Artificial Mates - Chapter 75

“Grant!” shouted a voice as we engaged in the little road. We all sprung around and found Alter waving at us. He hurried to meet us. “You are just leaving like that?” he frowned. “We thought, we could all stay together,” said Alter lowering his head.

“I’m sorry but this is where we part ways,” Alter blinked and his face twisted with grief, I almost thought he would cry. There were no tears, he would only mimic sadness.

“I don’t want that,” he shook his head. Grant crossed the distance separating them in seconds and took him in his arms. Alter hugged Grant back with all his might.

“Then take everyone to the bay. Find a way to cross to the island on the northeast at six hundred kilometers. I’ll wait for you,” he pulled away while holding a firm grip on both of his shoulders. Alter nodded one with a smile.

“I promise,” with that he jogged back to the main road and turned for a last wave. He disappeared in the flow of disoriented bystanders. We resumed our walk a little overwhelmed.

After a long moment of silence, Nicolai who was leading the way peeked over his shoulder. Demos trotted next to me his body constantly brushing against my side. Grant closed our procession. The narrow street was deserted bordered with ancient houses, all windows were closed.

“You need special clearance to get on that island. Their security is pretty tight after what happened to their first project,” mumbled Nicolai as he focused back to the road ahead

“Then I’ll talk to Doctor Churchhill. I’m sure we can find a way,” Grant sighed clearly irritated. Nicolai slowed to a stop in the middle of the street.

“You can’t save everyone, ” he said without facing us. “Hope is not something natural for us artificial,” his gaze dropped to the pavement.

“I know,” Grant whispered while making the saddest face. I could feel a jab in the heart, something unfamiliar seeped through the link. It hurt so much I had difficulty breathing. Panting I looked up at him. He jolted forward eyes flaring aquamarine.

“I’m sorry, Liliane,” he rubbed my arm to ease the panic attack. Slowly the lump building up in my throat disappeared. What the hell just happened.

-Did you experience it too?

“What…?” I frowned at Demos staring up at us. “What was that?” I said finally finding my voice. Grant shook his head making his curls fall over his forehead.

“I still need to try,” he turned to Nicolai waiting up ahead for us. I could feel the weight of responsibility in each of this words. It was heavy. It was unbearable. How come Grant was carrying such a burden all this time? This made me forget a little about my own crisis.

The road curved into a sharp turn to the right and a large blue building with a green cross appeared before us. We went straight to the entrance not minding to check the traffic lights as we did. This part was also stripped from all signs of life. From afar we could spot the tall column of smoke where once stood the eighty-eight floors apartment block where I live. The image of Lyla flashed before my eyes with a stab of guilt. It couldn’t be true. She was not a terrorist. She was many things but a killer was not one of them.

“Get in,” called Nicolai as he unlocked the front door. Grant slid his hand and the glass panel glided to the side. There was a heavy smell of detergent hanging in the air. I then realized it was the first time I set foot in Grant’s workplace. I’ve desperately tried to shove it out of my mind.

“This way,” Nicolai hurried down the long corridor lit by large overhead tubes. There were smiling people in green meadows on the walls and orange and green plastic chairs along the way. We emerged in what looked like a waiting room. There was a white desk with ‘welcome’ written in a friendly pale green on the side. They dropped their bags on the floor and scanned the perimeter. no one in sight.

“I haven’t realized Adrien was really going to build a hospital for you,” I lowered my eyes ashamed that I’ve doubted his words. I felt his warm hand squeeze my shoulder.

“Do you need a consultation?” he chuckled. “I can wear a white blouse if you want,” Nicolai gave us a dark look.

“Now, it not the time for that kind of play,” my cheeks instantly flushed with embarrassment. Grant pulled me into his arms.

“Don’t worry Princess, we’ll get a lot of free time once we get on the boat,” he whispered into my hair. He let go of me as quickly as he had hugged me. I was left a little stunt. For a second, the Grant I knew was back. But as fleeting, he was already gone. He quickly followed behind Nicolai and they both disappeared behind a door marked staff.

-So, I guess it’s just the two of us.

I turned to the wolf standing by the side a little perplexed. Should I wait for them here or ran after them. I marched to a nearby seat and sunk on it with a sigh. I wasn’t aware I was that tired and that thirsty.

“Something to drink…” I muttered then relaxed with my head leaning on the soft cushion. Demos joined me, his appearance seemed to blur and morphed. I had to blink a couple of times to be sure there wasn’t something wrong with my sight. Then I saw him take his human appearance, n.a.k.e.d in his full glory I gasped and averted my eyes.

“What the hell,” I jumped and concealed my burning face. “Put on some clothes. Don’t you have any shame! Oh my gosh!” my heart drummed in my chest. I can’t believe I actually saw everything. Damn it, the image will be forever imprinted in my mind.

“Shame? We artificial don’t understand that fictional concept. Why should one feel shame?” he laughed. I heard his heavy footsteps marched to where the bags were, followed by the rustled of fabrics. I was tempted to peek, but my vicious moral prevented me from doing so. I can’t believe I saw everything.

-I’m waiting.

“Mm, what did you said?” I shook my head trying to think straight. He chuckled louder and I heard Demos approached me. But I squeezed my eyes and kept my hands over my face. I didn’t want to see him right now…well, I did. Oh! What the hell was that feeling and why wasn’t my pulse slowing down already?

“Stop replaying the scene. If you want to see me n.a.k.e.d again I’ll be happy to oblige,” his voice was so close that it cause goosebumps to broke all over my body. Shit! This was clearly not the time or the place.

“Shame is something you felt when you’re… mm, well, when you’re n.a.k.e.d and don’t want others to see you. When you’re afraid of failure? Humiliation? Ah!” I pulled my hand away, out of sheer frustration and found him sitting next to me fully clothed. He was bending down pulling on his shoes. My face instantly went bright red.

“Does shame involve your ears blushing?” he gave me a crooked smile that made me when to throw myself out of the window. I quickly hid them with my messy mess, then noticed they were covered with dust and smelling like barbecue.

“Shame to me is just a word. A foreign concept. Like many complicated social norms, humans impose on each other. I don’t fully grasp it all,” he copper eyes rested on me. I melted in them. There was definitely something wrong with my head. He brushed a stray lock from my burning face. I couldn’t look away. He pulled me in like a magnet. Damn mate link.

-You’re even beautiful in battle mode

A slow smile spread over his lips. How can he say cheesy words without such a straight face? And how come I can fall for that? Ok, he is so damn handsome.

-Thanks for the compliment.

“Guys! Doctor Churchhill is on the line!” shouted Grant standing in front of the door they previous disappeared behind.