit higher and he seems more arrogant than ever before. 

"Get in the car. I don't have a time to sit and wait for you whole night." his voice sounded the same, but something was off about him, though, I could not figure out, what was it.

Without a word I did as Cole said. It have become a routine, so my mind is not struggling so much against him now.

       I had taken a back seat this time. I looked at Cole, he was the same stoic machine. My eyes landed on the mirror in the front and my heart just skipped a beat. Cole's eyes were boring in to mine, he was looking straight back at me through the mirror. His gaze was still very dead looking, but something made my mind race, seemed for no reason. 

"Is something wrong?" I asked and pretended, that I saw nothing. 

A small pause came from his side: "No. Everything is fine." He took his eyes back on the road.

That was odd.... His replies usually came straight away, but now he seemed hesitant.

What is happening to him?

Is he broken?