Richard Weston's POV

When I woke up in the gravel, it was really weird. It was like the opposite of when you turn off a television set...everything narrows down to a bright point then disappears? Like that, except it widened and became a full view of Aria's face above me. Damn, she's gotta stop doing that it can make a person jumpy. After we spoke a bit, and she kicked in the door to the motel room, not good behavior on her part, I walked into the room.

Turning on the lights, I sighed in frustration as I saw the shag carpeting, a long dresser with a high mirror above it, and a TV. The furniture was all made in cheap walnut condensed wood materials. Removing my wallet, I placed it on the medium-sized walnut table and sat down in one of two chairs near a bedside table. She came walking in, as I bent down to remove my boots, looking a bit uncertain. Good. That's what she gets for basically holding me hostage.

The relief of removing my boots and socks is immense. I watch her as she moves around the room, then I realize that she's barefoot. Was she that hell-bent on survival that she forgot them? Why not just pick them up? So I ask her. Frowning, she looks away from me. "There just wasn't enough time to get them." She's hiding something. Aria walks over to the window by the door and looks outside. I'm sure she's taking in the view of the lake.

Bored, I reach for the remote without thinking and turn on the TV set. It blasts the room loudly with audio. Shocked, Aria immediately turns into a thick black mist of airborne particles. A high-pitched unearthly sound issuing from her entire being. Quickly I push the button on the remote and set it on the table. "Aria, it's okay. It's all right, I promise." When I see her molecules beginning to solidify again, I slowly get up and walk to the TV, with my back to her. "We use these to help spread information, but also for entertainment." I didn't mention we do the same on computers and things like the cell phone in my back pocket. Why haven't I used it? I don't know yet. The jury is still out on that one.

She walked over and stood next to me looking at the offensive box dubiously. I don't know if it was her or what, but my fingers itched to touch that golden hair of hers'. She reached out and touched the screen. "Show me how it works, but not so loud please?" So I did. I showed her how to operate the remote and we sat in silence watching the news.

We both sat back on the bed resting our backs against the headboard she asks, "Tell me more about you, Richard. Please?" I turn my head and see that she is sitting on the bed exactly the same way as I am. Pillow behind her head and back, with one knee raised. Though hers was bare. The dress slipping down her thigh a bit. Damn, she had beautiful legs. Uh oh... Horndog time again... "Alright..." I moved the pillow aside and laid down on the bed normally, placing the pillow behind my head. Damn me, if she didn't do the same. "Early years, there's not too much to tell. Mom and Dad were around, yet not. I loved my science fiction movies and books. Much to the point that I still do today. This is also where one starts looking up organizations like NASA, and the FBI. It was great until high school. I was picked on and bullied so much it wasn't funny. So at the end of my Senior year, I entered the Marines. Most of my time was spent behind a desk until war broke out and soldiers were needed. I saw two tours and I still don't think I have my head on straight after what I saw. Seeing people you call friends and otherwise, being blown to bits or shot right next to you with a bullet meant for you... They called me a major. A major what? A major loser is what you become." Sitting upright, I ran my hands through my hair. "You got the wrong guy for this, Aria. I'm just an owner of a diner trying to still pull my life together." Getting up off the bed I walked around the foot of it and looked at her with tired eyes. "Look, I'm sorry," I said before going into the bathroom to take a shower.

Stripping down, I stepped into the white tub with white tiled walls and ran the water until it was at a good hot temperature. Pulling the faucet plug, the water was rerouted and I stepped into the spraying water. Leaning both hands against the wall, I let the warmth of the water ease the soreness of my muscles. Reaching for the soap, I created a good foam and began to wash my body down. I can't believe it. I've just gone for more than five minutes without thinking about Aria. Raising my head from soaping up my legs, and there she is on the other side of the screen. "What is it, Aria?"

"What are you doing in there?" She sounded curious. In an almost childlike way.

Reaching for the shampoo, I quickly started washing my short brown hair. "Just getting cleaned up. I'll be out in a minute. Go watch the television or something." When I came out from under the water, her shadow was gone. Good! Oh shit. What could she be into? Getting dried off and dressed as fast as I could, hurried out of the bathroom only to find the door to the room wide open and Aria gone. If anything happens it's my fault. Shit! Shit! Shit!

Rushing out the door I see her far down at the edge of the lake and breathe a sigh of relief. Barefoot walking across the dirt and gravel drive toward her, my breath comes out in white puffs in front of me.

On bended knees, she seems to be staring or studying something in the water. With a quick snatch and grab, Aria pulls out a huge bass fish from the water which she promptly kills tearing its head off. I stand there staring at her like she's lost her mind, when she turns to me and smiles so innocently my heart melts, holding up the fish for me to inspect. "Fish for you to eat, you must be starving by now." She says this like a child in a woman's body, which I guess in many ways she is. A big powerful child in the sandbox filled with weak humans.

We are all as good as dead as that fish in her hands if I can't reach her somehow. The absurdity of it all had me bent over laughing. Standing up, Aria approaches me watching me curiously. "I'm sorry, it just struck me funny when I realized we have nowhere to cook it without attracting undue attention." I just lied my ass off. "If you promise to stay here, I'll go and get myself some food at a nearby liquor store. Markets are closed at this hour."

Taking the fish by the tail, she flung it out into the trees offhandedly remarking, "for the critters," which made me raise a brow. She's beginning to care about things? Hmm... "You will return, right away. Don't make me search for you..." Having seen what she can do, I don't need a warning. Only a fool would try and run from her.

Sighing I shoved my hands in my pockets."Lemme go get my shoes on my feet, And I'll go get the food. A few things you might want to try too." We turned and walked back when I asked, "Ever taste chocolate?" When she shook her head I rolled my eyes. "Even if you don't like us, humans, by the end of your observing, you might want to keep us alive just so we can make it for you." We stepped onto the walkway and I opened the door, letting her go in first as I headed toward my shoes.
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Hello, My Lovelies!❤

Just stopping for a quick minute to see how you are all enjoying the story!
I really am sorry that my update schedule got a bit "Off"
However, I am back and on track. Now updates will be coming at ya every other day. Unlike the last big one that just about killed me. Lol just kidding!
Anyway, please comment if you like the story, let me know what you like and dislike. I am open for DM's too. As you pass into the next chapter, just 'tap' that adorable little vote button, cool? Take care!
Chloè