Chapter Two
The thing about 2038…
The thing about 2038, Detroit, is that androids are everywhere. They've been in commercial production since 2024. Older models get cheaper every year. Used androids are available for those who don't have thousands to spend and there is a black market for cheap repairs or discreet buys. Androids are part of the daily life, and no one born in the 21st century really realizes it beyond the lost workforce.
Androids are educator assistants. They are university lecturers. They work in the hearts of nuclear plants and steer fishing boats. They are the ones cleaning garbage from the park while at the same time watching to make sure kids don't go missing.
An android was the one to alert the police to the presence of another android holding two kids hostage October 21st, 2035. It was not the first or last report made by that park monitor.
Androids are the reason Emma feels safe running around the city by herself. She feels safe with Scrafty, but she knows the other androids she passes keep watch on her and register if she is safe. This is common knowledge, as CyberLife promises androids are not a threat and have used this acknowledging software to solve missing persons crimes with the police before.
In 2038, Emma is probably the only child under fourteen years of age in Detroit who knows of a childhood without androids. Because androids in Detroit have raised the younger generation while parents struggle to keep jobs or work overtime to meet payments. So, when the kids and teenagers of the generation have been raised by the nanny-bots and befriended the schoolyard supervisors…
Well, that's the thing about Detroit.
The thing about 2038 is that no one knows the lifespan of an android.
(And those have more in common than anyone thinks.)
;;;
Everything moves fast in Emma's life after the Incident, almost as if her parents were preparing for a life-changing shift. They are moved out of the apartment and into a one-floor, backyard house in a nice, picket fence neighborhood before the end of the week. By Friday, August 20th, Emma and Scrafty are unpacked in her new pink bedroom without complaint and staring at the dress her mother has hanging on the desk chair. Scrafty stays behind – no pets allowed in the hospital – while Emma tightly grips her mother's hand the whole way to the car.
There needs to be a mood for dresses, and they certainly aren't in one. "If you make me wear it tomorrow, I'm donating it to charity the day after."
"We need to look united," Caroline Phillips tells her daughter tensely. "It's just for one night."
"I do have nice outfits, mum."
"Wear the dress, dear."
It will be donated earliest she can Sunday.
;;;
They visit her father every day, but that Friday is the first time he is lucid enough to talk with her.
"I'm so glad you're both okay," he tells them, not remembering he's said it before. A few words and soon Caroline is too emotional again to do more than sob. Usually John Phillips hums or mutters incoherently, but Emma starts a bit when he turns to her. "How are you, Emma?"
"Fine." The answer is automatic and not what she should say, but she's too startled to lie.
"I'm sorry about Daniel," John says, ignoring how Caroline shrieks insults about the android. "I know you loved him. We shouldn't have tried to get rid of him."
Emma looks to the ground. No, she wants to say. You shouldn't have. But the fact John is alive means he can think about his actions when he's off all the pain medication. Maybe there will be anger, maybe none of this remorse will be there, but for now she appreciates it.
"They sent an android negotiator to get her," Caroline once again gripes.
"And I'm glad they did," John smiles at his daughter. "My little girl is still here."
I didn't lose a father. Emma allows herself to cry.
;;;
The dress is beautiful, but she was not always she and she isn't not always used to being she. Dresses are the hardest and take a mood to wear them. When Emma Phillips was little, she asked her parents to wear other things to the fancy dinners and parties of the high-society adults. They agreed, and after showing off their daughter a bit Caroline and John Phillips stopped bringing Emma because two's company and three's a crowd.
But one is the loneliest number.
"We need to look united," Caroline reminds her daughter as she parks. The woman cannot come to these events alone, but she cannot miss the events just because her husband is hospitalized. She must represent her family's standing, but she must never be without someone at her side. Bringing along Emma gives some leeway, and some sympathy, but it mainly shows the sharks and vultures there is no blood spilled today. The Phillips family is still doing well.
Emma takes one step into the brightly light hall and mentally groans. Next time, she's going to figure out a way to sneak Scrafty in. It's going to be so boring without some friendly face to entertain herself with.
It's supposed to be six hours. Hour one passes alright. Boredom sets in like her friendly smile in hour two. It's nearing hour four when a man is wheeled up and Emma's interest sparks as she bites her tongue, eyes flicking to the android pushing the chair.
