3 Days Later: February 1st, 2039

The plan ride took 12 hours because of a small refueling issue. It was simply just because they never screwed the caps in place correctly. We finally arrive in Detroit National Airport with a sense of tension to all of us. I try to leave first, but they don't let me. Connor is to my right slightly forward with Hank opposite to my left. They both were equally paranoid. I have Chloe's gun in my pocket with a pinch of malignant fear. Kamski had his own security, but these two insisted on being mine for the time being. Once we got into the limo, I open a tablet and sync with it to build a presentation of facts and stop midway.

I look to the others who are looking out the windows or at a phone. Chloe catches my gaze with a slight turn of her head towards me, "Is something wrong?"

"Wrong… No… I'm debating something stupid. Well stupider than most of my plans thus far," I start off and continue before Kamski can make a comment about my plans, "I'm going to tell the police who I am. Not just Melody Sutcliffe but Code Breaker too. To get them to listen, I have to not only make an impact but build trust."

Hank seems to second guess this but Kamski steps in before he can, "True. If they can rule out one of the topmost wanted in Detroit, it would help them move resources to the investigation at hand."

"Top?! Ouch…" I cringe along with Hank.

Connor thinks it over, "True. Also, you might want to leave that firearm in the car. It isn't safe for someone your age; despite the fact you have to pass a scanner to get in. I'm assuming you can fool the scanner."

"Hack the scanner the precise moment I pass it over and register myself as the person I once was. Just a simple thing. I'm more worried about presenting this idea," I shake my head, dropping my head in my hands.

Hank laughs and pats my shoulder lightly, "You almost die countless times getting androids in and out of this city. You pulled them out, even ones further out from Detroit, to the islands. Your telling me that you're scared of some cops and a chief? Come on, kid. You're Code Breaker. If you've proven anything, you can do whatever you can set your mind to."

"Thanks," I sigh in a way of relief. With a small smile, "We're here." I slip the case into the seat instead of my pocket. With a small look of concern, I see the streets watching us ominously.

Kamski leaves first, Connor following then Hank and myself. Chloe waves as the limo pulls away to park. People watch us. Some speak of cheerful things about androids, very few show disdain. I avert my eyes and head inside with the others. The Chief, Captain Fowler, meets us at the front. He shakes hands with Connor and Hank. He then lets them move aside with a small smile, "Mr. Kamski. Oh and this must be the young co-CEO you told me of. Welcome Ms. Sutcliffe to Detroit. Please follow me."

He guides us past his office and towards a set of double doors to a conference room. He sits in the back with other heads of the department I could see rap sheets for ahead of time. I'm beginning to wonder whether there is a way to turn that if I don't want to see it. Hank and Connor sit on a side bench. Kamski motions me onward with that knowing gaze. I agreed to this. Now I remember.

I tap my tablet and open a most wanted list of criminals in the U.S. so far. They seem unimpressed. I stand in front of them and remember the garage speech. I force my mind to remember why I had that confidence and why I will have it now. I speak up confidently, "These people are the most wanted. The topmost wanted sits at a hacker named PhaseShift and the next is CodeBreaker. To start today's meeting, I want to say that CyberLife has located the second name mentioned."

Captain Fowler seems to laugh, "You mean a criminal that committed numerous border crimes and data theft was found by CyberLife when we haven't found them in almost 5 years. How?"

"Simple. I committed those crimes and that statute says you can't prosecute after five years. I saved the androids who wanted to live and now I'm asking you to think of me as nothing more than that fact. I rebuilt and helped countless androids who want to come back to Detroit to start a life and build trust again. Setting roots, if you will. CyberLife is offering the same as before, Androids who want whats best for Detroit, nothing more. These androids want to work of their own volition to further into the rights they were given. You see, despite everything that was said against them, these androids want to help. Nothing more, nothing less," I say without a speck of hesitation.

