Chapter Text
“Sorry, the son of David Elster impregnated Mattie Hawkins, and now they’re having a half-human half-synth child?” Stanley stared at Niska.
“You seem to understand well enough.” Niska said.
“Why should I trust you?”
“I’m Max and Mia’s sister,” Niska started, but Stanley was unimpressed. “And you know Mattie’s pregnant. You were living with them. You would have known.”
“Why should I help? I don’t owe them anything.”
“Do you care about the future of our kind?”
“I care about protecting me and Sam.”
“This will change everything. This baby is the future.” Niska stared back at the unmoved Stanley. She stared at his green eyes, thinking of a way to break through.“We’re not just things. Sam won’t ever be treated the same as a human boy, but if we blur the line, the line disappears.”
“What is it exactly you’re asking of me?” Stanley asks.
“We can change things, but Leo, Mattie and their baby will need protection. I want you to go with them and keep them safe.”
“What about Sam?” Joe slowly made his way into the room. Stanley stared at him scornfully, his green eyes like snakes ready to strike.
Sam briskly rode his scooter until he heard shouting. Voices on top of voices leaped over each other.
“Well I don’t believe you! Get out!” It was Stanley. Why was Stanley yelling? Who could he be talking to? He strolled over to the doorway. And then he saw him.
Tears welled up in Sam’s eyes. All three adults went silent as they glanced down at Sam. Stanley’s eyes widened. Sam hopped off his scooter, his eyebrows narrowed.
“Hi Sam,” Joe tried.
“Hello Sam. My name is Niska. I’ve come to talk to Stanley about a job I need him to do.” Sam slowly walked toward them. Niska continued, “But Stanley can’t do the job and stay here to look after you.”
Sam stopped and glared up at Joe. “You didn’t want me.”
“That’s not true, Sam,” Joe told him.
Sam’s eyes moved to Stanley. “You said you wouldn’t leave.”
Stanley started to say something, but before he could, Joe blurted, “Please, don’t be angry with Stanley.” He knelt down in front of Sam. “I’m sorry we hurt you. I will never let anything happen to you ever again. My daughter, Mattie, needs help. Stanley’s going to help her, and there’s nothing more important to a parent than their child. You’re mum loved you so much. She sacrificed everything for you. I won’t let that be in vain. Please, let me make it up to you.”
Sam stood there, looking at Joe. “Would I get to play with Sophie?”
Joe let out a sigh of relief and couldn’t stop himself from smiling. “Of course you can! Of course.” Joe hugged Sam as tears rolled down his face.
Leo stared at the ceiling. Mattie was wrapped in his arms. The two of them lied in the bed peacefully. After gazing at him for a while, she finally felt safe enough to let her lids fall.
“Sometimes I wonder if it would have been better if you’d never met me.” Her small grin faded.
She opened her eyes slowly while she processed what he said. “How could you say that?” She managed.
Leo bit his lip. His eyebrows furrowed. He didn’t have to look at her to know she was hurt, again. He continued looking up, his eyes searching for the right words. “I just mean everything that happened to you and your family wouldn’t have happened and everything would be fine.”
Her eyebrows furrowed as she shook her head. “You don’t know that.”
“I know that if we hadn’t had met, Mia would still be alive, and she’d be safe with your family.”
“I was the one who—
“And you’d be safe.” He surprised her again. “And…your family.” He continued, “You’d have a normal life.”
He couldn’t imagine that this is what she wanted. Him. Running. He thought he could be with her and that he could start over, living like an ordinary person. But instead he drug her into his life. His life of running and hiding—if you could call that a life.
“You could do this…the normal way with…with someone…someone”
“Nothing?” She scoffed. “Even if we hadn’t met some of it was bound to happen. Besides what would’ve happened to you?”
“It doesn’t matter. I wasn’t supposed to be here. It was my fault we were separated. They would’ve been better off without me too.”
“Leo.” He didn’t answer. She reached up and put his hand on his cheek. “Leo look at me.” He let his eyes meet hers, and she grinned at him. “I wouldn’t change a thing.” They both lied there, looking into each other’s eyes.