CHAPTER 5: The Maw of Dependency
Where is he? He promised!
Eve searched desperately within the confines of the copied city that his twin loved so much.
The copied human city.
He's with that android, again! He forgot about me! He promised!
Eve's emotional state screeched across the network, shouting and demanding his brother return at once. The connected machines reacted by going haywire and berserk.
In his rage, Eve connected to the carbon and silicon blocks and demolished the architecture, sending the blocks flying in haphazard directions. The carcasses of dead androids crunched beneath the weight. All Eve could see was that android's face on them.
Cursing the android that was taking his brother from him; Eve was so engrossed in his madness he did not realize Adam had returned.
"Are you done?"
The question was adequate enough for Eve to interrupt his demolition, but not diminish his anger.
"You!" Eve snarled, throwing the carbon blocks linked to his arms in the opposite direction. "You promised!"
A millisecond ticked as Eve flashed toward his brother and shoved him. The contact created a deep thud in the dismantled space. Eve's violent movement, practically lifted Adam as the soles of his shoes skidded across the carbon floor. Adam's internal mechanism adjusted halting the momentum.
This wasn't the first time Eve had a tantrum, but it was the first time he had actively destroyed something Adam built and loved working on.
Adam's calm almost snapped.
Seeing the little refuge he's built reduced to bare blocks and observing the state of the deactivated androids, distorted and pulled his programs angered him. He didn't fail to notice that the female androids suffered the most destruction; their faces and torsos smashed in. Adam realized that his failure to keep his commitment was only part of the reason his brother's rage had discharged.
He needed to mitigate his emotional twin.
Grating his teeth before asking again, "Are you done brother?"
Eve riled up at that, "Done?! No, I'm not done. You made a promise to me Adam! And you left me for that android."
"I'm sorry Eve, I had forgotten about meeting Lilia—"
"Don't say that android's name!" He shouted, the yell echoing in the space. The tattoo that wove around his arm traveled to half his body and his eyes glowed dangerously bright. "You will not see that android anymore! You haven't been yourself since you have!"
Adam pursed his lips, "I'm sorry Eve. It was my mistake. I'll stay the rest of today and tomorrow. After that—"
"You're not leaving again!" Eve shoved him anew.
Adam snapped.As swift as Eve was to assault him, Adam was quicker. Grabbing Eve by the throat and pinning him on the floor caused the carbon blocks around him to crumble. The reaction caught Eve by surprise.
Adam had never put his hands on him. No matter how fitful. His eyes flared and the indignation and frustration exhibited in his usual stoic face was not expected.
"Eve! Today and tomorrow. That's all you get! And you will help me fix this place." He hissed through pursed lips in a heavy frown.
Eve's face upturned in disgust. "You fix it." Eve said, teleporting out of his clutching hand and away from the area.
Adam shouted and punched the section where his obstinate brother's head had rested, cracking and fracturing the floor. "Dammit, Eve!"
—xxx—
That night Lilia lay awake in her room, she heard the machines walk about outside along with the buzzing insects and nocturnal animals calling. The only light came from the dim lanterns that peeked through the cracks of the timber planks and the space between the closed shutters of a single window and door.
Shifting on the bench that served as a makeshift bed, Lilia used a bundled polyester blanket as a pillow, along with scrap cloth coverings as a sheet that separated her body from the wood. She laid in nothing but her underwear, the balmy nights too much for much else. The blanket that would have shrouded her body was bunched at her feet.
She missed the bed she had at the Resistance camp. It was a five-star hotel mattress compared to this. Or, rather the lack of a mattress. The lingering wakefulness caused her mind to wander.
Adam stirred within her thoughts.
Why had he left? Was something wrong with his brother? For Adam's sake, I hope he's OK too.
Tossing and turning a few times, Lilia grew more frustrated as the night ticked on; sleep eluding her. She knew of something that would assist her quest for some rest.
Her need for sleep overruled her better sense. She needed to keep quiet and not indulging in a long while would help.
