Ch. 66 My Silvery Triumph

                                    

                                          
I wait patiently, holding onto the branch above me. The bark begins to scratch my hands from moving them every so often, trying to rid myself of an annoying cramp.
I let my gaze travel through the thick tree branches to the unreal forest around me. I'm still amazed as to how real this simulation feels. If someone blindfolded me and led me to this spot, I would think that I was in a real forest. It's scary how real it is. 
Finally, the soft padding of feet on the forest floor sounds throughout the area. I watch as the robot comes closer to me, its footprints leaving imprints into the soft mossy ground.
I squint my eyes against the shiny glare of light bouncing off the robot's metal suit. The sunlight filters through the trees, glinting off the silvery surface every so often. 
The robot stops every so often, swinging its head back and forth, scanning its surroundings. Trying to find me.
I try to breath softly, not wanting to alert my spot as the robot makes its way unknowingly underneath my hiding spot. It hasn't found me yet and I'm grateful to find a hiding spot so high up in the sky. 
I ready myself, going into a crouch position. My breath hitches as I launch myself off the branch. My hair rushes past my face as I land perfectly on the robot's back with a soft clang. My feet search for a footing on the smooth back. 
I didn't expect to brace myself properly and the impact of landing on the solid machine was sudden and hard. The force of my unexpected weight made it go forward, staggering it for a split second before righting itself. 
Sending me forward in one fluid motion. I cry out in surprise as I feel my body tip forward towards the ground.
I twist my body just in time to land on my feet in a crouched position. Huffing in frustration, I turn around, locking eyes with the robot. 
It raises its arms; a high humming sound follows. In a split second, everything became a blur. I barely had time to breath as I was flung to the side, skidding across the forest floor. 
In a heartbeat I stand up, ignoring the grass stains starting to coat my outfit. I take a deep breath before throwing myself into a whirl of fists and kicks. I block a punch with my right arm, the momentum sending me back a few staggering steps.
My opponent retracted its arm, and I took the opportunity to land a roundhouse kick to its head, the strike vibrated through my teeth. With my heart pounding in my chest, I throw punch after punch. Hoping to get at least one to hit my target.
Sweat trickles down the side of my face, and I stop for a moment to catch my breath. The robot stands before me, it's sleek silvery form undaunted by my onslaught of throws. It's like a machine built for battle.
Enough with these pauses, I have to win. I launch myself back into battle with the robot. Doubt of my abilities start to echo in the back of my mind. But I can't give up, not yet.
My breathing becomes heavy as the robot blocks a kick to its knee. I cry out in pain as a blow is landed to my stomach. But I ignore the pain, sucking in air between my teeth as I hold back the pain.
With a sudden burst of angry determination, I throw myself forward. With fists flying, I land a blow at the robot's vital joints, hoping to find a weakness in its armor.
Each blow given felt like I was punching a solid stone wall. The impact sent shockwaves through my knuckles.
The robot blocked my jab at its neck and landed a kick to my left side in return. The force of it makes me stumble to the side, my feet sliding across the grass floor.
 With an aching side, I stand up slowly. Gritting my teeth through the pain, I wait as the robot advances towards me. 
I tighten my stance waiting for it to get closer before aiming a wide punch to the side of its head. It stumbles backwards a few steps before spinning around, aiming a roundhouse at my midsection.
I jump backwards just in time, spinning around to land a blow at its side. But the robot stood firm as if whatever I do won't end this battle.
I dodge to the side, its fist going past me. The sound of blood rushing through my ears gets louder as exhaustion screams at me to stop. I can't give up, not yet.
I sidestep the robot as it rushes past me, but I didn't expect for what happened next. In a split second, I stand face to face with it. It quickly reaches out to grip my shoulder, yanking me forward.  
Instinctively, I kicked it in the stomach and twisted my body out of its hold. With that momentum I spin around, landing a roundhouse to its stomach sending it crashing to the floor.
I jump back with my arms up, ready to fight it when it stands up. I stumble slightly, my vision becoming blurry for a second before clearing. I don't know how much longer I can hold out for.
But I blink a couple of times to make sure that what I'm seeing is real, not being able to comprehend what happened fully. The robot lays peacefully on the grass, the humming sound no longer there.
I think I just defeated it. My tired body starts to feel light, the pain slowly diminishing. I crash to the floor, too tired to move.
A soft laugh escapes me as I lay on the cool grass, feeling the breeze whipping past my face. I turn my head to the side to see the robot disappearing in a flash. 
A relieved sigh escapes me, glad that it's over. I can't wait to go home and sleep the day away.
But the moment was short lived as a blood curdling scream echoed throughout the forest. My blood goes cold. 
To my horror, that scream sounded like a child. One just like the kids I took care of at the pack's daycare.