This Is The End
Chapter One: Strange Beginnings
Comment: Wow, has it not like, been FOREVER? Well this is a change of things for me, and wanna know why? BECAUSE THIS IS A CYBERSIX FANFIC!!!!!! *crowds stampede for the computers* It's not done yet. *they back off* BUT IT'S ABOUT HER PAST! *they begin shoving again* HAHAHAHA! I RULE THE CROWD! *is trampled beneath their feet* Owch. Maybe not.
Cybersix, known and seen as Adrian to the rest of the sunlit world, put down the piece of chalk in her hand and turned back to the class, reminding herself to lower her voice. So, that was the structure of nearly all of Robert Frost's poems. The bell rang conspicuously. Odd, she thought, glancing at her watch, shouldn't there be an extra five minutes in this class? None of the students seemed to mind, and filed out of the classroom, yelling and shouting as always.
I'm being ridiculous again, Cybersix told herself, and she brushed the chalk dust from her hands. It was her free period, which meant a coffee break-with Lucas. Oh, STOP that, you stupid woman, she chided. It's made no difference for the past two years, so STOP that.
And now I talk to myself, she groaned, not with sarcasm.
Don't you always? a voice answered from the doorway.
Cybersix started and nearly dropped the book in her hand. She smiled in relief, though still wondering whether or not he could see through her male facade...
But no, everything was as it usually was-except the missing five minutes of class, but that was probably just the clock. Her masquerade as Adrian was still safe, and, reassured, she headed out onto campus, Lucas just behind.
Lucas said after they had ordered their coffee, Lori says she went up to your apartment again last night. Something about a missing assignment.
Cybersix did everything in her power to stop herself from blushing furiously. Lucas thought that she-yes, she, as in Cybersix, the nighttime mystery woman-was Adrian's mistress. Which was completely false. Of course. An affair with herself! The very idea was laughable...
So she laughed, just slightly. Oh, and does she have any other accusations?
Lucas remained serious. Only that she was telling everyone about a glowing green something on your floor.
She's been peeping through the keyhole again. Lucas, don't worry about it, I-
No, Adrian. I've been open with you about everything, now you do the same for me. What are you doing with Cybersix's sustenance?
Oh no, she'd been careless...and now Lucas was mad. He wouldn't calm down until she told him...and anything she told him would hurt him. Badly. At best, his suspicions about the would be confirmed, and she-Cybersix-did not want anything to happen.
So she chose her words carefully. She's...stopped by my apartment a few times... And that Lucas DID know, from Lori-as usual. And she asked me to hold a few vials for her in case...she needed them. Which was true, in a way. I accidentaly spilled one, that's all.
Lucas wasn't satisfied, and he still looked hurt. Why didn't you just tell me, then? Geez, Adrian, you know I've been worried about her.
Worried, about me? Oh Lucas, don't trouble yourself like that. Sorry. I meant to tell you, but it never came up, and I have been busy.
Oops, wrong words. Busy, is it? With what, I wonder. Or should I say, with WHOM?
Oh CHRIST. Lucas, it's not like that. It's the schoolwork, honestly, I don't understand-
No, you don't understand. You never did. Lucas picked up several books.
Lucas, please.
He was silent, and instead of answering he angrily plunked his share of the bill on the table and stormed from the coffeehouse.
Cybersix covered her face with her hands. Well, that was less than charming.
Later that night, Cybersix put down her pencil, getting that strange feeling in her left arm again. She reached for the drawer that held her few precious vials of sustenance and opened it-revealing two empty vials and one, partially filled tube.
What in the name of the Cyber Series.... She reached out to touch an empty one, and as she just lightly touched it, the vial was immediately filled again. She stared at it in frustration, then glanced angrily at her left arm, which had begun to throb. Stop that, she commanded it, even though she knew it would do no good.
I just FED, she muttered, unscrewing the top of the newly filled vial and lifting it to her lips, draining the contents. There's no way I should be getting so weak this early on in the cycle. Something is definetely wrong. First that five minutes missing, now this... She twisted the cap back onto the empty vial. If I didn't know better, I'd say someone was messing with time.
Which means.... Lithe fingers opened her closet and removed her bodysuit, high heels, cape, and hat. A night on the town.
In several minutes, Cybersix stood on the balcony outside her window, the curtains blowing in the night breeze of Meridiana. She shook her head, trying to clear out her thoughts, and leaped from the railing, heading out into the night, with only a vague idea of where she was going.
She stopped on the roof of a grungy apartment building, one that had used to give her such a comforting feeling, but one that she now dreaded to approach. Silently, she jumped to a smaller balcony and rapped lightly on the window, trying to see through the curtains. A power, she thought reluctantly, I do not have.
The curtains were pulled aside, revealing a rather angry looking Lucas. Cybersix was prepared to leap away, should he open one of the glass doors and fling her out into the night. But when he saw her, his eyes were only sad, and he slowly opened the door she was not standing in front of, and he moved back to let her in.
There was silence. Cybersix wasn't sure what to say, or why she had come. She was only following a hunch-or rather, following the pain in her left arm. Lucas, I-
They looked at each other, strained smiles on each face.
Go ahead, Lucas said quietly.
She sighed. I didn't mean to bother you...Adrian- No, don't mention Adrian. He'll be hurt even worse, and look what you've done already. I mean...I really didn't know where else to go. I don't think Adrian could understand what I'm...
Going through?
Well, that wasn't such a bad choice of words.
Well, what is it, then?
Cybersix glanced at her left arm, but only slightly. Have you noticed anything...different, about today?
Lucas shrugged, putting a hand behind his neck. It seemed to go by a little faster, but that could be-
I knew it.
Lucas blinked. Cybersix wasn't prone to interruptions. What...er...exactly, did you know?
She looked at him in all seriousness. The need I have for sustenance came much too early today. The three vials I had were nearly empty, except when I touched them. Then, they were full-in the state I had left them.
In Adrian's apartment?
She shouldn't have been angry, but she was. She was sick of his accusations and sick of feeling so confused about him. Cybersix restrained herself from kicking in the remaining glass door. Look, Lucas, I'm dead serious. For all I know, my programming could be going haywire and I could maybe end up dead. I'm not saying that wouldn't be a relief, but I don't need your finger pointed at me, telling me every single place I've screwed up. I came here because I thought you'd put this whole mess aside and just hear me out. I guess I was wrong, wasn't I? Hearing nothing but the pounding of her heart, Cybersix turned back to the balcony, ready to leap away, to the safety of the cold night air.
She was stopped by a hand on her shoulder. She glanced behind her, into Lucas' saddened face.
She let out a sigh and sank into a chair. I'm sorry, Lucas. I shouldn't have yelled at you like that-
No, Cybersix. I'm the one who should be sorry. I've been accusing Adrian all day, and now I'm accusing you...I guess I'm hurt. Here I thought you-
Oh Lucas, don't even say that, please. Cybersix was frightened that if he even said it out loud, somehow it would be true. She didn't want to admit how she felt and she wasn't even sure she could feel that way. She didn't want to hurt him anymore.
But then, wasn't he hurt already? Cybersix...You're right about today. The clocks looked odd to me, too.
Then it's not just me...but what is it?
Lucas, I'm going to need your help.
For the first time since she had arrived, he smiled. You've got it.