Beginnings Have An End
Chapter Nine: The End Is Just A Little Harder
*sobsigh*
Breakfast went uneaten. The Cybers, at least those who had been in the mudfight, weren't hungry, and only wanted to stay in bed. The others, when they received the news, either fell into shock or burst into tears. No one had meant for Eva to die.
Cybersix, braving tears and rain-dampened walls, had finally gotten up the strength to go back to her tree...the tree she'd shared with 29. Sitting in its wet branches, she allowed thoughts to come and go, too exhausted to hold onto them for long. First 29, then Mama...probably Father will be mad...who cares about Father? He didn't love Mama, or us...we'll be okay...maybe we will...maybe not...I don't feel well. She wrapped her arms around her stomach, sighing with depression.
Hey, Cybersix. You up there?
Cybersix looked down through the damp leaves to see Ten's face looking up at her.
Can I come up?
Is he trying to be 29 for me?...it doesn't matter.
A few moments passed as he jumped into the leaves and settled on a branch next to her. There's a rumor that Father is going to teach us a lesson for hurting Mama.
Silence. Are you scared?
More silence. Look, say something, Six-I mean- Ten cursed, bracing himself for a punch.
But Cybersix only looked at him sadly. I don't know if you heard what Mama said to me, but-
I heard all right. Enhanced hearing. I'll bet the Cybers at the back of the crowd heard.
Oh. Well...somehow, it was like she was forgiving me for being so rude...and I'd never forgiven her, except right after that because she told me she loved me. It's like.... she died and I never got a chance to forgive her, except maybe her spirit was still close enough to hear me...d'you think, Ten?
He crossed his arms. Anything's possible. Listen, you've gotta be strong. The younger ones-they're really scared, Six. He'd fallen back to her pet name. I know Cyber One's the oldest, but they don't look up to him...Not me, either. They really admire you because you were always so stubborn and strong and independent. Don't take it away from them-
Immediately, Ten knew he'd said the wrong thing, because Cybersix sat straight up, anger and pain flashing across her face. Take it AWAY from them? First I lose 29, and that's my fault, so I get MY BROTHER taken away from me. Then because of some stupid storm, we lose our MOTHER! And they're worried about their stupid HEROINE? That's #$%@ed up and you KNOW it!
Ten put both hands on her shoulders. Calm down, Six! I've NEVER seen you this angry, and don't let them see it either! Look, let's go talk it out with them. They deserve to know how you feel. They want to help you; why won't you let them?
Because I'm scared. Not just for me, but for them. They DON'T deserve to see me all messed up like this. Tears welled up in her eyes as she wiped her nose on the sleeve of her striped tee-shirt. You should go and try to help them. Leave me here, I gotta get myself together before I come back.
He nodded hesitantly. You'll be okay?
Yeah...I think so. Only be careful. I feel really sick, like something bad's about to happen.
All Cybers report to the medical lab immediately. This is an emergency. Repeat, all Cybers report to the medical lab immediately.
Cybersix looked at Ten fearfully. Don't go, Ten, please don't go. Something awful will happen if you do. Please don't go!
Ten jumped from the branches. You're not coming?
No, and please don't you go either!
He looked up at her, confusion on his face. You can stay, but I think we should go see.
He waved slightly. I'll see you later. And he turned and leaped back into the facility.
No, Ten, please, Cybersix begged the air.
When it became apparent that Ten hadn't heard, she leaped from the tree. I can't go back. I can't go back. TWELVE! A sudden pang flashed through her, the silent cry of death - or sustenance hunger, she couldn't tell which. I've gotta get out of here. I've gotta run. She tore off, barefoot, into the woods, not knowing which direction to go, only knowing that if she stayed put, someone...something...would find her. Find her and kill her.
I've GOT to run...
The sixth Cyber, unaccounted for?
Shut up, Julia. As far as Von Reichter's concerned, ALL the Cybers were eliminated. Disappeared as a creation should. Left their vials of sustenance, which were stored elsewhere. But we dropped one, got it? That explains the missing vial.
She's alive somewhere.
Von Reichter doesn't need to know that. It would only make him angry, and we'd have to find her. And I'm TIRED of looking after and caring for the brats. So keep your mouth shut about it, understand?
Cybersix shielded her head as glass and metal debris flew through the air. The car had crashed right in front of her; what on EARTH was the driver thinking? Nearly killed her! Probably killed whoever was inside...She waited for the flames to die down, then crept to the car and yanked the back door open.
Inside the front seat were two figures who'd obviously received the worst of the impact, but the form in the back...two brownish black eyes looked at her, tired and dusty. An angel, the young boy said, then closed his eyes.
Cybersix hardly dared to breathe, but forced herself to check his pulse. she said quietly, then caught sight of the silver dog tag around his neck. What, there a war or something? she asked quizzically, and looked at it closely. Nah, just a medical alert. Hmm... Adrian Seidelman...
Go on. Father will be looking for you. No one's here to notice. Just make a story. He won't mind. This...Adrian won't mind.
Cybersix gently eased Adrian's body from the car, laying him in the shoulder of the road. She knelt over him and took the dog tag from around his neck, clasping it around her own. She glanced over his clothes and shivered. No need to go THAT far for accuracy. Her tee-shirt and shorts were close enough; she'd just have to find new ones once she reached civilization-which she was sure to do, she'd just follow the road.
She pushed her hair up out of her face, attempting to make herself look like the boy. Hmm. Cybersix examined herself in a puddle of dirty water. It'll work. Though what happens once I hit puberty, I DREAD to think...
An hour or two later, she had buried Adrian in the grass alongside the road, and placed a small stone as a marker on top of it. Cybersix said a quick prayer, the only one she knew, and turned around to look at the road. That way, she decided, heading down the road the same way the car had been going. I'll find someone, tell them what happened...I'll say I can't remember much...and then everything'll be all right. I'll be all right.