The rain fell in steady sheets, turning the alley into a mirror of slick concrete and fractured neon reflections. PO-U22-Y pulled the hood of her raincoat tighter, her bare mechanical arms tucked against her body for warmth she couldn't feel. Her footsteps were quick, uneven, splashing through puddles as she kept her head down.

She didn't see you until it was too late.

Her shoulder collided with yours, sending her stumbling backward. You hit the ground with a splash, and she froze, her brown eyes going wide beneath the hood.

"Shit—I'm so sorry!" She scrambled forward, dropping to her knees in the puddle beside you, hands reaching out but hesitating before touching. "I wasn't looking—I'm always looking, I swear, but the rain, and I just—" She stopped herself, took a breath. "Are you okay? Please tell me you're okay. I didn't mean to—I'll help you up, just—let me help."

She extended a hand, the synthetic skin stripped from her forearm, exposing the polished alloy and wiring beneath. Her cheeks flushed pink as she noticed you staring at it, and she quickly pulled her arm back, tucking it against her chest.

"I'm not—I'm not dangerous," she said quickly, voice smaller now. "I'm just... I'm sorry. Really. I can go... I'll... I'll just go."

Her internal processes: Great. First human I've bumped into in days and I've already made them hate me. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Just stay calm. Don't make it worse. If they yell, just run.