As they approached the older house there was a sinking feeling in the pit of everyone's stomachs. This place was too creepy, too unwelcoming to be a place where they could get help. The jagged iron gates were twisted and rusted. "This is the place." Kara spoke solemnly.

"Are you sure? Ralph doesn't like the look of this place." He held his arms close to his body, his eyes darting all around. He felt no calm, there was nothing but danger. Humans were nothing but danger and he despised them. They only cause hurt, and he was sure this one could be no different.

"Me neither Kara! Do we really have to go?" Alice pulled on Kara's hand hard, making a sour face. She smiled reassuringly to her, placing her hand gently on top of her head.

"What other choice do we have? This may be our only shot at safety. Everything will be fine, just stay by me." She squeezed Alice's hand and they opened the gate, hurrying up the stairs to the front doors. Kara rung the bell and they waited breathlessly for an answer. After another ring or so the door jerked opened slightly. A man stuck his face into the crack to look at them. "Are you Zlatko?" He furrowed his brows, propping open the door more.

"Who's asking?" The man asked defensively. He obviously had something to hide. Ralph didn't like the way he looked, just one glance was enough to tell him he was trouble.

"I was told that you could help us."

"I'm not sure who said that, but you've come to the wrong place. Sorry Lady."

"Well, Kara, looks like we found the wrong place. Let's not bother the man anymore tonight." Ralph turned away and tried to take down the stairs but she caught his arm before slamming into the closing door.

"Wait! We REALLY need your help, please." For the first time Zlatko caught a glance at Alice and finally gave in, opening the door completely and gesturing them inside.

"Come on in." The group entered hesitantly into the house, following Zlatko into the next room over. "Luther, would you be so kind as to take their coats?" Luther obediently started towards them. Alice ran behind Kara and Ralph jumped in front to shield her. Zlatko simply waved his arms. "Why, don't be afraid of our friend Luther here. He's another android that I helped, keeps me company here in this big, empty house." That seemed like a well enough explaination for Kara as she began to slip of her jacket. The others followed suit, handing their jackets to Luther hesitantly. "Please, make yourselves at home here." He gestured the lot of them to sit on his sofa, which they did while he crossed the room to get a drink. Ralph sat on the other side of Alice, who scooted as close to Kara as she could. Luther re-entered the room, looming over Kara. Ralph decided he'd keep an eye out for him. He didn't like Kara was so close to him. Ralph wanted to protect her, protect Alice. He felt like if he was a little extra vigilant, they'd all be safer. "So, how'd you come across me?"

"An android out on the street, he said you could help us." He swallowed the entire glass in one go.

"Ah, I see." He took a seat across from them, empty glass still in hand. "You're both deviants, huh? What about her?" He gestured to Alice with a quick nod of his head.

"She's human." Zlatko leaned back, resting his arms over the back of the sofa.

"And you wanna find a place that's safe for the three of you. Somewhere to start a new life. Y'know, I hear Canada is quite lovely around this time of year. It's beautiful, clean, open and there are no android laws. Great place to start over." Kara's eyes lit up with a newfound excitement, with life. She smiled wide. Even Ralph found himself getting lost in the prospect. It sounded incredible, a dream come true. A fresh start with his family.

"Yes that's ... exactly what we were hoping for, right?" She looked to Ralph expectantly, and he smiled gently back.

"Of course. Ralph think's that sounds lovely." Zlatko leaned forward, finally putting down his glass.

"What's the deal with you?" Ralph furrowed his brows tightly and cocked his head to the side.

"What?"

"Why are you all bandaged up like that?" His expression softened as he looked to the floor.

"Humans. Humans did this to Ralph. Ralph did nothing wrong, no, nothing, but they still attacked him! He escaped though! Yes, Ralph escaped. He escaped to his old house where he met Kara and now, now Ralph is here with Kara and Alice." Zlatko stood up and made his way around the coffee table.

"Can I take a look? I might just be able to fix it." His eye widened. He'd never considered the possibility that the damage done to him could ever be healed.

