Chapter 1- the end

(Claire)

I looked around the cold cavern that was Ada's home the walls were covered in wires that zigzagged and criss-crossed each other looking like a puzzle that one day someone will attempt and it won't be me.

I'm looking tensely at the super computer and am still waiting for a reaction. For I had just reset her and do not want to get blown up without at least a couple of seconds head start. Just then a flickering image of Ada appeared in front of me I tense up waiting to run but as I study her she doesn't look upset or angry just confused.

"Awaiting instruction" she informs me in a robotic voice. It was terrifying how free of emotion it was, like a black hole.

"Maintenance check" I shout at her my fear increasing the volume of my voice. She tilts her head as if she had just found the world's most interesting puzzle. Maybe she decided to have a go at the wall I thought. Before she spoke.

"I'm …. Malfunctioning"

No shit Sherlock I think before I get on to the task at hand. "Yes suggested proceeding's" as she is the super computer I decided to let her do the working out. I still don't fully understand how she ticks.

"Just one I'm afraid but it is rather risky and involves you" she says rather sadly, I guess there is still something human inside of her after all.

"What is it" I ask her dreading the answer. She looks incredibly sad and tells me.

I feel my heart stop, my knees shake, I think I may have peed my pants but I'm not sure because I can't actually feel anything, except the wind on my skin. Wait how can I feel wind I'm in a cave I ignore those thoughts and focus on the task at hand. Ada gives me a small smile and disappears for good.

I take a deep breath walk towards the screen on the computer and get to work. When I've finished, a question I keep asking my self appears on the screen. "Are you sure you want to continue?" Honestly no but f*** it. I pressed yes. I stood back and watched as it loaded knowing the inevitable. And my phone started ringing. I reached with trembling hands to my pocket and took out my phone it read "Michael". I slowly pressed the answer button and very softly said. "Hello."

(Michael)

I think I'm losing my mind. Claire's gone down their all alone. Shane and eve are at the house and they have no idea the F*** is going on because I haven't told them. Yeah I know that makes me a really bad guy but you know what I am just one man/vamp ok I can only handle so many bitch slaps and not to mention what Eve would do to me.

Im standing in the "mayor's office" with ;Oliver, who is sitting on the side of the desk with his arms folded ;Amelie who is sitting on the chair behind the desk and Myrnin leaning on the window frame staring at nothing looking for something. I finally have enough and decide to call Claire but Amelie see's what I'm doing and tells me.

"Put it on speaker phone" in a very commanding voice. So I rest it on the desk while it's ringing Oliver turns around and leans on the desk, Amelie leans forward on her chair and Myrnin strolls over staring at the phone. We are all tense. Like the phones suddenly going to start eating one of our faces if we don't run. The ringing stops.

"Hello" we hear a soft hello from Claire it fills me up with hope that she survived.

"Claire, status report" Myrnin says sternly. There is only silence.

"I have managed to reset Ava and had her do a maintenance check." Myrnin and Amelie nod in approval so I'm guessing she did what she was supposed to. "She told me to do a total reboot."

"Which will kill Ava." Myrnin says sadly. I guess he loves her or loved her; he is too confusing for me to keep up with. But then Myrnin seemed to have realized something. "And everyone in that cavern."

"What." I say softly. Then look at each one of their faces. "WHAT" I then shout.

"Yes" I barely hear Claire say.

"No absolutely not, no way." I say angry as hell for them even suggesting it.

"Michael, the choice has already been made." Claire tells me.

"What choice?"

"My choice."

"Claire" I say softly.

"I know but it's either me or Morganville plus everyone I care and love." There is a pause. "Tell shane I love him, tell Eve that she was the best friend in the whole world, tell my parents …"

"Claire" I say again trying to cut her off, it's too much. But she's on a roll.

"that they were amazing and I love them, Myrnin thank you for the opportunities and knowledge you gave me " I see him nod and notice some tears in his eyes.

"CLAIRE." I shout. I don't even know why I'm just so angry with everything this life, this town, these choices.

"WHAT!" She shouts 10 times louder than me. " do you want me to say I'm sorry cause I'm not freakin' sorry don't you dare make this a moment where you have no choice, I have a choice and I chose. I'm not sorry but you know what Michael thank you."

What I think how she can thank me after everything I've done to her. After everything I've put her through.

"thank you for letting me stay at Glass House thank you for giving me this crazy life, thank you for all the times I have cried, screamed, laughed, shaked, almost freakin' died you know why?" why? Sub-conscious shouts at her but my mouth is too dry to speak. "Because in those moment are the moments where I have felt most alive."

My eyes fill with tears I can't see anything I'm too angry, sad and frustrated to think or do anything right now.

"And Amelie…" she stops to make sure she has her attention which never stopped thoughout the whole thing. "…Thanks."

The phone goes dead.

I look all three of them in the eyes all of them are shaken and 2 out of 3 of them have tears in their eyes. I turn and walk out of the office. And all I could think is I need a drink.