Chapter 1973

Cyborgs never really got to choose how-or when their stories ended.

Fiona was just stating the obvious. Grace might have had thoughts of her own, might have understood every word, but that was just a side effect of her programming.

"You can upload what I'm saying to the Country M research lab," Fiona said, her smile sharp and cool, "or you can keep it to yourself forever. Your call."

Almost immediately, a strange red light flickered across Grace's eyes-like a warning signal.

Fiona stood up from the couch and gently patted Grace's shoulder. "You don't have much time left. Still not going to talk?"

Grace hesitated. She knew it was over for her. But the chip burning in her skull was wired not to let her spill any secrets.

"All I know is they want cyborgs to replace humans, to build their own empire. That's it. I don't know anything else. I don't even know if Jackson's parents are at the lab. Ever since I was created, I've been locked away in some sterile white room. Then, over ten years ago, they sent me here and I became Amy."

As she spoke, the detonator inside her sped up, and the red light in her eyes pulsed wildly.

"First-generation cyborg Grace: self-destruct order received. Initiating full-body scan. Detonation will follow upon completion."

"Scan complete."

"Beginning countdown."

"Ten, nine, eight, seven-"

"Countdown finished. Self-destruct engaged."

A dull boom echoed through the room.

When a cyborg self-destructed, they were programmed to make sure no one else got hurt.

Fiona watched as Grace fell apart right in front of her, turning into nothing but shards and pieces. Her face stayed cold, unreadable. She didn't even blink. She just turned and started to leave.

But as she spun around, she spotted Amy frozen on the staircase, still holding half a pomegranate, eyes wide and stunned.

Amy's whole body was trembling as she stared at the chaos below. She'd only come because she'd heard the explosion.

"Wh-what happened?" she stammered.

Fiona shot her a look, her face still blank. "The fake Amy is gone. Your parents will

be home soon. If you want to stay here, prove you deserve it."

"I will," Amy said, her voice shaking but determined. "I'll show you." Original content can be found at find✦novel.net

"Good luck," Fiona said, and headed out.

The real Amy looked at the mess on the floor. Then her gaze landed on the living room camera. She smirked, raced upstairs, tapped away at the computer until she was sure everything was set, and sprinted back down. Without hesitating, she charged at an antique vase, smashing it to the ground.

Blood streamed down her forehead. Not caring at all, she collapsed into the broken shards, letting the glass slice into her arms and chest, still clutching that half-eaten pomegranate. Within seconds, she blacked out.

The house was a disaster, every light blazing, not a single servant around.

By the time Amy's parents came home, one after the other, they noticed right away that the villa was strangely empty. Lucy frowned, but brushed it off.

"It's late," she said. "Let's have her contact the Country M people tomorrow. No need to bother her tonight."

Bentley nodded and pushed the door open.

He stopped dead at the sight inside.

Amy was sprawled on the floor in a pool of blood, her body cut and bruised, a half-pomegranate still in her hand. Next to her was a pile of disturbingly lifelike synthetic skin.

Lucy let out a bloodcurdling scream. She shook uncontrollably, staring at the nightmare in front of her.