He was a machine.

A machine, Henry was a machine. Rebecca shook herself—behind the veil that hid his face was not flesh and bone but servos, titanium and plastic. Where once were brown, kind eyes, were cold synthetic lenses.

As Rebecca watched Henry leave, she realized he’d never return if she let him go, and she wouldn’t blame him. She knew what she had to do. Live with no regrets. Besides, things couldn’t get any worse.

She charged after him in her bare feet, leaving the door open behind her. She wouldn’t let him get away, not after he’d finally returned. No matter what had happened to him, no matter what he truly was. He was the one she loved. He was real.

The ground punished her feet as she ran. She darted up the hill towards the road, faster than even Henry could. She was still too far for him to hear him. She gritted her teeth and sped on.

“Henry!” she yelled, he slowly stopped and turned to face her. His eyes faintly glowing with a green light, his metallic face unable to show expression.