Highstrung Robot

Chapter Four: Dangling by a String

"Let's go." She took his hand and stormed out of the place, not surprised at all that the men hadn't even stopped their conversation. She walked out to the docks, her heels clicking against the metal platform as she got to their side port, shoving Jake inside and shutting the door.

He plopped onto the passenger chair, his head down looking at his lap and his hair hanging in front of his face. He gripped the armrests tightly, tearing the material with his nails.

She sat down in the driver's seat and shoved her glasses onto her face, starting up the engine and undocking from the port, heading east.

Jake was silent and still, except for his heavy breathing. He waited for Adelaide to scream at him, hit him again, or do anything to show him how mad she was.

Surprisingly, she didn't say anything, only silently driving into the dark space in front of her. She set her course and turned right, putting it in hyperspeed mode.

He starting picking at the holes he tore in the armrest, pulling out the foam and stuffing inside of them and letting his drop the floor. His head was still hanging limply with his hair in his face, making him look like he was either dead or passed out.

They rode the whole time in complete silence, finding their ship once again and docking in it. Once she did she let her head rest on the steering wheel, letting out an exasperated sigh.

Jake didn't move or realize they were back at the ship, still ripping the armrests apart. He had pulling out all of the cushion in them and was now scratching the black plastic that was the base for the chair, making small indentions in it.

She stood up, her heels clicking to the opening of the side port. She suddenly stopped, not turning around to look at him, but coldly saying, "We're home.", before walking further and into the ship.

He didn't follow her in or show any signs that he acknowledged her leaving. Removing his nails from the armrests, he brought them into his body and bringing his legs up, making himself into a ball. He rested his head on his knees and closed his eyes, taking deep calming breaths.

Addie had stopped in the middle of the living room, suddenly dropping to her knees and crying. She sat there, her fingers curled up in the shaggy carpet as tears dropped to the floor, leaving a bunch of tiny little stains.

Eventually, Jake stood up and walked out of the port, his hair covering his face. He shut and locked the door behind him and slowly made his way into the living room, seeing Adelaide on the floor. "Addie..."

She didn't say a word, heavier sobs racking through her petite body. She hadn't even bothered to take off her glasses, more and more tears soaking the white carpet.

He walked in front of her, getting onto his knees and pushing her up to look at her. "I know you're mad at me." Jake avoided her eyes, keeping his hair in front of his face. "And I know you will be even more mad when I say that I don't regret doing that. I just didn't want you to be mad or feel hurt." He let go of her and stood up, starting to walk back to his room.

"Wait..." She grabbed his pants, holding him back by the ankle.

He stopped walking but didn't look back at her. "What?" His voice was quiet, not sounding like himself.

"I'm less mad at you then I am at myself." She said, her voice shaky, but not too quiet.

At this he turned around, looking at her form on the ground. "Why are you mad at yourself?"

"Because I let my mind wander too much. I--" She paused, taking in a shaky breath. "I let myself believe all of those things and I shouldn't. They're just words but my mind...it just searches for evidence to make it true."