Chapter 12 - The Truth
Adam was walking in front of Tessa, guiding her to the training camp.
The wind was blowing softly, but there was an invisible tension in the air.
When they arrived, Adam stopped.
He looked to the horizon for a second...
And then, without turning around, he asked:
Are you still human?
Tessa stopped training instantly.
His body remained motionless.
He lowered his head, clenching his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
There was a long, charged silence.
Finally, he spoke:
Not quite.
His voice was low, broken.
You could say I am...
A hybrid.
Half the devil... half human.
Adam turned slowly to look at her.
Tessa did not raise her head.
He kept looking at the ground, as if the words were weighing on his tongue.
I have a demon form, he continued.
And even if it does not transform me, my regeneration my strength everything in me is already superior to that of any normal human.
A chill ran through Adam.
But not scary.
But sadness.
Tessa swallowed saliva before adding:
And the worst thing is...
The more I use my demon skills, the more I want to eat human flesh.
The wind seemed to stop for a moment.
Adam clenched his teeth, containing any impulsive reactions.
He approached her.
He stopped a step away.
So...
What are you going to do?
Tessa raised her eyes, for the first time, with a mixture of fear and determination.
Fight that.
Every single day.
Until I can no longer.
Tessa was still clenched fists.
His confession floated in the air, heavy, like a sentence.
Adam looked at her in silence.
His own feelings clashed within him: sadness, anger, compassion, fear.
Not afraid of Tessa.
Fear of losing her.
Then, he took a step closer.
So close that I could almost hear his shaking breathing.
He put a steady hand on his shoulder.
Listen to me, Tessa, she said in a low voice, but full of unwavering strength.
I will protect you.
Whatever happens.
Against whoever it is.
Even against yourself... if that day comes.
Tessa looked up, her eyes slightly moistened.
And if ever...
If you ever lose control...
I will stop you.
His voice did not tremble.
It was not a threat.
It was a promise.
A promise born of the purest love.
Adam slowly let go of the air.
He closed his eyes for a second, and then added:
But I also swear something else.
He opened his eyes, red as glowing embers.
I will find a way to heal you.
A way to give back what was taken from us.
I am not going to give up.
Neither do you.
Tessa let out a broken sigh.
And in silence, he leaned his forehead against that of Adam.
They did not need words at the time.
Just the certainty that, even if the whole world fell apart, they would have each other.
Later that afternoon...
Adam walked through the silent corridors of the mansion, dodging Tessa on purpose.
I had a secret mission.
He finally found the person he was looking for:
V, awkwardly arranging some books in the study room.
Adam approached slowly.
Hey, V.
I need your help.
V made a small leap, startled.
A-a-help... for what, Mr Adam?
Adam looked around, making sure that Tessa was not around, and then bent down a little to whisper to him:
I want to buy J a present.
V blinked, his eye sensors flashing as if they were processing the information.
A... gift?
Adam nodded.
Yes.
No matter how much I say that a "super-advanced drone sounds like a time bomb...".
J helped me against Kan.
He saved me.
He deserves something.
V bowed his head a little.
Will we do it... in secret?
Adam smiled on the middle side.
Of course.
Hidden away from Tessa.
I don't want you to believe that I am getting sentimental...
Besides, I also want to buy something from her afterwards.
V looked excited.
Understood, Mr Adam!
Mission plan: secret gift activated!
Adam let out a little laugh at the bottom.
For the first time in a long time, I felt like I was doing something just good.
He turned to go out with V when, all of a sudden, he...
He saw her.
Tessa.
Standing at the door.
Looking at them.
With an arched eyebrow and arms crossed.
Adam froze.
V as well.
An awkward silence filled the room.
What are you two up to? asked Tessa slowly.
The air in the room was so tense that it could be cut with a knife.
Tessa crossed her arms, looking at them with a raised eyebrow.
What are you two up to?
Adam thought fast. Very fast.
He turned to V with an exaggerated smile, hugged her suddenly, and announced out loud:
I'm going on a date with my sugar tenrosito!
V became completely rigid.
Their systems went into panic mode.
Tessa blinked, confused.
A... date?
He looked directly at V, with a mixture of suspicion and fun.
Is that true?
V, red even on his circuits, trembled slightly and nodded.
- S-yes...
Mr. Adam asked me if I could accompany him to a...
A date from friends.
Tessa burst out laughing in disbelief.
A date... from friends?
Adam nodded very seriously.
Yes, totally innocent.
Just two special beings...
Sharing sweets...
And magical moments.
Tessa rubbed her face in defeat.
Do you know what?
I don't want to know more.
He turned his back on them and left the room, muttering to himself:
This pair is more broken than the drone education system.
As soon as he disappeared, Adam released V.
V stood still, processing everything.
Mr Adam...
Yes?
Does this... count as a real date?
Adam looked at her with a mischievous smile.
Of course, my sugar tenrosito.
V was completely frozen, her internal engines shrieking softly with sheer confusion.
V looked down, his internal systems working at full speed.
> Thoughts of V:
So... does Mr Adam have affectionate thoughts towards me?
Is this normal? Is it allowed? Should I... correspond?
I don't know, but I like it.
I like a human giving me so much affection.
He blushed even more, lowering his ears (if he could).
A slight vibration ran through his legs with restrained emotion.
Adam, totally oblivious to the emotional storm he had created, ran a hand through his hair.
Well, let's go hand in hand, V! he said, smiling mischievously.
We have to move fast.
We live in the middle of nowhere, so if we want to get those gifts, it would be better not to waste time.
V blinked, focusing on him.
Yes, Mr Adam!
And together, they ran discreetly out of the mansion, heading for their "secret friends date.".