Citizens of Tomorrow (Carolina) END

Citizens of Tomorrow
Carolina

Montana and Indiana decided against waking anyone up that night, and somehow passed their anxiety into an  early morning.

Indiana held Name's hand as Name maintained a calm but slightly nervous expression.

Montana had gone to check on Minnesota and Carolina.

Just be okay, please!

Name carefully touched his neck wound, which Indiana had wrapped with gauze and medical tape.

He closed his eyes and ran diagnostics, fearing the worst.

ERROR
Diagnostics unavailable due to system damage

"Who did this to you?"

Name shook his head.

"Send me a text message"

Name decided to lie.

I don't know who it was

"I can't believe this. Name. I'm so sorry . . . so sorry . . ."

Name could tell. Indiana saw himself as partially responsible.

I'm not in any pain. I'm not like you

"Ah, Name. That doesn't matter. You're my friend. Maybe more than that. Yes, definitely. I do love you"

Despite everything, Name did too.

>>><<<

Carolina stood beside Minnesota, holding her breath. Minnesota hasn't overheard what Montana had said, but it sounded unbelievable.

Name was attacked

"Say," said Carolina, "before I open that door . . . do you . . . love Name? Like an actual person? Do you think that's even possible?"

Minnesota opened the door.

Name knew she was coming. He pressed his lips together, not being able to cry, but wanting to keep a calm expression. For her sake.

Name tried to speak, but made a strange mechanical coughing sound. Indiana put a hand on his chest. Minnesota stood, motionless. She could barely look at him.

In her pocket, Lily buzzed with a text.

Minnesota's eyes watered as she read the message, from Name.

She sat on the bed beside him and took his hand, immediately aware of the lack of body heat.

I can't speak
But the way I feel about you
Is more than speech

Minnesota laughed.

"You're a bit dramatic, Name"

Minnesota glanced at Indiana, who was sitting with his hands over his eyes, exhausted.

"What happened?"

"His neck. It was ripped open"

"Name, who did this to you?"

Name pictured the face of Mark Harlequin, but said nothing.

He shook his head.

Humans seek revenge and hate each other. But I'm not human
I won't act like what I'm not

From a speaker behind his ear, Name used the dull mechanical voice of his default programming.

It was so sharp and uncanny that the room was left in silence.

"I am . . . a machine!"

>>><<<

To be continued.