Read Online Radioactive by Maya Shepherd - Free Book Online Page A

arm. “Are you nervous?”
    â€œYes,” I confess. “I’m afraid I will forget my lines.”
    â€œYou should have no fear and you should not worry about your lines. You have worked so hard for the common food procurement system that you should only have to speak from your heart. People will feel how much it means to you.”
    Although I have now gotten used to it, she is different from the other Legion commanders. Her words speak of love and affection as though these feelings have always been a part of her. Nevertheless, I hope that she is right.
    A350 points to D560 who stands with the food tray. “I brought your food to your room so that you don’t have to face the others...”
    I know why. A489 continues to be against me and my suggestion. He would take this opportunity to humiliate me, to try to get the others to back out of this plan.
    â€œD560 will stay with you until you have eaten. I’ll see you at the elevator.”
    Once again she places both hands on my shoulders. “I believe in you.”
    My entire body becomes flooded with warmth. I can see the glow in her light blue eyes. I remember someone saying those same words to me. It was Finn.
    After I open the door for her, she leaves. Meanwhile D560 has placed my breakfast on the narrow table in front of the large window wall. She looks out at the vast plain.
    I sit quietly on the chair and begin to divide the bread with my hands. I cannot help but observe D560. Her gaze is full of longing. It is not the fascination and curiosity that was in my eyes when I saw the world outside the safety zone for the first time. For her it is much more. In her eyes is a deep sadness.
    Just when I begin to say something, I hear her soft, fragile voice. “I listened to you at the conference.”
    I did not know that she was there, but the thought should have occurred to me. She works in the kitchen, after all.
    â€œI liked the part about love,” she admits quietly and looks away from the window. Instead of looking at me, she looks at the ground.
    â€œWhat did you like about it?” I ask, trying not to let the conversation die.
    â€œIt would be nice to have something that is worth living for.”
    She speaks as though it were an unreachable desire. Is there nothing she can hope for?
    â€œIf you had one wish, what would you wish for?”
    Irritated, she raises her head and I can see that her light blue pupils have red veins in them. She must have cried a lot. “I would hope that it would come to an end.”
    I do not understand what she wants to tell me. “What should come to an end?”
    She looks back to the ground. “My life. My life is worthless.”
    Shaken, I get up and go around the table to her. I think about the piece of glass in her hand. She had deliberately injured herself then. But why?
    I think of how A350 would put her hands on my shoulders and try that with D560, but she flinches as if I slapped her. She steps back several feet, staring at me in horror. Reassuringly, I lift my hands to signal that I will not touch her again.
    â€œDo not say that,” I say. “Although everything may seem hopeless, there is always hope.”
    â€œNot for me,” she replies coldly and deliberately stares past me. I’ve barely touched my food.
    â€œAre you ready?” She asks brusquely and begins clearing the dishes without waiting for an answer.
    I want her to be happy, but I do not know what she is missing. Is she upset with her whole situation or is there more to it? I am sure many people in the safety zone are unhappy, but I’ve never seen someone who tried to self harm. The first time I saw tears was in the caves with Iris.
    â€œOpen the door, please,” D560 asks without looking at me. She wears the tray like a shield covering her chest. She clings to it so tightly that her knuckles turn white.
    â€œOf course,” I reply and place my finger on the scanner. Before