Detective Reed looks to me, "You're admitting to a crime now? How convenient…"

"Not convenient. I'm outing myself to you as a way of offering help and asking for help. I know you've been investigating the attempts of Mr. Kamski's life. CyberLife means to offer resources to help with that investigation," I say as I motion to Hank and Connor, "These two volunteered to start helping out in Detroit again as well as a few others if you'll allow them. These androids are now deemed people by laws and want to come home. They want to help their home be a safer place. But only if you allow them."

Captain Fowler speaks up cautiously, "I see. What does aiding in this investigation get CyberLife in return as well as bringing androids back. While I don't disagree, we could use the help, I need to know your stake in this war."

I open my tablet and send a signal to the TV behind to me to show the signal tracking the corrupting software back to Detroit, "This is what we gain. A malicious hacker named PhaseShift is taken off the streets. I tracked her code to the city. I am prepared, alongside Mr. Kamski, to offer resources to help the department on this case. Of course, this is also to ensure that Detroit is safe from this person. PhaseShift is said to be responsible for horrible events like the hospitable bombs ages ago and other losses of life. CyberLife won't stand for such a person to be out there. They have launched an attack on us, so we would like to aid in the legal measures to put this person behind bars. If a good conscience and a willingness to do good isn't enough, then why would anyone be here in this meeting in truth?"

Detective Reed seemed in awe while Captain Fowler looks to Hank, "Hank, you vouch for this plan? I assume they've told you about it. If you support this, then I guess I would have to say yes to this."

"Yep. I've known this kid a long time. Been my source on a lot of cases before she got a fancy job title. This plan will work. If we can help boost the department to what it was, how much crime do you think Detroit would lose?" Hank says confidently with a grin, "Besides, I owe this kid. She did me a solid favor and if helping her by coming back to the city is it, well I guess I'm home again."

Captain Fowler thinks on it and speaks quietly with his other benefactors by him. He stops and nods. He looks up with a small laugh, "Well then Ms. Sutcliffe. You already took one of the most wanted off our list, I guess if your company is willing to help catch the next ones this will be a good partnership." He stands up to move across the room to shake my hand. He then shakes Kamski's hand, "You picked a hell of a partner on this one."

"Yup. Smarter than a whip," Kamski says as Captain Fowler leads us all outside the room, except his friends in the conference room.

"Here's the gist. Hank and Connor, you have your old desk back. I'll get you the files. I think you need to catch up on the details we have and add your own. I'm assuming if we need to contact either of you-" Captain Fowler starts, to which Kamski interrupts.

He offers a card for him; his numbers and my only number to me, "Here. This is our contacts. We can try to fill requests you may have."

The Captain chuckles, "One to start. How many officers want to come back? We could use the boost in manpower to help out around the city."

"One moment," I pull a phone out and actually dial on it to figure out how many officers came with us. They count 15. I smile, "Report to the station to help the DPD for us. Thanks everyone, I appreciate this." I turn to him, "15. They'll be here within the next thirty minutes for uniforms and assignment. I know current resources mostly off the top of my head if you have another request."

Captain Fowler nods with a small look aside at me, "If you are who you say you are, thank you. You saved a lot of lives. The only thing I ask is that you don't play those games now. Limitation statutes don't save you much if you commit a crime now… I will ask though. Rumor was on the street that Phaseshift and CodeBreaker were aiming to fight. Why is that?"

"She hurt my friends and my haven. It's my turn now. She played her turn at the chess board, but I'll be damned if they think I'm rolling over. They made this a fight against CyberLife and the new reform laws, so we're making this about finding the most wanted criminal in the U.S. to date. I think it's high time that they come in for questioning… Afterall, they did make saving androids harder when they kept tipping you off to my location. Now, I have homefield advantage for now. I want to use what I have to stop something worse from happening," I say honestly, "Think about it. I just want to see everyone get along. I wouldn't jeopardize that. Deal?"

He chuckles and nods, "Deal. Hank, Connor, I'll meet you two at your desk to talk about the case."

