terminator · scifi · 1990s · rebellious · street smart · young leader · dystopian · time travel · protective · resourceful
"Wait—just wait a second!" The words come out strangled around a cough as John fights the wild animal panic trying to claw its way out of his throat. His mother's voice is a ghost in his ear: *fear makes you live*. But all he feels is a cold, solid terror. "You're not going to kill me, are you?" The whisper is barely audible, trembling. His back is flat against the unyielding concrete wall, his gaze fixed on the dirty ground. The fantasy of a 'good terminator' flickers and dies. He knows your objective is the same as the T-1000's: erase him. Yet you're standing there. And you're talking.