-Lightning-

A couple of days had passed since I woke up in the clinic. I was still stuck in bed but I really was getting sick of being still.

When the doctor wasn't around I decided I had to try to get outta here. At least for ten minutes.

I had watched the nurse carefully before I tried this, turning off the monitors, carefully sliding the tubing from the IV out. Real glad I figured out that it's just one thing in here, the tube interchangeable.

They had to change it a couple of times and now I had figured it out.

"One down…" I whispered sliding off the blanket swinging my legs over the side.

Here's hoping… I stood up...Way too fast. My head spun a bit as I stumbled forward. "OOF!"

And the floor suddenly came up very fast to meet my face.

"OW!"

There was snickering. "I hope your happy." I growled.

"Well how many times did I tell you to NOT try to get out of bed yet?" Dr. Carmen or Gabriella as I now referred to her as laughed from the doorway a big grin on her face.

"Will you just help me up!?" I asked.

"...Nope." She smirked and started to walk away. "I think you need to learn a lesson Mr. I'm-not-staying-put."

"Wait! GABRIELLA! COME ON!" I yelled reaching but she disappeared.

"Nope~ Not happening!"

"Augh…" I grumbled getting to my feet. I had to get walking, I just had to.

I was shakey, and every step felt like I was going to fall. But I made it to the door...Until I nearly tripped over Gabriella.

"H-hey!"

"Lightning!" She scolded. I gave a sheepish look hanging onto the doorway.

"Uh...Hi?"

She sighed and gestured to the wheelchair she had. "If you insist on walking we're doing it right….Sit down so you don't break your neck..Where's your IV?"

I sighed doing as told holding my arm out as she re-hooked me to it and hooked it onto the back of the chair. "How much trouble am I in?"

"No jell o." She said wheeling me down the hall. I glanced into the rooms that had open doors. There was a group of interns being yelled at by a doctor with black hair and glasses.

"What'd they do?" I asked as we passed it.

"They accidentally dosed his daughter with the wrong medication...They probably aren't going to live." Gabriella deadpanned.

I gulped. "S-seriously!?"

"Yep."

I turned my head forward before hearing the sounds of a chainsaw revving...And interns screaming.

She wasn't kidding.

"So...Where are you taking me?"

"Physical therapy room. We're just big enough to get the luxury of that. Figure we can work on your walking there."

"Got it.."

It didn't take that long despite what Gabriella said. She said it could take days..It took me an hour.

"Oh my goodness…"

I smirked at her. " What? Haven't you heard Lightning strikes at the speed of light?"

She cracked up as my smirk fell.

"That...Was so corny!"

"Shut up!" I protested.

"What'd you say to her?"

That...VOICE…

I gulped turning around feeling myself pale.

Simon Keller...At the doorway.

"...Let's see if you can run."

"...HEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP!"

This stay I hoped would be very VERY short!

I took off running as Simon gave chase. "Get back here boy!"

"Never!"

This was going to be a long stay.

"GABBY STOP LAUGHING!"

"I-I can't help it! Pfft!"

-Andy-

Dad was gone, Olivia was upset, mom was trying to put up a brave front and Dusty was just trying to keep between everything. He helped with Olivia but there were times when it just needed to be me and her.

Like bedtime, right now it was time to tuck her into bed and try to get her to sleep.

She looked so small curled up on her bed, with it's pink and blue blankets, her purple pajama's hanging loosely on her. They were too big but they were still her favorite.

I went over to her, sitting gingerely behind her pulling her onto my lap. She squeaked a little and looked up. Tears had been a permanent feature on her face since earlier today. She was heartbroken to find a note on her bed from Dad, telling her he loved her and to be a good girl.

That note was now in her nightstand and now she was hiccuping from how much crying she had done. I felt awful for her, this is not how Olivia should be. She should be excited, running around, playing with Dusty, me and Theo or trying to ask for ten more minutes. Not willingly going to bed and curling up to cry more.

"Olivia…" I said softly, bringing my arms around her. She sniffled burying her face in my shirt.

"Why'd Daddy leave Andy?" She whimpered.

"I think he was afraid he'd make us cry again...I think he was just scared he wouldn't be able to be a good daddy Olivia.." I murmured trying to calm her rubbing circles on her back. She sighed a little cuddling close.

"Will he come back?" Her voice was strained as another 'hic' slipped out. She sighed tiredly after this but it was shaky like she was having trouble catching her breath.

Nearly six hours of nonstop tears would do that to a person. "Yes...I'm sure he will." I kissed her forehead and gave her a nuzzle. She giggled nuzzling back.

"I wuv you Andy…"

"I love you too Liv..Let's try to get you some sleep okay?" I said getting up and laying her back on her bed, bringing her blankets up to her chin.

She curled up under them closing her eyes. I unclipped her favorite barrette and laid it on her nightstand. "Goodnight little sis.."

"Night…" She yawned.

I looked around making sure I hadn't forgotten anything before I remembered.

She was missing her favorite stuffed animal. For a second I thought Theo had chewed it before I found it chucked against the wall.

