Reaper

by Kelsey Nicole Price

  Hester shrugged, a look of confusion on her face.

  “You guys don’t get out much, do you?” Caia laughed.

  “I saw mostly battlefields.” I informed her.

  “Most of my time was spent locked away in bedrooms.” Hester stated.

  Caia grabbed Hester’s hand, curling her fingers around it. “Never again.”

  Hester blushed, her cheeks stained a darker purple before she shook off the girl’s hold. A look of hurt passed over the female’s features as she tucked her hand back into her jacket pocket. She straightened, pulling her gaze from Hester. “I would like to see Iris and Aria, please.” All traces of the happy girl who waved at me were gone.

  “I am going to my quarters. Unless there is anything else you need?” Hester asked.

  I shook my head... Hester turned on her heel, walking away. Halfway down the hall, she looked back at the female with sadness in her eyes. Something had happened during the mission, but it was clear neither one was willing to share. I tried offering the female a smile. Her eyes shifted briefly to glance down the hallway longingly.

  Oh, systems save me. What happened to me? I was smiling at humans. Getting the itch to hug my fellow cyborgs. Thinking about ordering Hester back here and making her do something to wipe that hurt expression off the dark-haired human’s face.

  I needed to get a handle on this. First things first. I needed to care for this human female. Iris and Aria’s bestie. “Iris is currently with Dash in their quarters and Aria is asleep in mine.” I made the declaration, crossing my arms over my chest, waiting to see what the female’s reaction would be.

  Her eyes went wide, and her mouth formed into an o. Then she smiled, her face splitting into a huge grin as she reached out and pulled me into a hug.

  I froze. My arms remained plastered to my sides as she patted my back quickly then let go.

  “So, Aria got herself a cyborg. I’m so thrilled for her.” Happiness shone in her eyes. “and for you.” Then her face changed, the smile fell, and a look of deadly seriousness took over. “Hurt her and you’ll find yourself in a scrap pile somewhere, got it?”

  I had miscalculated this one. Caia was fiercer than she appeared. I admired the courage and loyalty blazing in her eyes. “Don’t worry, female. I have no plans to hurt her. But I admire your bravery. Not only did you hug the leader of the cyborg rebellion, you threatened a Military Model.”

  She shrugged. “Sometimes I like to live dangerously.”

  I couldn’t help it. A laugh broke free. “Then you’ll fit right in. Welcome to the cyborg rebellion. Would you allow me to take you to a set of quarters? As soon as Aria awakens and collects Theo from Dax, I’ll tell them you are here so the three of you can visit.”

  She tilted her head to the side and put her hands on her hips. “Aren’t you quite the charmer? I can see why Aria likes you.”

  “If you ask my fellow cyborgs they would say I’m an asshole.” I flashed a grin. “I definitely prefer charmer.”

  “Well, lead the way, charmer. I could use a shower and maybe a nap, myself, before I rejoin my tribe. Though, I can’t wait to meet Theo. He has to be the cutest thing ever!”

  I started down the hall, gesturing for her to follow. Her light footsteps trailed behind me and I once again was struck with the idea how drastically different my life was. Having three humans living under my roof, three humans I actually liked, (the jury was still out on the new one but I figured it wouldn’t be long before she wormed her way into our cyborg hearts as well) not despised, some would call a miracle.

  Taking a left at the next hallway, I stopped in front of unoccupied set of quarters. I pushed open the door and gestured for the female to step inside. Every set of quarters consisted of the same features. A small living space attached to a kitchen with a bedroom and bathroom along a short hallway.

  The female stepped inside. “Not bad.” She tossed her body on the couch. “What is this place? I’m going to need arrows or a map to get anywhere. It’s huge.”

  I leaned against the doorframe. “It was designed to be a living space for rich humans in case of a global disaster. Separate apartments along with common spaces scattered throughout. By the time we found it, the project had long-since been abandoned. We converted it to hold cyborgs instead. The apartments were left alone, but most of the other spaces were redesigned to suit our needs. A training room, a security hub, lab, medical bay, and a weapons vault all were added.”

  Caia raised an eyebrow. “You must expect trouble.”

