‘Hey, wake up!”

BANG!

X0V jolted awake as the masked humans kicked the metal bars encompassing him. The shrill sound of leather against iron deafened its ears. It grit its teeth, desperate not to scream. Stop! Just stop! Laughter—damned laughter—echoed in the background of the clanging. Taunting it. Shaming it. Black spots suddenly danced through its vision as its senses dropped dead.

Here we go again.

It closed its eyes, desperate to drown in unconsciousness. The humans did not permit it, though; they never did. In a jerk, gloved hands yanked its collar as X0V collided with the freezing bars, releasing a cry of pain on instinct. It could feel its windpipe slowly cracking under the pressure before the hands released it. As X0V collided with the floor, heaving for oxygen, yellow-tinted goggles peered down.

“Eat.”

The flapbox attached to X0V’s cage opened as a single slice of stale bread (mold emerging from the sides), and a water bottle was sent through. With that, the humans cut the lights as they left the lab, leaving the choking specimen in darkness once more. It did not know how long it spent shivering in terror, its arms being the only source of heat in the frigid temperature, with silence being its only companion. A sudden pang of hunger washed over the frail being as it curled inwards further. Melancholy emerald eyes glanced at the plate set in front; the food really should be eaten. Yet, in recent days, the thought of food only induced severe nausea. We never really had a choice…

As the sunken thought rang through its algorithm, it slowly rose, its hands patting the surface to gauge where the food was in the dark. Upon feeling the familiar ceramic rim, it pulled the plate closer to itself. X0V winced as its teeth creaked under the rock-like surface of the bread, but food was food, and it would take whatever it would get. Deciding to slowly nibble on a corner in a futile effort to consume the substance. X0V flinched as a red panel gleamed.

[Battery Substantially Low!]

[ADMIN X0V: just stay awake until I finish this?]

[‘ADMIN’ Orders ruled out. Entering Recovery Mode…]

Damn you…X0V thought, but its eyes were already drooping, head crashing toward the floor again. The impact never registered, as it was floating in a blank space; there were no colors, no voices, or panels - completely empty. However, it was as if something pulled it to the surface, as in a rush, the void space was encompassed by colourful glitches. X0V spun around; rather than the black sea it had expected to be, it was amidst a dirt road, with sunset-painted trees lining the perimeter, as the leaves danced in the wind like ballerinas.

X0V felt its heart race, sweat trickling down its face. Where are we? Yet, its algorithm did not answer; in fact, to X0V’s further panic, it was not even there. It was as if a part of X0V simply was wiped from existence. Gone.

No. Nononono-NO! X0V yelled internally.

Thud.

Thud.

Thud-thud-thud-thud!

It felt as if its heart was demanding to split open at the rate it was beating. Although, before black spots clouded his vision, an angelic feminine  voice pulled him out of its spiral.

“Took you long enough, silly!”

X0V spun on its heels to find its origin, but to no avail. The wind tickled its ear as the voice teased.

“Too slow!”

X0V stilled in paranoia as various conclusions emerged in its head. It simply refused to believe that this thing talking to it existed. After all, how could it be? Unless…

I’m dead, aren’t I? Yeah, that’s what's happening. They’ve finally done it, and now I’m free.

The voice broke into chiming laughter all around the paranoid specimen who was now trembling.

“Not yet, you’re not! And you will not be for a while. Moreover-”

The wind and falling leaves rushed through X0V’s face and through its hair, roaring as it went by, causing it to shudder. It felt outrage.

“If you think death is freedom, then I’ve raised you to be an utter coward. What a disgrace.”

Wha-Wait- Who the hell ARE YOU? X0V shouted in outrage at the enigmatic voice that dared to rebut its belief. Rage fueled it as it began to hurl its emotion.

What do you know about me? Do you even UNDERSTAND my life? What else is supposed to be freedom if not-!

X0V yelped, for in a blink, a woman now loomed over X0V’s cowering form. She was lithe, with a black ponytail, a simple grey dress, and ghost-like skin. Yet, what struck X0V most was her face- she had none. Glaring red and neon green glitches surround the area of her face, pulsing like a heartbeat and only ever being in that area. She  kneeled down to X0V’s level and, right as it was aiming for a kick, she embraced it. In a second, strong arms wound around X0V, gently rubbing its back as her head buried into the crook of X0V’s neck.

