The Disparate One

Oxford silently stood in front of the tall mirror after putting on his white suit. The orange juice really did lift his spirits just a little. Sometimes he wanted to thank the robot for being thoughtful. He decided to go for a walk after filling his stomach, hence he wore something different. This white one was the first suit he got from his predecessor. Apparently, at the time, everyone in the facility wore whites. All were stain-resistant.

Oxford had forgotten how much he used to prefer this white one over the current one. It had been years since the last time he thought of this, years since he laid his eyes on it. And now, he found himself wearing this for some unknown reason.

Straightening his posture, he walked out of his bedroom where he heard noises from the gymnasium. He furrowed while he went to the living room, closing all the glass doors to the balcony before moving and standing at the doorway of the gymnasium where he observed the two. His eyes grew when Ray kicked the robot off the mat.

This reminded Oxford of his first time with the robot. It wasn’t fun at all. And he would never do it again, forever.

When the two had ended their playtime, Oxford was finally noticed when he knocked on the door after Ray pointed the spear at his opponent. He guessed the white general suit had something to do with his great combat skills. Great, another piece of the puzzle.

“I’m heading out, need anything while I’m at it?” stated Oxford, ignoring the mess.

The robot stood up and looked at Ray who only sat up.

“Groceries,” replied the robot.

Oxford nodded before looking also at Ray.

“Go get showered, you’re coming with me,” said Oxford before leaving their sight, he moved to the living room, sitting quietly on the sofa, staring at the sleeping fireplace.

Ray and the robot exchanged glances before he received a nudge from the robot. Ray went back to his bedroom while the robot dealt with their mess in the gymnasium. He plucked the swords from the ceiling and stared at them. He couldn’t believe Ray had those skills. It made him question why he was Oxford’s test subject. What were they looking for?

Minutes later, Ray stepped out of the shower with a towel wrapped around his waist. He entered his closet and thought about which he was going to wear. Putting on the white general uniform would be the last thing he would do now.

Oxford was standing at the front door, holding it open, as he waited for the other. Soon, Ray reappeared from the corridor… wearing the white general suit. Ray knew he had limited time, hence he chose to put it back on instead of making Oxford wait because he didn’t know which one he should wear.

They returned to the mall where they went straight to the supermarket. Ray had somehow become “the robot” as soon as he was instructed to get a push-cart. Ray didn’t protest though, he found ways to have fun with it. Pushing and sliding. He followed Oxford through the maze as their cart slowly got filled with natural products.

Out of curiosity, Oxford brought themselves to the fruits section where he stopped at the front of mangoes. He looked at Ray who was reading one of the labels in their carts. He finally took notice.

“Get some mangoes,” said Oxford, keeping his eyes on him.

Ray nodded. He reached out for a pair and placed them in the cart. He looked at Oxford who had a brow raised. Did he do something wrong? Were these even mangoes?

“Just a pair?” Oxford asked, finger tapping on the cart.

Ray returned his eyes at the group of mangoes next to him, he hesitantly grabbed another pair and placed them slowly on the cart, next to another pair. Oxford kept his same look.

“Don’t be scared, Ray. All these are shouldered by the facility, so knock yourself out,” said Oxford, patting the front of the cart before walking ahead, leaving Ray to decide for himself on how many they would bring home.

Ray was left wondering. He decided to take another pair before catching up to Oxford lining up to one of the cashiers. As they inched forward, Ray thought about Oxford. He was surprised to see him alright, but after questioning him and the robot’s explanation, he knew things wouldn’t be the same. He remained quiet even until they started to unload.

Oxford calmly furrowed when he watched three pairs of mangoes move along the conveyor belt in front of him. He expected a little more than that. A whole cart perhaps. He glanced at Ray whose head was down, only staring at the things he grabbed. Oxford handed his card to the lady before talking to Ray.

“Haven’t my robot told you that I’ll be alright?”

Ray forced himself to return a gaze.

“H-he has… thrice,” said Ray softly, “S-sorry.”

Oxford retrieved his card and waited for the staff member to finish bagging their groceries. Their chauffeur appeared in the distance, walking over to them. Oxford and his chauffeur didn’t exchange any words, only glances. When everything was bagged and transferred to the cart, the two left, leaving the chauffeur to handle their groceries.

Ray’s mind wondered as they wandered around the mall. He assumed Oxford was heading to somewhere else to buy more. Minutes later, they arrived at a space where patio tables and chairs surrounded a large glorious fountain sitting in the middle of the sun’s spotlight. They sat near it, admiring strangers tossing coins into the water while whispering their wishes.

Ray was on the other side of the table when he heard Oxford brought out two pennies. He placed one on Ray’s side of the table.