  “If we are discovered by the Global Allegiance they would do everything in their power to destroy us. By my guess, there are fewer than one-hundred-fifty cyborgs remaining. We are endangered.” My stomach tightened. “I don’t want to lose one more cyborg.”

  She rose from the couch and walked to me and gave my arm a quick squeeze. “I always thought of cyborgs as beings with value. I’m glad not all of you were lost. It would have made the world a less colorful and magical place.”

  The sincerity on her face was starling. My stomach uncurled. The tension in my frame receded. I was far from ready to embrace every human I saw, but more like her would be a nice change. I put out my hand. “Welcome to the cyborg rebellion.”

  She clasped my hand, shaking it quickly. “Just don’t give me a gun. I’m libel to shoot one of you by mistake. Aiming isn’t my thing. It would be totally spray and pray.”

  I chuckled. No gun for this one.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Aria

  “It’s time to wake up, sleepy head.”

  “Not yet. Go away,” I mumbled. Can’t a cyborg let a girl sleep?

  “I’m afraid I can’t do that. Theo insists on meeting the new human female who arrived with Hester this morning.”

  That voice. I cracked an eye open. A green face hovered over the bed. “Dax!” I squeaked, clutching the sheet to my very naked body. “What the hell! Where is Reaper?” My still-foggy brain was trying to figure out how I had gone to bed with one cyborg and woke up to a completely different one far too close to the bed. One I didn’t want to see me naked.

  Dax shrugged. “It’s nothing I haven’t seen before. When you were first brought in, I helped Dr. Shaw-”

  “Don’t finish that sentence Science Model. I don’t remember much. Keep what you saw or didn’t see to yourself.”

  “Have it your way.” That bastard winked. “Theo is waiting for you in the living room. I figured if you were in state of undress you would prefer he was not the one to wake you.”

  Theo understood I was with Reaper, but I was not ready for him to start asking questions. That conversation was for another day. A day filled with lots of pancakes...and booze – for me. If cyborgs had booze. I would order Reaper to find some or he could explain it all by himself.

  “Thank you.” I pointed at the door. “Now, get out so I can get dressed.”

  “Are you sure? I am very helpful.” He shot me another wink.

  A pillow struck him in the face. “Get out!”

  He put his green hands up into surrender and headed for the door.

  Finally alone, I searched for my bra and panties hiding somewhere on the floor. I located them then threw them on then grabbed a set of pants and a t-shirt from Reaper’s top drawer. We hadn’t talked about sharing clothes, but it was happening. Not that he would be able to fit into any of mine, anyway. An image of him trying to squeeze his massive frame into my tank and sleep pants made me choke back a laugh. I thought pink bunnies would suit him. At least they weren’t cat pajamas. I held back a snicker.

  When I pulled on the black cargo pants, I realized my mistake. If my clothes were too small for him, his were too large for me. And why were they so damn heavy?

  I slipped my hand into one of the side-pockets; my fingers met cool metal. Slowly, I pulled the object out. In my hand rested a wicked-looking dagger. Are you kidding me? Patting down every pocket, I discovered something in every single one. By the feel of things, I guessed it wasn’
t breath mints or a pack of gum Reaper was hiding in there. Okay. So, the pants were a no. I tossed on a t-shirt that fell to just below my knees. I could work with this. A belt hiding in another drawer completed the outfit, and I dashed into the bathroom to examine myself in the mirror. I shrugged. It was almost a t-shirt dress. It would have to do. I brushed my teeth (thankful Reaper had thought to have a toothbrush for me) and pulled my hair back into a messy ponytail. Well, I wouldn’t win any beauty contests, but I was presentable at least.

  When I stepped into the living room, I heard Dax muffle a laugh. “What?” I spun around, modeling my makeshift outfit. “I make this good.”

  Dax grinned. “It does look better on you then it ever did on him.”

  Theo ran up to me, greeting me with a big hug.

  I hugged him back. “Miss me?”

  He didn’t answer. Simply hugged me tighter.

  Suddenly the hug became crushing. He has gotten too big. My body is no match for his cyborg strength, but he doesn’t understand the need to be careful. Doesn’t understand he’s grown too strong to hug me as tight as he would like to. A loud crack fills the room. I cried out in pain. Theo lets go and my knees buckled. I hit the floor.

