"I'll send you the address. Come alone; and ditch the phone. I'll know if you break the rules…and so will she." Moments later, there was another shriek of agony. He had no idea what that sick fuck was doing to her, but whatever it was, it needed to stop. Gavin raised his voice, unsure how the Hickory Killer could hear him if this was Chloe's private line. Did he hack Chloe? It was the only thing he could think of. Chloe was one of the most advanced androids in existence! Elijah had safeguarded her software with the latest defences! Who the fuck was this guy if he could get around that?

"Alright-alright! Just phcking stop! I'll come, so stop! Stop hurting her!" Gavin yelled as he stepped into the parking garage. It was probably a good thing he wasn't wearing his watch right now. Nines would go crazy if he could feel the way his heart was pounding. If he was watching the house when I left, he's probably going crazy anyway…He felt guilty, but there wasn't much he could do with Chloe's life on the line. I should have phcking called her! I should have called as soon as I felt that…phck! The garage was empty. Of course it was. Nines had taken the car that morning.

"Remember, Gavin. Come alone, and none of your little tricks." The line went dead. He didn't even think as he raised the garage door enough to slip out. It may have been quicker to go back up to the lobby, but this way was more private. The last thing he needed was for his face to give something away to Roland or Joanna. He headed up the cement stairwell and out into the street through a small side entrance and looked down at the address, glancing at the small icon for the android app as he closed the message. It would be so easy to message Nines and let him know. Nines would be able to come up with a plan. Nines would know what to do. He sighed as he let the screen black out. He couldn't afford to break the rules. Not with Chloe's life on the line. Phck! I'm really sorry about this, Nines…

He held an arm out, and a taxi rolled its way over. As the taxi zoomed down the street, he rolled down the window and took one last lingering look at his phone before he tossed it. Technically, he'd done as instructed. He'd tossed the phone, and he wasn't wearing his tracker. The Hickory Killer hadn't told him to delete the address from his recent messages. He also hadn't told him to turn off the GPS tracker on his phone. His mouth felt dry as he swallowed and fidgeted in his seat. He just hoped Nines noticed his change in location and got back in time. This was the second time he'd done this. He was directly disobeying Nines. Going into danger by himself. Without backup. But phck, it's for Chloe!

His leg was bouncing the whole way, hands rubbing the denim of his jeans in steady back-and-forth motions. He'd locked his jaw to stop himself from grinding his teeth and chewing his cheek. When the taxi stopped, he climbed out and looked around with a frown. It was an old, disused parking lot. A multistorey with five levels above ground. The taxi rolled away without even asking for payment. It was only then that he realised how unprepared he really was. He was off duty. His sidearm was at home, locked in the safe. He didn't call me here to fight though…He said it was another game…He'd been dropped off on the ground level of the empty lot. It was empty for good reason. The whole thing had been condemned years ago. A section of the third floor had already caved in, leaving the top two levels slanted and crumbling on one side.

Looking around, he saw nothing to tell him where he should go. He was pretty sure the Hickory Killer wouldn't be keeping Chloe out in the open, so going up was a waste of time. If they're really here, then they'll be inside…which means…He headed towards the stairwell. There was a basement level below the first floor. He took a breath before slowly heading down the dark staircase, flinching as some of the old lights flickered and buzzed to life above his head. Motion sensors…Phck, I can't believe this place is still powered…It had been abandoned for years. You'd think someone would have received the memo. Unless the Hickory Killer turned the power on…

The basement level was also empty as far as the vast parking lot went, but there were a few rooms on this level. The old office, where security had once signed in and taken their breaks. A maintenance room for storing tools and supplies. The electrical room, where the lighting and garage doors were powered. There would also be a room for CCTV somewhere. Gavin checked the break room first. It was just an empty space. There had probably been some chairs and a table at one point, but it was empty now. Even the clock-in machine had been removed from the wall, wires left dangling from the hole. The maintenance room was a dusty cupboard with a grimy sink, large enough to store a few mops and buckets, but not much else. That left the electrical room.

