Chapter 3:

A loaf of bread for an android

I left my hometown to chase an android

Little by little, the android drew something on the ground; it had a familiar shape. Of course, bread! He was starving.

I looked for a bakery or something, but unfortunately I had no money.

-Please, I need a loaf of bread, my friend is dying!

-I can't help it.

I tried to insist, but the lizard-man baker, who was busy, threw me out of the shop. I walked back with empty pockets. I couldn't look the android in the face. I couldn't save him, and now he lay still, lifeless. A tear fell, followed by another. I didn't know what to do; I was in a strange place alone.
At that moment, a cart was speeding away on its own. I was about to be hit, but the trembling android pushed me aside and stood with his arms outstretched to stop the cart full of bread. The impact blew a piece of metal from his body, but he didn't give up... after a few meters, the cart stopped.

-Thank goodness someone saved my bread!

The android fell to the ground, lifeless again.

-Kid, is this your friend who needs food?

-Y-yes. I need help, he's dying!

I was filled with tears as I held my friend's suffering body in my arms. The baker slowly approached the cart and took a loaf of bread.

-Here, I'll give you some for saving the bread and the cart.

I took a loaf and leaned toward the android. The red light was fading. I opened the door on his belly and placed the bread inside. My hands were shaking, my heart in my throat. I couldn't lose him. Then, suddenly, that cold touch on my shoulders, he jumped up and hugged me. He was holding me tightly, but I didn't mind. In fact, I felt better knowing he was okay.

-If I were you, I'd watch out for that android.

-Why?

-Because it's their fault the world ended like this.

I looked at the android, who in turn turned to me.

-He would never do something like that.

-My grandfather said the same thing.

-Do you know the story of the great crack?

I shook my head.

-No one really knows. Every people has a different story.

-Come to my bakery, I'll tell you what I know.

As soon as we arrived, the baker set up his cart and entered, sitting on a chair and clearing his throat started speaking.

-Some say the androids tried to connect the worlds.

-Others say they were looking for something they'd lost.

-Whatever the truth, after that day the earth cracked.

I remained silent, listening.

-My grandfather said there were once only humans here. Then the androids arrived. Smarter, stronger. And when someone becomes too powerful, sooner or later they cause disaster.

The baker stopped for a moment to look me in the eye.

-Kid, you've never been outside your village, have you?

-No, they always told me it was forbidden and that I wouldn't find anything.

-The androids had connected this world with others, but as you can see, it didn't go according to their plans.

-And what happened to the androids now?

-They say there was a great war in which alien species like us won. Although a few androids still wander among the anomalies.

-But he's kind, he helped me, he's not as bad as you say.

-They say those who remain are no longer the same.

-What do you mean?

-That someone put their hands in his head.

-Taken something away. Changed something.

-No one really knows.

The android unconsciously touched his head, ruffling his pink hair.

-So there's a chance he was a bad person in the past, too?

-I can't know that. If you tell me he protected you, I don't think there's any point in thinking about how he used to be. Even if they're not well-liked around here.

The android lowered his head as if he were guilty, but he wasn't guilty. I consoled him by stroking his head.

-So, you seem to be just passing through. Where are you headed?

At that moment, the android jumped up, left the shop, and began writing on the ground. He drew a house again, but this time, around it, he traced rippling, deep, almost threatening waves.

-So you're headed towards the sea of souls, huh?

-From what you told me before, you don't have any money, right?

-It just so happens that a friend of mine owes me a favor.

The lizard man made us stay in his shop. All day long, we carried sacks of flour and cleaned the shop. The android worked nonstop. I, on the other hand, was exhausted after a few hours.

As a reward, the next day he took us to the port. The baker spoke with an old man with a llama head, who after a while headed for a boat.

-Get on board before I change my mind.

I spontaneously took the android's hand and we reached the fishing boat. It was completely dirty and smelled terribly of fish.

The android let go of my hand and took a few steps back. He was trembling, hugging his arms to his chest, his mouth half open as he breathed heavily.

-Are you afraid of the sea?

The android nodded slowly. I approached him and we calmly climbed onto the boat. Once we got on board, his hand remained attached to mine, and I stroked his head as if to console him.

The captain announced the landing and with a stick set the fishing boat sailing out to sea.

I had seen the sea as a child, but I had never been on a boat. I wasn't afraid, I was very curious.

The lizard baker greeted us with a smile. Not only did he find us a way across the sea, he also gave us plenty of loaves of bread, fruit, and water for the journey.