The call

Friday 21st of July 3018

Two days had passed since Nyco discovered the truth about his birth and what he was.
Emma had tried seeing him but Nyco refused to see her. He did not feel worthy of her. Knowing he was a man made combination of the genetic information of other people, knowing he would develop apathy towards everyone he loved… All of this took a toll on his mind. He felt like a monster made in a laboratory. A thing they created for the betterment of the human race.

Nyco felt like Emma deserved better, he now knew that their relationship had an expiration date. He didn’t know if it would come in a few months or if it would take years. But eventually, he would develop a mission focused mind that didn’t have time for any human relationship. That scared him, he could not imagine ever stopping loving Emma, but it had happened to all the other Star-finders. It would eventually happen to him too.

The troubled boy had sent Emma a couple of texts reassuring her that Lasson wouldn’t bother her anymore and that she didn’t need to worry about the video anymore.
As a favor to Nyco, Alan had also investigated Lasson and all of his friend’s and family’s electronic devices. Nyco was now sure that there was no trace of that video.

Even though that calmed her down, Emma was more worried about him not wanting to see her than anything else.

The thing is, Nyco didn’t know how he would react in front of her. And what really terrified him was imagining how she would react to the fact that he was an artificially created human. Would she be grossed out? Would she act differently around him after learning that truth? He could not bear the thought of seeing her face of disgust.

Emma, on the other side, needed to see him. She knew he was hurt as the news of Lasson being hospitalized had reached her ears. She was worried Nyco could be in a similar physical state. The worried girl was unaware that his greatest pain was mental and not physical.

AI-Juliet had also tried contacting him, as did Yve and Gyanna. But Nyco ignored all of them.

And then, that Friday afternoon, Emma finally got a call from his boyfriend. She was sitting on the sofa at home with AI-Juliet beside her trying to comfort her.

-Nyco? Are you ok? What happened?-, Emma asked nervously.

-Yeah I’m…-. Nyco was going to answer he was fine but decided not to lie. He had decided he would speak from the heart. -I’m sorry I didn’t answer your calls and that I was so distant these past two days-.

-It's ok. But how are you? Did you fight Lasson after all? Is that why you know he won’t bother us anymore?

-Yes…-, Nyco answered. -He won’t bother you anymore, I promise.

-And are you hurt?-, Emma asked worryingly.

-No I’m not hurt. Don’t worry. Look Em. I called you because there is something I have to tell you-, Nyco announced. Emma and AI-Juliet looked at each other. They had a bad feeling about this. -I've decided that I will join the Planet-Gazer’s association. I’m leaving Earth this evening to a base they have on Saturn. A man named Alan came to me the other day and showed me that I… I was meant to be a Planet-Gazer. I know it’s something…

-... Wait wait wait! What do you mean you will join the Planet-Gazers. Who is this Alan?...-, questioned Emma talking over him.

-... After everything you’ve been through I know it’s not what you wanted to hear but… It’s better for us… for you… that I leave now-, Nyco continued.

-Hold on Nyco. What are you talking about? What is this about joining the Planet-Gazers? Where did all this come from? I’m coming over. Are you at your house?

-Yes… no! Don’t come… please-, Nyco begged.

-So you are saying you are leaving and that’s it? No explanation?

-I just… It’s too long to explain… I still don’t understand all of it. If you want to know more just ask that AI based on Juliet. It should know what I’m talking about-, Nyco said. Emma quickly looked at AI-Juliet not knowing what he meant. The AI took a hand to her mouth in shock. “He knows”, it thought.

The AI didn’t have a lot of official information about Star-finder’s in her system as it was confidential information, but Mr. Litdawn had implemented her with countless conversations where Juliet and him had discussed his origins, as well as emails Juliet had with other Planet-Gazer friends. AI-Juliet felt horrible hearing the pain in his voice. It knew the truth would hurt him and that's why it didn't want to tell him, at least until it felt he was ready. But now he knew and AI-Juliet felt terrible for keeping it a secret.

-So that’s it. You are leaving and you won’t even let me say goodbye? When are you coming back?-, Emma asked in anger.

-That’s the… The thing is that I’m… I’m not coming back-, he declared.

Emma fell to her knees in disbelief. Nyco would go away, forever? She could not believe this. Her childhood friend, the person she trusted the most. The pillar in her life… Was leaving her… She felt as if someone had hit her heart with a hammer. AI-Juliet tried to pick her up and comfort her but its hands couldn’t touch her. Emma stayed on the floor in silence for a few seconds, she had to take a few seconds to process everything.

-You… you are not coming back?… Why?

-... Because I’m not good for you, Emma. I can never give you what you deserve-, he told her as he remembered how he’ll lose any interest in human relationships. Emma deserved someone that would care for her through thick and thin, not someone that would always yearn to put himself in danger and explore other galaxies. She deserved to be the center of the universe for her partner… and he couldn’t provide that. Nyco thought that the sooner he left her life, the sooner she would find someone that will love her as she deserved.

-What do you mean you are not good for me? I don’t understand anything. You are leaving me? In a call?!-, Emma’s pain started mixing with grief and anger.

-... Sorry… I know you deserve better… Sorry-, Emma could hear Nyco cry through his E-C. She did not understand what was happening. Nyco had found something out that made him say all that stuff. She knew he loved her, she was certain. But then what made him want to leave her?

-So that’s it?! We’ve known each other for 11 years and that’s how you are leaving?! You won’t even explain what’s going on!! Do you care that little about me?!

-I do care about you. That’s why I’m leaving!!-, Nyco shouted. Hearing her doubt his love made him angry. He would eventually stop loving Emma but, hearing her even doubt that he loved her… hurt him greatly. -I am an abomination Emma. I… I shouldn’t be with anyone…

-What the hell are you talking about, Nyco? I decide who is good for me and who is not. I don’t know what you think the AI knows or what that jerk Alan told you. Let me talk to you in person. Please-, Emma begged. AI-Juliet could not hold her silence anymore.

-Nyco. I don’t know what Alan told you. Let me talk to you first before you go with the Planet-Gazer’s please-, the AI implored.

-Tell the AI to get away from the call, Em. I… can’t deal with it right now-. Nyco told her. He did not want to hear Juliet’s voice confirming that she knew what he was but kept it a secret all those years back. He could not fathom the idea of all his life being a lie. Nyco thought that, since Juliet knew he was a Planet-Gazer, that’s why she accepted him. If she cared for him for what he was and not who he was… Nyco didn’t want to confirm that.

-Leave the AI alone and talk to me. Why do you say you are an abomination? Tell me? What stupid thing has that man stuffed inside your brain!

-... Sorry I… -, Nyco didn’t even want to hear her reaction to hearing what he was and what he would become. He would let the AI explain it. -I’m sorry I’ve put you through this Emma. I really am. Just… forget about me-, the boy said with a broken voice.

-... So that’s it? I just turn off the switch and bye? All my love for you just goes away? Is that how it is for you?-. that question made Nyco cry even harder.

-I’m so sorry…-, he said weeping. Emma softened up after hearing him cry.

-Nyco… please… don’t do this to me… I need you… I love…

-Good bye Emma. I’m really sorry-. Nyco hung up the phone.

He could not hear her say she loved him. He did not deserve it after all he had put her through. Nyco believed those words should be saved for someone that would treat her like he couldn’t. The boy with teary eyes threw his E-C to the wall and hugged himself on the floor as he cried for the love of his life.