"Hello, Caroline," greets Carl Manfred. Inside her head, Emma does a low whistle because wow does her mother ever looked peeved at the sight of the android. The servers here are all human, in respect of the tragedy that happened earlier in the week. The whole Emma-and-John-Phillips-almost-died-because-of-an-android tragedy. This is a nervy move on Carl's part. "I'm glad to see you and your daughter are doing well."
Even the conversations around them have gone quiet.
"Thank you, Carl," Caroline says with the utmost sweetness. "Emma, this is Carl Manfred." Oh lady, she knows. "Carl, this is Emma Phillips."
"Hi," Emma cannot help her devil-smile of a grin as she practically skips forward, breaking pose to hold out a hand. Her mother's shoes creak on the floor as she resists pulling back her child. "It's nice to meet you. Are you the amazing painter, Carl Manfred?"
He laughs and shakes her hand. "I'm normally just called a painter. Do you like art, Emma?"
"It's not my favourite," she tells him with a big smile. His eyebrows jump up in surprise, as do most of the eavesdroppers while the android's twitch. Oh, a child's honesty is great, isn't it? "My friend Alice loves your paintings. And few of my older friends tried to do a big sunset-twilight painting like you did for the art gallery." Jericho does look nicer; though it's a bit hard to paint in the dark.
"Oh," he chuckles a bit more, appeased she's getting art from some angle. "And did they succeed?"
"Eh?" Emma makes a face. "They tried? I think it looks pretty, but only if they have the lamps on. The sun makes it look kind-of blah."
"Ah, lighting does cause all sorts of problems, doesn't it, Markus?"
Emma turns her gaze to the android that neutrally tells Carl, "It certainly does."
"Hi," Emma smiles. "Sorry, I didn't mean to leave you out of the conversation." Her mother reaches for her so Emma steps around the wheelchair and holds out a hand. The blue LED circles continuously as the whispers start around them. "I'm Emma. What's your name?"
Oh yes. Next time she's definitely bringing Scrafty.
;;;
Sunday finds Hank and Cole picking her (and Scrafty) up from her new home at too-early in the morning. Caroline gushes and thanks, while Hank is curt and ushers the girl into the car. He easily drops her bag in the front seat. "Just make sure you grab her tonight."
"Oh, I will," Caroline titters.
"She will," Emma assures Hank once they're driving away. "It's just a talk to get more work hours, and then we'll be in school so…"
"That doesn't explain next week. And will you have someone looking after you on the weekends?" Hank glances in the rear-view mirror.
"You guys are awesome," Emma sticks out her tongue when Cole makes a face at her, "but I'm spending the week with Lucas - you know him Cole – and kids from my classes." Parental supervision not included. "Phone me if you want to hang, but I'll pretty much be with them until school." Or at the landfill.
(Maybe she'll get to hear how Daniel's doing.)
"That doesn't explain who's looking after you," Hank deadpans, his BS-radar ringing loud and clear.
It's Jackson. Her mother has expressed how grateful she is, but Emma is nervous and Scrafty is livid. "Mum's got me a babysitter. Don't worry about it, Mr. Anderson."
"Don't tell me- Cole! Where did that fleabag come from?!"
Cole's devil-grin as he pets Scrafty, curled up on his lap, is the most precious thing Emma's seen all week. "What do you mean, dad? He's been here the whole time."
"Emma!"
"It's true!"
"This," he seethes, shaking his head and turning his full attention back to the road. "This is why you are Cat-Girl."
Emma makes an offended sound. "You take that back! Change my name!"
"Let's watch Iron Man tonight!" Cole interrupts.
"You've already seen the first two," his dad argues.
Emma fumes. "Mr. Anderson, I'm going to change my contact in your phone if you don't."
"Emma saw them out of order," Cole explains. "She didn't see the one with Jericho first."
Her blood runs cold. "What, like the boat?"
Both father and son give her looks of exasperation. Hank makes a noise of confusion. "Boat? What- no. The missile. You know what, fine. We'll do the three movies. But next time it's the DC universe."
"Noooo!" Emma groans while her cat snickers at her. "I hate DC."
"Blasphemy," Hank mutters. "Marvel spoiled you kids."
It isn't the first time Emma manages to guess Hank's password and change her contact name. He always changes it back with a tsk and an annoyed warning. This time, he pauses after changing it back.
"Are you sure your okay?" his son asks.
"I will be." There's a pause before a weak chuckle. "I don't know what's worse. I thought of him as family and he betrayed me and… and yet I still hope he's doing okay."
