Chapter 17: Tears Away From Perfect
0016 woke up the next morning feeling terrible. It was like a truck of some sort had hit her. She ran her numb fingers through her hair. Her electric blue eyes skipped across the room. 003 was not there. This made her wonder what time it was. She climbed out of bed and then, once she had gotten dressed into a comfortable knee-length skirt and a baby blue tank top, she left the room. She made her way towards the main room. She felt a strange pull as she passed the viewing tower. She passed it hesitantly and continued on. When she reached the main room only 003, 7, and 9 were up. They all turned, looking at her. 007's face lit up in a smile. It had become obvious to 0016 recently that 007 was convinced that he was the most handsome of the men, that is, after 009 perhaps. 0016 sent a glance at 009. He really is quite handsome. A blush hit her cheeks as the thought crossed her mind. 009 and 004 are not really that bad looking. This caused her to humorously glance at 007. He's not very attractive though. She let out a light laugh before settling herself down beside 003. 003 looked at her questionably.
"Are you ok?" The blonde haired cyborg asked. 0016 nodded.
"Fine. Just thinking. That's all." 003 looked a little impressed and glad to see the other girl smiling. 003 nodded and stood. She walked over to 007 to talk about their destination. Soon, 009 seated himself in the seat 003 had previously been sitting in. 0016 smiled at him. "How are you this morning?" She asked. He smiled back, making 0016 lightly blush.
"Good. Did you sleep well?" He asked. 0016 nodded, slightly annoyed by the trivial conversation. She shrugged off the annoyance and just smiled. All the while, her thoughts ranged and raged over her many questions that she still needed answered. She decided, at this time, that she would ask.
"Exactly what or who is Black Ghost?" She asked. 009 looked surprised by the sudden change in conversational direction.
"Um…" He pondered it for a second before looking back at her. "It's a guy. I've seen him. I've actually fought him before. I thought I killed him but I must not have." 0016 listened, trying to keep her thoughts away from 004 who had just walked into the door, briefly greeting 003 and 007.
"And he made you nine because?" She asked.
"As weapons. He wants to take over the world." He said. 0016 nodded.
"Yeah…all 'bad' guys always want to take over the world. That is a gimme." She said, adding a slight laugh to her odd humor. Then, she returned her gaze and thoughts to 009.
"And he made you…?" 009 asked. 0016 shrugged her shoulders lightly.
"To destroy the nine of you really." 009 looked a little surprised at her complete openness. "Anyway, back to my questions. How did the nine of you meet?" She asked.
"Well, actually, the eight of them met before I met them. I'm not sure how. I met them when 001 showed me how to escape. He telepathically showed me how to get out. Then I met up with the eight of them and then Dr. Gilmore and we all escaped on a shuttle. Then we went to find the Dolphin and now we are here." 0016 grinned.
"And who gave the Dolphin its name?" She asked.
"003. 002 wasn't very pleased." 0016's face fell as her next question came into mind. One she had wondered since the first day she had found out about them.
"What happened to the others? 0010, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15?" She asked. 009's face grew serious and sad.
"They're all dead." This caused 0016's face to become more stern, almost uncaring.
"And how did they die?" She asked. 009's eyes focused on the floor.
"We killed them…" 009 said. 0016 felt anger in her heart.
"Not 0013. We didn't kill him." 0016 slightly jumped at the sudden voice behind her. It was 004. She felt her face lit up as she tried to hold back a smile. Her heart racing terribly. He continued and she was thankful because she didn't think she could talk right now. "0013 was bad at first, but he didn't want to hurt 009. So, instead of turning on 009 or Black Ghost, he committed suicide." 004 said, his voice so calm it send chills down her back. She nodded, moving to her feet.
"Fine. If you both will please excuse me. I think I'm going to get some air." She pushed past both of them silently and made her way to the door. She walked down the hall and onto the viewing tower. She leaned against the railing, thinking. She didn't hear the door open behind her so she jumped when a voice hit her ears.
"The others, they want to stop by Spain and have a party. We're heading to France." It was 003. 0016 looked at her and nodded.
"Ok" She said. 003 studied her sad solemn face for a second and then walked closer.
"Are you ok?" She asked. 0016 nodded slowly.
"I'm fine. I'm just thinking, that's all." She said.
That night they all traveled to shore. They came upon a small town in Spain. They went to a local bar where some drank and danced. 0016 watched as her friends drunk away their senses. She had brought up to them that they didn't know these people and shouldn't be lowering their guard.
"But you're not drinking." 007 put forward. 0016 studied him for a second.
"What do you mean?" She asked. 007 smiled, he had already drunken two bottles full.
