I woke up, still on the bus. I looked outside to see that I was on the other side of town. "Shit" I swore to myself. The bus is still going, and I took out my phone to check the time. I'm surprised I wasn't woken up considering how long I've been here. Maybe 'cause no one really keeps track on who's who. I gathered my things, fixed my scarf again, and waited for the last stop. It's past 11 PM and I don't think there'll be any more busses going today.
I stepped off the bus, and started walking through the unfamiliar area. Finding a sign for a Motel. I looked through my wallet. Dammit. No credit card. And I only have a twenty. Which I don't think will be enough for one night.
The street is fairly empty. It's raining. And the wind is blowing, making me shudder from the cold. I groaned from frustration. All I need is to find a place to spend the night. So I can get back home tomorrow. Tai must be worried.
I turned back, walking towards the convenience store instead. Might as well get something to eat. I stepped inside, tapping the toes of my shoes to throw a bit of water off of them. I wandered the store, finding some ready made sandwiches, and bottles of water. The total coming to $19.98.
The cashier tried to strike a friendly conversation. But I declined it politely, saying that I'm not in the mood. And left the store with my items. I looked around the streets, to an abandoned building in front of me. At least it would keep me out of the rain. I just need to find a way inside.
I kept wandering around the fencing, until I found an open gate, which I opened until I could squeeze through the gap. I walked closer to a car. The windows are broken, and the rain is hitting the insides. Not to mention it'd probably be drafty as hell with this wind. So I kept looking, until I found a bit of the fencing bent to the other side. Allowing me to crawl through, and reach the abandoned house. And if the door's open, I may as well squat there for the night.
Looking around, and inspecting it further. Trying to see something through the boarded windows. This is how people die in movies.... Sweet. I managed to find the door to get inside, and carefully opened it. And stepping inside, closing it behind me. I stayed by the door, seeing an AX400. "I... didn't think anyone else was here" I said. "Who are you? Why are you here?" She questioned me, carefully taking a step forward. "I'm not here to hurt you. I can't get back home for the night, and need a place to stay. I'll be gone tomorrow morning" I raised my hands. "Please. I'm not like most humans... I promise" I carefully walked forward. Trying to calm her. I squinted my eyes, tilting my head. "Aren't you the AX400 I finished repairing this morning?" I asked myself aloud. "What's your name?" I asked her, putting my hands down again. "It's Kara" she answered. She still has her Android outfit on, but I couldn't quite make out the letters from a far. "I see... care to tell me what happened? Why are you here?" I feel like I'm trudging in on personal business, but she told me the story.
"I knew something was up with that guy when he came in. It did not look like you got hit by a car" I mumbled to myself. I noticed a pile moving behind the table. I looked under it, seeing a little girl fast asleep. I smiled to myself. "Is she Alice?" I asked, looking back up at Kara. "Yes. I couldn't just leave her" she answered, sitting down beside her. I approached the two, and crouched down beside them. "It must be difficult for you two. Do you have a plan of where to go?" I asked. "An android gave me a location where we could find help. But it's on the other side of town" she answered. "Ah. It's times like these I wish I had a car on my own. I would have helped you if I could" I stated, standing back up. "Is there anyone else, or just the two of you?" I asked, looking around the run down squat. "Another Android" she answered very simply. "And where are they now?" I asked, turning back to face her. "Upstairs, I think" she answered. I nodded, and started walking upstairs. "You should be careful... he doesn't like humans" she warned me. "Okay... I'll be careful" I nodded, and continued to climb the stairs.
I reached the top, and walked into a bedroom. With a very depressing looking bed. I reached the center of the room, and decide to turn back. Not finding anything of interest. When I turned around, I felt my heart jump, and I put my hands up in front of me again. I took a few steps back, as the Android was standing in the doorway, pointing a knife at me. "What's the human doing here? Ralph doesn't like humans. They're nasty" he spoke very quickly. "I just need a place for the night. I'll be gone in the morning" I answered, scared that he'd attack. The LED glowing a bright red. "I'm not here to hurt anyone. I didn't think anyone was here" I carefully stepped closer. "Y... You said your name was Ralph? I had a friend named Ralph once. He looked just like you" I answered. "He ran away six years ago... I still miss him" I continued. The android lowered the knife, ever so slightly. "I couldn't forget that day, even if I tried" I kept going, seeing that it seems to be calming him. I didn't know what came over me, but I started singing.
"Let the sky fall... when it crumbles... we will stand tall, and face it all" I took a pause, taking a breath. "Together" I finished. I hadn't noticed that the android stepped closer, and was now a little more than an arm away from me. With the knife dropped behind him. The moon-light, shining onto him through the window. I looked up at his face, and nearly screamed. But I kept it in, not wanting to scare him. Deep scars, leaking thirium, on the left side of his face. And his eye is blackened, also leaking blue blood. His jaw had been smashed into his neck, almost fusing together. Skin missing around the damaged areas. But he still looked stunning, with his hazel eye, and blond hair. Just like the WR600 I worked with six years ago. Who I unintentionally, befriended, and treated like a person.
I snapped back to reality, to see him staring right at me. "(Y/N)?" his eyes flickered across my face. "Yeah... it's me" I answered. Him knowing my name confirmed that he is the android I worked with in the past. The one I had been waiting, and looking for. Ralph looked down at the floor, with his hands together. The LED had changed to yellow. "Ralph didn't think he'd see (Y/N) again" he stated, making me feel a bit guilty. But there's nothing I could have done. "Me neither" I answered, taking another step closer. "You didn't have to run away. The cops arrived mere seconds after you did" I questioned him. "Ralph is sorry. His fear makes him do things he regrets. Ralph has seen some hard times" he turned his head to show the scars. "Ralph knew (Y/N) didn't want to see him like this" he answered, returning to his previous position. "Hey. Look at me" I said calmly, making him look up at my face. I pulled my scarf down from my lower face. Showing him my own scar which crosses over the right side of my lips, almost touching my eye. "Do you think I would care when I look the same?" I asked, pointing to the scar.
After a moment of staring at me, he dropped to his knees and pulled me into a hug. Catching me off guard. Clutching onto the front of my coat. Ranting on how he's sorry. I put my hands on his shoulders, not knowing what to do, as he's sobbing into my coat. I looked back up to see Kara in the doorway. She looked a bit shocked, and concerned at the same time. I shook my head, mouthing "I don't know" to her.
I sat down on my knees myself, to properly return the embrace. He wrapped his arms around me, very hesitantly. When the were around me, he tightened the hug, like his life depended on it. The LED had turned red again, and I started singing Hallelujah, very softly, in an attempt to comfort him. Soon after the LED turned yellow again. And then blue.
Swaying back and forth. I kept singing until he'd calmed down again. His grip loosened, but stayed where he was. "You poor thing. I could try to cauterize the vessels to stop the bleeding" he tensed up when I mentioned cauterization. Melting the vessels with heat. His LED turned red, clutching onto my coat. "I'm sorry... I was just trying to help. But if it makes you uncomfortable, I won't do it" I patted his back, trying to calm him again. I got a very quiet "thank you" in return.
I tried to stifle a yawn, but failed. It's long past midnight by now. "Is (Y/N) sleepy? She can sleep right here" Ralph pulled away and dragged me to the bed. It's not the most comfortable, considering the years of decay. But it's better than nothing. "Thank you" I answered, pulling the covers so I could slip in. "Ralph would like to stay with you... but he has things to do" he said, before leaving the room. Leaving me. I sighed. "I'll see you in the morning" I mumbled to myself, and snuggled into the mattress.