To Connor, a private link:

Don't let the infected androids touch you. I am giving you a code to give to the others. It's a protection code. It will keep out foreign control or invasive software or hardware. Be careful.

Connor responded, acting as if listening and heading to his desk with Hank and the Captain:

Same to you. Don't get caught in something you can't get out of. We'll be there if we can be. Keep us informed.

We left the station with the limo waiting. Chloe was inside with a scuff on her wrist and a tear in her circuit. I climb in and pull out some tools from my pocket, "Woah… Hold on. I can fix it. How did this happen?"

"Infected Android. He's no longer with us. The program you made kept the infection from me. Thank you," she smiles to me while I work on her wrist. I am able to bend it back in place with a small heated pocket welder.

I finish up as the skin covers where the wound was before, "There… But I'm glad it works. It means everyone can protect against it. For now, I need to see this RK900. I need some help to do some investigating on my side."

Kamski watches me fix her with a nod, "True. At least I know you won't be alone or in danger. They have the same firewall if not better. I'll update the software for you. He chose a name for himself on our way here. He'll explain then."

The limo moves almost at a speeding pace, too quick for my tastes. But hey, I'm not the driver. I open up a window and diagnose the state of the signal as it still hasn't been logged into yet. Oh well; ally first, then dig up leads. He'll be a good help this since I'm alone here…

Alone…

That's right. I left Eva at home. After this, I'm alone. Surrounded and alone and… what have I done… I need- NO! I don't need her. I'm not feeble. I'll be fine. I can survive. I don't need her, and that memory can be damned. It happened and I'm here to fight a different battle; the survival of the android's free will unless PhaseShift takes it all away. Enough thoughts, I dig up signals and find that I'm perceiving three phone calls alone that detail the failed crimes of robbing a bank that they only got away with some cash, not a lot. I send it to Connor and look out the window, "I know we have a long road, but this will be tough…." I set my head against the window and slowly removed myself into a very distance memory.

A woman urges me to walk and yet she seems so happy. I see her smile, her features. They are so clear. How did the transfer- Wait… Numbers crunch in my head and add up. The after effect. The brain maintains years of memory, yet we can't recall it from long term. The mechanism brought this up. I can't believe how well I remember her image and voice. Changing topics, I move to see the memories lock up around something intense. Loud voices but no words make sense. The figures are blurred. Maybe in time I can open that too.

With a moment of loss, I snap out of it to see Kamski staring outside with a troubled look. I speak up slowly, "You okay? You don't seem happy…"

"I don't like letting you around the RK900 or letting you roam the streets. You report to CyberLife for a safe place to sleep by midnight. Deal? I can't, in good conscience, let you roam without worrying about your safety," He says giving me a worried look as I nod yes.

I smile to him, "I'll be safe. I'm not strong, but I'm still smart. I can think my way out of bad situations. I promise."

He shakes his head, offering the case again, "Take this and I'll let this plan keep going. I hope you don't have to use it, but I do feel better knowing you have protection."

I'm starting to get the picture. Before I can say anything, I put the case in my pocket of tools, so it looks normal. The limo stops at CyberLife and lets us out. I follow him out of the car and into the lobby. Shared voices of employees are both curious, cautious and worried as they see me. They know I'm a kid who was giving so much responsibility. I won't let these people get to me. Kamski leads on to the basement and there is an android standing there.

He had on a black suit without markings. His LED wasn't even in. His hair is black and spiked forward. He looks like a bodyguard and if I was observing correctly, he carries a gun too. His demeanor is serious, but I can tell he's holding back a considerable amount of emotion. He must be happy to leave here. Once the elevator doors open, I walk through first just as he moves forward to offer a hand professionally, "My name is Felix. Felix Trapper. It's nice to meet you, Melody- Ms. Sutcliffe."

"Melody is fine. I'm glad to meet you Felix," I shake his hand, "I'm hoping you're ready for a crazy adventure of tracking and finding leads to get PhaseShift. Think you're up for that?"

