Assault Chapter

Part 1

I opened my eyes to my second life. My new body was laid out on a metal platform and the sound of somebody crying was echoing among the whirring electronics. I could open my eyes and find out who it is, but I thought I already knew and I couldn't bear to look.

Slowly, the crying subsided and footsteps approached me. Finally, I dared open my eyes. It was exactly who I thought it was. His blonde hair was pulled up into a disheveled ponytail and his green eyes looked at me with distinct dark shadows. He was as pale as a ghost and looked as if he was seeing one, too. It was Len.

"Do you know who you are?" asked Len.

"Rin," I stated. Len looked tortured at hearing my voice.

"Do you know where you live?"

"In Center City in Exeria*"

"Do you remember how you died?" he asked while staring directly at my eyes, maybe trying to read my thoughts.

"I was shot and killed," I automatically replied, but there was so much more to it. Maybe the end of the world. My new brain brought up the memory and I couldn't stop myself from reliving it.

I blushed as Len took my hand as we walked past the many shop windows. It was hot, but I didn't care because I was finally out on a date with Len. I had on a new outfit for the occasion and I practically sky-rocketed when Len mentioned how it looked cute on me.

"Wow, look at that!" exclaimed Len as we stopped in front of a shop window displaying the newest robots. They looked just like a human. I wondered if I'd be able to tell them a part from real humans.

"You're such a genius, why don't you just make one yourself?" I asked, poking fun at him. He really was a genius with robotics and technology in general.

"I bet I could! You know Miku that works at that robotics lab? She's been letting me help with this new project, just as long as none of the other lab workers find out that she's letting a eighteen year old help out with-" but whatever else Len was going to tell me was drowned out by someone's screams. We spun around, trying to see what was happening.

The streets were crowded from all the many people out shopping and we couldn't see past the wall of backs. A hush fell over the people until someone started screaming hysterically. All of a sudden everyone started running and we could hear gunshots ringing out.

"Hurry, Rin!" yelled Len as he tried to get both of us away from the gun, but the crowd was relentless. We couldn't get past them. I was shoved down and felt my hand being ripped out of Len's and he seemed to disappear into the crowd.

"Len!" I screamed as I tried not to get trampled. Abruptly, Len burst through the crowd and fell on top of me, covering my head from the running feet. I could hear him grunt as a foot connected with his face and then the space around us opened up. I raised my head just in time to see a man shoot someone beside us. As the body crumpled to the ground, I couldn't take my eyes off the killer. He was a military man; that much I could tell. His dark eyes found mine instantly and he grinned at the sight of Len trying to protect me. Now, I could see that there were several military men, shooting into the retreating crowd, killing as many people as they could.

The man pointed the gun at Len.

"Move away from her."

I knew his plan immediately and Len must have as well.

"Never!" Len snarled, but it was inevitable. The man grabbed Len's arm and dragged him away from me. I tried to follow Len, I knew I was going to die, but I didn't want to be separated from him in my last moment.

I felt the bullet slam into my back, propelling me into Len's waiting arms.

"Rin! Rin!"

That was all I could hear as my vision began to turn blurry and a rushing sound filled my ears. I could feel Len's hands clutching at me, trying to stop the bleeding, but it was too late. I was dead.

"Len..." I whispered, trying to reach for his face one last time...

And just like that, it was over. My last memory. I sat up slowly and wrapped my new arms around me.

"Why didn't they kill you, too?" I asked, not looking at him. I could see my own blonde hair around my face and my body still looked like my body, except that it was completely different.

"The police were nearby. They were distracted enough that I could get us away, but... I don't think that man was going to kill me anyway... He had a chance... but he didn't," Len whispered. I could tell he didn't want to think about it. He didn't want to speak about it either because it was still a deep wound in his chest, as if he had taken the bullet instead. But I had to keep asking, I had to know.

"How am I like this now?"

Len turned away from me, unable to control himself with the "new" me in front of him.

"You remember the robotics lab? I took you there and we tried the new system I was telling you about before-" his voice caught in his throat before he pushed on, "Miku helped me. We saved your... data and I built this robot. Once it was finished we put you into it and started you up. And now... here we are," Len turned back towards me. He was trying not to cry, to not give in in front of me because I could tell he still wasn't sure. He wasn't sure if it was me. Was I still Rin or did I just have her memories? Even I didn't really know. I felt like Rin. These memories felt like they were mine.

I smiled at Len; smiled because, to me, it felt like I was never separated from him like how he was separated from me.

"You're such a genius," I said while I watched the tears escape from his eyes.

"Rin..." he whispered and stumbled forward. Len flung his arms around me and starting sobbing in earnest. I carefully put my robot arms around Len, a million questions whirling around in my robot mind... or was that the human part?

"Rin... promise me..." Len said through his tears, "Promise me you won't die again... promise me, Rin. I can't ever... go through that... again. Please, Rin... never again..." he searched for my eyes. He looked so grown up, forced to be something he shouldn't be yet by a man with a gun. I should have been wondering what I'd wear to our next date, not who was trying to kill us and what would happen now. I guess we were both grown up now, old beyond our years.

"I promise."

*All of the countries are made up but set in a slightly future time in a place very much like our world.