A Nindroid's Tears: Forgotten 2

by A. L. Huang

Zane is in an accident and goes into a coma. His family turns him off for a year, not realizing their Nindroid can perceive everything, even after dead. Can a touch after that long, from a loved one, bring him back? If he does return, will people accept him? What has changed in a year? He was intending to tell Pixal about his memories. Rated T for my usual violence stories.

11. Chapter 11: Is That Me?

Chapter 11

Is That Me?

Zane gazes breathlessly at the door, his tired mind now racing for options. This could just be that the falcon returned because he misses my father as well, yet he would not leave the door ajar, would he? Perhaps I ought to return to the others for aid. No, they will try to stop me and will bring me back at all costs. Zane softly takes hold of the side of the birch door, cracking it open a bit more, causing a slight creak to ring throughout the silent forest. The weather for some reason is snowy near here, yet not chilly enough for ice formation back at the hospital. This place is isolated like an island surrounded by water, including the inhabitants of the lonely area. The treehorns-are here. He whirls round to see a "tree trunk" lift out of the snow and come crashing close to the house. Zane abandons every thought of stealth and races inside the birch house, hastily shutting the door with a snap as the animal passes the small abode. The ice ninja leans against the closed entrance, waiting breathlessly, and hears a scuffle and a following flap behind him. He turns as his falcon alights on his arm softly, delighted to see him. He flinches as the adrenaline wears off and he can feel the distinct, sharp, ripping pain in his limbs.

"So, you have finally returned, Julien. How come this place looks like it's been abandoned for years?" a voice asks somewhere in the room. Zane glances from left to right. In front of him a shadow comes out of the back of the room, showing an old woman, dressed in a white lab coat. "Who are you?" she says to the confused ninja.

"I am Zane Julien, Dr. Julien's son. And you are?" Zane responds.

"I am Dr. Marcy, previous assistant of your father. I'm sorry to ask you, but did Julien create you as a robotic son?" she questions.

"Yes," Zane answers. He thinks how did she know? "Then pardon me for asking," Zane says, "How could you tell I am a robot if he designed to look human?"

Marcy's wrinkles form into a look of concern as well as confusion. "You look only partially human to me. Perhaps I need to clean my glasses because my eyesight is poor. She removes her spectacles and wipes them with her coat; then puts them back on. She squints her eyes as she stares at Zane and inquires, "Do you have a mirror?"

Zane finds that an odd question, but he points over to a faded white cloth on top of a tall, rectangular shape. Marcy pulls the cloth off, wrinkling her nose as dust flies everywhere. The falcon flaps his wings and lands on top of the mirror as the woman beckons Zane over with her hand. Zane walks over to her and stares at Marcy, confused. "Look in the mirror and you will know what I mean," she tells him.

The ice ninja shoots a double take when he sees himself. What-what happened to me?