"Since your not drinking we can drink because you can get us all back home safely." So that's how it was. So now she sat alone, in a random corner, watching them dance and laugh and feeling younger than ever. She tried to hold back the tears, but soon, they were there. She looked over them. 002 was weaving through the crowd, 003 and 009 were dancing. 004 was talking to a random black haired girl, 005 was sitting focused in another corner, 006 was 'whine tasting' and 007 was accompanying him. Last was 008 who was talking to a guy close by about something or another. However, it was 003, 4, and 9 that made her sad. How happy 003 and 9 looked together, making her wonder if she would ever be that way. Though 009 was handsome, now 0016 knew she could never be his. She couldn't forget how happy 003 looks when she is with him, or how happy he is. Then, she looked at 004. He was flirting with some girl. That made her mad but also very sad. She moved to stand when a hand wrapped around her waist. 0016 let out a gasp and turned, ready to punch the offender in the face. Her fist stopped inches from the large nose of 002. She let out a relief-filled sigh before stiffening up.
"What are you doing?" She mussed jokingly. However, she let out a cry as a slurred grin crossed 002's lips as he moved closer. 006 pushed one of his arms away, watching him with worry. "002?" She asked. 002 smiled, and quickly moved forward once again and kissed her. 0016 shoved him away, a worried look on her face. He hates me. 002 has always hated me. So why…why would he kiss me? She looked in his eyes. "Why did you just…" her face red with blush. "Why did you just…kiss me?" She asked. 002, now looking slightly sober, backed a step. He looked her in the eyes, his eyes darting over her face.
"I…I…I like you. You're beautiful and you looked so alone." 0016 didn't know how to react. She liked 004 or 009, not 002. She never expected that 002 would ever show any sort of affection towards her. She didn't know what to say.
"I-I'm fine." She said. She pushed past 002 and walked at first, then jogged to the door.
She got outside and it was raining. Of course. Rain to suit my mood. She ran down the sidewalk. Her heart was beating and her mind was racing. She didn't know what was going on anymore. She had just, only a few days ago, realized that she loved 004, the man she thought she hated more than anyone else. Now, the man she thought hated her the most had just kissed her. It didn't make any since. It was completely insane. She was confused. She felt the rain seep through her clothes and chill her skin. She felt her hair cling to her cheeks. Her tears mixed with rain until she couldn't tell which was which.
When she returned to the club the others were on their way out. 0016 made quick to clean herself up before she came into the light.
"Hey, 0016, what'd you doing?" 007 hiccuped.
"Where were you?" 008 asked. 0016 shot a glance to 002, who looked like he was going to fall off his feet. It was obvious he had drunken much more after she left.
"I…I just roamed around a bit. I got bored in there. Nothing to do." She said. A pang of sadness overwhelmed her mind as a thought hit her. You would have had something to do if 004 would have danced with you. If he had, 002 never would have hit on you. Now look at you, your eyes are red from tears and 002 got himself drunk to wash away the pain of your rejection. 0016 pushed away her thoughts, letting a hand slip to her head. 003 watched her friend wearily. She, herself, had only drunk a bottle or two, so she was still quite sober. She could tell 0016 had been crying, and she couldn't help but wonder why. Not only 003 realized the pain in the young girl's eyes. 004, 5, and 9 saw it as well. 004 adjusted 002 in his arms. He was having a hard time holding the other man up.
"Let's get home." 005 offered, feeling the tenseness in the air. 0016 muttered an agreement and joined the group. She moved in on the other side of 002.
"Here, I'll help you with him." She offered to 004. He looked a little surprised but was thankful for the help.
"Thanks" He said.
"It's nothing. Besides, it's the least I can do…because I'm sober and you've been drinking. If anybody should be carrying him, it should be me." And because it's my fault he's this drunk.
"I'm not drunk." 004 said, sounding a little upset.
"I never said you were. I just said you've been drinking."
"I haven't been drinking either." 004 said. 0016 looked a little shocked.
"Oh, sorry. It's just…I saw you with that girl and dancing…and…I just assumed you had been drinking. Sorry." She moved so that her face was hidden from 004. She didn't want him to see the blush on her cheeks and the tears in her eyes. Tears that threatened to spill any minute. However, no matter how she hid it, 004 could sense it now. The way she spoke about him. He wondered like new light. She was crying. Was she crying because of me? She saw me dancing and talking to that girl Tracey and couldn't stand it so she left? Does…does 0016 like me? We wanted to see her face, see if he could get some kind of answer from her. But she hid to well and it would seem odd if he took her aside to stare her down. No. Couldn't be. She must miss her family. That's all.
A/N: Hey guys! Glad to finally upload this chapter. Things are finally getting good. ^.^ Anyway, sorry I didn't put it up yesterday when I found the disk. I couldn't seem to upload it. K, hope you enjoy!
