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n3m3sis43It's 4 am and the house is so peaceful. I'm still not used to my robotic body, but the fact that it doesn't need sleep is a plus. The wee hours are the only time it's quiet here. Everyone's gone to bed and even Wes hasn't gotten back up.
No SimFighting, no arguing, no assorted racket of a house full of boys. It's glorious.
Imagine my surprise when the front door creaks open and Devin tiptoes inside. He's so busy trying to be stealthy he doesn't even notice I'm there. It amazes me how often that sort of thing happens. I'm a six foot tall metal woman. You'd think people would notice me, right? The reality is, if I keep my mouth shut, I can fade into the background pretty easily.
It's a useful talent in a houseful of people with no idea how to keep their own mouths shut.
I think about letting Devin make it to his room without ever knowing I've seen him. That lasts about 30 seconds. Since I'm not into SimFighting, messing with my housemates is really my only source of entertainment. Robots don't eat, sleep, hug - don't do most things humans get to enjoy. It would be unfair to deny myself this one tiny pleasure, wouldn't it?
He's almost in the hall by the time I speak. "And just where have you been?"
Devin jumps about a foot in the air and screams like a little girl. He's so twitchy, I almost feel bad for scaring him like that. Oh, who am I kidding?
"Wh- what are you doing up?" he stammers as he turns to face me.
"Robots don't sleep."
"Oh. Yeah." Devin backs away from me slowly. "Well, um, I sleep, so..."
"Not so fast." I step forward and stare him down. "You didn't answer my question. Where were you?"
"I don't have to tell you anything!" Devin glares at me. "Anyway, it's late and I'm tired - "
Another advantage of my recent transformation is how easily I can block a hallway. "You're right," I tell him. "You don't have to tell me anything. Guess I'll just make up a story of my own. Hmmm, better yet... Wes knows you pretty well, right? Maybe he could help me figure it out."
"No! Please don't tell him - " Devin's panicked expression is priceless. "I mean... it's just that Wes and I don't - we don't talk about our, um, personal business. I'm a private fucking person, okay?"
"Of course you are, Princess." I give him a reassuring nod. "And what exactly is it I'm not supposed to be telling Wes?"
"Nothing!" For once, Devin doesn't protest the nickname. "I was just... I went to see a friend, okay?"
"A friend." The combination of laser eyes and not needing to blink makes my stare extra effective. "Until 4 am."
"I fell asleep!" Devin's voice jumps an octave or so. "We were, um, playing SimFighting, and I got really sleepy. You keep waking me up so fucking early in the mornings."
Well played, Devin. Whining always helps.
"So, um," he continues. "You're not gonna say anything, right?"
"I don't understand." My voice drips innocence as I casually step out of his way. "Why would Wes care who you - " I pause, my metallic hands making air quotes. "Why would he care who you 'play SimFighting' with, anyway?"
"Yeah, um, exactly. G'night!" Devin mutters as he dashes off toward his room.
I watch him go, shaking my head. Too easy, really.