Hank lets out a quiet sigh and leaves them to their moment. He did leave his phone out on purpose. She always warns him when she's going to do it. Just this once, he'll let it go.
(For all they banter, she always warns him beforehand if her payback or joke invades privacy. Never once does Hank think this will change.)
;;;
"Alice," Emma says slowly, holding her arms out while Scrafty waits patiently at her feet. "I'm not scared of you."
"See?" Lucas whispers, smile in his voice. "I told you."
The android girl steps forward. Then makes another aborted move to run. Scrafty rolls his eyes and twines around her feet, meowing loudly. At the distraction, Emma steps forward and hugs her.
"You're my friend," Emma whispers. "I won't ever be scared of you."
The android girl dry sobs and hugs her back.
;;;
"You okay?" Lucas asks.
"I will be," Emma replies.
The older boy sighs. "Deviants."
She nods. "Deviants."
He slants her a look.
She keeps looking forward.
"Huh."
"What?"
"Nothing."
…
"Are you safe, Emma?"
"As safe as I can be."
"Anything I can do?"
She opens and closes her mouth a few times. "Do you see them as people?"
He looks over at Alice. The android laughs and smiles with the rest of the human basketball team. "I do now."
"Then… maybe."
Scrafty bats at her ankles.
;;;
Emma Phill has joined the group Detroit's Tugboat
;;;
Sunday, August 29th is spent in the hospital. "Happy Birthday, Emma dear."
She smiles and loves her parents and appreciates the efforts they put into this. The gift card for the music store is appreciated, and the new nail polish is the exact shade she has been craving these past months. The cake almost makes her cry.
There is still no word from Jericho.
September first is a Wednesday and starts as the first day of school. Scrafty stays near the whole day as she catches up and assures all who heard the news – or turned on the television during the Incident – but couldn't contact her that she's fine. The teachers offer her help if she needs it, offer to turn away androids for the class, but Emma assures them she is fine. Really. She doesn't hate androids. She doesn't blame the whole for one incident.
They call her mature and move along, but the students in the class don't take her lead until she smiles and goes up to the android aid for help.
They wonder how poorly it could have gone if they had flinched away.
September first leaves no time to see the landfill as she waits with Cole after school. She draws out the time to go and see Jackson, who will surely be there when she arrives.
"You can come with us, kid," Hank says after Cole stubbornly won't leave without her.
"No," Emma's smile is as weak as her conviction. "I have to go check in."
"Give us a call and we'll be there," is all he can compromise to his kid's best friend.
Jackson does not look good when he answers the door. Maybe he looks handsome to some, all string-bean with slightly concave cheeks and sharp eyes, but Emma remembers a brighter young man whose shirts didn't hang and whose fingers weren't stained in chip dust. "Well, look at how you've grown, kiddo."
"Hey, Jackson."
Scrafty hisses from her backpack and she can almost pretend this is going to go well. As soon as the door is locked and closed behind her, she's hauled along to her room and tossed in. Told not to leave, and if she has to then to be not seen and not heard or else, the door slams shut and Jackson laughs low and mocking. He utters threats about what will happen if she tells her parents and it all boils down to, "shouldn't have replaced me with a robot."
Scrafty yowls angrily as he spills out with her homework. Emma purses her lips and looks to the window. She already has a way in and out. Her room faces the backyard and it's only a matter of sneaking to the bushes, around the house, and to the sidewalk. Easy. If there wasn't school tomorrow, she'd spend the night in the landfill. It wouldn't be the first time.
If it wasn't her birthday tomorrow.
If she wasn't ten years old tomorrow.
"I'm getting sentimental in my old age," she sighs to Scrafty, who curls up on her bed. "Since when did I care about my birthday?"
He gives her a look.
"Right, right." Since she's been alive. "So, I finished editing my article in class. After I read it to you, I'm giving it to Lucas tomorrow. Hopefully his friends can have it posted by the end of the week."
Emma's counting down the days. Sometimes they wonder if they'll ever stop.
;;;
Cole bursts into her class at lunchtime and gets them to sing Happy Birthday for her.
Scrafty jumps up on her lap and she starts petting him like a villain. At this point, if Cole doesn't get honorary plot protection then they're going to be the ones protecting the boy. She hugs the stuffing out of the little Anderson and doesn't tear up when he slips her a two-for-one ice cream tub coupon, but it's a close thing.
