Predecessor (Connor x Reader)

13 - On The Run

Instinctively, you reach out, trying to stop them, trying to keep them hidden here where it's safer, but the moment slips away. They're faster than you, darting past in a blur of movement. Kara and Alice sprint into the kitchen, disappearing through the back door, with Ralph hurling Connor to the floor in a hopeless bid to protect them.

At that moment, Hank steps inside, his eyes quickly assessing the scene. "What's going on?"

"It's here!" Connor shouts, his voice strained as he scrambles to his feet. "Call it in!" He doesn't wait for any response, bolting after them, his movements driven by urgency.

Without a second thought, you push yourself into motion, following Connor as you race out the door, ducking under the loose chain-link fence. The cold air hits your face, sharp with the sudden adrenaline.

"Which way did they go?" Connor asks, voice tense as he stands up next to an officer who'd been keeping watch.

"That way—they're headed for the train station!" the officer yells, pointing ahead.

Connor takes off, and you're close behind, rain cascading down as you weave through a sea of umbrellas and hurried pedestrians. You can feel the cool droplets soaking through your clothes, but the urgency of the chase fuels your determination.

You reach an alleyway, where an officer stands, pointing dramatically.

"They're over there!" He says, jerking a finger in their direction.

Clearly, he made no effort to stop them—he's just standing there watching. You and Connor exchange a quick glance before both of you take off running. Ahead, Kara is lifting Alice over a chain-link fence, scrambling up after her.

As Kara and Alice drop down the other side, you both reach the fence and stop, your hands grabbing the wire, holding tight. The world freezes for a moment as Kara locks eyes with you, her gaze sharp and intense. You try to soften your face, offering reassurance, but before you can do more, an officer runs up behind you, gun drawn.

"Don't shoot!" Connor shouts, spinning around to face him, his hand raised towards him. "We need it alive!"

Kara takes this opening, grabbing Alice's hand and sliding down the hill towards the highway.

AUTOMATED CAR TRACK

VERY HIGH SPEEDS

NO PEDESTRIAN CROSSING!

Shit.

Connor turns back to the highway, his eyes fixed on Kara and Alice as they climb over the highway barrier. But then, his movements halt, and a wave of uncertainty seems to wash over him. He doesn't follow them immediately. His posture stiffens as if some deep internal conflict is playing out inside him. There's something in the way he stands now—a shift. It's as though he's questioning everything. The chase. The mission. Himself.

Hank finally catches up to you, out of breath and flushed from the sprint. His hands rest on his knees as he pants for air, shaking his head.

"Oh, fuck... that's insane," Hank says between breaths. He turns to face you. "Jesus, you're fast! I get Connor's got the robot legs, but damn, how the hell did you move that quick?"

But Connor—Connor hasn't moved. He's still frozen, his eyes locked on the scene unfolding in front of him. The seconds stretch out. The world seems to hold its breath.

You can see it now. Connor is no longer just an officer on a mission. He's... questioning. What does it mean to catch them? What does it mean to follow orders? Why is he chasing them at all? What if they're not the real criminals? What if he is the one who's wrong?

Kara and Alice are halfway across the highway now, dodging speeding cars. The flashing lights on the vehicles blur into streaks in the distance, but the danger is undeniable. They're running for their lives. But Connor—he doesn't move. He doesn't jump into action like he's supposed to

Finally, as if his programming snaps back into place, he starts to jump up onto the fence. But Hank grabs his shoulder, stopping him.

"Hey!" Hank yells, his voice suddenly louder than the hum of the highway. "Where you goin'?"

There's a split-second of hesitation before he answers. "I can't let them get away," Connor says, his voice tight, almost... unsure. His fingers cling to the fence as if it were his only anchor in a sea of uncertainty.

"They won't!" Hank pants, trying to catch his breath. "They'll never make it to the other side"

"Don't go, Connor," You say. "It's too dangerous."

"I can't take that chance!" Connor snaps, his voice rising now, the tension between his words and actions clear. He moves to push himself up onto the fence again, his body coiled with energy, ready to jump in pursuit.

But Hank doesn't hesitate. This time, both of his hands grab onto Connor, yanking him back with urgency, and your hand grasps his other arm. "Hey, you'll get yourself killed!" Hank's voice is rough, filled with anger and concern, his grip firm on Connor's shoulder. "Do NOT go after 'em, Connor. That's an order!"

For a long beat, Connor stands still, his face tight with internal conflict. His hand, still holding the fence, trembles slightly. His gaze is locked on Kara and Alice, still running, the lights of the speeding cars flashing past them, barely inches from disaster. The final stretch between them and freedom. It's a decision—life or death, mission or mercy—and you're seeing Connor struggle with it. His brow furrows, his body tense as if caught between two worlds.

Then, slowly, his fingers unclench, letting Hank pull his hand off the fence. Connor doesn't say a word, but you can see it in his eyes: he made a choice. A choice to stop. A choice to let them go.

You turn your gaze back to the highway. Kara and Alice made it to the other side; Kara's on her knees, pulling Alice into an embrace. And at that moment, you realise: he did the most human thing of all.

He failed.

I find it interesting that Ralph always talks in the third person, except for when Kara asks why he's writing RA9 on the walls. Then he says "I don't know."

And any suggestions or critiques or ideas TELL ME GIVE THEM ALL TO ME!!!! Seriously even if I made some dumb spelling mistake I wanna know