Chapter 6: The Flicker of a Spark
497 Words
Jade spent the rest of the night staring at the ceiling, his mind tangled in restless thoughts. His conversation with Mina had solidified something inside him-he was not alone.
There were others like him. Others who could feel.
But finding them would be dangerous. One wrong move, one misplaced word, and he'd be reported.
Morning came too soon. The routine began as it always did-silent dolls rising from their cots, dressing in identical uniforms, moving in synchronized steps toward the dining hall. But Jade saw it now, clearer than ever.
This was not a home. This was a machine.
And he was breaking.
Mina walked beside him, but neither of them spoke. They couldn't risk it. Not yet.
They took their seats at the long metallic tables. The dolls ate mechanically, spoon to mouth, bite, swallow, repeat. No conversation. No hesitation.
Jade forced himself to mimic them, though his mind churned with questions. Who else among us is awake? Who else knows this isn't real?
His gaze flickered around the room. At first, everything seemed too perfect. But then-
A tiny mistake.
Across the table, Rai-19 hesitated. Just for a second. His hand hovered over his tray, eyes unfocused, lost in thought.
A breath too long. A pause too unnatural.
Then, just as quickly, he corrected himself, lifting his spoon and continuing as if nothing had happened.
Jade's heart pounded.
That hesitation-he recognized it. The same way his own mind had begun to stumble over commands, questioning things he wasn't supposed to question.
Rai-19 is like me.
Jade gripped his spoon tightly. He couldn't react. Not yet. He had to be sure.
The meal ended, and the dolls were led to their morning drills. Combat training. A reminder that they were weapons, not individuals.
Jade and Rai-19 were paired together.
As they faced each other in the training circle, Rai's blue eyes met Jade's. For just a moment, Jade saw something flicker beneath the surface-uncertainty.
Then Rai attacked.
A sharp jab toward Jade's ribs. Jade blocked it easily, stepping back, countering with a measured strike. Their movements were automatic, honed by years of repetition.
But something was different.
Jade tested him, shifting his stance unexpectedly. Rai hesitated again. His body faltered, his mind struggling to adjust.
Another mistake.
Jade moved closer, dropping his voice to the barest whisper. "You don't belong here."
Rai stiffened. His eyes widened slightly-shock, recognition.
Then-panic.
Rai shoved him back harder than necessary, making it look like a normal sparring move, but his breathing had changed. He was afraid.
Jade understood. If someone overheard them, if Instructor Han noticed something was wrong-
They would erase Rai, too.
Jade let himself fall, rolling with the impact. The fight ended, and the instructor called the next pair.
As Rai walked away, Jade caught the barest flicker of a glance. A silent message.
We need to talk.
Jade exhaled. There were more of them.
He wasn't alone.
And now, the real war was about to begin.
- Writer
