The first thing she registers is a pounding headache. When she swallows, it feels like pebbles are stuck in her throat. Her wrist stings, there's a pulsating pain in her knee, and every single muscle screams at her when she moves.

But she's warm, dry, and in her own bed. Despite the ringing in her ears, her apartment is quiet, only broken by the quiet hum of the heater kicking on.

She groans. Her teeth feel gross, and she smells in desperate need of a shower. She pulls her hand out from the warm confines of her blankets to drag it through her greasy hair.

There's a bandage around her wrist. Gingerly, she pushes herself upright and throws back the covers. Her knee is bandaged, too.

And she's naked.

And she has no idea how she got here.

She had hit the water. Once, when she was a kid, she had gone cliff-jumping with her cousins. She would count the seconds before she broke through the surface, before she was grabbed and pulled into the dark void. How exhilarating it was to leap into the arms of a world that wouldn't hesitate to kill her, only to breach the surface and spit in the face of the reaper hiding beneath the currents.

But the thrill from her childhood did not prepare her for the impact against freezing waters, or the shadows that gripped her limbs and twirled her until she couldn't find the surface, or the panic when there was no air left in her lungs.

There was a harsh awakening at some point, like coming out of sleep paralysis. A jolt that rippled through her body that forced all the water from her system.

Someone had saved her.

Had it been Connor? He had seemed adamant that she find safety. Maybe he really did take care of her.

Or maybe it was someone else. Maybe she only hopes it was him.

How embarrassing either way.

She picks up her phone from the nightstand and recoils when the light stabs her eyes. She has 32 unread messages and 17 missed calls. JB's name comes up the most.

She manages to push herself out of bed and picks out a long T-shirt hanging off the side of the hamper by the closet. Hobbling to the kitchen, she taps JB's name on her phone.

"Riley! You're alive!" Comes his relieved greeting.

"Barely," she croaks.

"I thought for sure you got wasted during the raid."

She fills a glass of water and gulps down half of it before replying. "No. Afraid not. Did Markus and them make it?"

"Yeah. They're hiding out at an abandoned church. They're all safe for now."

She pulls pill bottle after pill bottle from the medicine cabinet. "I doubt they'll be safe for long there. We need to think of something."

"We?"

Her hand stops just shy of the pain killers in the back. "Yeah, well, I mean, if you want to step back, I understand."

"No, that's not what I mean. I just think you're taking on too much responsibility. This isn't your fight, you know."

"I know…" She swipes a bottle of aspirin. "But I feel like I can't stop now. I'm in too deep."

"Which is why I think you should take a step back. You have a tendency to shoot before you aim, if you know what I mean."

She swallows all her meds at once. "You mean I jump the gun?"

"You buy the fish before the tank."

"I've done that before."

"I know."

She fills another glass of water. Her voice has started to smooth out, but the feeling of rocks lodged in her throat hasn't faded. "It just doesn't feel right to do nothing."

"I didn't say to do nothing. I just mean not to put everything on your shoulders. It isn't your job to fix the world."

The cup overflows. The water runs over her prosthetic. The sensation isn't right. The cold should feel sharper. "I just want the crying to stop."

He sighs loudly. "Have you been taking your meds?"

She wants to laugh. "Religiously."

"Just your meds, right?"

"Of course. Don't worry."

"Good." He sighs again, softer this time. "You've been through a lot the past few days. Take your time to process everything."

She's too weak to handle this.

Tears spill over her cheeks when she rolls her eyes. "I know. One step at a time."

She's not supposed to cry anymore.

"Try not to worry. It isn't like we're going to war tomorrow."

She nods to herself. "I know." She turns off the tap and sets the cup in the sink. She clenches her fist, then flexes her fingers. They should feel stiff from the cold. She takes a deep breath and grips the edge of the counter. "Hey, B?"

"Yeah, Ri?"

"Do you have some pictures of Victoria?"

She isn't sure how long she'd been out, but it had to have been at least ten hours. By the time she cleans herself up and makes it to the storage unit, the daylight has begun to wane.

Chino jumps in her arms, but it isn't with enthusiasm. He can't produce tears, but he looks like he wants to cry.

They set up a little altar beside the sofa. After Riley had repaired Victoria, she had taken her out to the aquarium. On the way back to Riley's apartment, they had walked through the park. The sun was bright that summer day, and Victoria's dark hair glistened in the light. They passed a florist, and she was enraptured by the carnations displayed in the windows. Riley had snapped a photo then. Her eyes were so full of wonder, like she'd never seen them before. As a new deviant, she probably had never had the chance to appreciate them until then.

The florist didn't have any carnations this time, so Riley sets down a bouquet of orange chrysanthemums in front of Victoria's picture. The sun had hit her just right in that moment. A soft glow had surrounded her. The carnations she adored could not compare to her beauty.

JB lights the candles around her picture. The unit is filled with the sweet scent of lavender and peony.

And then they sit in silence. They don't need to try and console each other. JB isn't one to get emotional, and Riley won't pour out her heart.

