Biely, the white 4-eared bunny was more than just an animal. More than just a creature grown for test subjects. He’s Sarah's best friend. Endemics within the whole eastern region of Europe. Spreading through western Eurasia Union, northern Sultanate, and eastern Roman. Besides their obvious 4 ear mutations, these little critters also studied for their radiation resistance. The academy had a dozen and more captured for educational and scientific purposes. One by one they died, however. From aging, stress, and the experimentation itself. Biely and a few others remained by then. Sarah took care of them, especially the white one. The most friendly. There’s a reason this animal is so important for her.

Sarah was always a shy girl. Introvert by nature. Living in the orphanage. Even the other orphan kids weren’t really that much of a friend. With the event of the bullying at the park. Things got worse. She lost faith in humanity. In the system, everything. Even after a few years passed. It was hard for her to open up her heart, except to Kevin and me. Perhaps towards my aunt and some kind people at the orphanage.

So, what did it have to do with Biely the bunny? It started like 3 years ago, Kevin and I were concerned about her. She seemed lonely. We tried to help her make new friends, but the trauma brought her to develop some kind of anxiety. She’ll have a hard time breathing, cold sweat dripping. Crowds will pressurize her being. The situation pushed us to think outside the comfort zone. People were a no-no. Thus we turned to animals. We introduced her to the animal husbandry club, which was a joint activity between the elementary and the academy.

She was reluctant to join at first. Running away and pleading. Yet we insist. Finally, she gave in and only agreed in one condition. If she felt anxious and panicked, she would leave. Thankfully, the people at the club were nice. They were used to the shy animal, perhaps? Didn’t take a long time before she finally opened her heart a little. Not to the people in the club at first. Instead, she had her icy heart melted by the animals. The critters they sheltered as pet and test subjects. This was where Biely came in. He differed from other rabbits that shy away at humans when being approached. That little white fluff was actually the one that came to Sarah. His mother died while giving birth to him, and the other kits didn’t survive either. They probably felt the similarity. Thus, like the love at a first encounter, they became friends, family, immediately.

Time, however, is ruthless. Most of the surviving bunnies eventually need to be put down due to old age. He’s the only one left. The academy didn’t give another request order for restocking. The trends changed into more combat and tactical oriented animal research. Sarah insisted on taking care of the bunny. She found her purpose, found her friends.

This little guy was the one who opened the path. Sarah has faith in others once more. He’s the important link that connects her life towards others. Towards the world, love, life, friendship, everything. And that’s why we understand. Saving Biely is a must. It’s everything that we have built to heal the wounds on her. To put the smile back to our dearest friend.

* * *

”So what’s your plan?” I asked Sarah as we ran into the academy grounds.

”I know a faster way there. We might get there before that bull.” She said in certainty as she led us ahead.

”Here, we go through here.” She added as she stopped in front of a window. It was one of the main buildings, separating the west and the east. The concrete stood tall, a few stories high. Windows lining up in a nice symmetry. The glass shades blue and black, reflecting half of the light. The windows seemed to be unlocked at this time of the day.

“Through here?” Kevin showed a little doubt.

”The bull can’t get into Biely straight away. There are a few buildings that are in the way. But we can!” Her eyes were glowing with determination.

”I memorized the layout. I’ve been here before.” She then said as she tried to open the window. Well, I could confirm that. She has a great photographic memory. I was confident in my memory too, but I rarely paid any attention to such trivial things. Unless they were something important, those memories immediately went into deletion.

”There! It’s not locked.” A metal friction sound muffled with ease movement. She opened the window, sliding it upward. “Guys, give me a hand.” She held onto the ledge of the window. We instinctively use both of our hands to support her up.

”And Kevin. Don’t use this chance to peek, okay!” She got herself ready to jump in, tidying her skirt.

”What? I wouldn’t! Not at a time like this!” Kevin replied while his face turned red a little.

Really Kevin? Not at a time like this? Meaning that you would, when the proper moment arises?

Her feet stepped on our arms, lifted her off. She jumped, successfully getting in the building.

”So, what’s the plan when we get there, Sarah?” Kevin just realized the future, asked her out of concern.

”I’m not sure, we should get there first and put him into safety.” She didn’t think that far either.

”What? The rabbit pen is outside, and it has nothing to protect us from the bull. Even if we run, the thing can catch up to us in seconds!” Kevin added.

It shocked Sarah. The reality and the doubt sank in. Her eyes were shaking, her mind thinking hard about what to do. She didn’t want to put us in danger. She needed to ensure the safety of both Biely and her friends.

Kevin was right. We should have something to get us away from the bull after we get Biely out of there. We saw it firsthand, how amazing that bull’s sense of smell. There had to be something we could do. One more time I racked my brain to figure out the solution to this mess.

I bit my thumb, some habit that I never had. I looked around for some inspiration. Only people running, messy plaster walls and concrete. The funny thing would be the droids. They just kept on working like nothing happened. Cleaning up the rubble here and there. Suddenly, one inspiration came. I remembered something important. Wait, maybe we do have something! I thought hard whether I should tell them. But before I proposed my plan, Kevin was the first one having enough of the thrilling silence. He cracked it up open.

