Archer

2

"So, you're really just gonna sit out here?" "You got any better ideas?" "How about actually finding friends instead of lying about it?" Andy sighs heavily and looks up at me. "Ash, you sound like Mom. Can you please stop?" "Andy, I just want you to be happy. I want you to have friends and have fun and enjoy life.. you know..?" He's silent, playing with his phone case until the silence is broken by a tall African American. "So, what are you two? Some kind of fourth floor hallway hobos, or something?" "What?" "Andy and Ashley right? Just moved into 401? Yeah, I see you out here, Andy. Like, a lot."

"Oh, that's not him, officer," I tease. "He's got like.. five twin brothers. They switch shifts." The man cracks a grin, but before he can speak, an elderly woman opens his room's door. "Are you coming in or what?" She hisses. "I'll be right there, Ma. Just give me a minute. Love you." She shuts the door and I giggle softly, hiding my smile with my hoodie's sleeve. "So that's the mom," he drags out. "Drags me to dinner every week. So, listen. You two wanna have some dinner, you're welcome to join us. Cause I could really use the backup."

"Andy? Ashley?" "Oh. Hi, Mama." I give her a side hug as she analyzes the officer. "What's going on? Are my kids in trouble?" "Yeah. Lots of trouble. We've been getting lots of complaints about some kids out here throwing parties, selling drugs and beer. Peddling booze... um..." "Oh." Mum nods, unimpressed. "That was a joke?" "It was an attempt.. I was gonna say I'm the fun police. It's not landing." "You're good, my guy," I laughed. "I got it." "Wait," Mum butts in. "Who are you?" "I'm Mike. Detective Mike. So um. I'm just gonna go. Yeah. I'm gonna go. All moms are scary by the way. It was nice to meet you, the Double A's mom." "Bye, Mike!" "See you later, kids."

Once Mike goes inside, I proceed to glance slowly down at Andy who goes back to playing on his phone. "I thought you were out with your friends," Mum softly inquires. "Why didn't you just come back inside?" I chew on my nail, voicing both mine and Andy's question. "Is Shane still there...?" "No... He's gone." A beat of silence passes before she smiles. "Come on, you two. I got something for you."

_______

I squirm with giddiness, making Andy groan and slump onto my shoulder. "Could you please calm down?" "But I love surprises!" I squeal, lightly clapping my hands. My excitement only grows when Mum sets the neatly wrapped box on the table. "Okay. Andy, I know it's not your birthday for a couple of weeks, but the move's been really tough. And I know you're both kinda mad at me, so I think you deserve this."

She shifts out of the way with a happy line, plopping onto the couch. Andy isn't quick enough, so I lurch forward and rip the paper off. A sharp gasp stings my lungs. "Oh my God!" I screech. "How did you know I wanted one of these?!" "Yeesh, Ashley, calm down," Andy laughed. "You're acting like you're two." "But he's so fucking adorable!" Mum stares at me in shock and I quickly slap my hand over my mouth. "Sorry," I squeak. "I'm just really excited." To prove it, I snatch the doll out of the box and croon over it, plugging it into my phone.

"Just remember it's refurbished, ok? It probably won't work perfectly." The first few tries, the Buddi app refuses to work, but once it finally connects, Andy and I are greeted with a soft female voice announcing just that. "Whoa," Andy breathes, staring at it. "Hi!" The doll chirps, its head turning from me to Andy and back again. "Are you my b-b-best b-buddy?" "I guess?" "Yes!" My high pitched exclamation seems to gain the doll's attention. I'm momentarily blinded by a glowing red light before hearing, "What's your name?" "Ashley," I chirp, grinning at him. "And this is Andy." I point to my brother who merely scoffs and grins, shaking his head. "Sup?" "Hi, Ashley and Andysup," The toy greets. "What's my name?"

I nibble on my tongue and glance over at Andy. He grins slyly. "Han Solo." "What?" I exclaim, wrinkling my nose. "Ew, no. I like Chucky." "Did you say Ch-Chu-u-cky?" "Yep!" I pipe, making Andy sigh and facepalm. "Why are you 17 and so obsessed with this kid's toy?" He snickers. "Well, I'm sorry I'm so full of everlasting joy," I snap back, making Mum laugh. "Hey, I think it's kinda cute too," she chimes, making Andy roll his eyes. "Well, I think he likes you more anyway, Ash, so go ahead." I squeal and gather the doll to my chest. "Then I'll go ahead and show him my room!"

_______

I happily trot the doll into my room, setting him down only once my door is closed behind me. "This is my room," I say. "Ashley's room," he repeats, his eyes scanning over everything from the bed where the cat rests to the computer. "That's Mickey Rooney," I say, pointing to the orange tom. "He can be a sweetheart if he tries, but he's mostly just a total dick." "Total dick." I stop abruptly and stare at him. "Wait. You can say stuff like that?" Chucky looks up at me with sparkling blue eyes. "I can say whatever you want me to, best b-buddy." "That's... honestly awesome."

I sit him in my desk chair as I flip through my journal. "Andy's the artist," I confess. "I'm more of the writer. I make poems and stories." I point to the most basic one and read it aloud.

"The woods are big and dark and deep.
The shadows there never sleep.
Souls lost and forgotten
Hold tight to the past that now is rotten.
Shunned and shrugged off,
They will make you pay the cost.
It comes at twilight,
Eager to bite.
She's starving, needing to be fed.
In only a second, her eyes glow red.
She prowls at night, killing a flood,
Her razor sharp fangs stained with blood.
Taking the Betrayer's very last breath,
Relishing the putrid scent of Death.
When the sun once more replaces the moon,
She will return very soon."

Chucky tilts his head once I finish. "What does it mean?" "Well.. it's about a fallen angel who's true form looks a lot like a wolf. She hunts at night and eats until she's strong enough to get revenge on the Betrayer, who is Lucifer. He lied to her and his lies cost her her place in heaven." The ginger studies the poem, his fingers tracing over the words. "I like it." "Thank you..."

A few moments of comfortable silence pass before I gently pick him up and shoo Rooney off of the bed. "Would you like me to sing the buddy song before bed?" He asks, making me smile softly. "Sure, sweetheart, go ahead." I get dressed into my pajamas, slightly alarmed when Chucky begins to glitch out halfway through his song, his eyes flashing both red and blue. I sigh and sit back onto the bed. "Oh, baby, you really are bugged out, aren't you..?" He merely stares at me, but I don't really find it unsettling. "Come on, love-bug, time for sleep." I wrap my arms around him and drag him under the sheets, curling around him. I'm pleasantly surprised by the soft, comforting thrum of his battery, but its constant pumping sounds more like a heartbeat.

"I can hear your heart," I whisper, nestling my ear closer to the sound. "My heart?" "Mhm.." I close my eyes, and soon, I find myself drifting off to the steady rhythm.