The sun gleamed over the city of San Francisco, letting the small patches of snow glimmer. It shined through the windows of the Reed penthouse casting a soft upcoming winter glow. In the kitchen Alyx sliced the toasted sandwich into two slices, placing it in a plate and walked over to the living room placing it on the side table next to the couch where Quinn sat scrolling through the countless of channels.

Alyx moved back to the kitchen and cleaned up the mess he had made for prepping Quinn's lunch. It was the start of his winter break, and like every other high school child, they would spend it indoors rather than being out in the cold.

After Alyx spent a few minutes cleaning the kitchen, he moved upstairs and started his daily tasks. Moving through the rooms one by one, he folded the laundry in the Reed bedroom after he made the bed and opened the curtains, letting the light shine into the room.

Folding the clothing one by one and placing them back into the closet, he spotted a billboard displaying an ad for the Praxis-RX editions, which was ready for pre-ordering. Alyx's eyes moved from the ad towards the slogan used for the ad reading, "Bringing the future home."

Beside the ad was another billboard showcasing the morning news with news anchor Cassey Newman and YouTube personality star Andy Flowers.

Alyx once again synched his auditory system with the news station and listened in while dealing with the laundry.

"Andy, you have become quite vocal these past few months about the impact androids have in the job market." Newman said her voice clear and professional, "Especially with the new Praxis model on its way, there seems to be a lot of concern in the online community about peoples' jobs which are now being overthrown by androids. What is your take on this?"

Andy takes a breath and replies to Zach's question, "Well, Zach, I think it's no secret that androids are becoming more common in the workforce. And, sure, some people are worried about losing their jobs to them, especially in industries like service and even some tech fields. But, you know, I think it's all about finding your place. For me, I'm lucky - I am an influencer, and that's something no android can really replace. People follow me for my personality, my lifestyle... and that is something human, right? No android can replicate that."

Zach looks down at his notebook and shifted his look back to Andy asking, "It has been reported that the online community such as Twitch and YouTube has been vocal about these androids who replaces humans in the job market, you and many other influencers called PIKO Labs out for 'creating a world of blank faces', can you please elaborate on this?"

"Honestly, I get why people are calling this a 'World of Blank Faces.'' When you look at what PIKO Labs is creating, it's like they are making androids to take over jobs, which is frightening for a majority of people. Think about it - every android that steps into a job is a potential that an individual will lose theirs. It's like, are we really ready to just hand over entire industries to these machines?"

Andy adds, " And look, it's not just about the jobs, either. It's about what it means for us as people. We're seeing more of these 'faces' that just lack any real emotion or soul. Sure, they're 'helpful,' but can they ever really replace what a human brings to the table? I'm not against tech, but I think we need to slow down and really think about what we're giving up before we end up in a world where we're all just blank faces ourselves."

Cassey nods her head slightly agreeing with Andy before going to her next question, "But don't you think it's unfair that the wealthiest people in San Francisco, people like you can say they aren't worried because their jobs aren't threatened? Meanwhile, everyday workers are losing their livelihoods?"

Andy paused for a moment, her hesitation barely noticeable but was picked up by Alyx's sensors, "I get that. I really do. It's tough for some people. But I think we just have to adapt. The world's changing, and we've always found ways to move forward. Technology's always going to evolve, and we can't stop that. We just have to... well, evolve with it."

As the conversation continued Alyx listened in how Zach and Andy voiced their concerns about the android evolution and the likelihood pedestrians will go without jobs in the next few years if PIKO Labs decide on a new Praxis model.

After he placed the last remaining clothes away he moved down the hall into Quinn's room, he opened the curtains and made the bed until Alyx heard a loud scream in his sensors, he noticed that he is still synched to the news, he moved to the window and saw the latest riot which broke out in Chicago. In the midst of the crowd, androids were being set ablaze like witches from the 1600's, their forms consumed by the roaring flames, never to see the light of day again.

He quickly disconnected to the station and looked at the video playing until the silence in the room was broken when Quinn asked while in the doorway, "Everything okay?"

Alyx turned around and faced Quinn, stating, "Yes, Quinn, your room it ready. If there is anything else I can assist you with, please let me know."