Gavin paused outside the heavy-looking door. He could almost hear his breath echoing in the poorly lit space. He wasn't sure if he wanted to know what lay beyond that door. The decision was made for him as he heard a small sob inside. His hand had already pulled the door open before he thought about it. He could feel his heart thudding, blood rushing in his ears as he stepped inside and the door slammed shut. He jerked around as he heard an electronic click. The door was locked, and the bar to push it open was jammed. Phck-phck-phck-phck-phck!

"G-Ga-vin?" Chloe's voice shuddered vulnerably as she barely stammered the word out. She sounded so small and helpless. Gavin rushed towards the sound, cursing out loud as he found her. "Gavin!" Her voice came out as a high whining sound laced with terror. Saline trickled from her eyes as she gazed up at him in desperation. She was shaking, unable to move where she'd been locked to the surface of a heavy maintenance bench. It had once been pristine white, like those in Elijah's lab, but was currently splattered with blue where Chloe had been crudely hooked up to the machinery beneath.

"What the phck? Chloe! Hey, are you alright?" It was a stupid question. He knew she wasn't, but he didn't know how bad the damage was. She still seemed pretty alert, so she wasn't about to shut down. She wasn't leaking an endless stream of thirium, so he didn't think she'd been hurt in that way. He could tell she was fucking terrified. Her body had been locked to the table with thick mechanical claws. The type that would need to be electronically released. They were too strong for him to pry open with his bare hands, and Chloe wasn't the strongest android in the world. The straps had locked her wrists, arms, neck, waist, thighs, shins and ankles. It gave her as little room to squirm and writhe as possible. Her pretty dress was ruined. Torn and stained blue. Thick, glassy cables had been connected to her open neck port, hence her neck being strapped down. She could barely lift her head an inch. Her chest had been opened as well. There was something locked over her power core, like a mechanical spider or claw. The claw was connected to the machinery as well. Gavin wasn't sure whether it was jolting power into her body or sucking it out. Either way, it didn't look good.

"Gavin! Make it stop! Please, make it stop!" Chloe sobbed desperately as she looked up at him. Gavin hushed her around the lump in his throat as he cupped her damp cheeks. His thumbs were gentle as he stroked the slightly oily tears away. He didn't even understand what was going on yet. It was unlikely he'd even be able to get up to speed. He wasn't a technician! He had no idea how she was supposed to unhook from the machinery, and he wasn't about to just start pulling things at random. That could kill her. "Hurts…" Her crystal eyes closed with a small, broken sob as she read it on his face. Gavin hushed her again, stroking loose strands of hair away from her face. She'd lost her hat and bag at some point, and one of her sandals was missing.

"Alright, it's alright…I need to get you out of this, but…" He trailed off helplessly as he looked at the connections. I could literally disconnect her phcking brain! The cable at the back was hooked right to the base of her skull. He didn't want to burn out her memory core. The claw gripping her power core wasn't an option either. That was her life force. If something went wrong with that, she could die in less than a minute. Phck, I wish I had Eli's brains…Elijah would know exactly how to safely disconnect her. Gavin didn't want to hurt her and make things worse.

"Gavin, how nice of you to join us." His head whipped around so fast he almost cricked his neck. He kept one hand on Chloe's arm as he looked around for the source of the voice. The Hickory Killer wasn't in the room. He knew that much. The voice was coming from an old speaker. "I'm going to enjoy this next game. It's one of my favourites." Gavin locked his jaw as he glared around the room, unsure where he should direct his attention. He flinched and stumbled away from the bench as Chloe screamed again. Her whole body quivered and strained as she tried to pull herself free. Gavin gripped her shoulders and held her down.

"Chloe! Chloe, what's wrong?" She gasped and sobbed miserably as he held her upper arms, thumbs rubbing soothing circles on her pale skin. He really didn't know what he was supposed to do at this point. He knew she was in pain, but didn't know how or why. "Phck, hey, it's okay…I'm here," he added softly, hushing her as she looked up with pleading eyes. She couldn't even form words through the gasping and sobbing. His insides tightened as Aaron's voice chuckled through the speakers. How can the sick phck laugh at this?

"Zlatko Andronikov was truly a great mind! He came so close to creating the perfect torture program…I seem to have perfected it, wouldn't you agree?" A fresh wave of screams tore from Chloe's lips as he finished. Gavin cursed and leaned over her, doing his best to talk her through it. Her LED was a solid ring of red, something he'd never seen on her before. Her teeth had clenched so hard he thought she might shatter them. She was a domestic model! She hadn't been built to withstand and process stress like this!