Lucas takes the USB stick in exchange for giving his and Alice's present to her. A handmade birthday card and a paper tiara covered almost entirely in sparkles. "We had to make it in my house, since Mr. Williams hates the stuff."
"I love it." Emma puts it on and wears it the rest of the school day. "I'll wear it next time I come over."
She hangs it up in her closet and slips out the window with Scrafty. She doesn't go near the Pit – the place where androids are freshly dumped and packed to the side to make an open space every couple of months – and stays towards the quieter areas after dumping off her things under the car-house.
Scrafty absolute Flips. Out and streaks around a pile. Emma yelps and shouts after him, dumping the parts and stumbling to her feet. There's another, familiar yelp as the hissing gets louder and Scrafty turns to howling at Daniel as he leaps for the face.
"Devil cat," Mari hums and skips over to the stunned girl. "Hello, Emma. Happy birthday!"
"Hi everyone," Emma's voice cracks as they stumble their way over. There are a few starts and stops before they eventually manage to call something for Scrafty to cease and help them from panicking. "It's nice to see you all."
"Emma," Daniel says and smiles as his skin map heals. He kneels and holds his arms open. "I'm sorry."
Scrafty rolls his eyes.
Emma runs forward and hugs the man, crying. "I'm so glad you're alright!"
"I am okay," he assures her. "How are you?"
And isn't that a loaded question?
;;;
Happy birthday dear Emma~
"You should go," they assure Daniel.
He is silent.
"I can tell you want to." Emma can. The way he talks about the other places. Jericho isn't for him. The only reason he's stayed is for them. "I will miss you.
"This is for you. To find yourself. To find who you want to be. We'll have our memories… It's a start for you. I want you to be who you want to be. I want you to live for you, Daniel.
"But… thank you for staying this long for me."
"Of course, Emma. I wouldn't have left before now. Ten is a big number."
Oh, how she knows.
"Will you make me a promise, Daniel?" Emma holds out a pinkie. "Celebrate your birthday, when it comes?"
"Of course." He hooks his pinkie around hers and they shake. No going back now.
The several androids she's helped over the years leave into the sunset. Emma watches long past their disappearance, Scrafty purring and rubbing his head against her legs.
"He…" they sigh at their own selfishness, "never asked about the nightmares…"
Of course, that is what breaks Emma. Daniel isn't saving the little girl. It's up to Scrafty and them to do it their selves. In dreams, Emma falls and burns and dies-
Scrafty meows in her face.
"We'll make it." Emma hugs him. "Together."
With whoever else decides to stick with them.
Happy birthday to you…
;;;
An article was posted to Detroit's Tugboat
My Safety, Your Safety, and the Protocols of Safety
;;;
Lucas Racer has joined the group Detroit's Tugboat
;;;
An article was posted to Detroit's Tugboat
Parents, Guardians, Androids
;;;
Emily Will has joined the group Detroit's Tugboat
;;;
An article was posted to Detroit's Tugboat
Can You Look in the Mirror?
;;;
Amanda Stern has not been allowed to join the group Detroit's Tugboat
;;;
"Who are you texting?"
Emma goes ramrod-straight and her phone easily slips into a hidden pocket. She smiles brightly at Mr. Manfred and Markus as they move up beside her. "No one. I don't have a phone on me."
"Of course," Mr. Manfred gives her an amused look. "Just like you don't have a cat on you either."
Emma blinks once. Twice. Her smile falls; she scowls at Markus. "Traitor."
"Don't blame him," Mr. Manfred scolds. Emma scowls at him. Just 'cause he loves the boy-wonder doesn't mean she's taking guff from an old man. Hank can attest to that. "We were curious as to why you thought bringing a cat to a function such as this was a good idea."
"Scrafty is very well behaved," Emma says, covering Markus' hiss as his ankles get swiped. She crosses her arms and stands still, ignoring the pinpricks of pain as her cat crawls up her back and under her cloak. "I'm supposed to be at my friend's birthday party tonight, so I had to bring someone along to have fun with."
"I guess a little fun is fine since you're missing something so important" Mr. Manfred smiles wryly. "Just try not to get your mother in too much trouble."
Scrafty snorts quietly. Emma agrees. "We won't."