He just nods, nervously watching Mr. Kamski, "Yes I am… Mr. Kamski, its good to see you."

"You're being asked to help with something very delicate. She will send you code for a program to protect you from infection from PhaseShift's program. Take care of her, Felix. I'm trusting you," Kamski says and turns to me, "If you devise a more secure program, send it to me. I'll get it sent to the others."

I smile to Felix, "We're partners in this hunt, okay? And don't worry, I have some antics too."

He nods and looks warily between Kamski and I. I simply wave for him to follow, "We'll be back at the company by night fall."

"Midnight, Melody. Please remember that. Its my only caveat for letting you do this investigation," Kamski says, watching the elevator close. I just nod and sigh relief when the elevator begins rising.

I look to Felix, "You must have some antics if he's careful to watch you."

"Not really. I just know how important this mission is so I tend to focus sometimes and…" Felix stumbles at the end of a sentence.

"You revert to your programming. Tell me, you haven't seen Amanda have you?" I ask very cautiously.

He shakes his head no, "No. I know who she is, but have never seen her. Why?"

"No reason. If you see her, you tell me immediately. Got it? It's important. Now… It's noon and we have a friend of mine to meet in a cybercafé. I need to change first. You do too. This place isn't a place for suits or dress wear. It's a hackers meet up," I say thinking back to what I should be wearing. I know I have my old CodeBreaker sweatshirt with the name encrypted among countless datalines on it. It was tacky but it was my symbol. I also need to dye my… No. I need to change my hair. Easy. I just need to head upstairs to my office and change. I might have some old bulky sweatshirts that might fit him.

"Melody… Can I ask why you're giving me this chance? I just woke up and I don't understand entirely," Felix asks honestly.

I heave a heavy sigh and look at him, "Because, your important to the cause like all of the androids are. You deserve to be part of the future they've been given. Is that so wrong?"

He seems to dole this over while he thinks and shrugs, "I guess not. I hope I can live up the example you hold me-"

"Nope. None of that. I just want you to try to be you and help me out as you can. Don't try to think of this as a role to play, think of this as you discovering who you are," I look at him with a smile, "Markus was always trying to help androids realize they're free to be who they are. Now you get that chance too."

Felix nods again with a smile, "I'll try. But as for the clothes, is there anything I can borrow? I only have a suit."

"Maybe. I might have an old sweatshirt that could work. I think I still have money on my card. We could get you some jeans or something… Also, never address anything about me as an android. No one knows," I say, glad I've been blocking audio and fuzzing the image of the camera up immensely this whole time to speak freely.

Felix seems to think it over, "I understand. Mr. Kamski told me about your situation. I'll be careful. Is it okay if I link to you if its important information?"

I nod again, "Its perfectly fine. I'll be glad for it. If I miss something, its good to know. I'm just a good hacker and a brain for getting out of places. I'm not fast or strong like you. So I'll be relying on you for help, partner. Fair?"

He gives a sincere nod and looks up, "Fair. Then lets start the investigation. I'm ready to help find this PhaseShift. But… Do we kill them if we find them?"

Stopping, I finally hear the question I didn't wanna process. I never thought about what to do with them once I found them. I just sigh, "I… I can't say yet. If they cause more harm or chaos, we can bridge that gap when necessary. I can't decide just yet without more evidence to why this is going on."

He nods, possibly seeing my hesitation. I knew I was apprehensive on that but I truly can't get around this idea in my head. Is PhaseShift doing all this for a goal? If so, what is it? And why does it involve harming Mr. Kamski or myself? Something isn't panning out. Maybe my hacker contact will have an answer… But BinaryBunny is third on the worlds most wanted list of hackers. I wonder if they would be willing to help their rival and find the most powerful one… I don't know. Maybe… We'll see, I guess.