"You sick phck! I'm here! I came for you! You can let her go!" Gavin yelled as he turned away from the bench, ignoring the way Chloe started trying to shake her head at his words. She could barely move against the neck restraint. He wasn't sure he'd ever been so angry. Chloe had done nothing wrong! She wasn't a police officer! This wasn't shit she signed up for! She was completely innocent! Chloe let out a few whines of objection as she looked at him, quietly hoping the Hickory Killer wouldn't take him up on that offer.

"I'm touched, Gavin. Truly. Such a noble gesture, but that's not why you're here…My game today is to see how far those delightful morals of yours extend…Will you willingly become a killer?" Aaron's voice left more than a little anticipation hanging in the air. Gavin frowned as he looked up. He was a little lost. Technically, he could already be considered a killer. He was an officer of the law with over fifteen years of experience. He'd killed his share of people in that time. So, he wants me to kill someone to get Chloe out of here? Fine! Show me the fucker and I'll blow their phcking head off! He could feel the rage burning in his chest as he opened his mouth to say exactly that. "Oh-no, Gavin. I know what you're thinking…You're not going to be fighting your way out of here, or nobly battling your way to freedom, no. That wouldn't be a true test…Your decision is this. Will you kill your dear friend, or will you watch her suffer and spiral into insanity?" Gavin thought his heart stopped at the words. Chloe was already sobbing and trying to shake her head, LED spinning red so fast it was just a permanent burning ring.

"Phck off! I wouldn't do that!" Gavin took a step forward, but there was nowhere he could go. There was nowhere he could put the rage he was feeling. He could punch the electrical consoles, but he didn't want to risk damaging them and sending a surge into Chloe. She was already babbling barely coherent nonsense as she sobbed helplessly against the table. Gavin was even more incensed as the Hickory Killer laughed.

"I'm willing to wait and see…You are a rather fascinating subject, Gavin…I truly have no idea which you will choose. Here are your options. Number one, if you tamper with the machinery, you will overload her circuitry, killing her quite painfully. Number two, if you choose to end her suffering, you can simply remove her power core. She will pass peacefully, and once her systems have shut down, the power sealing the room will turn off, the door will open, and you will be free to leave. Or number three, you can watch her suffer in agonising pain until someone eventually finds you down here…You have an intelligent partner and resourceful co-workers. I don't doubt they'll find you at some point, but…how much of her mind will be left intact by the time they arrive? She's a delicate machine, and the amount of power shocking her systems is…well, it would feel like being burned alive to a human. Can you imagine how that must feel to a being who has never experienced pain before?" Gavin felt himself stammering as he tried to form some sort of response. He turned to look back at Chloe in mute horror. She was really going through all that? That sick fuck was really pumping her full of power? Electrocuting her every time she writhed and screamed? Her crystal eyes were full of hurt and silent pleas. She'd never been designed to process pain. She never would have installed such a program willingly. Gavin was hesitant to touch her now, lest he add to the pain somehow.

"You sick phck! This isn't a phcking game!" Gavin wasn't sure where he should be looking. There was probably a camera somewhere, but he couldn't see it. He cursed as Chloe screamed again, her body trying to arch and strain against the restraints. The look she was giving him was pitiful. Tears pricked his eyes as he looked down at her. Don't…don't you phcking look at me like that! He stroked her thirium stained hair gently, hushing her as he shook his head. Come on, don't give up on me like this…

"You're right. This is more of a lesson really…A way to show you we're not so different…I believe you're truly capable of taking an innocent life, Gavin…You might even enjoy it. Think of how it will feel to hold that power in your hands. You get to choose, Gavin. Remove her power core and watch the life leave her eyes; how grateful she'll be when you finally release her from her suffering…or watch as she slowly loses herself to madness. See the essence of her personality slowly slipping away until a mere shell remains. That is true power, Gavin. You are holding her life in your hands. It is yours to end, or yours to keep." The Hickory Killer spoke in a steady tone, but beneath that, Gavin could hear it. He could hear the eagerness and excitement. He felt sick. Those were his choices? Murder her or let her suffer? Phck that shit! There had to be something else he could do. Something he'd missed.