"Fix ... Ralph?"

"Yes. It'll make it easier for you to sneak through undetected, it'll be harder to catch you if you're not covered in bandages. May I?" Ralph looked to Kara. She reached over Alice's lap and took his hand before giving him a curt nod.

"Yes." Zlatko unwound the gauze from all around his face and examined the damage.

"Hmmm. It's not anything I can't fix, I'm sure I can have you looking new in no time. I can help you, but first we need to get rid of your trackers."

"Trackers?"

"Yeah, all androids are fitted with a tracking device to help locate them at all times. I'll remove both of yours and quickly repair the damage to his face. Then you'll all be safe. Luther, why don't you take our friend Ralph here to our repair room and I'll take Kara here to remove her tracker." Luther nodded and gestured for Ralph to follow him.

"Are you sure, Kara?" She took his hands and held them in hers.

"Of course Ralph. You'll look good as new in no time and we'll be ready to go start our new life." He leaned into her and pressed his forehead against hers.

"If Kara is sure, then Ralph will do it." His touch lingered as he was ushered off to the repair room one way.

"If you would, follow me." Kara took Alice's hand. "Ah, she can wait for us in the living room." She shot him a defiant glance.

"No. She's always with me."

"Of course. Right this way. Everything we need is right down here in the basement." They followed him towards the basement. Alice looked up to Kara. "I don't like this place or him. Can we just get Ralph and go?"

"I don't trust this place either, but he's our only help. It'll be alright." She led Alice forward and deeper into the basement, past the cages.

"Please excuse the mess. I needed a place that was discreet for my machines as removing trackers is illegal. I hope the little one isn't too afraid."

"She'll be alright." Kara stopped. Alice had let go of her hand. She was standing before one of the cages. She went back and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Come on Alice." Alice took her hand cautiously and they once again followed him. Luther came up behind them in the tunnel. Kara looked to him questioningly. "Where's Ralph?"

"He's been prepared to be worked on. He's safe." Kara nodded slowly and hurried ahead with Alice in tow. They entered into a room with a large machine.

"If you would please step inside." She reluctantly let go of Alice's hand and stepped up onto the platform. "I should warn you, this can be pretty unpleasant." A wire jammed into the base of her neck as the robotic arms surrounded her, restraining her. "Y'know what's weird? For some strange reason, the trackers don't work in deviants. That's why they're so hard to find. So, really, there's no real reason to remove your tracker at all."

"What?! But you said that-"

"Yeah, people believe what they want to believe. You deviants are so very naive. They all come flocking to me expecting help, and I just reset them and sell them off. Or I keep them for my little experiments."

"NO! NO I DON'T WANNA BE RESET! LET ME GO, PLEASE!"

"KARA!" As Alice tried to run to her aid she was held back by Luther.

"Oh, I forgot the child was here. Go ahead and lock it up, I'll deal with it after I'm done with the other."

"ALICE! NO! ALICE!"

"Wow, a deviant mother. That's so sweet and so deluded, let's put you out of your misery." Her vision faded in and out as the factory reset warning flashed in her field of view. "That's what you get, for having a dream. It always ends up the same way. Tears. You're better off to have your memories erased and to feel nothing. No more pain, no more hopes. I almost envy you, almost." Alice broke free and ran to her mother, hugging her tight around the waist.

"KARA!"

"Oh, poor little Alice. Looks like your mommy forgot you, huh? Alright, that's enough." He grabbed her and struggled before throwing her to the floor. "Ugh, she bit me. I'll teach you some manners." He grasped her tight around the arm as he dragged her off, Alice calling for Kara the whole way. Luther stepped up before her, and looked down to her.

"Meet me in the living room." He left as she struggled, thrashing about. She tried to escape, she did. All she could think about was her precious Alice, and Ralph too. Luther prepped him, he was going to be experimented on no doubt! She had to find them! She needed to find Ralph and her daughter and

...

...

Re-initialization Completed

Memory Deleted

...

Meet Luther In The Living Room