Normally, getting groceries isn't a big thing. Eva and I would go to the coastal town that developed about ten years ago simply called the village, now referred to a Hills Dale. It was a quiet fishing town with a few imports from America. There is a nice enough shopping center including a clothing store Newu, a toy store that I forgot the name of, quite a few others that my brain won't conjure up, and the towns food market. The market had a grocery store in it for the packaged, frozen goods, but the farmers sold their crop and fishermen sold their catches of the day. Plus side for me to since I love fish.

Parking at the dock, I saw the market ahead with a shiver. All too quickly, my reality brought back that Eva wasn't here and her reasoning for the urgent trip bothered me. Something more was going on. I saw Markus jump up to tie the boat off as I climbed out with North's help onto the high dock. By accident, I must have parked at the high dock in my troubled state. After North had climbed up, I chuckled as I noticed the streets filled with people, "Everyone is getting ready for the new year. Celebrations, time with family. Guess it'll be crowded today." Crowds, my brain finally registered my own commentary as I froze.

Nearly jumping off the dock as I felt a hand touch my shoulder, North looked down to me with a small smile. She had a really reassuring tone that eased my tension, not like Eva's but like a friend that was trying to help out, "We're here, remember? You're not alone. Both of us are right here for you." Markus nodded as I looked up to him for his reassurance.

They were right, I thought, I wasn't alone. Just one trip, I can do it. Stepping forward, holding back my tension, toward the end of the simple wooden dock which could be compared to a series of planks held together with rope and nails. Moving along, I found the dockmaster at the end of the dock waiting for me smiling. He was a portly man with a long grey beard, blue long coat with jeans and yellow rain boots. His hair was a frizzy grey with knowing auburn eyes. He smiled to me as he saw the other two, "Melody, my dear. It has been too long. Where is that android doctor of yours? And who are your new friends?"

This I had to tread carefully about as each word was being calculated in my head. After a moment, I smiled to him, "Its okay, Nick. They're friends. This is Markus and North. Helping me with my work on the islands. Here's the dock fee." Pulling out twenty dollars, I handed it him, "Won't be long. Just groceries and maybe some clothes."

Nick just laughed as he started writing in a black book that he kept all the boats information in. Wiping a tear away after, he looked back at me, "New clothes? It would be nice to see you in something other than those android clothes you wear. Folks around here like you, so we tend to ignore it. Oh and Happy early birthday!"

I nodded in thanks and waved him goodbye as the walk to the market down the street began. Markus and North had talked about something, but I didn't pry. Not until they pried about a topic to me, with North asking this time, "Why do you dress like that? It seems strange for someone so young to choose such an odd fashion statement."

Laughing was my only answer to the someone so young comment as I reeled it in. Thinking with caution, I brought myself to trust them, "Because… I am who I am. Most humans are callous and cruel to anything they don't understand. Why would I want to look like them? I'm better off as I am. Androids are real people. They feel, think, worry…" With a look back to them I continued, "Love. Its all better off. You did a whole revolution peacefully. Most humans would have rioted."

Markus seemed to think on that as he was reminded of his previous attempt. As if not batting an eyelash, he spoke up smiling, "Humans can be peaceful too. They love, think, feel. Just have to find the right ones, that's all. You knew Carl and didn't mind him, right?"

I nodded yes as the memories of my youth came back. Sitting back and admiring art, all because I didn't know what to do for myself. Carl made me see there was more to my life than admiring art, instead I could find my own. Computers had always been my thing, especially hard to deal with programs or getting into places I shouldn't be. Smiling a bit back to them as I stopped, "No, they don't. Masks upon masks that hide the reality underneath. There's a reason only my dad is around."

"Melody, I'm sor-" North began as I stopped her.

With a small smile, "Humans took her away from me. So why do I care? I have a new job now. That's helping all of you until my last breath and hopefully further than that. Don't worry about it. I'm not offended. Just wanna focus on helping you all. No need to worry about the past."

Markus and North seemed to approve and disapprove. They let it be, though I think I opened a can of worms that will come back later on me. However, the day was only beginning. These little mainland trips were an all-day event. One I intended to shorten up to get back ASAP to figure out what they were all doing behind my back. I disliked being lied to or even pushed away in a distraction. While I agree, we might need food, but it doesn't justify her pushing me away like that or Connor for misdirecting my attention.

Pulling my tablet out, I found her grocery list with a small smile since the fish market was on the list but the last part. Besides the eerie silence behind me, this trip did excite me. There was some fish that were crowding the rivers in America that were brought in to help quell the population. I think they were called Asian Carp. Moving past the rows upon rows of fish merchants, I saw the grocer ahead with the farmer's stands. Behind me, North spoke up about how the market was filled with so many foods. They seemed to have come back to reality.