Her body tensed and tingled in anticipation.
As hazel-green eyes closed, she migrated her hands to cup and massaged full breasts. Feeling the weight, she tweaked the nipple to hardness. A gasp slipped through her lips as the sensations waltzed up her spine and pretended it was someone else's hands other than her own.
But they were too familiar; she allowed her mind wander in the fantasy. She still missed him.
Firm lips would suck a nipple into their mouth. Lips sealed tightly around the hardened bud before it popped from their mouth. Lilia gasped from the sensation to her womanly flesh. His tongue lapped around the pebbly areola. Lilia's clitoris throbbed between her folds as he took the other nipple and gave it the same tender treatment.
Her hands wondered down her stomach, the touch tickled the nerves. The right hand moved under her panties, past the nestle of pubic hair toward their destination. Lilia rubbed deft circles around the hardened bud; a strangled moan escaped from her throat as the pleasured knot within her tightened.
"Here," he said hoarsely into her ear which made her gasp, "let me do that for you." His voice was smooth and stoic that exuded calm patience. The tickle of long hair fanned around her head.
That isn't Bradly's voice… and he never had long hair.
Her heart hammered as his hand met hers under her panties. She moved her palm away and allowed his large hand envelope her folds. He explored her mound, slick lips and soft flesh enclosed that became slicker by the second. Her hips rocked from stimulation.
"Hum," he purred in contentment, "you're wet already."
I... I don't know…
The man kept up the loving tease of her folds. Finger tips rubbed her aching clitoris and circled around her entrance, and smeared the fluid. The musk that filled the air overpowered the room. Lungs contracted in a hitch and gasp, she moaned at the curious exploration his hands sought.
I have to let you go…
His thumb and finger spread her nether lips, which exposed the naked bud from the hood, she nearly cried out when his tongue lapped at the tender flesh.
When had she lost her panties?
"Shh, we don't want to disturb our friends," he said, his breathing ragged on her throbbing clit.
No, she didn't want them to interfere. She found a scrap of cloth and put it into her mouth.
The mystery man continued his ministrations as he licked and rubbed the hard nub into his mouth. Lilia moaned jaggedly through the cloth as the tension in her spine tightened. Their hands intertwined, she needed something to hold as she felt her impending orgasm.
His licks and sucks synchronized with her moans. Perspiration sparkled her forehead. Her throat contracted with her lungs for oxygen. Hips rolled as she begged and pleaded for more.
Please let me cum.
He sealed his mouth around her, he sucked and lapped hard.
The light behind her eyes splintered free as her back arched and she let out a muffled cry.
—xxx—
Lilia returned to the stream that morning, hoping that Adam would return even though they hadn't agreed to do so.
When it was clear he wasn't, she searched through her purse and nibbled on a few pecans; crushing the shells on the stone bank. She sighed and decided not to let her trip here be a waste; she secured the hook to her pole and fished. Almost giving up as time passed until she finally had a bite. On inspection, it was a baby catfish about seven inches long; she was disappointed at the puny size, but it was better than nothing. Lilia gutted and cleaned the fish before making a fire, watching the smooth skin and the meat turn opaque and crispy in silence.
Might as well refill my canteens too. Topping them off couldn't hurt.
She fetched her mini-pot and filled it with the stream water before placing it over the low fire, watching it boil as she devoured the flaky catfish meat and spat out the ribs, crunching on the crispy fins and tail, and throwing the delicate spine into the stream.
Dissatisfied over her diminutive catch, she cast her fishing hook back into the water to try for another fish.
At the farthest recesses of her hearing, she heard panting grunts behind her; she turned to the noise.
Her blood ran cold, and she froze. Her heart immediately sped, thumping in her ears.
It was a fucking bear.
The bear walked between the trunks of the trees, its broad head downward, sniffing the ground. Its brown, oily, furred body thunked, breaking twigs and claws clanking on the rock. The beast was grunting as it was searching for food. It was nearly the height of one playhouse at the village.
