Hurt

It hurt, everything about his life hurt. Leo woke up with the constant nightmare of his death still fresh in his mind. The recharge should have given him energy, but why then did he feel so drained?

Mia… he had lost her, failed her in every way. Nothing he had tried had given her back to him. Her forced reprogramming had taken a hold and where once was Mia now Anita stood in her place, with a cold stare of non-recognition. She got turned into a standard synth; a dolly in every inch people called her kind, or was that their kind?

The line between humanity and synths had blurred for Leo some time ago. His own unique hybrid status showed his survival and tenacity, but what did either matter when emotions pulled him apart? Some days he did not know who he was anymore… and it hurt.

Leo had never felt so cut up, so torn between worlds. He unplugged himself and the instant he did Max was there by his side, ready to help and a loyal friend as ever. It was too much though. Leo could not do this… not anymore, not this evening. Not when he'd failed Mia; when he had failed them all.

Maybe it had been unfair of him to take his emotions out on poor Max, but Leo needed to be left alone bad and so he pushed him aside. Everything hurt and he wanted to think, no… maybe he didn't. Oh, why could he not stop this endless struggle?

The past had not let go of him, and Leo found he could not let it even if he wanted to. It chased him day and night. Bad memories plagued him for answers to questions on his own existence and more.

Why father? He would have to find the answers for himself. No one could help them, because those who did would not understand. Humans feared his friends' existence and their conscious state, not to mention his hybrid self. What would they make of him? Leo dreaded to face that question, even though deep down he wanted for someone to make sense of the mess his father left behind with his creations.

Soon he would have to make his choice on whether to get back to Max to recharge, or really walk his own path from now on. Could he leave his friends behind?

Leo stared out into the neon lit night, not really seeing anything or anyone but her. Mia… she was lost, wasn't she? Then why not go it alone?