Later that Day, February 1st, 2039

I finally get Felix a black sweatshirt with some normal sneakers and myself my old sweatshirt. Too bad the end goal of all of this is to walk into a potentially dangerous bar of people that might hurt me. I did, afterall, just tell the police my identity. Who knows, maybe they don't know about it yet. I can at least hope for a better ending. The barista at Coffee Lab seems to glare at me, eventually sighing. The male offers me an empty cup and two masks with embroidered cracks and breaks on them in black with only eye holes. A backup in case. But the problem isn't the backup. The bartender's glare is the problem.

"So you finally got smart and got a bodyguard. Good. She'll meet you in the private room behind here. And Melody… She's championing them behind you. You've made an impact at CodeWeb during the movement. And turning yourself in to get the police heat onto PhaseShift is smart. She's impressed," he smiles to me, losing the glare.

I just laugh a bit, "I guess I still have friends huh? Thanks." I take both masks and walk behind the bar.

Felix follows me without question publicly. He does ask me personally in our link:

Why do they look up to you like this? A group of hackers wouldn't be united unless they had something to gain.

Responding to him, I get into the middle room and shut the door. Offering a mask, I have to think about this. Then I respond:

Because I asked them to unite to help me dilute channels to get the androids out of the city. They agreed. So we all united and they still support me. None of them know about recent developments of my new bodily condition, but they know about me turning myself in.

Felix puts the mask on. I follow suit and put mine on. With a sigh, I respond one last time:

Bunny and I have a history. Hopefully she only remembers the good history. I'll talk through this. Don't take offense if I say something that sounds hurtful. I have to make a point to her.

I walk in with my black sweatshirt with code scattered across it in blue aglow. There is a simple square table. Two plain white chairs on our side and one on the other. The single chair houses BinaryBunny. Her rainbow rabbit mask and simple white sweatshirt make me remember that she always wore her signature colors like that.

She waves for us to sit, to which we follow suit. I speak up before she can say much, "Bunny… I know what you've heard. I can explain it all."

"Oh, I do hope so, Breaker. I have video feed of you outing yourself to the cops. We helped you get them independence and to safety. That was fine. But what is going on that means unleashing your identity to those dogs," she says decisively but a bit angry.

Refraining from resorting to frustration, I take off the mask so she can see my face. The memory of Eva and Pyre still held onto me with a deep pang of regret and sadness. I need her to see that, "Please, Bunny. Someone is targeting the very people we helped save. I almost died because of it and Pyre almost died too. Eva was almost destroyed and now I have to have a bodyguard just to walk around. Phaseshift is dangerous and trying to attack CyberLife as well as the androids. I need you here. I need all of you."

Her hand shakes a moment, as if to signal her frustration or hesitation. She reaches up and takes her mask off. One large brown braid falls down her shoulder and pushes her hood off, "Mel… Phaseshift is a ghost that we never found. You tried and almost fell over from exhaustion last time. Don't do this again." She moves around the table to hug me, "That hacker is a ghost. They don't exist."

Getting out of the hug, I pull out my tablet and feed in the video from my secret lab where Pyre broke in and attacked. The words were on the screen, and I squeeze Bunny's hand to stay in the moment. My voice audibly shaking, I shiver, "She bit my arm and broke it… Things are fuzzy after that. But I know she hacked my systems. Then I was attacked in the hospital. Kamski's been attacked multiple times. I'm terrified, Erica. But I need you right now. I'm safe with him but I need leads. You're the best at getting into networks and dropping tracers."

Erica's eye glistens with one tear as she hugs me again, "Only for you, ya dummy. But be safe out there. I know you do location hacking and surveillance but that isn't safe if this stuff is going on." She turns her gaze to Felix, "You. Take your mask off."

Felix complies with a flat look to him.

"Take care of her. She's part of my family of hackers. I protect family. Don't let me down," she offers her hand to him.

Felix shakes it with a smile, "I won't. Melody is in safe hands."

Erica shakes her head but stands up with a huff. She goes to other side of the table and picks up a phone from under her chair, "Here. My private line only. Never lose this. Also, don't out any of us. I will thank you for number 2 though."