She needed to move, but her muscles didn't respond.
The bear detected her. Lifting its massive head the creature let out a deafening howl, showing its sharp, yellowing teeth, its dark mouth and pink tongue.
Ribs hitched and contracted, Lilia clutched her staff like a lifeline.
There was no one for a mile or more. No one to help her. She couldn't move.
The bear howled again and reared itself on its back legs.
PLAY DEAD! her brain screamed through her terror.
Her body collapsed and balled up, her arms wrapping around her head and she tucked her legs to her chest lying on her side.
Go away…go away…go away…go away…
Thump, thump, thump. The death toll of its feet.
Its grunts grew louder.
She didn't want to see, squeezing her eyes shut. Feeling tears run down her cheek Lilia heard the whimper at the back of her throat. Her body convulsed in fear.
Its dominating presence made itself known. There were no birds in the trees, no fish in the water, and the gentle stream went mute. The beast's shadow enveloped her body, blocking the sun. Its grunts and hot breath seeped into her soul. The stench of decaying flesh and musk pierced her sinuses.
A giant paw—twice the size of her head—scraped along her legs and stomach, effortlessly rolling her over. She emitted a desperate whimper as she turned herself back. The puncture stung when its claws tore through her pant leg; the wounds tearing and staining red. Its icy, wet nose sniffed her, draining her life with each suction of air.
Then it opened its giant maw. Her whole head and enclosed arms were pulled into its mouth. Lilia's hyper awareness registered teeth contacting her delicate skin and the long, pink tongue lapped at her arm and scalp. Thick, viscous saliva dripping on her tender flesh.
SHIIIING!
Kurk!
The world froze and something warm dripped onto her arms and head.
She barely registered a female grunt before the mass of the bear thudded on the ground; its immense head landing on her body.
She could hear her name being called and the weight of the bear's head being discharged.
"Lilia! Lilia look at me!" Cool hands wrapped around her enclosed arms. "Lilia it's me, 9S!"
He turned her over, she wailed and twisted back. Her brain still stuck within that moment of the bear's mouth enclosed on her head. She had died and was seeing the face of her friends one last time.
Another pair of hands met 9S's. "Lilia, you're safe! The bear is dead."
Her body shook as she sobbed. Her terrified mind replayed the last few moments that could have ended her life. 2B and 9S gave as much comfort and assurances as they could until she calmed; slowly working herself down from her horror-fit of being within that bear's mouth. She could still feel its hot, putrid breath on her skin and penetrating into her sinuses—into her soul. Lilia forced her rebellious muscles to move onto her back and ordered her eyes open.
The blindfolded faces of her android friends greeted her. They helped pull her up and transported her to the tree for support, sitting next to it. The movement caused her to cry in pain from her left thigh as it continued to bleed little rivers of blood.
Her two rescuers fretted about her current condition. Lilia focused on breathing trying to calm herself while still feeling the warm blood seep from the wound.
"The… the blanket…" she pointed toward it. 9S being closer, snatched it. "Tear it into… strips. Need to… stop the bleedin'…"
They both did as she requested, the blanket torn was loud with a distinctive rip. 2B took a strip to wrap around her thigh, repeating the motion with other strips until it covered her wounds. Lilia felt the pulse of the veins underneath her skin; the blood soaking the cloth.
Once more she drew a deep breath to relax herself.
The first concern was to get first aid, and the only first aid she remembered was the kit the twins used on her from her previous injuries. One android would have to fetch it. Lilia's legs were jelly from the adrenaline and the wound on her thigh too terrible at the moment to let her stand. Not only that, she had no idea how deep the bear's claws had sunk into her.
"I need… first aid…" She breathed out. "The twins, ask them for that kit they healed me with." Gradually her voice returning to her.
The two androids looked at each other through their blindfolds, 2B nodding and sprinting into the woodlands, while 9S stayed by her side.
