I just wanted to be human Chapter 25

Song: Never forgive me, Never forget me
Artist: Akira Yamaoka
Album: Silent Hill 3 Soundtrack

Song: Elle Theme
Artist: Akira Yamaoka
Album: Silent Hill Homecoming Soundtrack

Chapter 25: Everything's fine

2 days later
Spine forced a sympathetic smile as he watched Rabbit twitch and sputter. Waiting for his eyes to dim and the electrical charges to fade. The seconds felt like hours as finally Rabbit went limp again. Spine allowed himself a small sigh in relief before letting the anger he had been hiding from his weakened brother to crash to the surface.

<<We can't do this again.>> He commanded, turning his head towards Peter V at the workbench. <<It will destroy him. We can't keep putting him through that.>> He was more angry at himself than Peter. He knew the last time they tried to delete the program in his vault should have been their final attempt. He could see it in Rabbit's eyes. Rabbit didn't want to do it again, but he convinced him to. It was a stupid decision. And it was his.

“Agreed.” Peter sighed and crossed his arms. “... he can't even access that part of the vault without it happening...” he whispered to himself now. Speaking the problems out loud always helped him think. He rubbed his chin in thought and raised those hazel eyes. “Wait, Spine.” He brought up a hand in protest as Spine was about to turn Rabbit back online. “Why not... let him rest a bit?”

<<He hates being offline.>> Spine pointed out plainly, finger still itching over Rabbit's power switch.

“I know but his power is almost empty. Plus, you could use a break yourself. Don't you think?” He tried to convince the silver bot. Spine seemed to be thinking it over as he stared Rabbit down, as if he was asking him unconsciously for permission. “How about you let me work on your language programing then? You won't even have to shut down.” Peter tried to tempt him. He could see by the single raised eyebrow that Spine was thinking about taking the offer. “And then when you tell him Good Morning it will be in English. It would make him so happy.”

<<It would... wouldn't it?>>

“I think he just wants to hear your voice the way he's supposed to.” Standing now, Peter moved to the other side of the room and pressed the intercom button. “Brianna dear. You can turn the WI-fi on now.”

“Yes sir!” Her response was quick, she had clearly been waiting for his signal. A few moments wait and Spine could feel the WI-fi click on, using it to check on Hatchworth and Jon. After determining they were safe he nodded to himself in approval, then sat down in Peter's chair.

<<I can stay online?>> He asked nervously, keeping his eyes on Rabbit. He couldn't allow himself to rest too long.

“Of course.”


Hatchworth held his crayon still as he felt the WI-fi turn on again. If it was on, it meant Rabbit crashed again. It meant another attempt at something going wrong. It meant more pain. He let out a grumble and sat up, watching Jon finish his scribble.

“Wi-fi is on again.” Jon announced unfazed.

“I noticed.”

“Hey now we can watch a movie!” Jon jumped to his feet, leaving his drawings behind. He quickly jumped to a new activity, not giving himself time to think. It was a fault of Jon's. He tried to ignore all the bad feelings, blocking them out of his mind as long as possible until he couldn't. Normally resulting in a breakdown and being reassured by his brothers. Over the last two days Hatchworth could see his facade starting to crack. His chipper attitude and energy fading, yet he still refused to address the issue.

“How about we visit Spine and Rabbit instead?” Hatchworth suggested as he crawled to his feet.

“... How about we watch a movie.” Jon ignored his request, browsing the titles on the screen.

“We haven't seen Spine or Rabbit in 54 hours.” Hatchworth pointed out in that factual tone of his. Now standing and crossing his arms.

“... I don't want to go there...” Jon whispered back, trying his hardest to ignore Hatchworth's annoyed glare. “Look they have Gold Rush. Your favorite.” He began to play the old black and white film.

“That's not my favorite. That is your favorite.” Hatchworth pointed out, but received no response from the curly haired bot. He seemed entranced by the Chaplin film, staring at the screen wide eyed. Hatchworth almost wished it was so easy to turn his thoughts off the way Jon could. “You watch the movie. I'm going to see Spine.”

He started to march towards the door but was yanked back by one arm. Jon's grip was strong, more frantic than aggressive. Hatch lowered his gaze and met Jon's pouting face. The little bot was near tears, his lips trembling. “.... please don't leave me... I don't want to be alone...”

Hatchworth stared down at him in disbelief. No one had said those words to him. He had spent so much time alone, trapped with only his own thoughts. And yet here Jon was, able to see people, to talk to others, to go out there and experience new things, and he still felt that paralyzing loneliness at just the thought that Hatchworth would leave. “Jon. You are not alone.”

Jon dropped his hand, covered his eyes and started to sniffle. “... Spine and Rabbit... are gone...” The tears starting to pour now.

“But Jon. They are not gone. They are in the lab right now. We can go see them.” Hatchworth tried to pull the tiny bot to his feet but was resisted with all of Jon's weight.

“... no... they are... they're different.” Jon wiped his eyes with his sleeve. Knowing this would be a long discussion, Hatchworth sat Indian style in front of him. He couldn't leave now, knowing it would make Jon all alone.  “Can't you see it?” He continued to sniffle, but the tears seemed to have stopped now. “They talk differently... Spine acts so differently... They. They hurt us.” Jon's eyes checked each corner before whispering. “... they could hurt us again.”

“They would never!” Hatchworth spat. Raising a pointed finger to give Jon the facts.

“Spine couldn't promise!” Jon shook his head and lowered Hatchworth's hand with his own. “Spine never lies. He never says he'll do something if he can't. He said he couldn't promise. He said it could happen.... Hatchworth... it could really happen again.” The childlike bot pulled his knees into his chest, burying his head in them and slowly rocking. “... it could... it really could...”

Hatchworth let out a sigh, placing each hand on Jon's shoulders. He waited for him to pull his eyes out of his knees before he tried to address his fears. “I won't let it happen. That is my promise.” His mustache curled as he smiled. “I won't let you be alone.”

“.... really?”

“Of course. No one wants to be alone.”

Leaping, Jon wrapped both arms around him. It took him by surprise, but you wouldn't hear him complaining. It was nice to be needed. They embraced for only a short while. And as they separated they turned towards the screen. The black, whites, and grays flashed as they watched Chaplin make the rolls dance on fork tips. Jon began to laugh, plopping down on his stomach with his chin in his hands. Hatchworth casually sat cross-legged and leaned against him. It felt peaceful again. Hatchworth began to wish this serenity could last forever. Yet he couldn't help but think. For he and Jon to enjoy this moment, Rabbit had to be offline, and Spine had to be alone.

*Spine?* Hatchworth asked over the static of the WI-fi.

*Yes Hatchworth? Is everything alright? Are you and Jon-*

*We are fine.*

*Ah. Okay.*

*Are you.... Are you.... alright?*

*Everything is fine Hatchworth. Don't worry.*

*But are you fine?* Hatchworth waited through the long pause. Spine liked to have time to choose his words. He hoped to be reassured, but those hopes sank when Spine responded.

*Everything is fine... Enjoy your movie.*

He couldn't say it. Hatchworth let out a soft sorrowful moan, drawing Jon's attention. He faked a smile and nodded towards the screen, distracting him again. He couldn't just say he was fine. He just couldn't lie.