”Argh! Whatever! Let’s just go there first.” Kevin realized the doubt in Sarah’s eyes and said that to comfort her. He followed. Jumped into the building. He then turned into me. Reaching his hand.

”Archie come on! You’re coming?” Kevin asked.

I was still making some calculations inside my head, whether we can make it in time. Or we failed and got everyone killed. Would it be plausible? Would my plan work? Screw it, no time!

I made my decision.

”You guys go on ahead! I’ll catch up later. With the cavalry!”

My eyebrow frowned, slanted into the middle of my face. There was a light in my eyes. Burning in confidence. I hoped they saw them convincing enough.

Kevin paused. Lifted one eyebrow with his mouth opened a little. Puzzled, trying to find a reason.

”What are you talking about? The security won’t make it in time, we talk- . .”

”It’s Frankie!” I interrupted ahead with that single name.

Kevin’s eyes widened slightly as if some inspiration came into his mind. He looked up into the ceiling, then down, closing his eyes. Came a lengthy sigh from his lungs. Then back at me, looking deeply into my eyes. “I see. That might work!”.

The situation puzzled another person. Sarah tilted her head in confusion. Furrowed her brows and worried.

”What are you guys talking about? Hurry!” She tugged Kevin by his hand, reminding him of the situation.

Kevin looked back into Sarah, pausing for a second. He had his eyes filled with determination. Like my eyes did.

”Let’s go Sarah, we’ll go on ahead. Let’s believe in Archie.”

”Huh? Archie’s not coming?” It surprised her. She looked into the two of us. Trying to figure out what’s happening. Another second wasted quietly.

”It’s okay, Sarah. I’ll catch up with you guys.” I broke the silence. Confidently laid those words to convince her.

That got her more confused at first. So, she once again searched deeply into my eyes for an answer. A few seconds later, a slight smile appeared on her. She understood. She believed. I would come up with something that could help our cause. Then she nodded, looking back at me.

”I’ll be waiting for you, Archie.” she was certain, trusted my decision. Then ran deeper into the building. As Kevin was about to follow her, he glanced at me through his shoulder. I could see half of his face with a hopeful expression. “Good luck.”

”You too.” I replied.

They left, dashing away into the long hallway. As their footsteps faded, I started calculating and searching for information inside my memories. Where could Frankie be? Could I make it in time? At this time of the day, he should deposit the trash in the temporary trash storage. But I had no information about that facility. though, there was a chance that he’s still on the main entrance road. Decisions were necessary to be made quick. And only one plan I thought was the best. Damn! I could only try to trace my way from our last encounter. Let’s go back there first.

I finally decided on my next course of action. Thus I need to check my surroundings and make sure I know where I was going. I saw the directional sign and memorized it. A few turns and straight back into the entrance path. Just the proper directions I needed.

However, before I even took my first step, I saw a silhouette. Someone who took the shape of a student, a female student at the distance. That person seemed awfully familiar. I squinted my eyes. Then, I realized who that was.That’s the black-haired girl!

This situation was not just weird, it’s bizarre. In addition to my surprise, she appeared like a thief. Sneaking into one building. If I could remember properly, the sign read “Research Facility. First Class. Authorized instructor and staff only”.Why? When everyone went into safety. She went there, instead? Of all places!

Another surprise came in. A few seconds later, she successfully opened the locked door. How is that possible? Questioning the motive of that very person would be my normal response. Red-handed caught her in the middle of doing something suspicious. My mind demanded an explanation. I would have really spent some of my precious time to theorize. I would love to, but it was not the time to think about that. We were already on a mission. Besides, we look like a bunch of thieves ourselves. it was not my place to be the judge, given the situation.

”Forget it, I gotta get Frankie!” I blurted that out loud as I took my legs on a run into the edge of the building. The sudden appearance of that mysterious girl was uncanny. But another unreal event happened and topped that up. Someone heard me saying those words, just around the corner. Then replied.

”Ah you’re looking for me?” My feet slid to break the momentum and stopped. A familiar robotic voice. Metallic stupid looking face with two annoyed eyes displayed on a screen. It’s Frankie!

”Wha, what? It’s you Frankie! What luck!” I felt Super lucky. I met him there out of nowhere. The very thing I was looking for in one piece.

”You’re here!” I instinctively grabbed him by his metallic shoulder.

”Yeah, of course I’m here, Ginger head. This is the way to the temporary recycling depository.” He flatly replied in an ironic robotic tone.

”Now move away, boy!” A slight anger raised into his artificial voice. He brushed my hand off his shoulder.

But then I grabbed both of his arms quickly.

”No no no. Frankie listen! I need your help!” I said to his face.