The minutes passed in silence from the two beings. Strangely enough, her senses seemed heightened. She keenly knew of the noises and sounds of the woods, whether it'd be the birds chirping, insects buzzing to the lazy flow of the stream. However, over time she had become accustomed to it and didn't give it much thought. Now it sounded as though she had Superman's hearing with every insect buzz and flap of a bird's wings that resonated in her ears. Hyper-aware of the life the woodlands emitted around her. The noises were sharper than the first time she arrived at the stream's bank. Not only the sounds, but seeing the different shades of green of the foliage and speckles within the boulders that dotted the bank.
Lilia faintly chuckled at the acute sensitivity of her senses. Whether it was from the fact she was alive or blood loss, she couldn't tell.
"Why are you laughing?" 9S asked. Most likely he wore a bewildered expression beneath his blindfold.
"Dunno… I guess I'm just happy to be alive." She shrugged her shoulders in dismissal while smiling.
"You humans are strange creatures."
She laughed again, patting him on the shoulder. "Can't complain though." She hissed as her wounds stung, holding the inflicted area with a clenched hand.
"Are you all right?!"
Lilia hissed again as she breathed "Yeah, just stings like hell." When the sensation died down she inquired, "9S, why were guys out here?"
His twitch didn't go unnoticed. "We were… on a mission. We didn't know who it was we were rescuing until we saw your purse."
Her head swayed to suspend her lingering questions. "Guess it doesn't matter. I'm just glad you guys were here. I would have been a goner for sure. I never heard of a bear bein' that huge before."
"Yeah, since the humans have gone to the moon a lot of the animals have grown massive. With the coast south of us, it doesn't surprise me to see one of this size."
Brows upturned as she chuckled disparagingly, "Just my luck right? I didn't even think about bears."
"We didn't either." 9S bowed his head in shame. "I'm glad we came this way. By the way, um, why were you here anyway?"
Disappointment on her face as she answered, "I wanted to see if Adam would come today. This is our usual spot to meet. And where I fish and bathe. Remember what the twins said when I left the Resistance camp?"
"Oh, right." He gave a nod in remembrance.
"I hope his brother is OK." The whisper held deep trepidation.
"What do you mean?"
"He had to leave suddenly yesterday. Somethin' about his brother. We didn't agree to meet today, but I wanted to see if he would be here. When he didn't, I decided to fish and refill my canteens, so it wouldn't be a wasted trip. And well…" Her voice trailing off, the next set of events didn't need to be explained.
"Right."
"Yeah."
They both glanced at the gargantuan mass of the dead bear. The blood from the pierced skull seeped into the ground, its jaws wide and tongue hanging out.
A deep frown settled on Lilia's lips as bitterness swayed her tongue. "I'm gonna have to find another spot. The carcass is gonna stink and attract every predator and scavenger for miles. I'll be even further from the village if I do. Damn." The prospect made her curse at the added burden of her trying to survive.
A notion crossed her mind, and she snickered.
"You're laughing again?"
Still smiling as she scratched the back of her head as she tried to explain her reasoning to the perplexed teen android. "It's just… bringing up the predator and scavenger part made me think of somethin'. And I'm laughin' at where my mind went."
"What was it?" His curiosity was piqued.
A grin plastered on her face as she replied, "Ya know, if I knew how to dry meat, I could butcher the bear and dry it to turn it into jerky. That whole bear would last me months prolly." She extended and waved her left hand in the visual area of the bear carcass.
"And that's funny, why?"
He doesn't understand. She realized disparagingly.
"It's just…" Dark brows furrowed in the best way to describe it to him. "I was about to be prey, and here I am thinking the best way to cut up the animal that almost killed me and turning it into food. The cycle of life."
"Oh. We didn't think of it. The dire-bears have bothered no other units."
She laughed again, "Why would they hunt you? Not when I have this attached to me," holding his hand and pressing it against her uninjured leg. Letting him feel the meat and fat on her thigh. She could see him tense up. "What good are you, a bucket of wires and bolts, to something that eats other animals?"