“Do you believe in wishes?” Oxford gazed at the penny on his palm.

Ray thought his answer for a second, making sure it won’t touch something unnecessary.

“I-I don’t know to be honest,” replied Ray, sliding the coin towards his hand.

Oxford sharply sighed. He wrapped his fingers around his penny and tossed it towards the fountain with ease. He heard it sunk into the water before turning to Ray who still had his coin.

“W-what did you wish for?” asked Ray who was still thinking of a wish.

Oxford looked at one of the families around them.

“A life,” he said softly.

“Then I’ll wish your wish comes true,” Ray flicked the coin towards the fountain, it didn’t make it. It hit the edge and rolled on the floor, back to him.

“O-oh… I didn’t know fountains can reject wishes,” joked Ray when he stood up, moved to the fountain, and dropped it.

Oxford lightly chuckled. Ray returned to his seat with a little smile.

“You know…”, Ray looked at Oxford who started talking, “...you are the first test subject to ask that question,”

Oxford knew it sounded obvious to himself because Ray was his first test subject who… looked and acted like an average human being. Most of his previous test subjects were extraterrestrial life. None of them spoke English nor any language found on earth. As expected. For some reason, having Ray was refreshing. Ignoring their earlier, odd, interactions that were.

Oxford shifted his leg on top of another when he slowly slid himself lower in his seat. He rested both hands on his chest, eyes staring at the glistening water, cascading down the concrete structure.

“The only person who’s close to being a father to me was my predecessor,” Oxford said nonchalantly. Ray remained seated and interested.

After removing the ventilator, the group wearing surgical gowns silently walked away, eventually disappearing. He remained still at the operation table when the person he saw earlier wearing a white suit now stood nearby.

“Can you hear me?” asked the man.

Oxford’s sight was slightly blurry when he finally looked away from the harsh light above him. He nodded slowly. The man nodded back before turning to a tray where a syringe rested in the middle. It was filled with green liquid. The man grabbed the syringe and injected all of its content into Oxford’s forearm. His entire body went numb in an instant for a few moments, then he started to feel cold, then warm. Then he shivered on the metal table before regaining his senses. The man stood back with a concerned, yet questionable look.

“Can you move?” he asked.

Oxford tried moving his fingers and he successfully did. It made the man sigh with relief and nod with a hint of satisfaction. Oxford slowly raised his hands over his sight, admiring his fingers and smooth skin. He wiggled his toes and other parts of his body until he decided to sit up.

The man remained nearby, observing him in silence. He knew it would take time for Oxford to get used to these things. Once Oxford’s sight became clear, he examined the man, squinting at the shimmering black hair. His face was clean and sharp, He was definitely tall and somewhat muscular. He looked like a man in his sixties. Late sixties.

He then examined himself, which he reacted immediately by covering his private parts.

“Don’t worry, walking around here naked is forbidden. Follow me, I’ll show you to the shower and what you’ll be wearing,” said the man with a wave before walking towards the double metal door.

Oxford kept his right hand over a part of himself when he slid off the table. His body stiffened on the freezing floor. It made him question if he woke up in a freezer or some sort. He scurried behind the man who held the door open. On the other side of the door was the locker room. There were hanging green gowns accompanied by other PPEs.

When Oxford stepped out of the shower, he found the man standing with another white suit hanging from his fingers. The size of the suit was definitely smaller than his muscular build.

“Here,” the man handed Oxford the suit, “You’ll be wearing that for now,” he said.

Once he put on that white suit, the man explained something difficult to swallow.

Oxford’s phone rang, interrupting him from telling his story about his first encounters with his predecessor. Ray moved away with a sigh, rolling his eyes. He noticed the sun rays that were on the fountain were now a few feet away to its west. How long were they sitting here? Definitely a long time to the point where the robot dialed Oxford’s phone to remind them about their groceries. Unlike the ones artificially made in the facility, these could rot inside the trunk of their limousine.

Ray tapped his fingers sequentially on the table, thinking about what the predecessor told Oxford.

Was it about the facility? What was so hard to swallow about the- Ray then remembered the moment when he heard the guards beat up a girl.

“We’ll pause the story here for now. In the meantime, we need to get back to the penthouse while the groceries are still fresh,” Oxford stood up and started walking. Ray hurriedly followed.

When they arrived at the top floor, the doormen were asked to leave the cart near the front door of the penthouse. They left without protest. Ray dealt with the cart, packed with their groceries when Oxford unlocked and held it open for Ray. Once the cart was inside and the door was locked, Oxford was in the living room, scanning the area. Ray stood next to the cart, making sure it won’t roll itself somewhere else.

