Omnic Secrets

2

The windows of the shop were covered in posters that were plastered on outside. The only lighting was artificial and dim. Mondatta expressed strong distaste for the lighting; it was killing the plants. While the Omnics were kept inside and not allowed to leave under any circumstance, Mondatta still slipped outside, right outside the door, not any farther. Just enough to keep his favorite little rose alive. Zenyatta hated when he reached outside the door. He didn't seem to understand why they couldn't be seen in the shop. He must not have known what posters cover the outside of the shop. They're all anti-Omnic posters. Every single one. The shop owner came in less and less, until she would only come in a week at a time. Only Mondatta's rose was still alive, and it wasn't doing well. Zenyatta just sat on the counter where costumers used to exchange money for their plants, bored out of his mind. The shop owner slipped in the front door with a bag on her back.

"Zenyatta, Mondatta, get over here." She whispered. He hopped off the counter quietly as Mondatta appeared behind some hanging plants. "I'm so sorry I've kept you locked up in here. But shit hit the fan outside of the shop.. Omnics are being destroyed without hesitation. I thought you two would be safe in here, but people are raiding places now. There was a sort of warehouse a few blocks down where some were hiding, and people broke in, rounded them up, and they just.. put them into a line, on their knees. Shot them all." She opened the bag as she spoke, her voice shaking. She pulled out two hoodies, and held them out to the Omnics. "Tonight, there's going to be a car outside. If someone knocks four times on the back door, a normal knock, you go with them. I found somebody, some people, who said they could take you out of King's Row. I just have to work for them for a little bit." The two silently put on the hoodies as she spoke, and flipped the hoods up. "If anyone pounds on any of the doors, do not answer. If they get in, do anything you can to get rid of them silently. Please, stay safe." She stood up, and pulled the two into a hug.

"But, the flowers, the shop.." Mondatta muttered in disbelief as he returned the heartfelt hug.

"Mon, everything in here is dead. I have no clue how that rose is still kicking, but the rest is dead." She replied, sighing. "Zenyatta, I know you're a little more.. Oh, what's the word.." She dropped the hug to think.

"Loyal?" He suggested.

"Something like that, yeah. Mondatta can survive on his own I think, but you.. you'll need him. You rely on others, I know you do. I know he can be annoying at times, but please, don't leave him. And you, Mon. Keep Zen in check, alright? They'll get you as far away from here as they can tonight. I don't know where you'll go." She put the bag back behind her, and tried an uneasy smile. It didn't help anyone. She was anxious, Mondatta was still processing everything, and Zenyatta couldn't stop imagining how the night would go wrong. She hugged them again, and this time, both Omnics hugged back. "Stay safe. I love you both." She whispered before heading out of the shop. The two stood still for a few moments, shocked. Finally, Mondatta stepped away, and slowly pushed over a table covered in plants. Zenyatta just watched as he carefully blocked the door with it.

"The glass is reinforced, so they may have a difficult time breaking it. The door is what they'll try first." Mondatta explained with a hush voice. Zenyatta nodded.

It felt like a lifetime before the two heard a car pull up. They shot up, alert. Zenyatta rushed to the door, preparing to dash out. Mondatta rushed to follow him, but paused as he looked at his half alive rose. "Oh no, you're not bringing that with you." Zenyatta whispered harshly. Mondatta grabbed shears from a pot nearby, and snipped the stem. He carried the precious rose to behind the counter, and set it down. Zenyatta didn't see where he set it, but he knew exactly where it was. Behind the counter was a framed photo of each Omnic that worked at the shop. He must've set the rose in front of Copper's photo. That gesture alone made Zenyatta pause and realize what it was he was leaving behind. Time froze as he finally took in the dead plants around him. He knew he'd never see Cathy again. He knew how close he could really come to dying tonight. Most strong of his sudden feelings was the sudden appreciation for the rose. He finally understood why Mondatta loved it so much. His heartache for the shop almost made him shake.

Knock, knock, knock, knock.