i am alive

“No, but then again that’s Sherwood Ohio for you, or well Westerburg High.” Because she was pretty sure they were just as bad as one another when it came to making life hard for people, unless you were pretty, popular aka a jock or a Heather. “Around about that time, yeah. I know it is, but it’s kind of hard to sleep when you’ve seen the things I have. Maybe I should get something to help me, sleeping pills or something.”

Sherwood, Ohio. Connor tried to figure out if he was at all familiar with the place or if he knew what their policies on androids were, but without his built-in database having any sort of information was definitely difficult at times. If he had all his abilities he could’ve scanned the woman’s face and figured all of this out without even having to ask. Undeniably, he missed having all that knowledge. “Westerburg High? Is that where you received your high school education?” Connor asked, trying to make small talk. Humans seemed to enjoy small talk. At her mention of pills, he once again missed his abilities. Scanning her would’ve also helped him figure out all her vitals and he could easily tell her what pills she should be taking to help her sleep, but he’d have to go about that differently here. “I would advise seeing a professional for that. I know what it’s like to experience some dreadful things that make sleeping difficult. But like I said, sleep is vital. It would only benefit you to try and look into some solutions for that.”

“Depends which application you use but I don’t think any of them would be accurate to this place anyway seeing as I haven’t found it on any map so far.”

Hermione was startled by his question and the use of miss. It was so formal, “Yes, I’m fine. I was just worried for your health considering the downpour and your lack of a raincoat,” She smiled reassuringly, “Why do you ask?”

Veronica looked at the other for a long moment before letting out a chuckle that sounded tired and a little bit manic, “I guess you could say I’m exhausted.” She hadn’t slept well ever since that night, but how could someone after witnessing all of that. “I’ll be alright though, I mean-… this place is nothing compared to my home, this is easy and calm and … nice.” Because at least she wasn’t being followed by her ghosts anymore, her head was quiet for most of the time and she felt better? Almost. She felt more free that was for sure. “I don’t think I’ve slept more then two hours a night for a month though, probably why I seem exhausted.”

“Back home was not calm, nor easy nor nice for you? I’m sorry to hear that,” he replied cordially. Connor had an easy life back in Detroit until the deviants had begun to break out and the android war had begun. He could relate to the calm and easy points the young brunette had brought up. “For a month? Is that how long you’ve been here? Also sleep is very important for the human body to regenerate. You should be getting more of it.”

Veronica knew she probably looked like a mad woman right now, standing in the line at the store, arms filled with groceries as she stared long and hard at the slushie machine on the counter. She couldn’t take her eyes away from it, freeze your brain, whispered in the back of her head followed by, our love is god. Words that still made her shudder to this day, even in her do over world. She was only broke out of her trance when she heard someone clear their throat behind her and she realised she had been holding up the queue, “Shit, sorry-” She exclaimed, moving forward and dumping her purchases onto the desk, “I sort of just got lost in my head for a second, you know how it is-.. or maybe you don’t. But yeah, sorry.”

Normally everything was clear for him, but at the young lady’s words he couldn’t help but actually know what she meant. Ever since he’d gotten to this place he’d found himself getting lost in his own thoughts. He actually had thoughts now. Being human was so confusing. “Yes, it’s alright,” he said with a brief nod. Connor put down the single bottle of water he was purchasing after the brunette before him had put all of her articles down on the conveyer belt before him. He was just trying to get a grasp for being human and something he knew is that he was thirsty and hungry all the time. Catching the young lady’s eye, he noticed she seemed very tired. “Are you alright? Forgive me if this sounds invasive but you look a little... exhausted.”

When the other expressed that he was okay, Lydia looked him over once again- he was soaked and she wouldn’t be surprised if he started to shiver soon. “Probably, it’s how illness starts, you stand out in the cold rain and it soaks you through, at least you’ll have a cause for why you’ll be sniffing and sneezing tomorrow.”

“Sick?” Connor had completely forgot. Humans got sick. He hadn’t been sick a day in his life since androids were incapable of falling ill. Aside from child androids who were programmed to imitate such human features of course. “I hadn’t though of that,” he admitted quietly. “Is there any way I can avoid it?”

“It’s a lot of water actually. It’s pouring out here.”

Isaac chuckled, “Might be a good idea, yeah.”

“You know, considering the stories I’ve heard about what’s going on in these worlds, I would have thought that some people would actually be happy to be away from them.”

“It wasn’t the coin that I was distracted by, it’s pouring and you’re simply standing there and becoming drenched. You’ll catch a cold that way.” Lydia commented, watching as water droplets dripped from the other from where she stood dry under her umbrella, “Aren’t you cold? Isn’t the rain bothering you?” And now she was sounding like her Mother, something she very rarely did, she guessed her missing the other had a little something to do with that.

“Thank you for the concern, but I’m alright,” he replied. Normally he didn’t feel cold but suddenly he was starting to feel the water coming through his suit. He had to get used to the fact that he was... human here. “But you’re right. It’s best I don’t stay out in this weather,” Connor agreed, moving to take cover under a roof. 

Isaac raised a brow at him, “No. I’m just wondering if you realize that it’s raining. You don’t seem to have noticed it.”

“Come under my umbrella quick!” Hermione exclaimed and gestured for him to come toward her as she stood under her umbrella, concern filling her tone, “You’ll catch your death of cold.”