I stopped by a vegetable stand of a woman who normally gets most of the list for us. She gets the filters for the water bottles and the vegetables Eva orders. I smiled to her as she moved to the back. I was a regular here, so it wasn't uncommon to come to her. After a few moments, she came back with a few bags. She was mute but a kind woman. I checked the bags just in case as usual. Everything but my medicine, fish, soda, and the optional snacks that I wanted with some sparing money for food on the way.

I grabbed one bag as Markus took the others for me. Turning to mention something, I gave up as he pointed ahead at the grocery store at the end of the walk, "You still had more to go if I remember correctly. Besides, I was meaning to ask you something. An alarm went off near the dormitories. North said it was a lab of yours."

Begrudgingly, he is just as observant as I expected. With a nod, I figured it was time to talk to someone about it. Speaking up, I think I knew that this could doom me if I said the wrong things, "Probably one of the android animals got out of my lab. Unlike Frost, they are a bit unstable. In the end, most of them are okay but some… not so much. It's okay though. I'm more worried about what intruder got on the island. You know something about that?"

North walked up beside me as she seemed more knowledgeable. Her gaze ahead kept me going into the store as she smiled to me, "Melody, they just didn't want you to get hurt if the intruder was violent. This is all for a good cause."

"Yeah… Right. They can handle it," I put the tablet away in my messenger back with a shrug, "First that and now an intruder. I don't like any of this… Whatever. It doesn't matter. You both won't talk about it anyhow."

The dead couldn't be quieter than our walk to the back of the store as I picked up my medicine. After we got the medication, I got some lemon soda and some dried fruit chips for snacks. Didn't feel like overdoing it today anyhow. Markus spoke up as I was picking out different fruits, "Why the name Breaker? Why not tell us you were human back then in Jericho?"

Yowza, he hits a topic home when he sets his mind to it. Oh well, I thought, mine as well. Timidly, I spoke up in between Hms about snack choices, "Because it is better that way. Melody is something Eva or my father calls me. Given time, that name will mean very little. Just another girl who fought cancer and lost. Code Breaker was easier to deal with since no one knew I was human. That way, at least in America, I could operate being little more than a wallflower. Not pleasant when people decided to throw something at me, but I got used to it. Sure, I helped the Androids of Jericho to Canada if they wished but they all survived. If I was seen as human, I would have been sent to jail. Now the U.S. thinks an android named Code Breaker did it. Thus, now I have a bounty on my head for crimes against the country."

"You hid yourself among a false identity to help us. What about you? If you got caught or worse, shot at when they started killing androids. That didn't occur to you? I get saving lives, but yours is still worth something, too," Markus said with a hint of concern as he stopped me. He knelt right in front of me to make sure I got the point, "Humans aren't perfect or all good. That doesn't mean you are any less for what happened. Never think you aren't worth anything."

Nodding to him, I smiled up North and then him, "I know I'm worth something. It was my whole purpose for everything I'm doing now. Look at what I've done so far. And soon, my work will prove that I can do more. Besides, you were the first one to know who I was. Sometimes, its nice for someone to know my name, even if it means that I'll have supervision. North, Hank, Connor and you… Maybe Eva too. I'm not used to having people around like this. Normally its been Eva and I. Sorry about my behavior if I made it sound like I didn't want you to come with me."

"Don't worry about it. Just glad we could get what you needed and help you clear your mind. I had to ask though, what is your plan now? From what Eva said, I'm basically free to stay or go and the other androids want me to stay. But what's your end goal there? What are you getting out of this whole ordeal?" Markus asked, somehow asking just the right things without hinting at knowledge of anything prior. Figured as much since he was a leader he would be worried about me or what my plans were. We left the store as I thought of what to say.

The possibility of telling them about my plans was scary. My work wasn't something I could talk to anyone about. It is dangerous what I am doing. What to do? As if the distraction I wanted on cue, I saw a red flash of fur pass by beside a crate in an alley. Fear muddled my mind quickly, my options limited as I spoke up, "We can… Talk about that back at the island. I have to go check something." Bolting before they could grab my arm, I ran down the alley as they both called my name to try to get me back. The red fur must be hers.

Turning left down the alley, I found myself staring at a dead end with a large trash bin and some bags tied up on the ground. There had to be something here. You don't just lose a thousand pounds of red fur and plastic. The alley was cramped, easy prey zone if I'm not careful. Turning slowly, I realized I was a little out of breath as dizziness was trying to set in. I had to pull my water bottle out and a pill. Eva's words rang through my head You shouldn't run. Its better off you just walk. Oh well, I mis stepped as set of trash bags moved around behind me.