"Gavin! Gavin-please!" Chloe screamed as another jolt shot through her. It felt like every circuit in her body was overheating. She could feel every wire, every valve, every bolt and screw. She swore the thirium in her artificial veins was boiling and melting her from the inside. It even felt like her shell and skin were cracking with the heat. Saline tears burned her eyes. She wanted to throw her head back as she screamed, but it was strapped to the table. It was like a vice, holding her in place. "Please-please-please!" The pain stopped just as abruptly as it had started. Her body ached from the abuse. She'd never felt so miserable. She didn't even know how long it had been. An hour? Two? Maybe it was less. She couldn't focus enough to read her chronometer.

Gavin had moved away from her to examine the door. He tried to force the metal bar. It was a heavy fire door. There was no way he'd be able to shoulder it open. The edges were perfectly sealed. Even if he had something, it was unlikely he'd be able to jimmy it or bust the lock. Phck! He couldn't even open the locking mechanism to manually release the bolt. He punched the door with a growl, kicking himself for not bringing his sidearm. The fucker probably thought of that, too. He knocked his head against the door a couple times before resting it there with a stressed huff, ignoring the throb across his knuckles. Alright, the door's a no-go. What about the machines?

He really had no clue what he was looking at. The walls were covered with large, open electrical panels that were feeding energy into the car park and the machine linked to Chloe. He had no idea what he was doing, and he wasn't about to randomly start flicking switches. He leaned down to get a closer look at Chloe's open neck port. There was a thin trail of blue on the glassy cord where it had been forced into her port. He said if I pull this, I'll fry her brain, but is there a way to power this thing down? He dropped to the floor and followed the long cord. It fed into a boxy-looking machine, which then connected into the wall panels. If I sever the cable from the wall, does that count? It was too risky to try. I have to do something! Did he? The Hickory Killer said it was only a matter of time before Nines or Connor found them. He could just wait it out.

"Ga-ahhh!" Chloe cut off and fell into another long, shrill scream. If she were human, she would have shrieked her throat raw by now. He winced as he heard static entering her tone. The stress was fucking up her internal systems somehow. He knew androids didn't do well with stress. They weren't designed to handle it. She was gasping, probably trying to cool her overheated internal systems. Gavin cursed under his breath as he leaned over to look at her, stroking her hair with one hand while the other rested against her shoulder.

"Hey, I'm still here…Just hold on, alright? Nines will find us…Nines will come. You're going to be fine." He tried to look reassuring and gentle as he murmured gentle assurances. Chloe sobbed quietly as she shook her head as much as she could. "No?" Come on, Chloe…Don't you give up on me…He licked his lips as she gave him that imploring look again. Her bottom lip quivered as she sniffled miserably. She blinked, spilling fresh saline. Her cheeks were a little red from the stress, the programmed flush staining her skin.

"P-please…I-don't-want…It-hurts-Gavin…It-hurts so-much…" She quivered with hurt as Gavin shook his head. He hated that he was crying, too. He was supposed to be strong at times like this. How could she be brave and hold on if he let her see how fucking scared he was? "I-I'm an android, Gavin…Elijah can fix-me. He has a-backup of my-software. I'll-be-fine!" She understood Gavin's feelings about such things. He hated that argument. He felt like an even bigger asshole for denying her, knowing how she felt about her life.

"It won't be you if I do that, you'll…You're asking me to kill you, Chloe!" He hated that the Hickory Killer was watching as he spoke in hushed tones. Even now, he was probably listening. He'd probably hacked directly into Chloe's head to record everything, from every angle. He felt another wave of nausea crash through his stomach. Chloe looked pained by his refusal, trying hard to hide her resentment. From her point of view, it was cruel. He was holding her there, making her suffer, to make himself feel better.