;;;
October hits with all the finesse of rock music in a glass figurine shop. Emma sulks quietly in the back of said shop while her mother looks for a present for one of her I'm-friendly-with-you-but-only-because-of-John acquaintances. It will probably be another month before John has enough range of motion to be productive outside of the hospital, and they have enough stowed away from selling the apartment to keep him in long-term care, so Emma sees her father once or twice a week with phone calls every now and then while her mother does damage control on life. The little girl doesn't even want to imagine how things would have been if her father had died.
Don't think about it.
"Pardon me." The girl starts and looks to dainty, female android assistant with one arm covered in tattoos. "I'm from Swirls and Dyes next door. Is your name Emma Phillips?"
"Yes, Ms." Emma blinks.
The android blinks back. "The owner, Tristan Sterl, would like to speak with you whenever possible."
Emma shrugs and goes over to tell her mother she'll be a few shops down, probably looking at the plushy store. Her mother waves her off and Emma heads over to where the rock music comes from. The owner, a cool man nodding along to the overwhelming beats, just waves her along to the back. Emma has no idea what's going on and waits until a familiar face pops out and angrily motions she hurry up.
And when she reaches the back the ten-year-old girl stops short because oh.
Oh.
"Which article did you write?" asks Cassidy, one of the dozen kids and teenagers gathered around and watching Emma with varying levels of unimpressed. One of the dozen kids and teenagers who all live on the streets of Detroit. Because of course they connected those dots.
"The one on safety," Emma answers, taking a seat. Because oh.
Oh, this is not going to go well.
;;;
Jericho is an abandoned freighter. In 2020, Jericho and the surrounding area were won in an underhanded turf war which left it to the kids and teens of Detroit. From then on nobody touched it out of respect of the dead and to keep the cops away from their areas of town.
Android will and do call the police on account of suspects preying on minors in the area. Deviants have marked pockets where they will leave knocked out offenders or phone-in their reports. The kids used to take care of themselves, and now they have a symbiosis with the androids living in the abandoned freighter they can't live in. Now, there is a network building for spots where the abused, homeless, and lost can find places to go. It's rare to find a human adult in this network. No one over age forty can be found in it.
Of the original 2020-takeovers, the adults are few and fewer still are not Red Ice addicts. Less than a handful have legal jobs, with others working in the gangs or using the system's cracks for their next fix or keeping an eye out for the youngers; humans and androids alike.
Emma is acquaintances with the children living on the street at best. She dresses well, always has someone looking out for her, and has rich parents. Some might get the abandonment or neglect issues, but she hasn't run away or lived through their trials, so they don't make an effort to connect with her. They all have a possessiveness when it comes to the androids of Jericho as well. The androids are the only ones to care for and accept them for who they are, after all. So, who is Emma to steal away their attention when she can return home to all that care and positivity?
In this case? Emma's the one trying to make sure they all come out alive.
(Scrafty does not appreciate her plans nor her being cornered when she explains it all to him later.)
"We want in."
;;;
Detroit's Tugboat name has been changed to Detroit's Cake
;;;
The tags start at the end of October. rA9.
Halloween is strange, since she doesn't know the neighborhood well enough. Emma makes her mother smile when she opts to stay home and hand out candy in her witch costume. She still sees it though. In the background of the news reels and in the corners of tunnels. Over the weekend the country has shifted to read rA9.
And Emma fears.
But she never did stop dreaming of falling, did she? Scrafty never stopped huddling close after she wakes up breathless from nightmares of bombs and gunshots and impacts that never come.
Spooks and ghouls indeed.
"Kara was deactivated," Lucas tells her the next day like she couldn't have guessed. Monday, the first of November. A countdown with dates she doesn't know but knows they happen soon. "We're keeping an eye on Alice- Uriel stayed home today for that. But-" his eyes are haunted. "F**k, Emma. Mr. Williams tore Kara apart right in front of her."
It's so much more real, hearing it. Drawings imply lots, but words impact more. "What can I do?"
"I don't know." He kicks over a garbage can, anger tearing over his face. They ignore the monitor calling out his name. "I don't know."
"Lucas MacRaker-"
"We'll clean it up," Emma tells the android monitor. "I'm sorry. We'll clean it all up, Al."
The AL600 keeps his placid smile on and nods, watching them. Emma cleans up most of it, telling Lucas she has it if he needs to walk for a bit. The older boy helps, and then the AL600 joins in at the end, much to their surprise.
"Be more careful," the AL600 warns them before walking away to continue his monitoring the playgrounds.