Slowly turning to face it, there was the android tiger that I fixed months ago. It stood in front of me with a low growl as if ready to strike. I raised a hand as I saw the LED sensor sitting at a yellow. With a cautious step, I moved towards it, "Easy there, Pyre. Why did you follow me to the mainland? You know better than to leave the lab. Eva doesn't know about you yet…" As I got closer, she pounced me to the ground with her teeth bared a few inches from my face.

I froze up in a rush as I turned my face aside, "I guess when I got that job for Connor and Markus, I forgot to come by the lab. I'm sorry. I got hurt and a little sick. I'm sorry, Pyre." Hoping that she could understand me as she had before, I mentally crossed my fingers. Tension rose as she got closer to my face. Instead of the bite I thought was coming for not being there for her, she licked my face with her gravelly tongue. Pushing her off, I laughed at her, "Stop it, you. Its bad enough you followed me here."

"Melody! Where did you go?" Markus was calling from down the alley as I moved in front of Pyre. I spoke to Pyre directly, quietly, "Go home! You can't be in public. I'm got my medicine and coming straight home. You'll be with me when I get home. No more hiding." I hugged her as she stared at me as if I was stupid. That was the I don't listen to you look.

Markus rounded the corner as he stared at me then the tiger. His tone suggested he was going to be calm about this as North stayed behind him, "Melody… Why is there a tiger here?"

Pyre hated other people, I knew. It's why I kept her inside my lab. Her temper is why I kept her in the lab. Unfortunately, she tried to push past me in her anger. She took everyone around me as a threat. I pushed back, "Pyre, no! These are friends. I told you, we don't hurt friends." Turning my head to Markus, I smiled sheepishly, "I'm sorry. Just that she's defensive of me against…. Everyone. I didn't go see her at my lab and she must have left and tracked me here."

Fortunately for me, I got her to calm down to a blue level on her LED as she rubbed up against my back. Almost falling over, I chuckled, "She's has a big heart once she likes you. That's always been how she is. She accepts everyone eventually but is afraid of people hurting me." I motioned her to Markus and North, "This is Markus. And that's North. Friends. We don't hurt friends."

As if mocking me, Pyre mouthed after me with a paw gesture to make fun of me. Sometimes I forget how smart she is. I turned back to Markus, "She isn't harmful, just attached. Its my fault for not checking at the lab before we left. I got everything I needed. We can go home. I'll sneak her to the docks and she'll hide in the back seat." My mind was racing with ideas how to get home faster, "Come on. We can't keep her here. I can give you both the money for the fish and we'll meet you there."

North gave Markus a smile as he sighed, "Alright. Let's focus on the mission then. We'll get the fish you write down and you get the…. Pyre, to the docks." North gave me a wink as I internally squeaked with joy. Thank you, Pyre. I got to go home quicker. I owe you a lot later on when I figure out what's going on. An intruder doesn't spawn that much secrecy from them like that considering I own the island. First thing first, how do I get a tiger to the waterfront unseen? Welp, time to find out I guess. Writing down a list of a few fish, I handed it to Markus, "Don't worry about us. I can sneak out through the back alleys."

I jumped onto Pyre's back since she was large enough to ride. With a pat to her back, I spoke up slowly, "Pyre, quietly this time… We'll meet you two at the docks." I held onto her fur a bit as she took off down the alley, toward the docks. She seemed to be quieter than any other time before. Normally, she is a train wreck just walking around. Oh well, I thought, its focusing on the task at hand. I pointed up at a crate that would put us on a roof. From the roof, I can have her jump into the harbor. Climbing off, I moved toward the dock down the alley as someone stepped in front of me.

That was when a woman stood in front of me. A woman in a trench coat with white slick pants and shoes. Her white short hair was covered in dirt. Pyre was on the crate already but stopped to watch me in case. Stepping back, I held a hand toward my phone in my back pocket. My voice was defensive as I smiled nervous, "Hi… Who are you?"

"Help me… You're Code Breaker, right? I was beaten by people on the street before I crossed the border. I need your help," she sunk to the ground on a knee. Once her trench coat fell open as I saw a series of stab wounds in her chest covered in blue blood. Part of me was stunned inside once I recognized the android in trouble in front of me. The people in the street couldn't see her but her model read AX400. The android was barely functioning.

Whistling to call back Pyre, I called Markus immediately as I was afraid she would shut down. The ring after ring was beginning to mess with me as I knelt by her. I saw her faceplate change to Kara. With a small glimpse of worry, I pulled out my scanner while the rings continued. The scanner read Critical systems damage. Shutdown Imminent. Markus finally answered but before he could speak, I interrupted him, "Markus! I found an android. Kara is her name. I need you to drop the food off at the boat and get it ready. I can get her to the docks."