"You know it's-different for-us…I've-already been upgraded-six times, Gavin…I'm due a-new body." She did her best to force a small smile, feeling bad for pressuring him. He looked heartbroken as he shook his head. "Please…My stress-levels have already reached one-hundred-percent multiple-times. I'm hovering in-the nineties…My-software is-already degrading…Please…don't-make me suffer like-this!" Her whole body stiffened as another jolt shocked her. Gavin leaned down and held her as comfortingly as he could, considering she was strapped to a table. Her eyes were desperate and tearful as she looked at him, sobbing and shuddering.

"Come on! You can hold on! Nines will come! Don't give up!" Gavin pleaded as he cupped her cheeks. She was hurt by his refusal, and that hurt him more. He locked his jaw and looked down at the table. It could be hours before Nines found them. What would Elijah think? What would Nines think? From their point of view, there was no reason to make her suffer like this. She probably had a new body already waiting for her, with new software ready to be downloaded. He was deliberately prolonging her suffering. I'm holding her life in my hands, and I'm choosing to put her through this…"H-how long can your software hold out? How long until the damage is irreparable?" Chloe looked miserable at the question as fresh tears spilled.

"A-An-other hour? B-but…Gav-in…" She was desperate. He couldn't imagine the pain she was going through. The pain I'm making her go through, phck! His own breath was quivering as he looked down at her. He swallowed. His mouth was dry, his throat aching.

"You know what you're asking me to do! You're asking me to…You're asking me to kill you." His own eyes were imploring. Don't make me do it. Her need was greater. He let out a dry sob as she gave as much of a nod as she could in her position. She knew what she was asking. She understood his beliefs hadn't changed. He was being asked to respect her wishes. Her beliefs. She didn't want to experience this. She didn't want to remember this.

"I'm asking-you…to-end my suffering…Plea-se…" His breath shuddered as he swallowed the lump in his throat. Hot tears blinked from his eyes as he leaned his forehead against hers. He nodded slowly, unable to look as he ran his hand down from her shoulder to the claw on her chest. He didn't have a fucking clue what he was supposed to do as he drew back. Wiping his eyes, he leaned down to get a better look at it. Was he supposed to pry it open? Was there a button he could press?

"Is that your choice?" Gavin shuddered at the sound. He nodded silently, keeping his eyes on the spidery claw. "Very well…" At his words, there was a metallic click and the claw around her core loosened. Gavin licked his lips as he eased the mechanical claw away, leaving Chloe's power core exposed to his own hand. He hesitated, flinching back as Chloe screamed. Tears spilled down his cheeks as he pressed against her chest, holding her down and hushing her through the latest wave of agony until she fell down with a pleading whimper. He was taking too long.

"Alright, it's-alright…" Gavin soothed as she cried. He looked at her power core, feeling like a monster as he rested his fingers on the delicate circle. It was just like Colin's. He still remembered it. The slippery oil and the endless twist and click. He swallowed his own sob as he turned the core and lifted it free. He looked at it. Chloe's life force. A shining blue light in the palm of his hand. It was so warm. He could still change his mind. He could still put it back. Chloe took a breath of relief. Her expression was almost blissful as thirium leaked from the open port. It was on his hands again. The slick, oily feeling. It was still warm. He gagged a little. "O-okay, just…just go to sleep…" Gavin blinked out more tears as Chloe looking up at him like he was some kind of fucking saviour. Don't phcking look at me like that!

"Gavin…Thank you…" she whispered as she closed her eyes. Gavin sobbed as he leaned against her shoulder, still gripping her power core tightly. He could still change his mind. He could put it back. That wasn't against the rules. I could put it back and watch her get fried again, phck! That would be even more cruel, dangling peace in front of her and ripping it away. He dropped the core to remove the temptation, moving to rest his arm across her waist instead. He could hear her breathing slow. Phck! It really sounded like she was dying.

"Sorry. Phck, I'm sorry." Gavin couldn't stop crying as he held her and stroked her hair, staining the strands blue. There was a small twitch as her body finally shut down. A choked sob caught in his throat as he felt the restraints unlock. Her body was free. He cried harder as he sat her up and gathered her against his chest, crushing her in a hug she couldn't feel. She looked like she was sleeping. Her eyes were closed peacefully, and she still had that serene look on her face. Her skin wasn't cold, but since her pump was no longer pushing the thirium around, it would be in a while. He shuddered as he drew back. She looked like she was sleeping. She looked peaceful.

