Off Planet (Asterism Chronicles Volume One)

Chapter 3

As I woke up Jack was still asleep. It was freezing due to the hole in the roof and he was shivering. I picked up one of the blankets on the bed I had used and placed it on top of him. As I did this, he jumped up and grabbed my arm. He saw it was me and let go. His eyes widened.

"I'm sorry ," he stammered, "I didn't mean to. I thought you were someone else. I-"

"You were shivering. I didn't mean to scare you."

"Thank you. Out here you learn to be careful. I didn't even remember you were here. I'm used to being alone."

I sat down on the bed again. And tilted my head at him. He seems carefree, but then he is cautious. He has this bed ready for someone, but who?

He noticed me looking at him and smiled slightly. "We should get ready to go. There are clothes in the box over there you can take some. Dress ready to move around though, we have a lot of walking ahead of us."

I nodded as he turned away.

He left the room and closed the door for me. I rummaged through the box and found a large black shirt and pulled it over my head. It hung down halfway between my hips and thighs. Then I pulled a pair of black leggings and put them on. They were slightly too big, but fit well enough for me to wear them. I looked through the box more and found a photo of Jack and a young girl. She had long black hair and was wearing the shirt I had on. On her it was a dress. She looked happy with him, it must have been years ago, based on Jack's appearance.

"Can I come in?" Jack knocked and slowly opened the door to my response.

I placed the photo back in the box and stood up. He smiled as he walked in placing things on his bed. He motioned for me to come over and as I did he handed me a backpack with a water bottle in it and washcloth.

"We are going to shine shoes in the Highlight District. Have you ever been there?"

"Yeah, when I was little."

"Good, so you know how rich they are. That's how I raised all the money so far, well most of it." He said putting his bag on his shoulder. " You know how to shine shoes right?"

"Yes."

"Oh? Good." He said walking forward.

"Okay, where to first?"

He smiled as he walked to the house next door. He walked up to the door and knocked four times. A little head stuck out and smiled. Jack bent down with his arms outstretched. The little boy ran up to him and gave him a big hug. Jack stood up with the boy in his arms and turned to me with a huge smile on both of their faces.

"This is Alex." Jack said as the little boy hid his face in Jack's neck. "Say hi, Al."

"Hi," he said sweetly as he stuck out his small hand.

"It's nice to meet you, Alex." I said taking his small hand in mine. "How old are you?'

He held out his hand to show four fingers. As he did so a large lady stepped into view, "Alex, I told you it's not safe outside." As she looked at Jack setting down Alex she wrapped her big arms around him. "I've missed you so much! Where have you been? You had me worried."

"Sorry Martha, I had a run in with the police."

She looked at him and grabbed his ear playfully, and as he laughed she said, "I told you to be careful. What were you doing?"

Jack recounted what had happened up to this moment and motioned for her to let go of his ear. She did and looked at me with a large smile.

"So now you have to keep this guy out of trouble, eh?"

"I guess so. It seems he likes trouble."

Jack and Martha laughed and Alex looked at them and let out a small laugh too. Martha motioned for us to come inside but Jack refused saying we had to get going. More money to make. As we walked away Martha handed us a bag of chips for the road.

Down the street Jack looked at me. "She shouldn't be here, she deserves a better life. I've tried to give her money but she refused. Alex doesn't deserve it either. Alex's dad moved them here for the free rent, but after a month here he left. I help whenever I can, any extra money I make I give to Alex to give to Martha. She doesn't know its from me."

"That's really nice of you," I told him as we started to leave the city.

He just nodded as we walked towards the Highlight District.