The Disparate One

Oxford barged into their room where he saw the same horrifying sight of one of the windows wide open. He shut the door, stomped to the window, and then looked menacingly at Ray. He quickly stepped back when Oxford shoved him against the wall with a thud.

Oxford, teeth-greeting, gripped Ray’s neck, but before he could choke him to death, he quickly let go when Ray defended himself, claiming that he was in the shower when he heard something.

Oxford spat curses when he moved around the living room, rubbing his face, stretching it, as if he was going to rip himself to pieces. The noises of the outside world poured through the window, reminding the two about the problem. Ray, after catching his breath, causally closed it shut at the exact time when Oxford stormed out.

Ray swallowed, glancing at the window, scratching the back of his head.

“Goddammit, Fier!”

Why here and why now? Couldn’t Fier wait a little bit longer for them to return to New York to escape? It would definitely be easier for them to find him. Especially after recalling his story. Ray’s eyes grew larger instantly while snapping his fingers. He remained somewhat calm when Oxford returned, also in a relaxed state.

“Let’s not panic…” he said, which made Ray secretly roll his eyes.

“Can’t you just track him?” Ray crossed his arms, remembering how Oxford found Fier in his first escape.

Oxford looked at Ray. He’s right! He hurriedly brought out his phone and opened the tracking app. He grunted with relief when Fier’s location appeared on the screen. He was crossing a street, not too far from the hotel. They had no idea where he was heading, but they insisted on catching up before losing him. With that, they hastily grabbed their jackets and rushed out to the hall where they stumbled on Oxford’s family, all dressed up extravagantly.

“Oh! Where are you boys heading?” the wife asked.

“W-we’re just heading out. What about you, girls?” Oxford returned.

“We’re going shopping! You boys should come with us!” said Azalea with a gleaming smile.

Oxford glanced at Ray behind him.

“Oh. It’s alright. But we can walk you there.”

They walked through the busy streets of London where Ray was fascinated by the different styles of architecture, double-decker buses, and old-fashioned taxis running around. He wanted to spend more time admiring this city, but they still had a problem to deal with. Unfortunately, the girls’ destination was in the opposite direction of Fier’s location. This made Oxford worry.

Finally, when the girls turned to the shop, Oxford stopped Ray at the entrance where he handed him his phone.

“Just in case...” he said, glancing at the girls skipping through rows of items of clothing, he brought out another phone, his backup, “...wait here.”

Ray kept his eyes on the screen, seeing the animated, translucent wave coming from Fier’s moving circle. He pinched in, marking the street names and other landmarks. When Oxford returned from telling his family that they would be heading someplace else, they began their pursuit.

They speed-walked through the city streets, carefully forcing their way into the afternoon rush hour. Both kept their phones in their grasp as their location approached Fier’s. His circle remained in a park. He noticed it wasn’t moving anymore. He didn’t know whether he should be glad or worried. Oxford was definitely worried.

A few minutes later, their pace had gotten slower when Oxford began gasping for air. He should’ve listened to his predecessor when it comes to endurance. Ray tried to lead the way until Oxford clung on to a pole. His body limped and his knees became jelly.

“Go on!” Oxford waves his hand, “I’ll catch up!” he wheezed.

Ray nodded before running for a few more blocks where he finally arrived at the park. His eyes searched around as he walked along the path, slightly veering into vegetation. He stopped in the middle of intersecting paths where he did a full circle sweep.

Returning his gaze on the phone, he took on the last meters until his icon overlapped with Fier’s. He did another scan but saw no tall figure. He took deep breaths, bending to his knees.

“Where…” he coughed, “...are you?”

He moved a few more steps where, at last, behind a group of large trees and shrubs, he found someone interacting with the birds hopping around the grass. He waddled over, looking down at the phone.

Fier was staring at the bird which was jerking his head on his finger. He looked behind him when his ears picked up someone dragging their feet against the grass. Fortunately, he was wearing clothes and using the holographic device.

“W-why?” Ray leaned on the trunk, breathing heavily, “Why?”