0016 woke up the next morning feeling terrible. It was like a truck of some sort had hit her. She ran her numb fingers through her hair. Her electric blue eyes skipped across the room. 003 was not there. This made her wonder what time it was. She climbed out of bed and then, once she had gotten dressed into a comfortable knee-length skirt and a baby blue tank top, she left the room. She made her way towards the main room. She felt a strange pull as she passed the viewing tower. She passed it hesitantly and continued on. When she reached the main room only 003, 7, and 9 were up. They all turned, looking at her. 007's face lit up in a smile. It had become obvious to 0016 recently that 007 was convinced that he was the most handsome of the men, that is, after 009 perhaps. 0016 sent a glance at 009. He really is quite handsome. A blush hit her cheeks as the thought crossed her mind. 009 and 004 are not really that bad looking. This caused her to humorously glance at 007. He's not very attractive though. She let out a light laugh before settling herself down beside 003. 003 looked at her questionably.
"Are you ok?" The blonde haired cyborg asked. 0016 nodded.
"Fine. Just thinking. That's all." 003 looked a little impressed and glad to see the other girl smiling. 003 nodded and stood. She walked over to 007 to talk about their destination. Soon, 009 seated himself in the seat 003 had previously been sitting in. 0016 smiled at him. "How are you this morning?" She asked. He smiled back, making 0016 lightly blush.
"Good. Did you sleep well?" He asked. 0016 nodded, slightly annoyed by the trivial conversation. She shrugged off the annoyance and just smiled. All the while, her thoughts ranged and raged over her many questions that she still needed answered. She decided, at this time, that she would ask.
"Exactly what or who is Black Ghost?" She asked. 009 looked surprised by the sudden change in conversational direction.
"Um…" He pondered it for a second before looking back at her. "It's a guy. I've seen him. I've actually fought him before. I thought I killed him but I must not have." 0016 listened, trying to keep her thoughts away from 004 who had just walked into the door, briefly greeting 003 and 007.
"And he made you nine because?" She asked.
"As weapons. He wants to take over the world." He said. 0016 nodded.
"Yeah…all 'bad' guys always want to take over the world. That is a gimme." She said, adding a slight laugh to her odd humor. Then, she returned her gaze and thoughts to 009.
"And he made you…?" 009 asked. 0016 shrugged her shoulders lightly.
"To destroy the nine of you really." 009 looked a little surprised at her complete openness. "Anyway, back to my questions. How did the nine of you meet?" She asked.
"Well, actually, the eight of them met before I met them. I'm not sure how. I met them when 001 showed me how to escape. He telepathically showed me how to get out. Then I met up with the eight of them and then Dr. Gilmore and we all escaped on a shuttle. Then we went to find the Dolphin and now we are here." 0016 grinned.
"And who gave the Dolphin its name?" She asked.
"003. 002 wasn't very pleased." 0016's face fell as her next question came into mind. One she had wondered since the first day she had found out about them.
"What happened to the others? 0010, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15?" She asked. 009's face grew serious and sad.
"They're all dead." This caused 0016's face to become more stern, almost uncaring.
"And how did they die?" She asked. 009's eyes focused on the floor.
"We killed them…" 009 said. 0016 felt anger in her heart.
"Not 0013. We didn't kill him." 0016 slightly jumped at the sudden voice behind her. It was 004. She felt her face lit up as she tried to hold back a smile. Her heart racing terribly. He continued and she was thankful because she didn't think she could talk right now. "0013 was bad at first, but he didn't want to hurt 009. So, instead of turning on 009 or Black Ghost, he committed suicide." 004 said, his voice so calm it send chills down her back. She nodded, moving to her feet.
"Fine. If you both will please excuse me. I think I'm going to get some air." She pushed past both of them silently and made her way to the door. She walked down the hall and onto the viewing tower. She leaned against the railing, thinking. She didn't hear the door open behind her so she jumped when a voice hit her ears.
"The others, they want to stop by Spain and have a party. We're heading to France." It was 003. 0016 looked at her and nodded.
"Ok" She said. 003 studied her sad solemn face for a second and then walked closer.
"Are you ok?" She asked. 0016 nodded slowly.
"I'm fine. I'm just thinking, that's all." She said.
That night they all traveled to shore. They came upon a small town in Spain. They went to a local bar where some drank and danced. 0016 watched as her friends drunk away their senses. She had brought up to them that they didn't know these people and shouldn't be lowering their guard.
"But you're not drinking." 007 put forward. 0016 studied him for a second.
"What do you mean?" She asked. 007 smiled, he had already drunken two bottles full.