She had the thing since she was a baby, it was an old beaten up monkey with it's brown fur coming off in patches but she refused to sleep at night without it...At least unless she had something else to comfort her.

"Hey…" I nudged her a little. "Your ol'buddy was looking pretty sad...Isn't he invited to the sleepover?"

She opened her eyes and practically tore it out of my hands as she hugged the toy. "Nana…And she's a GIRL." She stuck her tongue out at me, sleepiness seemingly at bay for now.

I grinned. "Oh yeah?"

"Yeah!"

"Well...She can't protect you from this!" I started tickling her as she burst out giggling.

"Aaaannnddyyy!" She squealed hitting me with her pillow. I chuckled halting and pulled her into another hug.

She hugged Nana and curled up into my side. "Can you stay tonight?" She yawned again eyes trying to stay open but failing.

I smiled and ruffled her hair. "Does Theo like chewing shoes?" I asked as she gave a tired giggle laying down on her side.

I laid down beside her pulling up her blankets over us both. I was just about to fall asleep when I felt a weight on my chest. Opening an eye I had to smile.

My little sister had her head over my heart and she was fast asleep...A content little smile on her face.

"Goodnight sis...Love you…"

She mumbled something about dad, cupcakes and Nana but at least she was asleep.

And soon...I joined her.

-N/A-

Months had started to go by, HEAMIC was on the move, snatching up more Machines. Reports going out of missing people both human and Machine.

There was talk inside human territories as well...The race that had destroyed their crops had been canceled. All of it was for nothing. Hope...It was getting harder.

For the Hayes family they started getting dirty looks. Andy's friends started talking about rebelling, of possibly war.

"I heard my dad say that one of these days someone's gonna declare war on the humans."

"I heard that too, my aunt Sophie thinks we need to make another move, farther away."

"Farther WHERE!? This is the only decent place."

One of these days he was leaning against a wall listening to his friends ramble and argue about it. People were getting scared and the younger generation were taking notice.

Andy looked up. "...What if we just tried showing the Machines WE'RE not the ones doing this?" He said softly blowing his bangs out of his face.

The other boys gave him a dirty look. "You really think THAT is gonna help!?"

"Bahahaha! That's a good one. Talking never proves anything! Talking's for sissies!"

He got a punch in the arm. Not a friendly one either, Andy flinched. "Hit me again and I will beat your sorry kiester into the ground."

"Yeah, but your dad's the one who fled when all this craziness was starting…"

He growled a little shoving his hands in his pockets. "What's it to ya? I really think talking might help. Dusty's an honorary jolly wrench, NAVY, they CAN'T ignore us if we got a sponsor like that. Not only that but he's the only Cropduster to win the Wings Around the Globe rally!"

The other boys gave him mixed looks of disgust, and concern.

"Andy…" One of them began.

"Your talking like a machine."

-Brody-

Things were getting worse. I was becoming a monster...They were trying to make themselves more known.

Now when we had started we only did one Machine at a time.

Now we had 'stables' of different Machines, of different makes, models, racers, civilian...It never mattered.

I was in charge of the processes, of the tests...I felt awful for it, and somedays felt a little malicious when nearly getting ran over.

Today we had another subject to use the Machine on. All of the subjects before now were the males of the species so it was easier to program.

I looked into the container seeing a forklift or a 'pitty' as they were called huddled into the corner, eyes darting from side to side fear evident on her face.

I felt awful for this. They wanted to turn her into an example. The idea was to leave her in Harvester territory, see if she survived and if she wasn't killed by the harvesters, they would do it themselves.

I never told them about the abilities that they could retain. That was my own secret.

Or rather just one in many. I sighed looking at the weapon I held in my hand.

It was hard to do this. I gave the typical routine "come out or be shot".

It was hard to listen to her beg and plead to be left alone, to be set free.

"Please…"

I looked away from those eyes, and flipped the switch.

Blood curdling screams resulted, I glanced up briefly to see what was happening. Her body changing, metal becoming skin, clothes, eyes screwed shut in agony.

There was a faint thud as she hit the ground looking up weakly, tears running down her face.

I swear...For a moment it was like I was looking at Sarah when her brother died.

That look of utter helplessness.

...No….I can't let them kill her…

"Sir...Permission to dispose of IT myself?" I requested.

It took a moment before a grunted "go for it" was uttered.

Quickly I went over to her as the now young woman tried backing up but couldn't. Her limbs were too new, too weak to do anything.

Lifting her up I made my way quickly.

"Dusty….Help…" She whimpered looking up at me with fear still in her eyes. I don't blame her...I was the one who did this.

"Shh…" I whispered once we were far away. "You're going to be okay...I won't let you be killed...I'll leave you by my family's house...He's there. Got a name?"

"...Dottie…"

"Well miss Dottie...You'll be back with your friend soon."

"...Good.." She closed her eyes all but passing out. I don't blame her...It was going to be a long walk.

Little did I know that things were going to take a very dark turn soon…