The Red Machine

Chapter 2: Fallen Star

Come the next morning, Adam slowly wakes up after a long night's sleep. He glances at his alarm clock, propping himself up on his arm. 11:00 a.m. is emblazoned in red numbers. Good God. He slept for twelve hours. He hasn't been able to sleep through the whole night since his childhood. Could it be that Juno's presence has lifted the burden of all his fears off his shoulders? Maybe. If only he could sleep that way all the time! He sighs. No, his body surely won't let him. He's had chronic insomnia for as long as he can remember. Adam pushes the covers off him, then enters the bathroom. Letting his hair down, he strips and looks into the mirror. Somehow, his eyes seem a little brighter. He steps into the shower and begins scrubbing himself clean.

Today I'm going to take Juno to the city of Ibrocester. Should be a good starting place. After all, I know it quite well. She and I will explore bit by bit. We can take my motorcycle. I bet she'd like that. I'll have to find her a helmet, of course, but I should have one lying around. I need to prepare my backpack before we leave.

He pauses in his thinking.

I hope I've made a good first impression on her. Coming from such a dangerous crash into a stranger's makeshift home... I can only imagine her fear. All I want right now is to earn her trust. We can discuss everything else another time.

Once he's finished in the shower, Adam changes into a navy blue sweater and jeans. He braids his still-damp hair, then brushes his teeth. Spritzing a tiny bit of cologne on himself, he nods to himself. Soon, he returns to his room to grab his leather jacket, his keys, and a backpack, then makes his way toward the observatory—Juno's new bedroom. He's glad he has found a new purpose for it. He quietly knocks.

"Enter."

Adam opens the doors and finds Juno sitting on her bed in the center of the observatory. When he steps into the room, the dark hardwood floor creaks slightly under his feet. Her cloud-like queen bed consists of cozy, deep purple blankets and plush decorative pillows. Beneath the bed is a circular rug with constellations emblazoned on it. Books and other decorations line the walls. An ebony desk rests against a large, clear window directly across the room from the doors. Juno's laptop, flowers, and glass bottles sit on the desk. Lights shaped like stars hang from the first-floor ceiling. A metal ladder leads upstairs. On the second floor is a massive, ornate telescope surrounded by a lush garden of flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Heavy rain falls onto the glass dome ceiling with bright flashes of lightning crackling overhead.

Adam looks Juno over. She wears a horizontally striped white and green shirt tied in front with sage-colored jean shorts. Her sandals are strewn on the floor. Wiry sunglasses rest delicately on her silky brown hair, wavy and loose over her shoulders.

"You look nice today."

"Thank you. I quite enjoy human fashion. I don't wear clothing in my true form, though."

"I see. Are you ready to go?"

"Where are we going?"

"We're going to visit Ibrocester. It's the nearest city. About an hour's drive from here."

"Sounds fun."

"Yes. I thought we could ride Voyager."

"Voyager?"

"Heh. My motorcycle." Adam smiles fondly. Juno smirks.

"I'd like that."

"Excellent. Meet me in the hangar when you're ready."

Adam closes the door behind him. Juno sets her sunglasses in the V of her shirt, puts on a dark brown leather jacket, then leaves the observatory. When she arrives in the hangar, Adam holds out a sleek motorcycle helmet. Grabbing hold, she slides the helmet on her head. Her purple eyes stare into his.