True Fiction

Chapter 4: Blueprints

Their excited reunion was shortlived though. Ashen's head started to ache as a tone rang through his mind. He grabbed his head and searched desperately for an answer when the tone stopped and a voice rang in his ears.

"Ashen sweety, where did you go? Your sister and I are very worried." The voice of his Mother said. Ashen shivered at the words, knowing there was going to be some unknown disaster soon.

"I went to see my friends mom. I'm fine. I'll head home now." Ashen thought. His friends looked at him in awe as he had this virtual conversation in his mind. His eyes glowed an electric blue as his face grew blank.

"Be safe, Dear. Come home now." His mother said. Ashen winced as the end-call tone bleeped in his ears. His face reverted to normal

"That's so cool," Wilfred exclaimed. Kenneth and Ryan nodded in agreement.

"Hey, I'll see you guys again soon. Need to head home now," Ashen frantically said. Ryan inferred the nature of the call and laughed. "Make sure she's not too angry. Better apologize before you get screwed," he advised.

This made Ashen all the more nervous on his trip home, walking through the beautiful city. People bustled around during the peak hour, minding their own business. At most, Ashen only received a few glances. It was weird being a cyborg

**********

"You lied to me." Natasha huffed.

Ashen bit his lip as his mother crossed his arms, shooting him a disappointed look.

"Ashen, you just came back to us and you're already so rebellious." Angelica sighed as she chuckled slightly.

"You haven't changed in 10 years dear."

Ashen was once again, perplexed by this flurry of emotion. Was it anguish or happiness? Was he suppose to be sorry or happy? It was all so strange.

"No matter, we'll discuss this over dinner." Ashen's mother said.

"Come, sit down. Let's eat." Natasha called. Ashen walked over to sit down, staring at the food on the table. A huge beef burger along with fries and coleslaw.

"Sorry I couldn't cook anything. I just got takeout food from nearby." Angelica said.

Ignoring the food, he looked around, realizing there was an empty chair.

"Where's Dad," Ashen asked.

Natasha immediately chocked on her food and watched for her mother's reaction. His mother's eyes got all teary and she looked away, unable to face Ashen. Ashen felt rather responsible for this scene.

"Mom, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have..."

"It's fine." She said as she blew her nose. She looked back steadily at him and took a deep breath.

"After you got into that accident, your father he..." Ashen could see the tears in her eyes beginning to form. Helplessly he watched as he brought this emotional trauma on his own mother.

"He disappeared. No one knew where he went. All he left me was a note." She sniffed.

Ashen took a bite of his food, not really tasting anything. He had forgotten what it was like to taste.

"How does it taste?" His mother said smiling, quickly changing the topic to hide her tears.

Ashen stared blankly back at her, unable to answer.

"Your smell and taste receptors aren't active right now dear, want to activate them?" Ashen's mother prompted.

Ashen nodded, searching over his body for a button or switch to activate his sense.