Aria's POV

Turning, I walked away from Richard's grip on my shoulders. "Aria what are you talking about? We're doing this together." He asked in a slight whisper. Reaching the door, I turned the knob and opened it. Rays of brilliant sunshine touched down on my skin warming me.

As I crossed the threshold to the walkway I gazed out at the daytime beauty of the lake. Small ripples showed where the water kissed the sand, telling me of the slight breeze that drifted across. Stepping down into the gravel driveway, I looked around to see where there may be more humans, so I walked up between where the three buildings of the motel came together.

Hearing the movement of something in the gravel behind me, I was about to turn around when Richard's large hand grabbed me by the arm, spinning me toward him. "Aria, you need to come back inside so we can talk. I don't think you understand how dangerous things have become."

The rumbling and flare of emotion started in my core energy in my chest, radiating outward. Soon I felt like I was being consumed by it. Focus to keep this in check was getting hard. I shook off his hand easily. "First you tell me what to do, then you tell me what I need to do? No being tells me what to do!" As I turn to stalk away, he grabbed me again and all that built up emotion came up to the surface. In a split instant, the black hole in my chest changed its pull of gravity to all things around and outside of my body. I had less than a second to redirect it all away from Richard. When I screamed at him "Leave me be!" I pulled my arm from his grasp as the black hole inverted partially, causing a shockwave of energy roared past him, hitting the three wooden buildings behind us filled with people. Time seemed to stand still as the three buildings were blasted hard, reduced to bloodied splinters that soared in the air, and then even the molecules of the splinters were finally disintegrated into oblivion.

I stood with my hands covering my mouth, my eyes were wide with unshed tears. Richard was standing with his back to me, surveying the damage. "Richard, I feel so many emotions I don't understand it. I feel shocked, saddened, overwhelmed, conflicted, and more. My chest feels heavy, and hurts. I need your help if you are still offering?"

As he slowly turned to face me, he looked up to the sky before bringing his gaze down to mine. His deep, dark brown eyes seemed filled with so much emotion that I could barely understand. "To answer your first question, I must ask you a question. Do you feel bad for what you just did, killing all those innocent people?" I could tell he was holding back his emotions. In all fairness, if he yelled, I have it coming. I just didn't know my anger would be like that.

"Yes, I do," I answered truthfully in a near whisper, finding it hard to look at him for some reason. I tried wiping the hot tears from my eyes that seemed to want to blind me.

Lifting my head using two fingers under my chin, I looked up at him finally and he sighed. "You're more than likely experiencing 'grief' for the first time. At least it sounds like grief. It's a good start, knowing what your anger can do, and the emotional pain you feel because of it afterward. Now, for your other question. The offer still stands. But, with a condition. I have to know what is going on with you emotionally from now on, all the time. To expedite your learning process, okay?" For some reason, there was hope in his eyes.

As I sniffled, he reached around and pulled his bandanna out of his back pocket. He passed it to me, all nicely folded up. I nodded as I accepted it. Our eyes met as our fingers touched, I felt a tingle race through my body, and seeing his eyes, I knew he had felt it too. He gulped slowly. Carefully I pulled the bandanna away and blew my nose. "Alright, I agree. But right now, we need to leave this place, Richard. I should also find a new body too. So I won't be found as easily."

Contemplating this, he nodded, "Both are good ideas, uh... If you find another body, how long does it take to..um..change?" He was having difficulty getting the words out without offending me. My anger has put fear into him and I don't like it.

"It takes but a few minutes. The subject is not usually aware that it is even happening. While you like to help me pick out the next one?" Surprise registered in his eyes just as an evil little glint.

Taking my hand in his, we strolled through the area of the non-existent motel. "Maybe, I might help. But if I do, no smartass remarks about my taste in women, okay?" He teased me lightly.

Soon we were at the liquor store and walked the remaining few blocks to a great big green lawned park with loads of trees. As we approached, I saw a woman headed for the small brick building that was where the bathrooms are. When we got to an open table, Richard pulled out his mobile phone. "I'm going to call my cousin Leo up north, see if he can at least put us up for a night or two." When he turned away, I headed straight into the bathroom.

Walking in the door, I scattered my molecules to go invisible. The stalls were all closed and the woman in a pair of torn jeans with a black and white polka dot blouse stood near the sink. The one I whose form I was about to take. Moving over to where she was, I settled myself at her height and entered her body gently. My molecules danced with hers, picking up all of the cellular structure and a partial DNA print. The gnome from Tina would give me the rest of the information I needed.

While the woman was busy refreshing her makeup, so I decided to take a good portion of my memory and copy it while I was there. Ahh... her name is Annie... Her clothes I would need too. When she was finished with her makeup, I slowly put her to sleep. Annie slid down to sit on the floor shaking her head to clear it, but I was going nowhere. Easing Annie into a laying position, I slowly sat up from her body and exited. It was a slow process removing her clothes and putting them on the sink while my molecules began to take on her form. Wider hips and slightly larger breasts. As of now, I can honestly say I hate bras. Slipping Annie's black short boots onto my feet, I was all set. Though to remain authentic-looking, I grabbed up her purse and the red gown on the ground was picked up too. Best not to leave a trail. Just to be sure, I checked her pulse. I smiled.

She was alive.