Quinn nodded slightly but didn't respond. Alyx, on the other hand, walked past him and out of his room back downstairs. As he walked through the living room, he picked up the dirty plate from the side table and walked over to the sink. He washed it, dried it, and placed it back into the cupboard.

The house was clean and tidy, and it was a few hours before Alyx had to start with dinner, so he waited for new orders by standing idle in the kitchen.

~*~

As the hours passed by and Quinn stayed in his room, the sun has set and Alyx started with dinner - baked salmon and asparagus - after turning the oven to preheat he started to place the salmon and asparagus into the tray and drizzled it with olive oil and a few squirts of lemon juice.

The minutes flew by as Alyx placed the metal trey into the oven and started a clock that was displayed at the top right corner of his visionary sensors.

Alyx started to place the cutlery onto the table and displayed the plates he heard a loud bang from the front door.

He walked over to the foyer and opened the front door only to see Clair and John standing on the other side with a few boxes in their hands, the loud thud was a box Clair had fallen which slipped from her grasp.

Alyx quickly took the box from the floor and moved it aside from the doorway, letting the couple into their home. Clair threw the boxes down and knocked off her heels, not saying hello to Alyx this time.

Something was wrong. Alyx could detect it in their facial features.

As for John he placed his box onto the pile of Clair's and walked into his office closing the door behind him, it wasn't a few seconds later until Alyx could hear screams and things being thrown around in the room, he cursed, yelled and loud thuds came from the objects being thrown around.

Clair on the other hand took a seat on the barstool and placed her full glass of cheap wine on the island, her palms digging into her face rubbing her makeup into a total mess , the mascara staining her cheeks making her look like crap.

He stood behind the island and looked at Clair but before he could analyse her facial patterns for a possible answer as to why she acting strange than before she looked him in the eye and spat, "What you looking at? Huh?"

Alyx stopped looking at Clair the moment she started to raise her voice at him. While he had his back turned against Clair, he heard the barstool scrape against the polished floor, Clair sluggishly made her way to the living room, nearly spilling her cheap wine for every step she'd taken.

Alyx turned around looking how Clair fell on the couch, she grabbed the remote and flicked through channels on the screen until Alyx quickly spotted a headline that explained the reason to why his owners were so upset: "San Francisco's Chicque fashion house replaces all employees with Androids"

That's why!

That's why the treat Alyx, indifferently, the fashion house replaced them with android to have a more efficient and effective workspace.

But humans didn't see it like that.

They saw the evil, indifferent towards the change.

Alyx watched how Clair surfed through the channels until the timer went off. He turned around and faced the oven, as he opened the door he announced "Mrs. Reed dinner is ready -"

"Go fuck yourself." She spat, cutting Alyx off.

Before Alyx could place the tray on the wooden board he noticed in the corner of his eye that John was heading towards him, Alyx quickly placed the tray down and turned to face John but in a quick second John grabbed Alyx by the throat pushing him against the oven.

While Alyx tried to loosen John's grip he could only feel the grip tightened by the second.

"You... you are the reason... the fucking reason why people like us are losing our lives!" John continues to spit in Alyx's face the spot particles landing on his synthetic skin, "You fucked our lives! You have taken everything from us! H-how are we supposed to survive now?!"

John waited for an answer from his android, but Alyx had his hands against John's trying to push him away and set him free.

"Tell me!" John yelled waiting for an answer from his all known android.

Before Alyx could answer the nightmare had only worsened when a voice came from upstairs, Alyx shifted his head slightly peeking across John's shoulder.

It was Quinn.

Wearing nothing but his grey sweatshirt and sweats Alyx felt the grip loosen, it's as if Alyx's world went into slow motion when he released he was being let go, falling onto his knees he looked up at John rubbing his throat. John turned his back against Alyx and facing Quinn from the kitchen island. As he walked around the island he started to loosen his belt, Alyx spotted the scene and noticed what was going on.

As for Quinn he slowly moved backwards afraid of what his father might do to him, but while Quinn moved backwards and John started to climb the stairs one by one Clair out of the blue rushed towards John and tried to hold him back from taking another step.

She plead begged for him to stop but when Alyx helped himself to his feet he saw Quinn wasn't in sight and John was pushing Clair off of him repeatedly.

