Prologue

The sun shined on the almost cloudless sky, its sunbeams spread all over over Detroit, it was warm, showed that spring was coming with full power. All the snow was gone, kids ran around, playing in the schoolyards. Cars drove around like always, people did their business, lived their lives. It has been three weeks since two of the android abusers that has been around beating and killing androids, Colin and Jayla, were caught. The leader, Kaden, was eventually found some days later and shot by the police. He was on people's conversations for some time, since he not only was known for hurting androids, but even humans had been victims, one of them almost died while trying to defend their android friend. Everything had been pretty tense even some days after this, but by now, everything was like normal and people felt at ease again. As if nothing happened. But even so, the scars would stay on some…

It had started once Connor had gotten into the dark room, saw Kaden on the floor, a female android was under him, vibrating from pain and fear. Blue blood ran from a wound on her head. Connor had just managed to stop him from going even further than this. He had ordered him to stop, had managed to sound strong and controlling even if he felt himself shaking, almost losing the grip on the gun he was pointing towards the man before him. He was staring back, took him in. Within seconds, recognition had filled his eyes.

-Oh, it's you. Thought you wouldn't show up." he said, unsurprised, seemed more happy than anything, as if this had been his plan all along. "Connor, was it? Missed me? I sure have missed you."

-Let her go."

-They fixed you too I see, that's cute. Thought we killed you back there, you know. But seems like you're harder to break than I thought." he said while he stood up, holding his hands up. "But no hard feelings, right?" he smiled slightly.

"Oh, almost forgot… what feelings, huh?" he tilted his head slightly, still with that smile that made Connor's stomach turn. He glanced down at the girl crying on the floor, had been too damaged to even move. She remined him too much of himself just a few days ago. Kaden gave her a small kick, making her shriek.

-But I must say, it surprises me how much you androids always manage to satisfy me and feel so human, have so sweet cries. Are so easy to control." He looked into Connor's eyes again. "Let's make a deal, shall we? Take her place and I'll let her go, you have my word. She wasn't that much of a fun anyway."

Connor backed away, the others were too far away, wouldn't be here in time even if he called, which he couldn't, his words were stuck. The tall figure of the man was now just a few steps from him, could easily knock him out too if he wanted. Connor's back was now against the wall, all he managed to say was a single:

-S-stop…"

He hated the sound of his voice.

It was as if the room got smaller, crumbled up around him. A pulsing pain in his chest. He was close to collapsing. Kaden smirked.

-You're making this so much easier, you know that? I had almost forgotten how sweet your voice sounded. You won't even shoot me, you're so good. Let's just get this over with, huh? Finish what we started. I know you want it."

Kaden teased with an almost kind smile while his voice was low, dark, controlling. Gavin's irritating teasing was nothing in comparison. His dark eyes filled with lust like that of an animal and insanity. Insanity that wanted power, wanted to be in control. Had destroyed for both androids and humans, didn't care if the rest of the police was on the way, didn't care if he wouldn't be able to kill Markus. Nothing would stop him from making his final act. Connor let out a small, shaky breath. He knew he should shot, must shot, his body didn't listen anymore to his own commands, he couldn't move. He could just listen to Kaden's words that filled his ears as he trembled, tried to force down a whimper that threatened to come out.

-You remember the rules, don't you? No struggling or talking until I say so, we don't want it to end like last time, do we? You don't want me mad."

He was too close. He was reaching for him, was going to take him, hurt him, make the rules, make him obey, make him pitiful, dirty.

No.

-Shush now…"

Never again.

Hank's and the others screaming was suddenly heard in the distance. It was as they took Connor back to reality again. Before any of them got time to react and Connor knew what he was doing, he finally shot. Kaden curled up slightly on the floor before him with a groan, holding into his wound on his torso, blood covered his hand, poured down between his fingertips and made a small pile on the floor under him.

-You little shit!" he hissed as he tried to get up despite the wound and he seemed to shake from pain. Another shot was heard. The other android screamed while another scream overpowered it and made Connor's head hurt as everything spun around him, was barely aware of Kaden who had now stopped moving.

-CONNOR!"