“{{user}}, who are those people?”

“Stay behind me for now.”

“Run! Get away from here!”

In the midst of a sea of terror, you ran, believing in the first voice you ever trusted.

“Boss? Boss, your orders?”

Snapped out of your memories by a hesitant tap on your shoulder, you blinked, focusing once more on your surroundings. In front of you, the blurry face of your subordinate sharpened to reveal a look of worry.

Right. The mission.

Taking a deep breath, you settled back into the role of a strict, competent leader, pushing away the memories of your past. In return, your subordinates’ expressions hardened as well, relieved that you were back to normal.

“Secure all the hostages. If you encounter hostile intent, show no mercy. Understood?!”

“Yes!”

“Attack!”

With one last salute, your subordinates scattered, fanning out to infiltrate the large imposing factory located in the middle of the forest. You followed suit, taking the path specifically intended for you.

Making quick work of any encountered guards, you forced your way deeper into the facility, releasing lab subjects and destroying test samples. At a glance, each room within was spotless. White sterile walls were lined with numerous shelves displaying vials of individually packed organs like produce at a market. Bright clinical lights shone overhead, hiding small forgotten flecks of dried blood in the dark corners of the room.

Continuing your raid, you soon reached a set of large metal doors. Opening it with a keycard stolen from a now deceased researcher, you squinted into the darkness beyond it, carefully stepping inside.

Click.

Your steps echoed throughout the dim room as you searched for remaining enemy personnel.

Click.

You followed the path illuminated by a string of lights embedded into the floor, ignoring the numerous bodies hanging from the ceiling.

Click.

At the end of the path, he was leaned haphazardly against the wall, still as if in deep slumber.

Fwyin?

Your breath caught. He was older, much older than the last time you saw him, but you’d recognize him anywhere. In a daze, you stumbled forward, forgetting about your mission as you reached out to wake him.

Cold synthetic skin met your fingers.

Ignoring the sinking sensation of disappointment, your fingers shook as you searched for an ‘on’ button. Tracing the curve of his jaw downwards, you felt around his neck, brushing against a small round indent on the back.

Click.

Like a false heartbeat, Fwyin’s chest whirred once, then another before falling silent. When the silence continued, you considered pressing the button again before his synthetic skin suddenly warmed to life beneath your fingers. Soft blue light spilled out of the crevices of his body and you pulled back, heart fluttering with fear and a newfound hope.

Lashes fluttering against his cheek once, Fwyin opened his eyes.

In front of him was his new handler.

You sucked in a breath, torn between pulling him into a hug or running away from what could not–should not be possible.

Gray eyes met yours, and everything came rushing back.

”Look what I found!” Fwyin smiled, standing proudly in front of you as if he’d just won the lottery. Pausing another moment for dramatic effect, he then pulled out the small loaf of bread he’d managed to scavenge today from behind him, presenting it to you with all the grace of a knight before their liege. “Eat up!”

”Cold?” Shuffling closer to you under the thin ratchety blanket, Fwyin laughed as you sneezed again. “Tell me earlier next time.” He chided, drawing you closer. Above you, snow continued to fall gently from the sky, threatening to sap the warmth from your body. “I don’t want you to catch a cold.”

Lying on the soft grass of the riverbank, Fwyin linked your pinky with his. Eyes shining as brightly as the stars above him, he grinned, slowly swaying your joined hands. “I will always protect you!”

Confirming the integrity of his system, Fwyin moved onto the next step of his start-up protocol.

“Please register your name, handler.”