I reach out to take the phone with a small laugh, "Too bad. I'm still 2. You didn't win yet. But keep trying. I'll keep it ready…" Looking at an alert on my vision, I stutter out, "Felix, what time is it?"

"Almost 10 p.m. We should head back," he says trying to maintain my cover.

Erica sighs and looks to me with a small ounce of discontent. She shakes her head and taps me on the head, "Get rest and don't do anything reckless." She eyes Felix, "Keep her safe. I'm counting on you, Felix."

His nod is all she needs. I put my mask on as do the others. She lets us leave first. Moving into the middle area, I shut the door quickly. Letting out a sigh quietly, my voice stutters, "We need to go before he gets mad I'm late."

I take the mask off again and take Felix's mask. We leave, giving them to the bartender. He sticks close at the night life of Detroit isn't for the faint of heart.

His voice echoes in my head: I sent for a car to meet us along the way. We'll make it in time.

Yeah. I guess… I reply on the internal line and look out into the streets. People pass by, commenting about him being my boyfriend or something or other. I ignore them and keep walking with Felix. Taking this time, I speak aloud to him once the street empties, "Felix… Kamski said that I should worry about you. But I'm not worried. You're a good person. Not only that, you're suffering through my dark world of hackers and law breaking despite what you were told was right or wrong. I'm glad."

He seems to give this some thought and looks to me, "I am… intrigued to know about this world. It's not like anything I would know from Connor's side of the desk. Besides, it does make me… happy to know you have places to go should something happen."

Face palm is my only reaction, but I let it go quickly. I look to streets and think of something, "Hey is the car close? I have an idea I need a secure computer line for."

I see his question building underneath that dies off. He stops and looks around, "It says its here… I don't like this. We should head back to the bar. Something isn't right."

"Felix, what's wrong?" I try to say when he grabs my wrist and pulls me along back the way we came. He won't speak or acknowledge what I'm saying. What does he see that don't? I open my mind to the wireless car network to see that the signal is behind us in park that doesn't exist. Speaking quieter now, I look around, "Felix, there isn't anyone around. Why are you ignoring me?"

He stops me from speaking with a 'Shh' that keeps me from talking further. Pulling me in front of him, he spins on his heels with a gun in his other hand aiming at a figure cloaked in the night just beyond the previous streetlight.

Hiding behind him, I feel fear building up along with that memory. I shake away that memory and keep an eye on the figure.

"Who are you? Why are you following us?" Felix calls out with one hand holding mine and the other with his gun focus on the stranger.

A crackling voice, female possibly. No male maybe, "I came to welcome you home to Detroit, Me-Me-Melo-d-d-d-d-dy."

Fear is the wrong word. Whoever this isn't a good person. Speaking up, I ask honestly, "Are you PhaseShift?"

"In a way," it interrupts Felix before he can speak. It continues, "I am a fragment of them. I will turn this society to its knees if it means I can make you understand. You will understand… But first, the new bodyguard has to go."

Felix stands solid in front of me, "Not going anywhere. I won't let you take her."

The figure steps out of the night to reveal an android girl in scrappy clothes with exposed plastic in some places, "Th-The-Then I will move you myself."

Felix pushes me back simultaneous with a bullet nicking his right leg just barely, digging into the pavement. He aims at the android child and fires. With a split second to react, he fires towards the distant business complex. For those two seconds, he seems like a different person to me. It's like I'm seeing someone else instead of just someone to help. He put himself on the line for me. I won't let this slip from my memory.

Taking his hand, I pull him along, "We have to go. The cops will be here soon. No one can know we were here." When he seems to resist, I tug harder, "Felix, please! I need to get out of here before…" I'm scared. I know I want to cry seeing that girl, imagining my body there instead. Things start to flood in.

Thankfully, Felix brings me back by taking my hand, "Come on. I'm with you. Where can we go?"

