But if you simply wanted to be able to see clearly out of the eyes you were born with? Nope. Still got to pay. Glasses were easy to print at any 3D printer and they were cheap. So that’s what I was stuck with.
Dax wasn’t the problem in this equation.I sighed,dropping my gaze causing my dreaded glasses to slip down my nose. I held back a gasp of surprise when a gentle green finger nudged them back up my nose. I lifted my head and I found Dax staring at me.
He offered me a shy smile. “They slipped.”
“Thank you.” I returned the smile with one of my own but it fell suddenly when a wave of fear struck. I couldn’t keep him with me. If he stayed with me his life would be in danger. I couldn’t hide myself behind a tree for heaven sakes. How the hell was I going to hide a massive green cyborg? Dax was now at risk because he had helped me. Dread pooled in my belly.
I’m so stupid! I mess everything up!I slumped in my seat. “I can’t take you on an adventure Dax. I’m sorry.” The words were whispered, but inside the small cabin of the car, they still seemed too loud.
His shoulders fell, mirroring my own. “You don’t want to take me with you? I thought-” His mouth slammed shut, refusing to finish his sentence. Hurt registered on his face. He looked like I had just kicked his puppy.
It hadn’t slipped my attention that he had so readily trusted me. Dax had come with me, not worried at all about the dangers that existed outside the cyborg rebellion headquarters. From my research, I knew that the Global Allegiance had treated Dax far better than any other cyborg. His relationship with Dr. Shaw had kept him sheltered from the abuse other cyborgs had received. He had been protected and paraded around like a prized pony. I wondered if he had even caught on to the fact that they still viewed him as nothing more than a piece of property.
I reached over and grabbed his hand. “I would give anything to take you on your adventure, but it’s not safe. If someone caught us...” I shook my head, trying to clear the thousand awful images of what could happen from my brain. “I’d never forgive myself if something happened to you because of me.”
Dax straightened his shoulders, his jaw set. “I know the risks. The last time I encountered the Global Allegiance, they tried to terminate myself and Dr. Shaw. Dr. Shaw almost didn’t survive the encounter.” He withdrew his hand from mine, turning his head to gaze out the window. “The other cyborgs think I don’t understand.” He lifted his hands, flexing his large green fingers. “This color tells the world what I am. I can never pass for human being green.” His hands curled into fists. “I am not naïve. I know what the world thinks of me, Poe.”
I snagged one of his hands, brushing my thumb over the steady pulse in his wrist. “They arewrong, Dax. Cyborgs are a spark of color in a dull and boring world.” His fingers uncurled and I slid my fingers through his, the vibrant green color standing out against my pale fingers. My free hand traced the hard edges of his jawline. “This color-yourcolor-shows the world how you unique you are . It defines you as a miracle.Youare more than a set of equations. More than a feat of modern science.Youarespecial, Dax.I only wish the whole world could see it, too.”
My words caused his eyes to flash so bright spots danced across my vision. I blinked, letting out a laugh. “Blinding me probably won’t help keep you safe, Science Model.”
He gave a sheepish shrug. “Sorry.” His hands tightened their hold on mine. “Please, Poe. I don’t want to go back-at least not yet. You said you have a cabin, right? Could we not go there and maybe only stay a few days? I won’t be any trouble.”
The flutter of hope in his voice shattered my resolve. I knew I should be turning the car back around to take him home, but I just couldn’t do it. “Fine. But only for a few days and then we are going back, understand?”
He nodded his head enthusiastically. “Got it. Besides, I’ll need a few days to think of a way to avoid being terminated by Reaper. I highly doubt he will simply choke me this time.”
I gave a nervous laugh. I really hoped he was kidding. I studied his face. Nope, he wasn’t kidding. Now I really couldn’t bring him back. We were going to need a few days to come up with a plan that didn’t involve our deaths at the hand of the Military Model.
Chapter Four
*Dax*
Poe started the carand I sat back in my seat feeling triumphant. I had a few days to convince her I was the cyborg she might want to keep. And devise a plan for us both to stay alive. Right now at this moment I was more worried about what Reaper would do than the dangers of being out in the world.
“Hold on. This part is a bit rough.” Poe’s words drew me from the scary thoughts of Reaper. I had barely enough time to grasp the console in front of me before the vehicle took a sudden right turn, the wheels bouncing from pavement to dirt. My frame rattled against the seat, the vehicle managing to hit every bump and dip in the road. “Is it purposely trying to hit everything?” I twisted my head and found Poe with a grin plastered across her face. Was she crazy? Could she really be enjoying this?
“You wanted adventure.” Her words rattled around the vehicle and she giggled with every jolt.
The female I wanted to woo might be short a few wires in her processors.
“You...can...have...fun...Dax!” Every word rose and fell in pitch and was punctuated with a laugh.
I steadied my hold on the console, ordering my frame to ride along with jolts instead of fighting against them. I relaxed into the seat, finally allowing Poe’s sense of joy to drag me under. I couldn’t help it. The sight and sound of her was infectious.