Fier looked down with guilt. He kept his hand straight as the bird chirped and flapped its wings. He tilted his head down because he didn’t know what to say. He knew they would be furious at him for disappearing.

Seconds later, another wheezing man arrived. Oxford nearly tripped on one of the tree’s roots when he joined the two. His red, wet face frightened Fier.

“You son of a bitch!” Oxford was about to slap Fier with his bare hands, thankfully Ray jumped in between them.

All of the birds nearby flew away from the scene, returning to the branches above. Fier instinctively had his forearm raised. He didn’t reply. He remained seated on the grass when the birds flocked back, making him look like a Disney princess. He was even sitting in the middle of the sunlight.

“How long have you been here?” Ray asked calmly, regaining his energy by plopping down, legs stretched out.

“half an hour… I guess…” replied the robot, straightening his finger for one of the birds of land.

“You’ll be in detention for half an hour, that’s for sure!” Oxford sat down, preventing blowing a fuse.

“I-I’m sorry...” Fier placed the bird back with the others.

“What do you mean ‘I’m sorry’? You scared us! What were you even thinking of running away like that!?”

Ray gestured to Oxford to calm down, taking the wheel of the conversation.

“What’s important is we found you, that’s all. Just don’t do it again.”

The robot nodded despite hearing Oxford murmuring. The two exhausted men remained on the ground, staring at the orange and brown leaves dancing and falling.

For the moment to dissipate, Fier volunteered to get them cold refreshments. Of course, Ray and Oxford exchanged glances with the doubt of him returning. Ray reminded them about the phone before sending Fier on his way.

“I swear... if he runs away again, you’ll be the one running after him,” stated Oxford, crossing his arms, even though he would still search for him.

Ray brought the phone out again, keeping an eye on Fier’s movements. Gladly, the robot reappeared with not just two cups of milkshake, but also two cupcakes as well. Ray held a chuckle when he caught the message written atop the cupcake made out of white frosting that said, “I’m sorry”. He hummed with delight when he took a bite out of it.

“Can robots smell?” he asked out of nowhere.

“No. I wish though,” answered Fier, returning to his spot, sadly, the birds took off a few moments after he left.

Ray stirred the plastic straw around his cup, making sure that the mango flavor didn’t concatenate at the bottom. A few dozens of falling leaves later, Oxford’s family called, asking where they were. Apparently, they insisted on coming to them since they were also looking for a place to eat. The group was complete again before leaving the park.

The three males had their own words of not bringing up what happened.

They found a restaurant just a few blocks from the park. Luckily it wasn’t crowded because of the two girls’ growling stomachs. The restaurant had a trait of French, hence, Oxford ordered a bowl of snails, which apparently disgusted everyone at the table.

Ray looked away as the man began emptying, shell by shell.

They casually chatted after they finished their meal while returning to the hotel. Keeping in mind what happened earlier, Ray assured Oxford that he won’t take his eyes off of Fier, who also promised to not repeat his actions. Again.

The following days were unexpectedly peaceful, mainly because Fier didn’t escape.

They visited key landmarks throughout the entire country, Oxford bought a film camera for them to remember these. It took a moment for him to get used to it.

Ray dropped himself in the middle of his bed, muffling his groans. They just got back from the Tower of London. Fier was in the living room, placing their souvenirs on the sofa, one of which was a snow globe that he began to grow fond of. Every time the particles settle, he shakes them and watches them fly around.

After giving it a good shake, he walked to Ray’s bedroom where he found him nearly falling asleep. He knocked on the door despite being opened.

“Are you not going to pack your things yet?” the robot asked, looking back at the fragile ball.

“I’ll start packing in a moment...” Ray’s voice remained muffled under the pillows.

They spent their last dinner in Britain at the hotel’s restaurant. Ray had grown interested in Oxford’s family, discovering that they were both studying anthropology for two years. From that moment on, Azalea and Zinna couldn’t stop talking about their recent findings in Greece.

They got back to their rooms very late, Fier was assisting Ray who apparently drank too much wine. They could really tell just from hearing his slurred words.

Fier dropped Ray on his bed who groaned and looked back at him. Luckily, he still had little control of himself.

