The Cold Unknown

Chapter 10 - Zlatko and Luther

That night, we walked in the drizzle of rain, looking for the address Kara had gotten yesterday. We ended up coming upon a big house. It looked like an old, scary scary mansion.

Kara looked over at my freezing self. Sure, the new vest warm, but it wasn't heated. "Are you gonna be okay?" She asked. I nodded. "We'll get some help here." Kara responded. We walked past the gate and up to the front door. Kara rung the doorbell, me by her side. After a little bit, the door opened slightly. A man stood in the opening. He had a short beard, and beady eyes.

"Are you Zlatko?" Kara asked. "Who's asking?" He questioned back. "I was told you can help us." Kara replied. The man furrowed his brows. "I don't know who told you that, but you came to the wrong place. I'm sorry." He started to shut the door. Kara stopped it with her foot. "Wait," The man looked back up. "We really need your help." Kara pleaded.

The man glanced down at me, then back up at Kara. After a moment, he sighed and opened the door wide. "Come in." 

We started to slowly walk inside. "Come on in, don't be shy." The man - who I assumed to be Zlatko - said. "Luther, would you be so kind as to take these ladies coats?" Just then, a large man came into view. I mean, he was really tall, and broad. Kara slightly gasped and took a few steps back while shielding me.

Zlatko briefly chuckled. "Oh, don't be afraid of my big friend here. Luther is just another android that I helped." Android? I looked at him, and I could just see the glow of the LED on his temple. "He keeps me company in this big, empty, old house." Zlatko said.

We took our coats off, and Luther hung them up for us. Zlatko led us into what looked like a living room of some sort. A fire was crackling in the fireplace. "Please, sit. Make yourself at home." Zlatko told us. Kara and I sat one one sofa, while Zlatko sat on the other across from us.

"So, how did you hear about me?" Zlatko asked. "An android, on the street. He said you could help us." Kara told him.  "I see..." Zlatko processed. "Deviant, huh?" Kara nodded. Zlatko gestured to me. "What about her?" Kara was silent for a few moments. "She's human..." Why did she hesitate?

Does she know what I am?

Why did she hesitate?

Zlatko nodded, but I could tell he was also wondering why Kara hesitated. "And..." Zlatko continued. "You want to find a safe place. Somewhere you can start a new life?.. I hear Canada is very lovely at this time of year... Beautiful landscapes, open spaces, clean air, and no android laws. Great place for a fresh start."

Kara and I liked the sound of that. "Yes, that's exactly what we want." Kara said. "Of course. Well, I can help you." Zlatko said. "But first,"

"We have to get rid of your tracker."

Tracker?  "Tracker?" Kara asked aloud. "Yeah. All androids are fitted with a tracking device to locate them at all times." Zlatko said. No, that can't be true. I thought. Or else the police would have found us by now. I don't like this guy anymore. I have to tell Kara, but without Zlatko hearing of course... "I'll remove yours, and then you'll both be safe." He finished. "Come on," he said, standing up. "Follow me. Everything we need is in the basement." The basement?! Uh, no way, Sir. I don't like that idea.

"Uh, the little one can wait for us in the living room." Zlatko said as we followed him. "No. She always stays with me." Kara insisted. "Of course. Right this way." He opened a door, and began walking down the set of stairs it revealed. We followed, with Luther a bit behind us. Zlatko was far enough ahead of us, so I decided to warn Kara. "I don't like this place... and the man. Let's go, I have a bad feeling." I whispered.