THE CHASE - Connor x OC (I Am Sequel)

Chapter 34

I walked into the apartment and saw Connor sat on the sofa, playing with the dogs.

"Oh. Finally. How was work?" He asked, looking up at me.

I stared for just a moment. I closed the door behind me.

"I learned something...terrible. And I made a mistake. I made a really bad mistake," I cried. I broke down in tears and Connor jumped up and rushed over to me wrapping his arms around me. I threw him off.

"What's wrong? What happened? It's not your fault," Connor whispered.

"Yes it is. It really is. And I'm so sorry. I'm so...sorry. I'm so sorry," I answered.

"What do you mean? You're scaring me," Connor mumbled.

"I know. I know I am. I just...I can't say it. I just. I'm terrible. I'm a terrible wife," I nodded. "And we're not supposed to be together anyway."

"What are you talking about?" Connor asked, leaning down towards me.

"I...I," I struggled. God. Why couldn't I be at least confident enough to have a secret affair. That's how they're supposed to work. I'm too young, dumb, and broken to do that. I suppose it's better than hiding this forever and letting it spiral out of control...but it's already out of my control.

"I...well...I...here," I sighed. I calmed down, wiping my eyes. When words fail us, at least I can connect. I took the skin off my arm, and extended it. Connor stared awkwardly, and extended his too. This was the first time in a long time, and it wouldn't be for a good reason. I'll at least keep it censored...

Connecting...

Connecting...

Transferring data...

We disconnected and Connor stared at me. His mouth went agape, before closing.

"Leave," he said. "Right now."

I nodded and walked out the door, my eyes tearing up again. Where could I go? I suppose to Christen's...

I picked up the phone, and saw my voicemail from Nick. I need to hear his voice right now. He's the only person, who I think in this moment right now, wouldn't judge me. At least, he would crack a joke about how he is judging me, and then help me. Maybe I'm turning him into a bit of a prophet, but honestly...he's just that amazing. I clicked the voicemail and held the phone up to my ear.

"Hey, Bolts! We're heading back tonight. We got the boys their citizenship and all the documents so we were able to leave early. If you want to see me, I'll be back in twelve hours."

I smiled, and started crying again. I ran down the stairs and onto the street. It was still pouring rain, and it was getting in my eyes.

I hailed a taxi and took the car all the way to Nick's house, which was thankfully, not completely across town. I arrived and looked at the familiar house, taking my seat on the curb.

I deserve this, really. Sitting out on a cold concrete curb, in the pouring rain, while being absolutely sure Connor was calling a lawyer and filing for divorce. I'm so stupid. I'm so broken. That's not an excuse though.

I don't even know why I did what I did. I suppose it's that...I felt so...tricked. I still do. Everything I'm doing is programmed...practically. Or maybe I'm over reacting.

Either way I'm stuck out here...waiting for Nick. Waiting for him to set me straight. Waiting for him to maybe say I'm right. Maybe just crack a joke. Tell me his wisdom, that comes from almost 40 years of being a human, which pales in comparison to my two or so of programmed experience.

Just as I was beginning to settle in, a car rushed by, splashing a dirty puddle onto me. "Android scum!" The driver yelled out of the window.

Great. Now I'm damp, depressed and dirty. Nick just has to live on this side of town, doesn't he? The closer you get to Jericho, generally, the more accepting humans you meet. Nick lives far enough away from Jericho that Connor and Hank are in his neighborhood quite a bit for Android hate crimes. Most of the time it's just mean graffiti, keying cars, and throwing a brick or two through a window. The worst they've seen are full on murders, usually combined with arsons. Once the news about Androids only truly dying with fire got out...well...

I sighed, rubbing my temple. I'll be here for a while...