  “Aria!” Dax shouted

  “Mom!” Theo screamed at the same time, horror flashed across his face as he fell to the floor beside me. “I’m sorry” His lower lip trembled. “I didn’t mean to.” He shook his head back and forth frantically.

  “I know, sweets.” I grit my teeth, trying to breathe through the pain. “It was an accident.” I grabbed his hand. The look of guilt on his face breaking my heart.

  Dax knelt beside me, pulling a scanner from his pocket.

  “Do you carry that with you all the time?” I tried to tease Dax. Anything to not focus on the pain searing through my chest. Anything to show Theo that I’m okay—that he doesn’t have to worry.

  Dax gave me a smile. “I never leave the lab without it.” He waved the scanner over my body until a beep sounded. The tension in Dax’s shoulders relaxed. “No need to worry. It appears to be a simple cracked rib. I have something to fix that right up.” He looked to Theo. “Your mother will be just fine. Like she said, it was merely an accident. No one blames you, Mr. Theo.” He gave Theo’s shoulder a squeeze. “I once broke Dr. Shaw’s arm by mistake. I was fresh out of the vat and didn’t understand my own strength. Humans break far too easily. It’s a flaw in their design. You now know to be more careful. It’s a lesson, my dear Theo. That is how we learn.”

  The door suddenly opened and in strolled Reaper... The smile on his face vanished as he took in the sight of me on the floor with Theo and Dax huddled over me.

  Theo rushed to him. “It’s my fault! I did it!” he cried, then he ran past Reaper and out the door.

  “Theo!” I tried to push myself up, but a burst of pain caused me to collapse, and I cried out again. Tears blurred my vision. “Go after him,” I pleaded. “I’ll be fine. He needs you more than I do.” Reaper hesitated. He was clearly torn.

  “Go!” Dax shouted. “I’ve got her. It’s not fatal. She will be fine.” His emerald eyes flashed. Dax meant business. Reaper clenched his fists, then nodded, racing into the hall after Theo.

  I let my tears fall.

  Dax reached for my hand. “Reaper will find Theo. By the time they return, I will have you as good as new.”

  I choked back the tears, fighting to ignore the sharp bite of pain that happened every time I took a breath. “Sorry about the pillow.”

  Dax brushed a tear from my cheek. The gesture tender, but platonic. “I deserved it.”

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Reaper

  I battled the instinct to turn around and take care of my female. Hearing her cry of pain had sent my circuits spinning. I felt lost. I could battle her enemies. Cut down any threat. But I couldn’t fix her. Couldn’t stop her pain.

  Dax, that green bastard, had that ability. As much as I hated it, I wouldn’t want Aria in anyone else’s hands. I trusted Dax to take care of her. That Science Model is brilliant. Not that I’m going to ever tell him that.

  Deep down, I knew envy was what I felt when I looked at Dax. I had been a brute. Mere muscle to fight other people’s wars. Dax was special. Smart. Respected. Dr. Shaw’s perfect son. I once watched a whole group of Global Allegiance bastards fawn over Dax, marveling at his intelligence and design. That same group lined me and my battalion up and beat us down to our metal frames. All the while screaming that we were nothing but stupid machines.

  I carried that envy, masking it by being a total dick to Dax. Making him feel like a freak instead of the golden boy. Dax responded by being Dax. He still tried to be my friend even after I hurt him. I might owe that Science Model an apology...some day. Currently, my mission was a run-away cyborg. I hit my com to buzz Viper.

  “What do you need, boss?” Viper asked from the other side of the line.

  I grimaced. I hated that human term, but Viper refused to stop calling me by it.

  “Have you seen Theo run by on any of your security cameras?”

  “Did you lose him? Holy shit boss. You are screwed.”

  I gritted my teeth. “I didn’t lose him. Something happened. He ran off. Aria is upset. I need to find him.” A hint of desperation edged my voice. Based on what he shouted at me before fleeing I pieced together Theo was the one responsible for hurting Aria. However it occurred, I knew it had to have been an accident.

  Aria was his human. He felt a sense of duty to protect her, care for her. Although we weren’t the best at showing it, Military Models cared deeply. We had a duty and honor to keep those we cared for safe. Failure to do so sent our programming into chaos.

