Chapter 53
Chapter fifty-three
Anna
It was a far walk.
Knowing that, Anna should have maybe tried harder to get one of the hovers out front working.
But instinct took over and made her flee.
Right now, she didn’t want anything to do with anyone.
Except maybe Atlas. She sat on a rock, clutching her baby, feeling incredibly weak and groggy. Where was he anyways?
Instinct made her want to get far, far away. She shifted uncomfortably; everything was sore. From her arms all the way down to her legs. She didn’t even want to think about what was happening with her stitches, which she knew were covered in blood.
Anna still hadn’t fully recovered from the birth. Her head pounded. At least overhead no drones even hovered. Maybe the power outage is keeping the drones away? But her baby was safe. She maybe still wasn’t; she had lost a lot of blood.
The ground swam before her. Anna needed to sit.
At least for a minute. She sat on a rock to keep away from the sharp twigs and ants on the ground, taking deep breaths.
Her baby, with a perfect upturned nose and fists up by her face, slept.
She cradled the bundle tighter, her heart still racing.
They were together. Her and baby girl. She let out a soft sob.
“My baby girl, my baby girl. You’re okay.
I’ll get you home. You have a crib waiting. And people who love you.”
But where was Atlas? Just when she needed him the most, he was gone. Was he in trouble too? Guilt bloomed at the thought, and the fact that she’d left him behind. I needed to get out. Her baby, safe and whole in her arms, confirmed her decision.
Fear for him flared. She'll let Simon know. They could come back and help him once she got baby girl away. Zero was there too, and Atlas was his friend. He’d help. The best thing she could have done was get away; protecting her baby came first.
After another moment, she forced herself to stand, slowly, making sure she wasn’t dizzy.
Thankfully, she was stronger than when she first got off the transport from Earth.
All that work in her little house had paid off.
She glanced up at the drone-free sky. That was the biggest relief, she needed to make it back before they started to follow her again.
Once she was back with Nora and Simon, at least she’d have some protection.
Then they could make a plan to come back for Atlas.
Right. A solid plan.
“Up we go.” She whispered to her baby. Every step closer to home.
That lasted only a handful of footsteps until she heard a deep humming noise coming from behind. A hover? She immediately froze, standing exposed in the path.
The baby wiggled in Anna's arms, breaking her freeze. She quickly left the path to hide behind a tree, close enough to watch but crouched low on the forest floor. If they were looking for her, there was no way she could run fast enough. Better to hide and be still. She sat there, nursing her baby now, who had started to whine. The humming was closer now, but moving so slowly that the hover must be traveling at a snail’s pace.
Anna gulped. They were searching. But it didn’t add up. If they really were, wouldn’t the drones be more effective in finding her?
Finally the drone came into her view. And everything in her loosened.
Atlas? It was Atlas driving? She could only see the side of his face.
Then he turned, scanning the forest. It is him.
Her body shook head to toe in relief. She wanted to call out to him.
To go to him. But . . . Could others be following? Is it another trap?
It was a moot point, as the hover slowed and Atlas circled back, as if he could sense her hiding in the woods. “Anna? Are you there? I can hear your heartbeat . . . I’m not going to hurt you. I’m alone. Are you there?”
“Atlas? It’s you?” Anna swallowed and backed up out of the trees. She trembled head to foot.
“Anna!” He quickly turned off the hover, stumbling out. “Are you okay? Is the baby okay?”
“Where were you?” She backed up as he approached. “How are you walking free now? You weren’t there!”
“Stella . . . she tricked me.” Atlas’s eyes were wild. He watched her like a drowning man tasting air. “I was so worried about you.”
Stella tricked him. But the fact he could be tricked. He left? “Why did you leave at all?”
“She compromised Sterling and lured me away using his voice.” He reached out for her. “I will not take you back. Will you listen to me? Please, you shouldn’t be walking so much.”
She side-eyed the hover. “I’m not trusting anything from that damn facility. I’ll walk. I’ve had freaking enough of technology.”
“. . . You’re bleeding, Anna.”
Anna looked down. “These two feet carried me far. They can go a bit more.”
“Anna. Stella locked me in.” Atlas’s voice grew desperate. He stepped in front of her. His hands were burned, and his sweater was ripped and torn in places. “I just got out and turned the power off. I came as fast as I could for you.” He gestured to the baby. “And her too.”
Anna stopped. “Are they gonna come after me?”
“No.”
“Good.”
She took a step down the path, and then heard a cry that made her turn.
“Please.” Androids could not cry. But Atlas’s voice shook and choked like he was. “Please don’t turn away from me.”
And she looked at him. Really looked. Atlas’s hands were held out in front of him.
Pleading, outstretched in a way that she remembered doing .
. . with Paul. And she remembered how desperately she’d wished for forgiveness back then.
When Atlas didn’t need to be forgiven for anything.
He was not responsible for any of this. He was tricked too.
He just wanted to be loved.
Unlike Paul, Atlas was worthy of being loved. He was worthy . . . Anna glanced down at her sleeping baby. Worthy of being a father.
Anna inhaled sharply. Atlas was unlike Paul, who by this point would have shoved her until she gave in to what he wanted. Until it was Anna who had her arms outstretched, unable to stay mad while she was being hurt and just wanted it to stop.
Anna swallowed thickly. “I don’t need you to take care of me.”
“I know.” Atlas took her hand, almost doubled over in plea. “But let me do it anyway. Please, Anna.”
“I’m really mad, Atlas.” Anna’s eyes filled with tears. “I am . . . not wanting to be anywhere near those other androids anymore. Not gonna do their dinners. Not gonna play nice or answer to them.”
“I know.” His voice darkened. “I will never take you back. They know they went too far.”
Anna could feel her body tremble. “You promise?”
Atlas reached one of his hands toward her. “I swear it.”
Anna’s voice became very small. “Even if I don’t . . . act right? Or I don’t do the right thing?”
“Oh, Anna.” Atlas pulled her into his arms. Silence fell as he held her, her heartbeat pounding into his.
The baby kicked between them as he took her head into his hands.
He angled his face to her. “I will love Anna when she smiles.” He kissed her nose.
“And when she frowns.” A kiss to her forehead.
“When she’s silly.” Another kiss. “And yes, even when she’s mad.
” Then lower, he whispered, “Especially when she’s mad. ”
Anna didn’t hesitate as she melted into his embrace, and he closed his arms. It’s him. It’s him.
His artificial heart was steady as she pressed into his chest, their baby in between them. “I promise.”