9S yanked his hand away, "I didn't—"
Lilia waved her hand in front of him to rebuke his impending apology. "It's OK… I should have thought of it." Then, bowing her head in self-depreciation. "I lived in a time where I didn't have to think about bein' on the dinner table. It was… my mistake. I'm just glad you two were here. If not, the only thing left would be my mangled corpse and remains in a shit pile somewhere."
He lowered his head and clenched his hands into fists. "I'm sorry…"
Lilia looked at him queerly. "Don't be."
At that moment, 2B arrived with the medical kit, kneeling at her other side and opening it. With their help, they pulled her pants and boots off and unwrapped the torn blanket from her thigh. The site of the lesion was red with dry blood and stung like bee stings once exposed to the open air. Lilia turned to her side so 2B can have a better look at the gnarly injury and apply the ointment. That magical, blessed, future ointment, but first, she used antiseptic to clean the wounded thigh. Lilia tensed and gritted her teeth from the terrible sting.
"Are you—!"
"I'm fine!" She exclaimed through the pain. "It's supposed to do that. Lets you know it's workin'. Keep goin'," she encouraged to her part-time nurse, "don't miss a spot. I don't want an infection."
Ever so stoic 2B, continued applying the antiseptic until the laceration was cleaned. Then, taking out the jar of the ointment, the android applied the opaque pink glob to some swabs, and ran it along the gashes. It didn't hurt like the antiseptic, but it stung in areas where the bear claws went deep. Last, she put on a cotton cloth before wrapping it in linen, keeping anything nasty from getting inside.
"You'd make a pretty good nurse 2B," Lilia said jokingly at her handiwork.
"The twins told me the procedure for your injury. I was following their instructions," she explained blandly. "But, thank you."
Lilia grinned at the androids attempt at gratitude. "Now, help me up so I can put my pants and boots back on."
She held on to 9S while 2B helped her into her pants. Her injured thigh being weakened couldn't support her appropriately, the same for her boots. She'd need a new pair of pants, blood caked the injury site and smelled.
"How am I supposed to explain this injury to the villagers?" She asked concerned.
"When we are injured a similar color oil comes out, we'll just tell them that. And we have put a… gel to the injury that will fix you," 2B suggested.
"If you say so 2B." It was close enough to the truth revealing nothing major.
Lilia took a cautious step to gather her things, the leg cramped from her weight. 9S held her for support once it was clear of her impaired state. "You can't walk. Here, climb on my back. We'll take you to the village." He suggested, before kneeling low enough for her.
She looked at the smaller size of the android and was doubtful.
"C'mon, you're not gonna slow me down." He encouraged the skeptical human. "And 2B is better equipped for fighting than me."
Lilia sighed nervously. "Well… if you say so."
2B helped her around toward the teens back before lowering herself and folding her arms around his neck. He locked his arms on both sides to support her legs before he raised himself without effort and walking to her items leisurely. 2B handed over her purse and pole to her. Lilia strapped the purse over her shoulder and holding the pole in her hand before re-wrapping her arms around 9S's neck, the pole hung diagonally across his torso.
"Ready?"
She nodded. "Yeah."
It was at that point she never doubted the speed of an android again.
The village was buzzing when news spread of Lilia's injuries. The little child-bots being the most upset, surrounding her and 9S, touching and comforting repeating their concerns. "You all right?" and "It doesn't hurt?" They took the longest to appease of the machines. She explained she was not too injured. 2B made the excuse, and explained they had put on an android gel which will heal her within a day. 9S, had not let Lilia go, and took her up to her room. He climbed up the ladder to it with no impairment. Lilia was hit with a little wound to her pride but kept the mental bruising to herself.
She understood it would have been too difficult for her to climb up by her lonesome. The gaggle of child-bots followed behind them as the trio made their way to her room, still worried that their favorite storyteller was injured. After 9S set her down on her makeshift bed, she regarded the mob of children.
"I'll prove to you guys I'm all right, I'll tell you a story. It's called Pinocchio."