Page 39 of Craze

I can’t think through the gentle sensations of his touch and lean away.Sevrin’s is only one way, to me. Likely to Killstar, too.

His eyes fall to study the hand I’ve shied away from. His brows contort with pain.

What’s wrong?Iask.

My punishment program is broken, but it still hurts.

What are you talking about?

Craze sits up and presses a hand to his chest.When humans reject us, we are rendered punishments for not doing as we are asked. CSP was only a backup for broken units, mostly ones like myself. But I still feel this horrible pain in my ultromotor.

I didn’t realize Titans felt pain. They’re machines. Then I consider the others: Macabre, Axe, Tangle, and RamBash all act like the cyborgs they are. Craze is the only one who moves like a human with the subtle expressions and stolen touches.

Seeing Craze in pain when he has only been kind to us, to me, makes me hurt for him.I wasn’t rejecting you, Craze. I just don’t like being touched by anyone.

He studied me for a moment.Why?

“Time to move out.” Macabre joins the group by the fire. Several of the others sit up. A few remain asleep.

Craze>>Local: Report.

Macabre>>Local: I do not wish to scare the women, but there are patrols in the area, topside. RamBash is going to close the shafts. But we must go now. He and Axe will join us later.

I listen as they discuss the tunnel system they think is best while I rouse my sisters with Shavih and Jeela. There areonly five left beside them. Loli barely moves when I shake he shoulder.

“Please don’t make me leave this fire. I am so cold.”

Not another one. Please not another one.

Tangle guides the hoverdrone over to the group. Shavih and Jeela help bundle the women up while Macabre loads them.

Craze>>Navi: Come on, we have to go.

Navi>>Craze: I’m not going. She’s cold. I don’t want her to die this way.

Craze>>Navi: It’s not safe to stay. The pack is the safest option.

I am suddenly grateful for the isolated channels of the Titans’ network so I can have quiet conversations without others listening in.

Navi>>Craze: Fine. But I want to take some heat with us.

Craze>>Navi: You’ve got me.

I look to the fire that Macabre is putting out with a bucket of water, ponder his response, and wonder why he doesn’t mention the other Titans.

Rolling some of the hot stones from the fire into my blanket, I wrap them up and climb onto the platform at the back.

Navi>>Craze: Let me hold her.

He settles Loli’s body close to mine then joins us. I tuck the hot bundle of rocks under her legs and support her head and torso. Sevrin took her hands but didn’t replace them like he did with the other women. I adjust the blankets around her and swipe the loose hair from her eyes.

“How’s that?” I ask her.

She shivers but smiles. “Nice. Thank you.”

Tangle gets us headed through the tunnels, his gold light blending with the headlights, illuminating our path.

Craze eases in behind me.You can lean on me. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.

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