“Out of all things... my tolerance against alcohol is just... p-pathetic!” Ray’s vision swayed, snatching a pillow nearby, hugging it intensely.

Fier sighed at the sight. He placed a bucket and a towel near his bed before leaving him alone. Even when he was in the living room, packing, he could still hear Ray talking to himself, stumbling on his words.

The next early morning, Fier just got out of the shower in a robe when he found Ray waddling over to the bar. Ray’s head was hanging down with the weight of embarrassment from last night, he didn’t want to avoid any eye contact with his red eyes. Meanwhile, Fier looked at him with a smug.

“Remind me to not drink too much wine again...” murmured Ray, pouring himself a glass of water, gulping it like a man in the middle of a drought.

“I’ll remind you to not drink ANY alcohol from now on,” the robot reiterated.

Before they could complete packing their belongings, Oxford invited them to join their final trip to another tourist hot spot. Everyone except Ray acted naturally during their travel. Getting off the vehicle, Ray and Fier were astonished at the view of the engineering marvel of the London Eye.

At first, the two thought they were only going to get pictures, but they were left gasping when Oxford handed them a pair of tickets.

Once they boarded and approached the peak, Ray walked over to the glass, seeing his reflection with a smile while he gazed around. He looked down, seeing people turning into ants. The view of the city wrapped around his mind.

Fier wanted another turn, but it would be childish for him to ask.

They returned to their hotel, resuming their packing when Oxford reminded them about their cruise. They got to the terminal just an hour before their ship’s departure. The cruise was a little bit smaller than their previous one. But this didn’t bother them.

They traveled back to one of the bustling cities of the United States, New York City. Ray was at the balcony, watching the ship dock together with some other floating goliaths.

“It’s been a great mini-vacation with you boys!” said the mother, wearing a white dress with a large flamboyant hat and a pair of shades.

Oxford kissed her then his daughter, on her forehead, before waving to one another goodbyes.

Their chauffeur brought them back to the penthouse where they decided to eat lunch, which was of course cooked by Fier. Ray was in his bedroom, placing his clothes back in the closet, the robot was slicing a lobster, and Oxford was at the dining table, eyes locked on to the tablet. Updating the documents which he had forgotten to jot down during their entire trip.

Fier called Ray for their lunch. Ray was impressed by how tender the meat had become. He complimented Fier for it. Which also made him curious about what Fier wanted to become in the future.

They were chatting as usual when Oxford began coughing heavily. The two observed him when he excused himself to the bathroom, his coughing persisted. Concerned, Fier moved to Oxford’s plate, examining it. Ray joined him, smelling it. It had the same scent as his plate. They exchanged gazes.

“You didn’t put anything, right?” Ray finally broke the silence.

“N-no! Why would I?!” the robot waved both hands between them, he stared at the plate with ears dropping.

Ray went to check on Oxford who just got back, he was wiping his mouth with a tissue. Ray stopped in his tracks. Fier froze in place. Oxford had become pale as a ghost.

“You alright?” Ray asked, slowly making his way next to his Guardian.

“I’m fine... I just feel... different...” Oxford replied, sniffing and coughing softly. The way he walked became sluggish and seemed like he might fall in any second.

“D-do you need an ambulance?” Ray grabbed his arm, assisting him to the sofa.

Oxford grabbed Ray’s arm as well, but with pressure. He looked straight at him, his eyes were shaking and bloodshot. Fier was standing next to the telephone, rubbing his hands together.

“No matter what happens to me... don’t call an ambulance. I-“, Oxford coughed, “I’ll be alright...”

Ray was about to lay the man down when he went limp as if he died in his arms.

Instantly, Fier rushed to Ray when they lifted Oxford and brought him to his bedroom. Fier ran back to the kitchen to make some soup while Ray turned into a nurse, checking the man’s pulse and temperature.

When the robot returned with a steaming bowl, Ray went and grabbed a warm, wet towel. He placed it over Oxford’s forehead. At first, they thought this was just a cold from the sudden change of environment. But if it really was, this was one intense cold.

