Page 23 of The Lone Cyborg
“I’ll be fine. My nanites will heal the injuries, but it will take time due to the amount of damage.”
His face looked pale even in the dim light, but he met her eyes steadily. She believed him, but that didn’t prevent the wave of guilt washing over her.
“This is all my fault. I should have listened to you and agreed to leave.”
He gave a half-shrug then winced.
“I suspect it was already too late. If there’s any fault to be given, it’s mine for not telling you about this yesterday.”
“I still wouldn’t have left,” she said bitterly, guilt weaving a noose around her throat.
It was her stubbornness, her refusal to abandon the claim she’d worked so hard to establish, that had cost him so dearly. He had shielded her with his body, and now bore the consequences.
“It’s not your fault,” he repeated, “but we need to keep moving. We’re still too close to the entrance if they decide to come after us.”
She nodded and wedged himself against his uninjured side, ignoring his muffled protest. His skin was so hot that it formed a fiery brand against her side but she ignored it as they staggered onwards, heading for the cavern. The coppery tang of blood hung thick in the air as they continued the seemingly endless journey.
“Almost there,” she whispered, more to herself than to him.
He grunted, his breaths coming in harsh gasps that betrayed the pain he was enduring. His cybernetic arm brushed against her, the cold metal a stark contrast to the warmth of his blood, now painting them both, and the fiery heat of his skin.
They finally reached the cavern and he immediately slid down against the wall, the lichen surrounding him like a glowing aura as she crouched down next to him.
“What can I do?” she asked anxiously, and he gave her an oddly sweet smile.
“Nothing. I promise you I’ll be all right. Now that we’re not moving, my nanites will be able to work faster.”
He took the small torch from her and aimed it down the tunnel, his eyes closing in relief when it revealed nothing but emptiness.
“We seem to be in the clear. I haven’t heard any sounds of pursuit. And even if they decided to enter the lava tube, I don’t think they could follow us down here. Just as well,” he added with a rueful look at the gun holstered against his side. It had been hit by gunfire and was no longer usable. “Unfortunately my nanites can’t do anything to fix that.”
“I’m not worried about your gun; I’m worried about your injuries. We need to do something about these wounds.” She chewed her bottom lip as she considered their options. “Maybe I can tear some fabric off my shirt and bind them. At least stop the bleeding.”
“I’ll be fine, Mattie. The nanites will seal the wounds. I’m already feeling better.”
He did look a little better, the color returning to his face now that they had stopped and he could rest, but she wasn’t convinced.
“Can the nanites heal you completely?” she asked worriedly.
“Yes, but it’ll take time. Until then, I’ll just have to avoid any further damage.”
She wanted to chide him for putting himself in danger, but she had been the one to insist on staying.
“And I think you’re running a fever.”
He smiled again.
“That’s because the nanites generate heat during the healing process. It means they’re working. Come here.”
“Are you sure I won’t hurt you?”
“I’m sure.” He sighed when she only gave him a worried look. “Does it bother you?”
“Seeing you like this? Of course it does.”
“I meant seeing what I am. Knowing that I’m not human.”
She scowled at him.
