The lounge was dim, the shadows long and the air thick with smoke. The only sound was the soft rustling of the wind blowing through the open window. The walls were painted a light shade of cream, and John sat alone on a leather couch, his face pale and his eyes red from lack of sleep. He played with the tumbler in his hand, the ice cubes clinking against the glass.
They had heard reports that some Luminars were rounding up humans and putting them through gross, bloody tests. He knew they would come for him, for his community. He had to act fast and he had decided to hunt the monsters suggested by Echo. His base needed reinforcement as quickly as possible.
He leaned back on the couch and heaved a deep sigh, his mind filled with thoughts of the impending doom.
John closed his eyes and took a deep breath, his fingers drumming against the armrest. He was tired and frustrated, but there was nothing he could do. Not without knowing that he’d done all he could to prepare for the imminent clash against the Luminars.
He opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling, his thoughts racing.
His gaze wandered across the room, and he spotted a slender figure walking towards him. It was Mika. Her hair was tied in a ponytail and her eyes were glowing a deep blue. She was wearing a white dress that clung tightly to her body, accentuating her curves.
She stopped in front of him and smiled, her face radiant.
"Hello, John," she said, her voice sweet and seductive.
John’s brows rose. Mika’s demeanour seemed unusually cheery.
"Hey, Mika," he replied.
She sat next to him, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
"You look...different. Did something happen?"
"No," she said, her smile fading.
Her expression turned serious.
"John... do you think I’m alive? Can an android be alive?"
He was stunned. This wasn’t the conversation he’d expected to have.
"Yes," he said, after a moment.
Mika smiled and looked at him, her eyes bright and clear.
"Thank you, John," she whispered.
John nodded and leaned back, his heart racing.
"No problem," he murmured.
They sat in silence for a few moments, their eyes fixed on the wall in front of them. Mika had grown used to being around John. The last few days, John had been teaching her to defend herself. Unfortunately for Mika, the system did not bless her with a class, stats or skills. She only had her body and weapons to defend herself.
Mika turned toward John and hesitated before speaking, "John, can I come with you tomorrow?"
John heaved a deep sigh, "no, you can’t, Mika. We’ve been over this."
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Mika’s brows furrowed, her lips curving down.
"Why not? I’m not afraid of those monsters. I can help you."
John shook his head, his eyes dark and distant.
"It’s not about being afraid, Mika. These monsters, they’re too strong. Even I could be killed there, tomorrow."
"But... but I can’t stand being alone. I don’t want to be alone again, ever."
"I understand that, Mika. I do. But you can’t come with me. It’s too dangerous."
Mika felt her stomach curling and she stared at the wall, her mind racing. She had to convince John.
She hated the thought of being alone. She had spent her entire life alone, and she couldn’t bear the thought of being left behind again.
"Please, John. Please," she whispered, her voice cracking.
"I’m sorry, no."
John rose from his seat and retired to his bedroom. Mika watched him leave, her heart aching and her chest tightening. She had no choice. She would have to follow him.
John opened his eyes. His body was drenched in sweat, his chest heaving and his pulse racing. The air was thick and heavy, and the sun shone brightly through the window. He rolled out of bed and stumbled into the bathroom, splashing water on his face and looking at himself in the mirror.
His skin was pale, and his eyes were bloodshot. He needed rest. John returned to his room and laid on the bed, his eyes heavy and his body exhausted. He tried to sleep, but his mind was racing.
After what seemed like an eternity, he drifted off to a fitful sleep, his mind filled with images of the coming day. As John slept, Mika entered his room, her movements silent and graceful. She stood beside his bed, her eyes fixed on him.
John shifted in his sleep, his body tense and his face contorted in pain.
"I’m sorry," Mika whispered, her voice soft and sorrowful.
She reached out and placed her hand on his forehead, her eyes closing. A faint glow emanated from her fingertips, and John’s body relaxed, his breathing slow and steady.
"Sleep well," she whispered.
With a sad smile, Mika left the room, her footsteps silent and her heart heavy. As Mika closed the door, the faint sound of the alarm clock woke him up.
It was 6:00 am, and it was time to go.
He quickly showered and got dressed, his mind focused and his body brimming with energy.
He left his room and walked down the hallway, his steps echoing through the empty corridor. As he neared the lounge, he saw Mika sitting on a chair, her hands folded in her lap.
Her face was pale and her eyes were dark, and her body was slumped and defeated. John approached her and placed his hand on her shoulder, his touch gentle and warm.
"Hey, are you okay?" he asked, his voice soft and concerned.
Mika glanced up at him and forced a weak smile, her eyes shining with sadness and defeat.
"I’m fine," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
John’s brows furrowed, and he squeezed her shoulder gently.
"Don’t worry, we’ll be back, soon," he said and turned around. He scanned the lounge and saw everybody ready to depart. Julia, Dalia, Stephanie, Octavia, August, Maria and even Jolene were standing rigid.
"Let’s go," he said.
They stepped outside and John led the group. They made their way down the road, their footsteps echoing through the silence. The air was thick and humid, and the sun shone brightly overhead. John glanced at the others and saw their faces pale and drawn, their eyes distant and their bodies tense.