WARNING: This chapter contains dark topics which may trigger others.

After the devastating sacrifice of another friend, Metanoia once again escapes the same way she previously did, with the last survivor of the three friends. The android had regretted not being able to fight, or being able to save Saki.'Her life, John's life, Lobelia's life. They are far more important than mine. They are fragile, they can't be repaired like a machine.'

Lobelia was silent. Metanoia held the girl in her arms while dashing through the sky to get as far away as possible. She stayed low, dodging in between branches and trying not to run into leaves, all to avoid getting caught.

The human girl held the same 'dead inside' aura as John did. Part of her wished she would've got killed with Saki. She no longer knew what she had to live for. Stuck with an android that is struggling to understand itself, and the world.

"What do you live for, Metanoia." Lobelia asked meekly.

It took a while for Metanoia to respond, she was focused on the path, to keep Lobelia safe. "I don't know." She paused. "But... I wanted to keep you all safe. I feel like I am responsible for this."

"You don't even sound the slightest bit upset." 

It was true, the android spoke with little to no emotion, but it was out of her control.

"I wanted to keep you all safe." She repeated. It infuriated the grieving girl, so much even cussing would not be enough to express her anger.

"Put me down." Lobelia said sternly.

"I'm sorry but I can't do that. We need to get as far away as possible."

"I said put me down."

"Lobelia-"

"Just put me down! I need a moment to breath, okay?" 

Not wanting to anger her further, Metanoia hesitantly brought them to the ground and gently put Lobelia down. The girl crouches down then buries her face, beginning to sob. The android rested her hand against Lobelia's back then gently rubbed it. It was something she saw Saki do to the her friend when she was sad- during the rare times she was. 'I hope it helps.' she thought.

"Stop it, you're not helping."

"Oh." Metanoia retracted her hand.

Lobelia lifted her head up and looked at Metanoia bitterly. "This... This machine which caused her own death is what she spent years on trying to achieve." 

The android stayed silent, allowing the girl to carry on her rant.

"John... Saki... Why'd they sacrifice their lives for me!? They know I would go mad if I was to continue living without them! And I don't have the patience to deal with this... thing! What's the point of living if they're no longer here!" Her sobs grew louder, and all the more she felt infuriated.
In the fit of rage, she lifted her hands and placed both around Metanoia's neck, trying to choke her. "It's all your fault!" she screamed.

Metanoia was confused with the action, it was not doing any harm to her and she only understood that Lobelia was doing it out of anger, so she sat quietly and continued to let the girl wring her neck.

Seeing how the android was not responding negatively, Lobelia let go of her and stood up.

"Lobelia, we need to leave soon."

The tan skinned girl ignored what Metanoia had to say and walked off. "Leave me be. Or at the very least, give me half an hour."

"Okay, but after that we will leave instantly."

Lobelia quickly left, until she was out of sight. The android knew it was risky to let the girl go off on her own, But she let her, trying to be considerate of her feelings despite Saki's orders. 'Orders are orders huh.' She remembered what Kismet told her.

After that, Metanoia spent thirty minutes in empty thought. She did not want to meditate on the loss of her other two friends. Or the idea of them no longer being there. And with the thirty minutes being over, Lobelia has yet to return.

Fortunately, every step left a dusty mark on the ground. Which was easy for the android to follow. 

It eventually led her to a tree. There, Lobelia had hung herself on one of it's branches using the belt of her pants. 

---

RIP Saki & Lobelia

I made them art <3