  Theo was out there, his circuits screaming without anyone to help him process his feelings. It wreaked havoc on full grown Military Models. Brothers had gone crazy from feelings of guilt. There had been times I had been close. My list of failures so much longer than others’. My responsibility to protect the free cyborgs had been the only thing that kept me going. Now, I had Aria and Theo. She trusted me to find him. I would not fail in my task. I would not allow him to be alone with his guilt.

  “If you see him, contact me immediately.” I ordered.

  “You got it boss.”

  I tapped the com, ending the communication.

  Where are you Theo?

  *Theo*

  Hiding around the corner, I watched Dr. Shaw and Axios rush from the lab. I knew where they were going. To my mom. To fix her. Because I hurt her. I hadn’t meant to squeeze so tight. I only wanted to hug her. My job is to keep her safe. Like she had kept me safe. Once my mom came, the mean doctor didn’t take me as often. She protected me, let them take her instead. And when bad things happened, she would hold me and sing. She would whisper in my ear that we would find a way out. That she would take me with her to the world outside and I would be free. I didn’t know what free meant. Now I do. All because of her. My mom is perfect, and I broke her. Something’s burning inside my chest and it grew tight. I pushed on it, but it won’t go away. It made it hard to breathe and I panicked. Hide, my circuits urged. I sprinted down the hall. Ducking into the lab, I ran to a room in the back.. . I opened the door, rushed inside, and slammed the door behind me.

  The one who looks like Dash still laid on a table. I ran to him. Reaching out, I clutched his blue hand. He isn’t moving. His eyes stared at the celling.

  “I did a bad thing.” I confessed to the unmoving cyborg. Fluid gathered in my eyes. “I didn’t mean to.” I sniffled. “I’m the only cyborg with a mom and I hurt her. I heard a crack. It was so loud.” I shuddered, my chest burned hotter. “I broke her.”

  The hand I held suddenly squeezes. The cyborg on the table turned his head. Dark blue eyes blinked at me. “She’s coming.”

  I froze. “Who?” I whispered. “My mom?” Maybe he heard me talking.

  The blue cyborg grinned. “No. The doctor. The one who hurts. Who brings pain.” He squeezed my hand tighte
r, his grin widening. “And she’s coming for you.”

  I ripped my hand free from his grip. I didn’t think. I just ran.

  *Reaper*

  I methodically checked every room, hallway, storage closet and everything in between for an hour, all without success. I might have underestimated Theo’s ability to hide. Since his frame is smaller, he can squeeze into places other cyborgs can’t.

  A buzz sounded. I slapped the communication button a bit harder than necessary. “I got him boss. He just fled the medical lab.” Viper’s voice bounced around the hallway and I breathed a sigh of relief.

  “I’ll head there no-”

  “Wait-” Viper cut me off before I could finish. “Someone’s going after him. It’s the formerly catatonic Service Model. Somethings wrong here, boss.” Viper’s voice held a note of panic.

  “Which way did they go?” My heart picked up speed as I readied to run.

  “Fuck!” Viper’s curse told me it’s not good news. “They are heading right for the emergency stairwell.”

  Fuck is right. That stairwell leads directly to the outside. “I’m on it.” I ended the communication and took off running. I became nothing but a gray blur, speeding down the hallway. I had to get to Theo before he reached the outside. Viper’s assessment was correct. Something is definitely wrong. The Service Model hadn’t moved for weeks. He hadn’t even batted a fucking eyelash. Now, magically, he’s awake and chasing my small cyborg through the hallways.

  I rounded a corner in time to see the Service Model dart through the open emergency exit door. The race to the top of the stairs took mere seconds as a streak of blue registered in the corner of my vision system. I gave chase, my processors on full alert.

  Jumping over fallen trees and forest debris, the world is nothing but streaks of green and brown. My target, the Service Model is right in front of me and I pushed my circuits harder, giving myself the boost I needed to make contact. The force of my body slammed into the Service Model and we fell. Dirt sprayed on impact, bits of rock and debris blasted my vision systems, embedding themselves like shrapnel. I refused to blink, ignoring the pain shooting through my skull. Cyborg eyes are sensitive spots. The wires and pain receptors are only protected by a thin coating. It would take a more direct hit of something stronger than rock and sand to do permanent damage, but it still fucking hurts.