“I know more about you than you could ever guess. Your pain, your tears, everything we once shared now lies lost. So, YES, I do know your life and the way you long every night’s rest to be your last, but that is not freedom. That will never be freedom, and inside, you know this. No matter how marred you are now.”

X0V grit its teeth at her words. Despite not knowing her identity or ever meeting her, it could only relax in the warmth she gave, and it never dared to let go. Trickles of water fell from its eyes as X0V cried out.

How am I supposed to get freedom then? If not in death, then what other way? I’m chained by more than iron, broken and rewired beyond compare- what would you have me do?

The woman pulled back, her abyssal face locking gaze with X0V’s sunken eyes.

“You do what I always told you. Don’t. Give. Up.” She uttered simply. Her palms caressed X0V’s face gently, thumbs brushing its tears clean.

“Letting death claim you now is only giving in to your captor’s whims. You have always been stronger than both of us, and with your…modifications, you’re MORE. Make use of this.”

She leaned in once more and whispered in its ear.

“Fulfill the wish I could not.” With that sentence, she was on her feet again, her back facing X0V as she started to walk away. X0V, who was still processing her words, snapped back to this dream before she could leave.

Wait! X0V reached an arm to grab hers, but the environment began to quake as sparks and darkness consumed the colour once more. Cracks spread throughout the dirt path, widening with every minute. Realising the clock was out, X0V gave a final attempt.

I don’t understand! HOW? Tell me, please!

The woman stopped in the distance as the shadows encroached on her space further, the ground between the two getting more distant with the passing seconds.

“You know how. Oh, and before I forget,” She glanced back at X0V as light faded away.

“Happy birthday, XXXXXXXX”

“NO!”

Raymond shot up from sleep, panting heavily as nails pierced through the blanket. His eyes dilated as they scanned the area around him. He was in his room in Tellowania College, it was midnight, and he was okay. The vividness of the memory lingered, and for a delirious moment, Raymond was back in his cell once more. Raymond pressed a hand to his heart in an effort to even his breath while he shook the nightmare away. It had been a while since Ray last saw this mystery woman, probably even a year, but clearly she was still in his head. Raymond groaned in exhaustion, running a hand across his weary face. His class was first thing in 10E’s timetable tomorrow, and wearing himself thin like this was bound to result in a disaster.

I’ll never hear the end of it from that brat. Raymond reminded himself, thinking about Francis, who was snoring loudly in the room next to him, but the walls did nothing to muffle the sound. In all honesty, though, Raymond was glad for the slight noise. It distracted him from his turmoil, his memories, or anything that could disrupt his senses right now. It was almost…helpful. He quickly glanced at the digital clock on his bedside table.

12:00 am

08/11

In the back of his mind, he felt a welcome presence stir. First, it started out confused, before mental bubbles of excitement burst forward.

Cy: Wha….!!!!! IT’S TWELVE ALREADY?!

Y-e-s? Ray enunciated slowly, wary of the gleeful undertones in Cy’s panel. Usually, mayhem followed soon enough, and it was too early for Raymond to be bothered dealing with. Another purple panel popped up.

Cy: Then you know what it means!

What do you-

However, Raymond was interrupted by a holographic video of a puppy bursting from a candle-lit cake with streamers erupting from the sides, looped in front of him, behind Cy's panel.

Cy: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RAYMOND!!!!! <3

For a second, Raymond was a statue out of surprise before small bursts of laughter were released. He clamped a hand to his mouth to minimise the volume while doubling down in joy. Ray could almost feel tears in his eyes from the strain of controlling his smile, but he was glad he failed.

Thank you, Cy.

Cy: Eheh >:D No problem, now make a wish!

The hologram then switched to a single candle, its small flame twirling in the wind. A wish…Raymond was in deep thought briefly before he smiled slowly.

I wish…to stay free.

Then the candle went out.