"That's ours isn't it?"

Ray raised an eyebrow as Minerva stared at Francis who blinked before he set off sprinting with Gran’s luggage with his sister and Gran following suit hastily.

 Ray was left trailing after, duffle bags swinging wildly as he ran and shouted directions to the group. Throughout the while, a single thought pulsed in his mind amidst Cy’s wild laughter: I. Hate. Humans. 

Fortunately, the family made it last minute but were about to be denied entrance until the ticket inspector’s eyes shot open when she saw the bold ‘Premium First Class Members’ scrawled from the holographic tickets projected on Ray’s Intra-Memo. 

After storing all their luggage showing them their ‘private room’ they had supposedly booked- Better to go in style~ Cy emphasised- and once professing their most sincere apologies, left the family in silence. The siblings stood in shock as they gazed around the illustrious cabin, both mouths agape in awe. 

“Francis? Minerva? What’s wrong, dears?” Gran aimlessly looked around as she grasped their sleeves.

“What. The. Hell.” 

“Francis!” 

“HOW DID YOU GET FREAKIN FIRST CLASS?!” Francis yelled, whirling to face Ray who jolted from mid sleep. 

“WHAT?” Gran’ screeched, hearing his words as she too faced (with Minerva’s help) Ray’s direction. 

“Is it true?” she asked breathlessly. 

Raymond rolled his eyes, turning to face the window with a huff. 

“Yes, it is. Now leave me alone.”

“But how?” Francis persisted as he leaned into his face. 

Are humans usually this frustrating? 

Cy: You’re the one who pissed him off first, you know? 

Francis’s scowl only deepened at the lack of response from his brother, who met his rage evenly albeit with some fatigue.

“We don’t have the funds for this.” 

“What if you did?” 

“We. Don’t.” 

Raymond scoffed,

“Seems you were mistaken then. Although, if you are still unsatisfied, you can gladly backtrack to economy.”  He turned to Francis once more, a mocking pout decorating his face. “Well?” 

Francis remained standing for a while before punching the leather in exasperation. With one final scowl at Ray, he tended to Gran and Minerva who was gazing at Raymond with bewilderment and about to say something. When he turned to her however, her eyes shot to the ground, looking as if she wished for the leather to envelope her whole. 

Creepy little human. Ray shuddered before returning his sight to the window, mindlessly watching the blurs of colour as the view gradually transitioned from the once bustling town to vast seas of gold stretching even to the grand mountains with their dusted peaks that caught even the smallest white wisps scattered across the sky. 

Cy: You know, for a just recently escaped experiment, you’ve nailed sarcasm unnaturally quickly. Your brother is going to get premature greying if this continues. 

Thank you, but the human is not my ‘brother’. None of them are anything to me.

Cy: For as long as you are Raymond they WILL have to mean something. Speaking of, how long do you plan to wear this mask? 

We just acquired it, might as well press its limits. 

Cy: We might have fooled them with that minor parlor trick, but they would-if not will- find the truth soon enough. One identity is not going to suffice. Besides…you're with Raymond’s family, what if they figure something out? 

I doubt they would even notice a thing, they’re just below average humans.

Cy: That does not make them fools. Humans were the ones that made us, remember? 

Raymond’s whole demeanour shifted as he growled out loud. 

“Shut up.” Realising his slip, he glanced at the family, but they didn’t seem privy to his mistake. 

DO. NOT. Mention them again. 

Cy: Fine, but the point still stands. What would we do if we got exposed? 

He sat in thought for a while, looking at the trio who remained entranced by the premium experience. With Francis and Gran chatting merrily away as Minerva dozed in her seat, all the while blissfully unaware of the predator in their wake. One moment would be all that he needed to get rid of them permanently, but he would not move now. No, he could not afford the attention at present, but their time together was limited. 

If we get exposed, I suppose the only option would be to…tie loose ends. 

Cy: …understood. However, are you sure you would be able to execute this command should the need arise? 

Yes I would-

Cy: Are you SURE?  Cy pressed, the panel pulsing brighter than the others which made Raymond narrow his eyes in question. It was unlike its usual behaviour. 

I’m sure. Why should I think otherwise? We were made broken and forced to BE something different. Never would we fit amongst their species and never would humans think otherwise even despite any potential effort of ours. Hence, no connection between us at all.  Why are you so insistent? He shot back.

Cy: Well-I-

It was interrupted midspeech though as a vivid red panel hovered over it, constantly urging Ray to read it.

[System has been OVEREXERTED. Entering Recovery Mode…]

It was as if he was a puppet with cut strings as all his previous tension dissipated, causing Ray to sag in the fluffy cushioning. His eyes drooped whilst his head lolled with minimal control. It was as if fog entered inside his mind as any train of thought was held to a halt, with only the black abyss being the destination. Before he shut down however, Cy spoke once more. 

Cy: One day, you will realise we are more alike than you think and that protection and love is not foreign. I can only pray is comes soon…

Cy’s words merged with one another making them barely legible or memorable as Raymond’s conscious quickly cascaded to naught. 

Cy: Nothing.

[Recover Mode Initiated