𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐎𝐃𝐄

Chapter 15

You stared unblinkingly at the snow laden treetops that blurred by the car windows as Hank cruised down the freeway. The rain had frozen overnight and made the roads slick and dangerous, especially when your driver was half hungover. It had been awhile since you'd seen more than a few trees at once and you were soaking in the experience. You still felt jittery from last night and you couldn't find it in yourself to fall asleep in a bed that wasn't yours. Something deep inside of you itched to sit up, crack open a window, and join those Traci's in their search for freedom.

Markus hasn't contacted you in a few weeks and you hoped that them telling him that you had sent them to Jericho would still mean something. A prologue to your arrival? Who knew. But you didn't want to give him false hope.

Hank's car was speeding down the road so fast that your internal GPS was struggling to keep up. You had no idea what your destination was or what dirty work you'd end up doing for the police in order to guarantee your life. Your only comfort was Connor in the front seat, trying and failing to strike up a conversation with the grumpy Lieutenant.

"Shove a cork in it, Connor," Hank jabbed after the android beside him tried once again to make him open up about his seemingly tragic past. At this comment, Connor blinked and rested back into his car seat.

"Contrary to popular belief, Androids produced by CyberLife are unable to consume any by products not manufactured in a CyberLife facility. A list of biodegradable consumable goods safe for my consumption can be found at www.-" "We're here! Everyone out!" Hank interrupted before twisting the key out of its place next to the steering wheel and popping open his car door.

You were completely zoned out, watching little snowflakes collect on the window sill. You hadn't noticed everyone exit the vehicle until your own car door was forced open, almost allowing you to fall into the slushy pavement below. To your dismay, the little pile of snow you had been observing had toppled in the mini-earthquake it experienced. Through the glass of the window, you recognized Connor's trademark jacket pulsating with faint blue light. Looking up through your eyelashes, you watched his expression change from confused to amused as you struggled to regain your composure.

"We don't have all day, (Y/N). I want to be in and out as soon as possible without causing a scene." As badly as you wanted to reply with a quip of your own, you were too invested in the building laid out in front of you.

A hexagonal shaped building with a low, flat roof. The entire thing was blanketed in a coat of matte black that rejected the snowfall almost magnetically. You could see the arches of skyscrapers in the distance. The house sat right on Lake Michigan. The pseudo-ocean was currently frozen over, the lake effect hit your synthetic skin hard. Your model wasn't designed to be out in the cold for very long periods of time.

A dark, metal plated staircase led up to what appeared to be the front door. Hank had already rang the doorbell when you and Connor finally reached the top of the stairs. A few seconds passed and he was about to do it again when a faint 'click' sounded and the thick black door was pulled inwards.

On the other side of the threshold stood the slim, petite figure of a young girl. She looked like she couldn't have been any older than 25. A shapeless blue dress hugged the outline of her torso. Her feet were bare and her skin was surprisingly pale. Her head was cocked to one side in silent question. She looked right at Hank, not once at either you or Connor. It wasn't until you caught sight of the little blue halo on her temple that you understood. She was an android just like you and him.

"Hi....Uh...I'm, er, Lieutenant Anderson, Detroit Police Department. I'm here to see Mr. Elijah Kamski," Hank coughed, not completely understanding the point in explaining himself to an android. The snow on his jacket shook off as he shrugged his shoulders.