"Since your not drinking we can drink because you can get us all back home safely." So that's how it was. So now she sat alone, in a random corner, watching them dance and laugh and feeling younger than ever. She tried to hold back the tears, but soon, they were there. She looked over them. 002 was weaving through the crowd, 003 and 009 were dancing. 004 was talking to a random black haired girl, 005 was sitting focused in another corner, 006 was 'whine tasting' and 007 was accompanying him. Last was 008 who was talking to a guy close by about something or another. However, it was 003, 4, and 9 that made her sad. How happy 003 and 9 looked together, making her wonder if she would ever be that way. Though 009 was handsome, now 0016 knew she could never be his. She couldn't forget how happy 003 looks when she is with him, or how happy he is. Then, she looked at 004. He was flirting with some girl. That made her mad but also very sad. She moved to stand when a hand wrapped around her waist. 0016 let out a gasp and turned, ready to punch the offender in the face. Her fist stopped inches from the large nose of 002. She let out a relief-filled sigh before stiffening up.
"What are you doing?" She mussed jokingly. However, she let out a cry as a slurred grin crossed 002's lips as he moved closer. 006 pushed one of his arms away, watching him with worry. "002?" She asked. 002 smiled, and quickly moved forward once again and kissed her. 0016 shoved him away, a worried look on her face. He hates me. 002 has always hated me. So why…why would he kiss me? She looked in his eyes. "Why did you just…" her face red with blush. "Why did you just…kiss me?" She asked. 002, now looking slightly sober, backed a step. He looked her in the eyes, his eyes darting over her face.
"I…I…I like you. You're beautiful and you looked so alone." 0016 didn't know how to react. She liked 004 or 009, not 002. She never expected that 002 would ever show any sort of affection towards her. She didn't know what to say.
"I-I'm fine." She said. She pushed past 002 and walked at first, then jogged to the door.
She got outside and it was raining. Of course. Rain to suit my mood. She ran down the sidewalk. Her heart was beating and her mind was racing. She didn't know what was going on anymore. She had just, only a few days ago, realized that she loved 004, the man she thought she hated more than anyone else. Now, the man she thought hated her the most had just kissed her. It didn't make any since. It was completely insane. She was confused. She felt the rain seep through her clothes and chill her skin. She felt her hair cling to her cheeks. Her tears mixed with rain until she couldn't tell which was which.
When she returned to the club the others were on their way out. 0016 made quick to clean herself up before she came into the light.
"Hey, 0016, what'd you doing?" 007 hiccuped.
"Where were you?" 008 asked. 0016 shot a glance to 002, who looked like he was going to fall off his feet. It was obvious he had drunken much more after she left.
"I…I just roamed around a bit. I got bored in there. Nothing to do." She said. A pang of sadness overwhelmed her mind as a thought hit her. You would have had something to do if 004 would have danced with you. If he had, 002 never would have hit on you. Now look at you, your eyes are red from tears and 002 got himself drunk to wash away the pain of your rejection. 0016 pushed away her thoughts, letting a hand slip to her head. 003 watched her friend wearily. She, herself, had only drunk a bottle or two, so she was still quite sober. She could tell 0016 had been crying, and she couldn't help but wonder why. Not only 003 realized the pain in the young girl's eyes. 004, 5, and 9 saw it as well. 004 adjusted 002 in his arms. He was having a hard time holding the other man up.
"Let's get home." 005 offered, feeling the tenseness in the air. 0016 muttered an agreement and joined the group. She moved in on the other side of 002.
"Here, I'll help you with him." She offered to 004. He looked a little surprised but was thankful for the help.
"Thanks" He said.
"It's nothing. Besides, it's the least I can do…because I'm sober and you've been drinking. If anybody should be carrying him, it should be me." And because it's my fault he's this drunk.
"I'm not drunk." 004 said, sounding a little upset.
"I never said you were. I just said you've been drinking."
"I haven't been drinking either." 004 said. 0016 looked a little shocked.
"Oh, sorry. It's just…I saw you with that girl and dancing…and…I just assumed you had been drinking. Sorry." She moved so that her face was hidden from 004. She didn't want him to see the blush on her cheeks and the tears in her eyes. Tears that threatened to spill any minute. However, no matter how she hid it, 004 could sense it now. The way she spoke about him. He wondered like new light. She was crying. Was she crying because of me? She saw me dancing and talking to that girl Tracey and couldn't stand it so she left? Does…does 0016 like me? We wanted to see her face, see if he could get some kind of answer from her. But she hid to well and it would seem odd if he took her aside to stare her down. No. Couldn't be. She must miss her family. That's all.
A/N: Hey guys! Glad to finally upload this chapter. Things are finally getting good. ^.^ Anyway, sorry I didn't put it up yesterday when I found the disk. I couldn't seem to upload it. K, hope you enjoy!