Her sorrow is her own drown in. There's no need to bring anyone down with her.

JB had made about a dozen IDs and travel documents for some of the surviving androids. Riley took it upon herself to go and distribute them.

She stops a few blocks away from the church. The pain in her knee has subsided to a dull ache, but each step reminds her of brown eyes – furious, desperate, lost.

Stubborn.

Despair dampens the air in the church. Androids huddle together, holding each other. Tears stain their cheeks and their lips are pulled taut by despair.

North, Josh, and Simon are all up front. They stay separated, each lost in their own grief. Josh has always been the most receptive of her, so she finds him first. He looks up in surprise when she approaches. "Riley, you're alive."

"Barely." She offers a tiny smile as she hands over the IDs. "I came to drop these off. If there are any others who need one, let me know. I can get their pictures now and have them ready as soon as possible."

He looks them over. "Thank you. I'll make sure these get to the right people."

"Anything else I can do?"

"You've done more than enough already."

She shrugs. "I'm just happy to help." Her eyes rove over the crowd for a moment. "Where's Markus?"

"I'm not sure. He just said that he had something to do."

Then, as if summoned, the doors open just seconds later, and Markus makes his way toward them. His brows raise when he sees her. "Riley. I'm glad you're alright."

"Same to you." She motions vaguely to the papers in Josh's hand. "I just came to drop these off."

"I have some more I need you to do." He points to a woman with silver, pixie-cut hair who holds a young girl close.

Riley goes over to them. The large, bulky, dark-skinned man next to them looks up first. She waves tentatively at him. "Hi, I heard someone needed an ID?"

The woman and the young girl both lift their heads. The woman gives her a small smile. "Yes. Yes, please."

"Okay. I just need to get some pictures and I can have them to you within the next few hours."

"Thank you." She rubs the young girl's arm comfortingly. "Alice isn't safe here. We need to get across the border as soon as we can."

Riley kneels in front of Alice. "I understand. I've helped androids cross the border before. I'll do my best to help you."

There's a hint of trepidation in Alice's wide eyes. "You're human, aren't you?"

The man and woman both look over at Riley sharply. She holds her hands up in a placating gesture. "I'm sorry if that makes you feel uncomfortable, but I promise I only want to help."

They share a look, and then the woman nods at her. "I saw you with Markus. If he trusts you, then I guess that means we can trust you too."

Riley stands to offers her hand to the woman. "I'm Riley, by the way."

"My name is Kara. This is Alice and Luther." They shake hands, and Riley greets Luther the same way.

"It's nice to meet you all."

"Markus, please reconsider!"

"I'm sorry, Riley, but you saw what they did to us. It's only going to get worse." Markus sighs with a troubled frown. "I don't want this either, but I'm not willing to just stand by and do nothing while they slaughter my people."

She tries to respond, but she can't find the right words. He's right.

"I appreciate all that you've done for us," he goes on to say, "but this isn't your fight."

"But I want to help."

"I know, and you're helping by giving androids a chance to escape. I won't ask for more."

She chews on her lip. "You're going to need weapons."

"We've got that covered, don't worry. With the city under curfew, it won't be difficult to hit the ammunition stores."

"Do you all even know how to fight?"

"I'll show them." He places a hand on her shoulder. "Go home. Finish the rest of those papers and stay safe. You've been a real help to us. I want you to know that we all really appreciate what you've done."

She takes a deep breath in. She's come this far already. It doesn't feel right to back off now.

She grabs his arm firmly. "Put me up front."

He pulls back. "What? No, Riley, that's suicide."

"Let me try and talk them down. They won't shoot an unarmed civilian."

"And how are you going to prove that you're human? They can't tell from a distance, and your prosthetic doesn't help either."

"I'll bleed as much as I need to if that's what it takes."

"Are you really willing to die for us? To sacrifice yourself for our cause?"

Her voice doesn't waver. "I don't want anyone else to die. Not androids. Not humans. I'll gladly give my life if it means doing whatever I can to prevent that."

Humans cover their ears when their beliefs are contested. They shut their eyes to anything outside of their comfort zone. They only speak. And speak. And speak.

And scream.

Listen to the world. It's crying.

Why can't anyone else hear it?

People know not what they do. Jesus prayed for those that crucified him.

Could she do that? Could she sit back and pray while androids – people – are slaughtered?

Or would she be David and face Goliath?

But could she pull the trigger?

Like she had before?

That was self-defense.

There's still blood on the hand she lost.

How much more will be spilled?

How much louder will their cries become?

'Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.'

But what happens when she's the only one who prays? Who loves? Forgives?

Can she honestly use that word so freely? Can't she still hear the thunder? Can't she still see the lights? Can't she still taste the metal? Can't she still feel the screams ripping from her throat?

They know not what they do.

They know not what they did.

But they did it anyway.

And she survived because she fought for her life.

So, if it's the last thing she'll do on this earth, she'll fight.

And she'll pray for the dying.