"Was that weird?" Lucas asks.
"Not for me."
"You have some strange friends."
"It's the beginning of the end," Emma tells Scrafty.
;;;
By Wednesday she realizes it really is.
Yes, she is there for Alice. Lucas has slipped the android girl an old phone with 'unlimited' texting so everyone keeps tabs on her at all times. Emma's is the safest place if the girl needs anything, but the kids of the neighborhood have been doing a good job at keeping their favourite android friend away from Mr. Williams so Scrafty and his mechanic have been pointed at their other friend while they bide time waiting for the go-ahead to come over and assist.
Cole hasn't seen his father for more than fifteen minutes in two weeks.
"Do you think it was something I did?" the question finally breaks out after school when Emma's taken the bus with him to his house, and then helped him take Sumo to the park. Emma turns quick as a flash with horror as the boy sulks. "I just- what if it was something I did?"
"It will never be something you did," Emma lies with conviction. "Your father will move the world for you."
"Then why does he drink? Why does he leave me alone with Ms. Beverly and- and why do I have to take the bus to school this year? Why does he forget to sign my forms and why doesn't he come home?"
Emma doesn't want to deal with so much angst and anger and pain, but this is what happens when they chose to do more than save themselves. This is what they chose by not going to Canada. This is their deviation and it's time to live with the consequences.
"Scrafty!" Emma shouts and the cat streaks over from where he was playing keep-away with Sumo's ball. She dumps the cat on Cole's lap. Sumo runs over and mows the boy down so he can lay on his stomach. Emma shuffles onto the cold-ish grass and laces her hand through Cole's flailing one, sidling up next to him.
"I don't know why your dad is wasting away right now." The boy stills as she speaks. "I don't know why he's falling or what we can do to bring him back. What I can tell you is that if he is still slipping by Friday, then I'm going to be the biggest throne in his side that's ever existed, no cost necessary."
There is a giggle from under the fur. "Won't you be busy with your dad coming back tomorrow?"
Emma scoffs at the same time Scrafty hacks. "Mum's taking him to a cocktail party Friday night and then they're leaving on a jet plane." Cole squeezes her hand to get her back on track. "They're leaving me with Jackson for a few weeks now that school has everything signed and dotted."
"What?" Cole shoots up, grunting as he pushes the animals off. Scrafty hisses and lies on his mechanic while Sumo goes off to find his ball. "They're what?"
"Dad is going to some super clinic a few states over," Emma squeezes his hand and then folds her arms behind her head to watch the clouds. It's good for her plans. Not for her.
"And they aren't taking you with them?"
Exactly. "I have Jackson."
"He's a dick."
Her laugh is a bit too hysterical to be convincing otherwise. "You see why I have time to get your dad to snap to it?"
"Don't be too mean," Cole worries. "And come over if Jackson gets too Jackson."
"I will." She won't. Alice is too important to end up bringing a detective or the detective's son into the mix. "And you let me know what's up dog, alright?"
He snorts. "I'm not falling for it."
"But someone will."
When she and Scrafty return Cole and Sumo home, it's to find empty bottles and Hank passed out on the couch. She sends the boy off to his closed-door room, promising to be a few minutes with a sober father in tow. Scrafty pauses on the edge of the couch when she motions to him. Emma, lips in a firm line, swipes Hank's phone for a few minutes of revenge, before placing it back and signaling her cat.
"Wha-" Hank shouts and swears as frenzying cat attacks him. "Sumo! Attack!"
The dog barks and curls up on Cole's bed.
Emma is banned from coming over for the rest of the week. Worth it.
;;;
Emma holds the door open for her father. "Your stupid lamp is in the living room."
"Emma!" her mother gasps.
John just laughs as he's wheeled in. "I'm glad it made it out of old apartment."
It didn't. Scrafty rolls his eyes at the happy adults and his mechanic who when out of her way to replace a few of the things Daniel broke. The cat thinks the money she's stored away should be saved for a bus ticket or some android birds. She still refuses to build him some play things.
As if knowing what he thinks, Emma tosses the cat a plastic fish to tear apart.
;;;
November 5, 2038
9:43 am
Neo: I need dad to sign some fieldtrip forms this weekend.
"Are you sure you don't want me to sign them?"
"What-" Cole startles and drops his phone, falling back to see Emma crouched beside him five minutes after he texted her. "How did you find me?"
