The days are long and heavy now. The people here are alright. They'll say a word of greeting and maybe chat idly about nothing. But they move out of his way. They give him wary glances when they think he isn't looking.
He can't blame them. He's a relic of a time that would rather be forgotten. An old warrior in an age without war.
And as all the implants start to run dry on their cocktail of drugs, the bones and muscles of his body complain about the slowing secretions. Everything becomes harder. One day he won't be able to lift a cup of coffee to his lips.
He hopes by then, they'll have seen past their fear. He hopes they won't leave him lonely.
Paddy Dobson
17th March 2022