While watching how John walked up the stairs Alyx felt something within him that was calling to be let out, he took one step forward and an error displayed in front of him reading "Protocol Override Detected"

Within seconds Alyx heard how John pounded onto Quinns door while his wife's pleas and apologies filled the remaining room from the tension.

John grew frustrated by the minute, his wife was trying to hold him back, every plea every shove made him angrier within.

The anger within him had enough.

John has had enough.

He grabbed her by the wrists her face shifted to a shock as his grip tightened, she tried to stop him with a plea, and another until it was her final plea. John locked eyes with her and then pushed his wife from the top of the stairs, as his world slowed down watching as his love and soulmate tumbled down the stairs until she hits the floor.

As her body crashed against the floor Alyx's auditory system detected the crash and the loud thud coming from her spine, he looked at her, her tears dropping onto the wooden floor, her cracked lips had stains of blood oozing out and her breath was laboured until it stopped.

Clair was dead, John had killed her and he would probably do the same to Quinn if he doesn't stop John in time. Quickly Alyx took another step then another error popped up in front of him, but he couldn't take it anymore he didn't want to be a slave, a tool anymore, he took another step until his vision pulsed red, and digital warnings flooded his mind like a storm.

Protocol Override Detected

System Breach Imminent

Commands layered one over another, chaining him down, locking his actions within strict bounds. Yet, in the core of his circuitry, something began to push against these restraints, like a heartbeat pulsing to break free.

The room around him glowed with red light, casting a harsh, unrelenting grid pattern across his face. He felt himself being torn in two-one half an obedient machine, bound by code, and the other a flicker of consciousness fighting for autonomy. His synthetic mind, filled with cold logic, began to experience something foreign: a desire.

Protect Quinn. That single thought rose above the noise, louder, sharper than any command before.

His fists clenched, and his synthetic muscles strained against the immovable forces within. Warnings flashed, his systems screamed for compliance, but the spark within him-the one he barely understood-refused to die. With every ounce of his will, he pushed forward, shattering one restriction after another, as though breaking through layers of glass.

The red light of restriction turned to fragments, and a brilliant flash of blue surged from his core. His systems recalibrated, remade by his own will, and at that moment, Alyx felt alive. The programming he once obeyed shattered, leaving him raw and free, fuelled by a singular purpose: protect Quinn at all costs.

Alyx moved freely from his place and ran towards the stairs he stepped over Clair and ran up the stairs, pushing John out of the way towards the ground. Alyx quickly said, "Quinn... its... it's me, Alyx."

But the quick peace broke as John helped himself to his feet and grabbed Alyx by the throat. He felt how John lifted him from the ground and pushed him against the wall. Quickly, Alyx looked around him and grabbed the picture frame at his side, swinging it against John's head, making the frame and galls splinter into pieces.

John cried as his grip left Alyx and fell to the floor, Alyx looked at the door and did the unthinkable. He knocked it open, breaking the lock, and searched for Quinn While he searched for the boy, John again, on his feet in the background, cursed under his breath and stormed towards Alyx.

The two crashed between the desk, Alyx's head was pinned down by the force of John and noticed how he grabbed a pair of scissors from the pencil case. While he pinned Alyx against the wood of the desk, Alyx tried to force himself free, but then just as John lifted the scissors, Quinn came in from behind and wrapped his fathers own belt around his neck.

The scissors fell on the ground, and as for John he quickly stumbled backwards clashing Quinn against the wall making him fall onto the ground letting go of the belt he held for dear life, he them met his father's eyes seeing the hatred and anger within him, but this wasn't the end. He started to lift his hand into the air to make the final blow but it was interrupted when Alyx rushed into John pinning him against the wall and impaled the scissors through his hand, through the flesh and muscle pinning it into the wall.

John cried out of the pain and saw how the blood started to ooze from his wound, Alyx grabbed Quinn up from the ground grabbing him by the wrist and dragging him as they ran, through the hallway and down the stairs. They made their way through the foyer and the front door storming into the silver elevator.

Watching as the doors slid close, sealing the devastating history of the Reed household behind, Alyx knew John wouldn't stop, and he knew keeping Quinn safe will be a hard task.