She points to Scrafty, who innocently licks his paw and cleans his ear.
"Okay, then get down," he hisses, repositioning so no one sees them talking. Hide-and-seek is a very serious game. "Someone needs to pay for my fieldtrip."
"Bummer."
"Yah. There is talk of a park walk in the Spring. Think you can sign for me then?"
"Of course." Because forging a cop's signature is a great idea. Hank's been slipping up the past few years, which coincidentally is how long Emma's been signing papers so that Cole can go on school events. It's interesting how the android assistants can catch lies and deceits of kids in the same classes, but not different rooms. "I'll make sure to remind your dad tonight. He's not on-duty, is he?"
A snort. "He's always on-duty lately."
Cole's about to be found out. Emma's abandoning ship. She's clasp him on the shoulder and straightens, giving him a few extra seconds to hide. "Text me the deets."
"Emma? Wh-"
"Found you Cole!"
;;;
November 5, 2038
4:58 pm
L. Racer: Kara is officially back.
Emma: Oh thank goodness how is Alice?
L. Racer: Still not up for visitors. Keep you posted.
;;;
"Bye mum, bye dad."
It's not even seven o'clock – it hasn't even been two hours – before Emma gets fed up with Jackson and sneaks out her window. Scrafty stays behind, knowing she's taking the bus down the block that's a straight-shot to the landfill area. That, and he has a bone to pick with the babysitter if the man decides to come in in his Red Ice haze.
It is seven o'clock when she gets off the bus and jogs the blocks in the fading light to the junkyard. Normally, Emma wouldn't have thought about being here this late without Scrafty but she's had it. It's been a long and stressful week. She feels safer under a pile of cars than she does in her new house with her babysitter which, that can't last. Not for the whole month. Good thing the city is likely going to go crazy before the month is up.
Emma gets set-up and unpacked and fiddles with odd projects under the cars. She works on her next article for a while, goes over a few plans, sets up a few donations bins, and when it gets dark she flicks on a solar charged lamp to low-light read on her tablet.
The rain starts around eight thirty. It pours around nine and she almost packs up and goes home. Except, now Emma isn't sure if she wants to return home tonight. The busses run until about eleven, and then start again at about four with a very few sketchy not-child-safe ones in between. All she has is a holey umbrella and a coat not made to withstand this type of rain, not to mention her backpack isn't a chance water proof.
She would have left when darkness set, except the rain is too heavy. She'll be lucky to catch the last bus, and it won't even drive all the way to her stop. Looks like it's a night in the dump after all.
She's not complaining. Just wishes Scrafty was here.
Then comes the text that almost stops her heart.
;;;
November 5, 2038
9:26 pm
Wonderland: Hello. My name is Kara. Alice said you are who I should text to find us a safe place to stay for the night.
Emma: Hi Kara! I'm so glad to hear from you! Everyone was so worried when we heard you had to go be reset. Yes, you two can definitely come over to my house tonight. I'm currently not there and my babysitter should be passed out. Do not let him know you are there. You'll have to sneak through my window, it's around the back of the house with a little butterfly sticker in the corner and it is unlocked.
Emma: Do Not open the window without knocking Shave And A Haircut first. My cat will attack you if you don't.
Emma: Do not leave my room. I will be back in the morning. Towels and blankets are in the left of the closet and Thirium is in a hidden drawer under the bottom of the dresser.
Emma: I'm sorry for not being there. I hope you two are alright and if you need me to pick up anything let me know.
Wonderland: It is no trouble. Thank you, Emma.
Wonderland: We are unharmed.
Wonderland: What is your address? We are on a bus and I do not know where to go.
Emma: Tell me what bus you are on and I will help you.
;;;
After walking the ladies through how to get to her house, Emma sends a quick text to Lucas about making sure Mr. Williams keeps quiet. A sleepy reply from L. Racer turns into a quick, angry one when he catches on quick that the ladies have run away and the neighborhood might get investigated if Todd ever mentions the robot kid he illegally kept. Emma shakes and wishes Scrafty was here for moral support as plot crashes front and center while she packs up her supplies and debates on what to do next.
Too bad she couldn't warn her cat about the surprise visitors.
Plus side, she might not have to be the one to get Hank to turn a corner.
Now, holy-crap-is-Markus-even-going-to-be-a-thing-what-do-they-do?