“W-we should call an ambulance!” Fier said with a shaking voice but Ray reminded him about what Oxford said, which made him think.

“W-what should we do then?” Fier continued to question.

“Let’s calm down for a second. We’ll try to take care of him for a few days, maybe he’s just sick. You know how exhausted we were for the past few days,” said Ray, pressing two fingers on Oxford’s wrist, feeling the soft pulse.

“I-I swear I didn’t put anything in it!” Fier rubbed his face to the point he nearly scratched the paint off.

“I know Fier! Just relax!” said Ray, trying to not absorb the panic, “He’ll be alright... like you two always say,” he added.

Everything went horribly bad after only one day.

He hadn’t eaten or drank anything. They tried giving him medicines but he was unresponsive ever since. Ray had to set up a reminder every five minutes to check his pulse. They even had to take turns in watching him. They did literally everything just to keep him alive, aside from calling an ambulance.

It had already been a few days.

There were times where the two nearly had a heart attack when they found a tiny trail of blood snaking out of his mouth. Ray was walking in circles in the living room, arms crossed, fingers tapping on his elbows. He had been in his thoughts for half an hour now. The thought of bringing Oxford back to the facility. He knew why Oxford didn’t want to be brought to any hospital.

He took deep breaths while rubbing his eyes. He walked back to the bedroom where Fier was sitting behind the desk, staring at the patient.

“We have no choice...” murmured Ray, looking down at Oxford.

Fier furrowed, standing up, clasping his hands together. Ready to call the ambulance.

“I have to bring him back to the facility. It is the only way for him to get better, or even saved,” Ray bit his lips, rubbing his fingers together.

They both stared at Oxford who was luckily still breathing. For now, that was.

“W-whatever it takes...” whispered Fier, keeping his face up.

Ray nodded before walking back to his bedroom. He put his white general uniform back on and made sure he left nothing important. He returned to Fier who remained standing next to Oxford, holding his pale hand.

“I can’t do this without you,” stated Ray, grabbing Oxford’s things that he guessed to be necessary. The tablet and phone were one of them.

Fier went to his bedroom where he put on his clothes along with his holographic face.

Carefully, they tried lifting Oxford, but it was impossible for them to not get any attention. They laid him back as they planned for another way. That was when Ray snapped his fingers. He moved to the desk where he grabbed Oxford’s phone.

“Grr...”

The phone needed Oxford’s fingerprint. Once unlocked, Ray scrolled through the screen filled with unknown names. He was only searching for one.

“There you are,” uttered Ray, tapping the dialer.

He raised his phone in his ear as it rang, then a voice came.

“Sup?”

“Chap?” Ray asked to make sure.

“Speaking?” Chap was looking through his microscope when he answered the call.

He pulled himself back upon the question. It was his first time hearing a different voice from Oxford’s phone, let alone asking if he was indeed Chap.

“It’s me... Ray.”

Chap shot a look at his phone, quickly taking him off from speaker.

“Why are you on his phone? What did you do to him? Where are you?”

Ray stuttered from the wave of questions. He didn’t answer them, instead, he went straight to the point. He told him about Oxford’s current condition and begged him for assistance. Chap jumped from his stool and zoomed out of his lab and into the elevator. He instructed Ray to lock the front door and let no one in, no matter who they claimed to be.

The instruction alone made Ray’s heart pick up its pace. He looked at Fier who was awaiting an answer.

“Lock the doors,” ordered Ray.

“Stay on the line,” said Chap, who was on speaker.

Ray kept the phone with him as told, keeping his eyes on Oxford. Fier just returned from locking all of the doors and windows. He even brought his rifle with him, loaded, from the gymnasium. Ray raised a brow. It was a little over the top seeing a robot wielding a weapon in the middle of this moment.

Ray’s fingers tapped patiently on the desk. He was starving minutes ago, he ate nothing but anxiety. Minutes have passed. Ray noticed that Chap had gone quiet. Too quiet. He spoke his name.

“Don’t worry. I’m not hanging up,” Chap replied with heavy breathing.

Then, out of nowhere, someone knocked on the front door.