Ray furrowed while Oxford looked like he was in a state of panic. One of the curtains of the glass panes to the balcony was waving. Oxford strode over it and slid the curtain away, discovering one of the panes was open. Oxford blinked numerous times before stepping out into the sun and peered over the glass railings. He speed-walked back inside and ran to the kitchen. He had a face of urgency and fear when he brought out his phone.

Ray’s eyes followed him rushing across the living room and into the corridor to their bedrooms. Seconds later, he heard footsteps behind him. He turned and found the robot examining the groceries before returning a curious gaze. The robot was holding a book, his index fingers slid between a page as a bookmark. Ray opened his mouth.

“Is there-”

“He’s fine,” interrupted the robot who acted calmly.

Oxford ran out of the corridor and stopped when his eyes darted at the robot. He let out a heavy sigh, his back slouched.

“Are you-”

“I’m fine,” interrupted Oxford, sliding his phone back into his pocket and placing both hands on his waist, shaking his head at the robot.

Ray was in the dining area with a pair of scissors. He was tasked with taking everything out of the bag and snipping off any plastics. On the other hand, Oxford and the robot handled the rest.

Oxford grabbed a few cans from Ray and transferred them to one of the cabinets in the kitchen, where the robot was placing mangoes in the fridge. Oxford glanced over at Ray who was silently cutting away.

“I immediately thought-” Oxford whispered to the robot, but he was interrupted.

“I know. I was just in the library. I know,” the robot gave him an assuring look before walking over to Ray, grabbing the vegetables.

“I’m just-”

“Like I said,” the robot placed the broccolis on the countertop and softly glared at Oxford, “I know.”

Oxford blinked and his brows dropped slightly when the robot walked away out of his sight at the same time when his phone started ringing. Ray kept his mouth shut despite hearing what they were saying to each other. After emptying all the bags, he announced to the two that he’ll be in his bedroom to take another shower. It was a lie, he just wanted to give the two some space.

Ray sat quietly on his bed while tapping his hands on his laps. Surrounding him on the bed were some suits laid flat. It was from earlier when he had to choose which to wear. He stared at the shopping bags neatly stacked at the corner of the room, behind the door. The door where he heard someone knocking.

The robot walked in, seeing Ray’s left forearm covered with suits.

“I honestly thought he brought you back to the facility,” the robot leaned on the door, his eyes following Ray into the closet.

“O-oh…. w-well… funny, because I thought the same thing. Glad he didn’t,” said Ray when he walked back out.

He added that he was thankful that his relationship with Oxford was back to normal. Ray told the robot about the story about Oxford’s predecessor, which was interrupted by his call. The robot’s eyes suddenly changed.

“Huh… strange. Never expected Oxford would do something like that for someone, especially someone who’s only been here for a day,” said the robot with a stern tone and now crossing his arms.

Ray gave a confused yet concerned look upon noticing the sudden change of tone. He gulped.

“Well, if you need anything, go straight to Oxford,” said the robot when he walked away, slamming the door behind him, causing the stacks of shopping bags to fall on the floor

Oxford was in the living room when he heard someone stomping from the bedroom corridor. He took a peek when he caught the robot closing his bedroom door. His eyes furrowed intensely when he walked over to Ray’s bedroom. The door swung open, revealing his test subject in a confused state.

He hushed him before dragging him onto the living room.

“What did you do?” they both asked each other coincidentally at the same time.

A few seconds of silence came by, enough for the two to establish that something, or one of them, caused the robot’s anger. They couldn’t believe that he was fine when they left him.

Oxford gazed away, staring at the balcony. Was it because of him assuming that the robot did something that he promised to never do it again?

Ray looked down, rubbing his hands together. Was it because of what he said recently? He began to recall every second that took place in his bedroom.

Oxford was about to speak up when they heard a knock on the front door. Ray stayed in his spot when he watched Oxford answer the door. This gave him an idea.

Ray silently walked over to the robot’s bedroom door and rested his hands lightly on the knob. He shook his head, downplaying this idea. He didn’t even know if this would violate a rule.

He was snapped out of his thoughts when Oxford suddenly appeared in his view. He opened the door and hurriedly shoved him inside. Ray nearly tripped when he glared at the man. He was about to question him aloud but Oxford’s gesture to ‘quiet’ made him so.

“Stay here!” said Oxford before closing and hearing the door locked afterward.

Ray scratched his head when he moved to the door, leaning against it. Pressing his ear. He could pick up numerous footsteps entering the penthouse followed by two foreign female voices. One was high pitched and the other sounded mature. Oxford’s voice was barely audible.

He tried turning the knob with force until he heard another voice.

“Stay away from the door,” said the robot sitting on the side of his bed, his back facing him.

“Why?” Ray whispered, stepping away finally.

“Oxford doesn’t want them to know about us.”