;;;
November 5, 2038
10:19 pm
Emma: Cole's class has a fieldtrip coming up and it's your job as his parental unit to sign and pay for the right to send him into the world beyond the matrix, Mr. Anderson.
10:21 pm
Emma: He is the one.
Emma: To become the best like no one ever was.
10:38 pm
Emma: Okay, so the last one is me. Sorry about changing the contact without permission.
Emma: I'm still trying to catch them all.
Emma: Cole is currently attempting flying air kicks. Off the couch.
10:44 pm
Emma: Since the last one didn't get a response I'm guessing you don't have your phone on you. Again. So I'm just going to spam you for a while.
Emma: I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves
Everybody's nerves
Everybody's nerves
I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves
And this is how it goes
;;;
November 5, 2038
11:01 pm
Wonderland: What's your tablet password?
Emma: Hi Alice. I'm doing fine, how are you?
Wonderland: Sorry. Tonight's been…
Emma: Yah
Wonderland: Thanks. For letting us stay. And telling Lucas.
Emma: No problem. Use the guest profile. Password is Gl4d0s. If you want movies, first app on the left. Password is iamR0b0t
Wonderland: …
Wonderland: Of course it is
Emma: 😊
;;;
Then, of course, comes the next heart-skipping texts. She absolutely brought this upon herself, though. No doubts, no questions, this is her fault.
And its so much easier to roll with than the on-the-run ladies she helped earlier.
;;;
November 5, 2038
11:31 pm
Mr. Anderson: This is Connor. Detective Anderson would like you to know he will sign his son's fieldtrip forms.
Emma: Hi Connor! Thank you for letting me know!
Mr. Anderson: This is Connor. Detective Anderson would like you to know that you should go to bed.
Emma: Thank you, Connor! I will not any time soon but it is good to know.
Mr. Anderson: This is Connor. I have told Detective Anderson about your refusal and he says to wish you a good night in hopes you will stop texting.
Emma: I hope you and Detective Anderson have a good night too, Connor!
;;;
November 5, 2038
11:37 pm
Emma: Your father has a new partner. His name is Connor.
Emma: If your father doesn't sign your forms both Connor and I will be on his case.
;;;
Past midnight, Emma cringes at the sound of androids being dumped into the landfill areas past the Pit. She counts down the hour until the workers are gone, and then moves out. The umbrella is practically useless, and the towels she's gathered get soaked in minutes. Still, she finds the dry overhang where the rope drops down and she huddles under there, flicking the light on because why not? If someone's going to find her, then they won't find Markus. One AM turns to Two AM turns to Three AM. Her eyes are getting heavy, even as she texts back and forth with Lucas and the others in Detroit's Cake who are helping build an case to protect androids. Who are helping in case of 'what if' androids need help in mass or quick revolutions. Who need help finding parts or getting protections. Who need safe relocations or need reminders; like don't go to Canada.
(Canada is a death sentence for androids. They don't have androids. All parts come from the black market, and Thirium 310 is not shipped out of the U.S.A.)
Three AM turns to Four AM. Emma jolts at the crashing sounds and struggling going on in the Pit.
Climbing out of the Pit is stupid, by yourself. Emma runs out into the rain and throws the rope over. Markus glances up, takes it, and starts climbing like any other scavenger would to get out, wild android arms no longer trying to drag him down.
"Emma?" he wheezes.
She takes a moment to blink and act surprised. "Markus?"
"My name is Markus," he wheezes, as if just remembering. He frowns, trying to hold onto her to steady himself while one hand also goes to the yellow LED on his temple. "What are you doing here?"
Getting you out of here, she doesn't say. Their answer of, stopping you from killing humans doesn't come out either. "I got stuck in the rain. I was heading for a bus, if you want to come with me?"
She motions to the towels and blankets.
"I have to get to Jericho."
"I can take you, though we'll have to make a detour to pick up a few friends who'll be going as well."
And yep.
Markus takes her hand and pretends she helps him stand. He grabs a trench coat, shoes, and a few towels, taking her backpack and holding it under the waterproof material. With careful eyes and a steady grip, the girl pulls him along with an excited smile and a skipping step.
There goes the plot.
A/N: Glad I could get this out in time. Next chapter rewinds a bit to see how the three main characters dealt with the start of the game.
A really big thank you to everyone who reviewed. It means a lot to know people are enjoying this.
Thank you to everyone who's reading the story. I hope this chapter was enjoyable