"Got it. She's a friend of ours who was supposed to be leaving Detroit. Meet you there," he ended the call abruptly.

Pyre growled as I helped Kara up. Kara seemed to be barely walking. Pyre disliked it, but I helped her onto Pyre's back. With a huff, I led the way for us until we reached the docks. North had the dock master looking at a map with his back turned. Markus saw us and was waving us toward the boat. I walked silently behind the dockmaster, waving Pyre to follow as she jumped effortlessly to the dock by the boat without so much as a sound. She let Kara down into the boat and then climbed in, hiding in front of the large lock boxes the food was in.

The dockmaster spoke up, "She couldn't have run far. She usually ends up at the store where they sell toys. Eva has been promising her something from there every time they go shopping together. Honestly, I'm shocked that she would allow you two to come instead. We always thought of those two as a mother and daughter who were always together." He smiled genuinely happy that this was this case, "She seems so alone out there on the island. It's nice to know she has friends out there willing to be there for her."

Sneaking back around to the main street, I acted as if I gotten lost. With a smile, I waved to North and Nick, "Hey! Sorry. I was staring at the toy shop again." I laughed a bit as if to act like nothing happened. Hiding my feelings wasn't new, though this time all I felt was fear for Kara and how much I missed Eva. Nearly tripping on my face, North caught me as she smiled back to me.

"You never stay on both feet, huh?" she joked to me as I smiled, "We saw you run off, but I'm glad you're safe. Let's go home, okay?"

With her reassuring smile, I realized that I may not have Eva around, but I have my friends. Markus, North, Eva and the others. For once, I felt glad to know that. Nick held out an envelope towards me as I took it, "Who is this from?" It read, from CyberLife Inc., Elijah Kamski, as I froze, "Thank you. I have to get the groceries home." I ran to the boat as North climbed in after pulling off the tie. Speeding off, I knew I need to get back. Kara needed help first.

"Markus, what happened? I got out to the bus terminal and all the way to Canada. Then they said androids were getting rights after everything. They never said anything else," she asked from behind. Pyre had taken to disliking her as she glared at them all.

Steering us to port, I found myself getting an idea as I pulled my phone out. I called Eva quickly as she answered immediately, "Mel, what happened? You don't call unless something is wrong."

"Found an android in town. She is hurt. Model AX400. We need parts as soon as you can get them. I am 10 minutes from the dock. Blue blood too. The scans on my scanner should be sent to you by now," I spoke up as I heard a crash around Eva with several bullets rang in the air.

Eva seemed a bit distressed as she spoke up, "Head to the lab and get to work. I'll have it delivered. We are busy in the dormitory units by the lab. Melody, don't come over he-" The call cut off as a gun shot rang in the air. Something in me snapped into the mind frame that something went wrong. Horribly wrong. First thing first, I need to get Kara to the repair center. Parking in a hurry, Markus jumped up and tied it off. He helped me up as Pyre actually let Kara back on her back. Pyre jumped onto the dock and ran ahead to the repair center without being told. I was shocked, though I had no time to explore it.

Within moments, I began to run and felt out of breath. Suddenly, Markus scooped me up and put me onto his back. He moved faster than I ever could with North on his tail. She winked to me as he got to the top of the docks in an instant. Moving faster now, he got us to the repair center as fast as possible. Pyre had stopped in front of the repair ward as one of the workers I asked to be there was helping Kara to a room. Markus set me down as he moved inside, "We're here to help. Tell us what you need, and we'll get it."

Nodding to him, I grabbed a belt of tools from my office. The door swung open to the room Kara was moved to as I followed in. I found out only one component was causing the critical failure but to fix her, the part would have to temporarily be removed and replaced instantaneously. Going to grab the part, I looked to Markus then North as I pulled her closer, "I need you to replace this tube quickly. Speed I don't have as a human. Remove the washer and replace the tube in the stomach."

North just gave me a nod as I moved to Kara's other side. Without hesitation, she removed it as quick as a bunny and replaced it. Kara's systems balanced out in a rush of relief as Kara was temporarily shut down. One emergency down, I thought as I moved to the door, "If she wakes, make her drink the blue blood in bottles under the counter. I have to check on Eva." The hallway had never seemed to long as I ran faster then before, sliding to a stop outside the door as Pyre rubbed against me.

"Pyre, Eva's in trouble. Let's go," I climbed on her back as she raced towards the sound of gunshots at the dormitories. They were a good mile or two away which made my fear and anxiety rise. What happened to them? I thought it was only an intruder. Tell me Eva isn't… No! I won't think that. Just hurry, Pyre. Hurry!