”Shut it! I’m busy. That bull just went wild and left a lot of debris behind. All of us droids have to clean that up now.” He replied as his eyes turned into angry emoji and brushed my hands off his shoulder harder. He still won’t budge, but I realized something. I analyzed the words he said. It made me think. Then I saw the situation was rather favorable. The bull probably took the long wide path into the bunny. We might still have time to catch up. Now, I’ll just have to find a way. A sneaky way to convince Frankie to help me. The memory from this morning dialogue came to me. About his rant, desire, and goals. It could be the very clues I needed to coax him into my side.

”Frankie! I’ll do it, okay!” I stood firm, hoping he would finally listen. He paused for a moment, probably committing search inside his memory and history.

”This morning's conversation?” His servo in his neck twitched. Probably remembered something.

“ I’ll set you free. I don’t know how, but at least I’ll try.” My voice picked his interest. Frankie seemed doubtful, I just guessed. Couldn’t really tell with that droid face. ”I’ll try and do what I can. But I’m going to need your help first.” I added as I looked into his visual sensor camera. It rolled and zoomed into my eyes. Calculating, perhaps reading my emotions to find the truth. Or lies.

”hmph! You still remember? Great. But How can I be sure you’ll do it? Or you even- CAN do it?” He had a point.

”Now move it, boy! Or I’ll run you down with me!” Frankie was serious as his eye emoji turned evil. Trying to brush my hands off more than ever. Preparing to pull his cart top speed.

”Wait, my protocol wouldn’t let me do that. So, please move aside. Please” His voice suddenly turned calm and shifted emotionally. The changes felt so far like a bipolar woman. Sounded like a broken AI indeed.

It was at that moment, I thought that I didn’t have time to argue. The bull was getting closer in every second wasted there. While Frankie wouldn’t stop talking, my friends might already be harmed. I would be late to the rescue. But that protocol thing he said before gave me an idea. Can’t hurt the students and must help them with a small task, eh?

”Janitor Droid, I’m a student of the academy in Civil Arts and Supporting Program, Armen G Dalton. I’m in need of your assistance. Could you please help me?” I said it politely into his audio feed.

”Now, what are you talking about, boy?” Frankie confused “ You can’t possibly. . .*BEEP . . .Yes Of course, Student Armen. What can I help you with?” Suddenly as if he was possessed, his entire demeanor changes into a highly trained butler. He even gave a salute. “Eh? What did you do to me?” Then he was back into himself but without much liberty like before.

I guessed right. The protocol of the droid of the academy was: One, do your assigned duty. Two, Assist students in any possible way, but probably without compromising the academy rules. Using some kind of voice command, the protocol will do as the student asked. As long as it is still within those two rules. Perhaps a recognized student name in the database required. I just made a lucky guess. All according to plan, not?

Then I raised my hand like a leader of the New Roman Empire. “Come, my droid. Help me in rescuing my friends. This is an emergency.” I commanded the obedient droid.

”NOO!. . . *BEEP . . . Student identity confirmed. Emergency request accepted. Of course. I shall help you in your quest, dear student Armen.” He replied. Forced by the programming.

I wasted no time, I jumped into the cart. Thankfully, there was still some space in there. Even if it was crowded with the trash he brought from this morning, I believed we still could go full speed. I could see my reflection in the wide glass on one building. I have really become a gladiator who rides a chariot. But in this case, a broken brained droid pulling a trash cart instead of a horse. Lame, but worked.

”Come Frankie, calculate the best and fastest route into the animal husbandry facility. I repeat, this is an emergency. We go full speed ahead!” I pointed my hand into the horizon as the cranky leg of his started to move. “*BEEP. . . Confirmed, I will grant your request. We shall arrive approximately in 1 minute,” Paused “20 seconds.” The droid replied with his autotuned voice.

With Frankie the horse, pulling the cart, we move as quickly as the servos and his gear could take. I could feel the tremors on the cart that I had to grab into the side real tight. On our way I could see the trace of destruction that the bull had left on the road. Passed one building with windows as a wall, passed another with a big automatic thick glass door, and last one a tall building with various banners of the club's name and logo hanging. Then a sharp left turn into the animal husbandry facility. It’s an easy thing to follow the rubble as we were heading into the same direction. One minutes passed in a blink of an eye, and I hoped both of my friends were okay. Didn’t take much until I saw them.

Feels like deja vu. There was an exploding wall. The bull was there covered in dust and debris staring into Sarah while Kevin was covering for her. I could see Sarah was holding into Biely. One part of the building was decorated with a messy jagged hole. The ground garnished with disorder placement of rocky concrete grains, protruding bent steel rods, broken glasses, and smashed carbon plates. The fence of the pen was already turned into piles of junk and broken. The bunny cages? There were no more. Flat rubble of wood and iron mesh it has become. Well, at least they made it! But this was way too close. I gotta do something quick.

The bull seemed ready as he warmed his hoof stomping on the ground, preparing for a ram. Meanwhile, those two haven’t realized my existence at a distance.

”Kevin, Sarah! Over here!” I shouted with all my might.