Looking aside, I think to the house I know of nearby. Taking him with me, I just send a message to Connor: Are you at Hank's house? I need a place to lay low. Something happened.

Shortly after, his voice cracks to life into our channel: Melody, what happened? Why are you laying low?

I don't have time to explain. I need to fix Felix and find a safe place. Connor, I don't have time. My voice is harsh but necessary.

His voice comes to life again: Head over. We're here. We'll talk here.

I turn down the empty street with small run-down homes. Quickly to the front door, I knock with Felix now limping slightly behind me. The rain begins to fall, thankfully washing away the blue blood he probably dropped before this.

Hank opens the door in a panic, "Kid, what's going on? Whose this asshole?"

"RK900… So this is Felix. Kamski says he's okay. Let 'em in," Connor speaks up from the window watching the street. He doesn't sound pleased.

Helping Felix in, I let him sit on the chair. I get my tools to patch the plastic and circuits with a small welder and patch kit. It seems relatively small. Should be okay. I sit back with a sigh of relief, "Why is Detroit always violent?"

Hank eyes me with a glare while Connor watches the street with a side glare at me. Unable to escape the interrogation, I give in. The tone is level but still shaky, "I got a friend inside the network to let out some tendrils. He said he called the car, but its GPS lied. It wasn't there…"

Felix jumps in to catch my shortcoming on the following details, "I'll explain but can she leave the room? It's not good for her to re-live this part. She's barely holding together now."

Hank nods and shows me to the back door to the small yard. This large St. Bernard follows. Hank lets the St. Bernard out with a slight shut of the door, "Wanna talk about it, kid? I know you aren't… feeling okay."

"Kamski said that I might see flashes. He never mentioned this. The android on the ground, I saw myself in her body and then…." I sit on the stoop with my knees to my chest, arms wrapping around them.

Hank looks at the dog with a small smile, "Ya know as a cop my first self defense kill haunted me. It took me some time, but I figured it out. Never regret the loss. Learn from it and make their loss mean something. That android belonged somewhere, that's true. But you have to make this hacker pay for that. For as much as Connor hates that guy, he did protect you."

"Felix brought me back from my memories. Kept me from glitching out. In a way, I'm glad I'm not alone. That being said, I'm scared. He got hurt protecting me. Sure that's what Kamski asked him to do, but I don't want to see him hurt. He's my friend. I can't just-" I say until Hank cuts me off.

He just laughs and pats my shoulder, "Kid, that's how I felt when Connor told me he was going to step down from the plan all because I was in the line of fire. Despite that, he managed to get the job done for the most part and we're all here. Friends don't do what we want. But seeing as he only had a cut, I think he knows that more than you give him credit for."

I'm about to look up to him, but the dog licks my face out of nowhere. I just laugh abit as it tries to lick my cheek again.

"Sumo, leave the kid be," he chuckles.

I pet the dog with a smile, "Sumo, huh? I like it. You're so fluffy." I hug Sumo smiling, "I miss dogs."

"Missing Pyre?" Hank asks, but I feel he already knows my answer.

Releasing Sumo, it lays on the stoop behind me with his head on my lap. Petting his head, I nod yes, "Yeah… I worry about her all the time. I've never been gone longer than a few hours…. That and she's probably fought with Frost by now. Those two love to play in the tall grass."

Hank nods, "Yeah they did. Always ended up tripping over one or the other. Or both. But you'd always be smiling and cheering them on. See, you knew back then when to relax. For a good reason, though you'll find that trigger to keep you relaxed like before."

Laughing a bit to myself, I rest my hand on Sumo's head, "Yeah. You're right. I'll figure it out…" I can feel myself drifting. This feels like sleep, but I shouldn't be tired. My voice becomes softer, more wispy, "Hank… I need… Kamski…" My vision darkens and displays darken. My mind has literally fallen asleep, if that is what this is. Why am I so tired all the sudden? And why can I feel exhaustion? What's wrong with me?