The alarm on my phone went off, waking me up. I smacked my hand onto my phone, picking it up to turn off the alarm. I tried to sit up, but barely got anywhere. The android beside me had tangled his arms and legs around me, and since he is an android, those limbs have been locked in place while he's asleep. It's a feature all androids have, allowing them to sleep anywhere, even standing. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, and tried to pry myself away from him, only to fail. I cursed to myself, knowing that I might get late to work if he doesn't wake up soon.
"Ralph" I croaked, pressing on his chest. "Ralph, please wake up. I need to go to work" I kept pushing, but as I'm newly awoken, I don't have my full strength at the moment. So, he barely budged from the spot. It isn't that difficult to wake an android, but he's been awake for six years without rest. I don't know if that'd make any difference, or if it's because he's deviant that's making it so difficult for me. I patted the scarred side of his face, since the other is against the sheets. I also tried pressing my palm against his face. Nothing. No reaction at all. I'm pretty sure he hasn't shutdown either, cause his limbs wouldn't be locked into place if he was. I took a deep breath, feeling sorry for what I'm about to do. I smacked the side of his face, only hurting my hand in the process. "Dammit" I groaned, getting desperate. I'm someone who actually gets stressed if I'm late to something. Wether it's work, some kind of gathering, or whatever it is. I don't want to be late.
I would try to wriggle my way out, but I'm completely trapped. With his arm around my torso, and one leg hooked around mine. And I can't exactly 127 hours my way out of this either. Not that I'd really be willing to, since I value my limbs.
I'm almost tempted on loosening the thirium pump regulator, but I'm sure he wouldn't be very happy about that. He'd most likely feel betrayed from that, and not talk with me. Or worse, kill me. I turned to reach my phone, to check the time. I do have some time to spare, but if he doesn't wake up soon, I'll have to skip breakfast. I sighed in defeat, and ended up scrolling through the different media I had on my phone.
After maybe half an hour, the arm around me finally moved. I didn't move, as I scrolled on my phone. "Look who finally decided to wake up" I stated, monotoned. I sat up, and hurried to get dressed. "If you stayed asleep for much can longer, I would have been late for work" I continued. Throwing the scarf around my face before facing him again. "Ralph is sorry. He didn't know (Y/N) was stuck. She's not angry at Ralph, right?" he apologized. "No, of course I'm not angry at you. I would have just had call my manager and tell him why I'm late. If he even cares about that" I answered. "You don't have to apologize for everything. I'm not that easily angered" I added, leaving the bed room, fully expecting him to follow. Which he did. "If I'm honest. I thought it was adorable" I stated, before saying goodbye and leaving him alone again.
I arrived just in time for my shift to start, and I didn't get questioned by my manager. My guess is that he didn't notice that I came in later today, since I'm usually here about fifteen minutes earlier. I was laying down on the table, when the first android arrived. I got off the table, and started working on it, like always.
That first android seem to have been the only one for today. After awhile my manager stepped into the workshop. "(Y/N), listen. We won't be getting any more repairs today" he started. "Okay?" I answered, confused. "They're conducting raids around the whole city, collecting any and all androids. Apparently sending them to camps to be destroyed" he continued, rather nonchalantly. "Every single one?" I asked for clarification. "Yes, that's what I said. And you can send your android in yourself, or call to have it picked up earlier. They also advised that you shouldn't try to shut it down by yourself-where are you going?" he didn't get the chance to finish the sentence before I bolted through the back door, and running back to the bus station, just barely making it on the bus.
I panicked, throwing my front door open, calling for Ralph. I found him out in the garden again, and almost yelled at him to get back inside. "Thank goodness you're okay!" I said, grabbing his shoulders. "Listen. You need to stay inside. The military's raiding the entire city to find androids, and send them to camps to be destroyed" I explained, his LED turning red. "I don't want to lose you again" I sobbed, clinging onto his shirt.
I went around the house, closing all the blinds, locking all the doors. And then went back to Ralph, who was ranting again, pacing through the living room. I walked over to him, and he immediately hugged me. "Ralph doesn't want to die" he said, very shakily. "I know... I don't want that either. Just stay calm, and hide when I tell you to, okay?" I answered, trying my best to calm him. "Many nights we prayed. With no proof anyone could hear" I started singing. "In our hearts a hope for a song. We barely understood" I continued. Ralph had stopped his ranting.
(When you believe-Prince of Egypt)
Now we are not afraid
Although we know there's much to fear
We were moving mountains
Long before we knew we could
There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
Its hard to kill
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve
When you believe somehow you will
You will when you believe
In this time of fear
When prayer so often I proves in vain
Hope seems like the summer birds
Too swiftly flown away
Yet now I'm standing here
My hearts so full, I can't explain
Seeking faith and speakin' words
I never thought I'd say
There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
Its hard to kill
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve
When you believe somehow you will
You will when you believe
They don't always happen when you ask
And it's easy to give in to your fears
But when you're blinded by your pain
Can't see your way clear through the rain
A small but still, resilient voice
Says hope is very near
There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
Its hard to kill
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve
When you believe somehow you will
Now you will
You will when you believe
"You will when you... believe" I finished the song, and the LED had changed to yellow. I stayed with him for a bit, before turning to the door, hearing a heavy vehicle stop right outside. "Go. Hide. Now!" I told him, and fixed the scarf around my face. I took my time to reach the door, and still then, waited for a moment to buy Ralph extra time. I opened the door, to be greeted by the raiders.
They asked a few questions, before telling me to step outside and wait. I tried to stay calm, and play it cool. Trying to convince them that I didn't have an android inside the house. Tai right by my side, as I kept a hold of her collar, excusing her behavior as "she doesn't like strangers" although I know better. She's worried for Ralph. But that all faded, when the raiders stepped back outside.
"No. Please! Let go of him!" I screamed, tears finally escaping my eyes. "We're sorry ma'am, but it's the order" one of the raiders tried to calm me, as the others were forcing Ralph onto the truck. "He hasn't done anything wrong! Why can't you just let them be free?!" I was pushed back onto the grass. They threw Ralph into the truck, and closed the door. I heard him banging on it, trying to get out. And as fast as they arrived, they were gone. Leaving me on the grass, with Tai barking after the vehicle. I stood back up, barely able to process what had happened. I know Ralph is gone. I won't be seeing him again. But it's all happened so quickly.
