(Viewpoint: Alpha-1)
It had worked.
Better than I had imagined.
For several days, no one really dared to speak to Sigma-02.
Each time she approached the group, the conversations slowed down. Some looked away. Others responded with simple nods.
No one was openly accusing him.
But everyone seemed to believe that she had actually said those words to me.
"Defective."
"You're bothering us."
They didn't want to become like her.
So they moved away from it.
I watched them from a distance.
It was fascinating.
The children were so easy to manipulate.
All it took was a story told at the right time.
They finished the rest on their own.
...
Yet...
Something was bothering me.
Sigma-0.
He continued to go see her.
Every day.
He spoke to her for a few minutes.
He was still inviting her to play.
I had to be content to wait when she allowed herself to refuse.
For what ?
Why was he insisting so much?
I clenched my fists.
He should have stayed with me.
…
The days passed, I made a bit of an effort with all the supporters, most of them were really babies in their heads.
I understand why Father didn't push them too hard.
But little by little...
The other Sigma members noticed one thing.
Asmara was never mean.
She always helped those who fell.
She shared her meals.
She thanked the researchers.
She never responded to cold stares.
Even when she was injured.
She smiled and did her best to get closer.
I hated that smile.
It was false.
I'm certain of it.
…
One morning, Sigma-18 stumbled during an exercise.
Before Sigma-0 could even move...
Asmara was already near him.
– Did you hurt yourself?
She blew gently on his knee before extending her hand to him.
The little girl burst out laughing.
- How are you !
Asmara blushed like a small tomato and took his hand.
They left together as if nothing had happened.
I watched them from the back of the room.
For what...
Why did she continue?
Stay in your place, you're only humiliating yourself further.
…
But the days passed like that.
A few days later...
Sigma-7 timidly came to sit next to her during the meal.
Then Sigma-12.
Then Sigma-3.
At first, they didn't talk much.
Afterwards...
They started laughing again.
The conversations resumed.
Games too.
Everything went back to exactly the way it was before.
It was as if my lie was slowly disappearing.
...
I hated it.
Every burst of laughter made me want to smash everything.
I felt something rising in my chest.
A heat.
Burning hot.
Why were they going back to her?
Yet I had given them a reason to stay with me.
Everything I said was brushed aside.
...
I was surprised by a conversation.
– Do you really think Asmara would have said that?
- I don't know...
– She never insulted anyone.
– Perhaps there was a misunderstanding...
A misunderstanding?
I gritted my teeth.
Non.
There should have been no doubt.
They had to continue looking at her as before.
Non...
...
Sigma-0 arrived near her.
– Are you coming?
Asmara hésita.
Then she agreed.
They left to join the others.
I remained alone.
Again.
My gaze followed their silhouettes.
For what...
Why her?
Je suis bien meilleure qu'elle, j'ai tout, je suis parfaite et intelligente, je suis intéressante, n'est-ce pas ?
Pourquoi les autres la suivaient-ils toujours ?
J'ai lentement baissé la tête.
Mes ongles s'enfonçaient dans ma paume.
Ça faisait mal.
Mais pas autant que ce que je lui réserve...
...
Cette nuit-là...
Je n'ai quasiment pas dormi.
J'ai fixé le plafond blanc.
Encore.
Toujours.
Puis une idée m'est venue à l'esprit.
Simple.
Évident.
Personne n'était censé remonter jusqu'à moi.
J'ai lentement tourné la tête vers la fenêtre.
Les lumières des laboratoires étaient encore allumées.
Je souris.
Très légèrement.
cette fois...
Personne ne me le prendra.