"What's making her a woman, and what makes other of them man? They don't have feelings, so why are we trying to treat them as living creatures?"

"Believe me, there is more life in them than in you."

That was the end of the thoughtful discussion with the old man. The emotions took control over their conversation, making it chaotic. 

"What?" He could not understand how Adam could stand on the side of androids.

"You act and look like a zombie," While reaching for his phone, he added, "Just wait for a second. Don't move."

With a serious look, Adam took a photo of Kaeso and showed it to him.

"See?" 

"Now, I can't see anything. You made me blind." The brightness of Adam's screen was burning Kaeso's eyes out.

"Okay, I think I exaggerated. It always could have been worse." He got a quick look at the photo once again. 

"I'm just tired of everything."  After blinking a few times and getting used to the screen light, Kaeso could share his opinion.

"Then check your iron levels."

"Did you pay off my existential issues and social anxiety to anemia?" Kaeso took it personally. He wanted to end this conversation as soon as possible. It was leading in the wrong direction. 

"Depression may also be caused by increased testosterone levels or dehydration." Adam continued sharing his "knowledge."

"Damn, dude, I don't know what you are taking, but you should stop." That was the end, a nail in the coffin. 

 

"It's from the magazine "Teenagers. How to help and not alienate?" Despite hearing that Kaeso's voice took on a more serious tone, Adam did not intend to stop. 

"I'm done…" Kaeso stood up and headed towards the exit.

"Come on, you know I am only teasing you."

Kaeso had taught him this sense of humor, but sometimes it was too much. He did not know why his reaction was so emotional. Usually, hearing such words would not be a problem, but it was one of those days when everything was irritating him. It would be hard to explain what Kaeso really felt at that moment. 

"I will always be here for you!" Adam shouted.

Kaeso said goodbye to the old man by showing him the middle finger while leaving the cafeteria.

"He does not realize how awkward it is to go anywhere with him…" 

On the way home, the thought that he treated Adam too harshly came to Kaeso's mind. Sitting on the bench at the bus station, waiting for the snow to stop pouring heavily, Kaeso took out his phone to write the message.

"Next time, it's my treat."

After a few minutes, he got the reply.

"Thanks!". The number of emojis compared to the substantial text in Adam's reply was overwhelming. 

—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When Kaeso finally made it home, all the family members had supper in the dining room. It was almost a year since Kaeso stopped eating in their midst. It all started as punishment after he got arrested. Aunt knew precisely what would harm him the most. Being left alone for mealtime was a painful experience for a teenager seeking attention. Especially since it was the only moment, he could share with them. Sitting in the dining room, Kaeso felt like he had a family, even if it was just an act. 

Now, he was grateful that she and each of them had cut ties with him. To this day, Kaeso is ashamed that he sacrificed his previous life and other people's safety to make his aunt interested in him. For sure, it was the stupidest thing he had ever done. 

It was hard to enjoy the meal when everyone at the table acted like mannequins. Kaeso believed that it was because of his presence there. However, nothing changed after he began to eat alone. The silence, combined with the fact that he could not see their faces, was at least disturbing. Whenever Kaeso was watching his "family" from the side, it reminded him of the Pale Man from "Pan's Labyrinth." Maybe he could not see their eyes because they hid them in their hands… That being the case, a question arises: Where are they hiding other parts of their faces? Kaeso did not want to investigate it. The imagination was already playing tricks on his mind. There was no point in feeding it and causing the nightmares to appear...