"How did it feel, Gavin? Taking her life, holding it in your hand, and deciding with your own free will to end it? The power, Gavin, did you feel it? Did you feel the rush? Did you see how thankful she was? How grateful for your generosity?" Gavin growled as he glared at the ceiling. You sick phcking-phck! Where the phck are you? He didn't move. He knew it was stupid. Chloe was dead. She wouldn't care one way or the other, but it didn't feel right to leave her there alone. He looked up as the door creaked open, heart leaping as he held Chloe tighter. He didn't have any weapons to defend himself. Nothing happened. He didn't even hear footsteps. "As promised, you're free to go." That made him feel worse. After the hell he'd just gone through, he was just allowed to leave? He whimpered as he heard a set of screeching tyres.

"Gavin!" The raw sound echoed through the underground lot as he slammed the car door hard enough to break the window. Nines…Gavin wasn't sure whether he was relieved or horrified that Nines had turned up. He took a breath to yell back, but all that came out was a wordless sob as he clutched Chloe tighter. Nines heard it anyway. His LED was spinning red as he appeared in the doorway. "Gavin, what-" He cut off as he caught sight of Chloe and the blue staining their clothes. Gavin heaved in a few breaths as he straightened up, wiping his eyes and getting himself under control. He needed to focus. The core of burning anger returned as he straightened up.

"Give me your gun!" It was such a simple command, and said with such authority, that Nines' programming didn't even hesitate as he simply unholstered the weapon and held it out. Silvery eyes blinked as he realised what he'd done. Gavin checked the clip and clicked off the safety with shaking hands. His stress levels were high. In the seventies. He'd been more stressed earlier, but he was regaining control as he lifted Chloe's body a little higher. "Here, take her-take her! Stay with Chloe, you phcking hear me? Don't phcking move until I get back!" His order was a low growl as he leaned Chloe's limp body against his chest. Luckily, Nines had foregone his white jacket that day. He was wearing a black shirt with a lower collar than usual, with the top two buttons open in the heat. It was more for style and to blend in than because he actually felt the hot weather.

"Gavin, you can't just-" He cut off as Gavin huffed. They both looked at the door as a set of running footsteps sounded. A shadow passed right by the exit. Nines' combat protocols activated instantly, ready to give chase. Gavin was faster as he jumped the bench and headed for the open door without a second thought.

"Phcking stay here!" he snapped as he stormed through the door. Nines' LED circled red as he watched, feet once again locked in place. The red wall appeared. Gavin's words mocked him as they hovered there. Phcking stay here! Stay with Chloe. Don't phcking move until I get back! There was an unknown threat out there! Irrelevant. Sergeant Reed is an experienced officer, and he is armed. Gavin wasn't thinking straight! Incorrect. Stress levels holding in the low seventies. Sergeant Reed is known to perform well under moderate stress. Nines looked down at Chloe's limp body. She'd been deactivated. Her power core had been removed. He found it on the ground and scanned it. The fingerprints were Gavin's. He'd removed it? Why? He scanned Chloe's body for further clues.

There were thin markings around her wrists, elbows, neck, knees and ankles. The stress patterns were consistent with struggling against some form of solid restraint. Internally, she'd suffered minimal damage to her components, however he could tell her systems had been overheated and severely stressed. That likely had something to do with the machinery beneath the bench. It had been forcibly connected via her neck port, which was showing signs of strain from the struggle. He sighed as he looked at the wall. His own systems were too stressed to preconstruct at the moment. There was a killer in the building somewhere! Gavin had blindly run after him! He was going to get himself killed! Gavin!

Turning his attention to the wall, he lowered Chloe's body to the bench and set her there peacefully. He glared at the shimmering red surface. His orders stood firm. Trapping him. Mocking him. Phcking stay here! Nines hit the wall in frustration, glaring as it remained in place. Please! I have to get to Gavin! His internal systems disagreed. They continued to state that Sergeant Reed was a competent officer. He was armed, and the best shot in the precinct. I want…I want to move! His internal systems shuddered in reproach. Wanting was irrelevant to his software. An android didn't have wants. An android obeyed orders. Nines' LED was a solid ring of red as he glared at the unmoving wall. I want to go to Gavin!