Klaatu drove immediately to the motel and checked out. He then tanked up at the filling station. They were soon on the interstate heading out of New Mexico. Even though he moved as quickly as possible Klaatu worried about the time. He was unsure how long it would take Maya's minder to wake up from her nap and discover them gone. Then all hell would break loose. He wanted to be as far away as possible when that happened.
The young man left Maya alone with her thoughts. She hadn't spoken a word since leaving the house.
"I never did get your name," said Maya breaking her silence.
"Klaatu Smith."
"Where are we going, Klaatu Smith?"
"I'm going to take you home with me," he replied. "After that, I don't know...someplace safe I hope."
"Is home on Mars? I wouldn't mind visiting Mars but I'm not sure I'd want to live there permanently. Of course I'd want to finally meet my father's side of the family."
"No, it's right here on Earth. It's in--"
"Don't tell me. I want to be surprised. Just so long as it's somewhere out side of New Mexico I'll be happy. You know, I don't think I've traveled more than 40 miles from my birthplace."
"We've already driven more than 40 miles so all this is new territory to you."
"So far, it looks a lot like the old territory," Maya replied. "I'd be surprise if they're not already after us." Klaatu didn't reply but he was already speeding up. It was far faster than he'd ever driven before. Yet, other cars were still sailing past him as if he were standing still.
"What's this about a spaghetti strainer? Of all the things I think I'd need a spaghetti strainer wouldn't be anywhere near the top of my list."
"It's actually a device that allows me to talk with my dad. It's also giving me powers like the one you saw."
"Maybe I can borrow yours."
"I left mine at home but we can try it when we get there."
"So your father is still alive?"
"Yeah, but I didn't know even that much until just recently." Klaatu started giving Maya an account of what had happened since he turned 18. Naturally he omitted telling her about the incidents with Wanda and Betsy. Maya talked about growing up and Klaatu responded with his own stories. Klaatu soon realized he had things easy compared to the mental abuse Maya suffered under the dominance of Rev. Bryce. The time went quicker and they made good time but Klaatu was feeling tired.
"Would you like to take a turn at driving?"
"I don't know how to drive," said Maya. "I guess they figured I'd leave and never come back if I had the means and opportunity."
"I need to rest a bit so let's stop and eat. We should also get you some clothes and other things."
Maya didn't have much of an appetite but she did have some French fries and a Coke at a roadside McDonald's. Klaatu drove the rest of the way into a nearby town and let Maya shop for clothes, toiletries and an overnight bag to carry them in. Klaatu hated shopping so he just waited outside. When Maya was finished shopping, he went inside and paid for the purchases with his credit card.
"I'll get us a couple of rooms," said Klaatu after more hours of driving. He had just pulled into a motel parking lot. It was fairly early. The young man knew he could never make it as a long haul truck driver.
"Rooms, Klaatu?" Maya looked terrified. "You're not going to leave me alone tonight."
"But--"
"I know what you're going to say. Well, we can register as husband and wife or brother and sister. I trust you and they won't know the difference anyway."
"That wasn't what I was thinking."
"I don't care, Klaatu. You're not going to leave me alone."
Klaatu shrugged his shoulders. "I'll get a room with two beds." The young man was in truth worried about his subconscious mind seducing Maya like what happened with his mother. His father told him he'd be able to control his subconscious by now but he hadn't really been tested. Still, his mother didn't wind up in his bed again since that first incident so maybe Klaatu was being overly cautious. Even so, it would perhaps be best if he warned Maya and then she could decide whether or not she still wanted to share a room.
"I think I should warn you that my system is still adjusting to physical and mental changes that I'm told comes from wearing that helmet." They were sitting in their motel room, one with two queen beds.
"You mean it can make your body turn green? I already know about that," Maya said.
"Well, no but there are other things."
"Like what? Do you turn into a werewolf at the full moon? Don't worry. The full moon doesn't come for another couple of weeks."
"Well, no but--"
"Give me an example."
"For example, I could uh...make you do...things...even in my sleep and I wouldn't even be aware I was making you do them because I was asleep." Klaatu knew he was blushing green trying to explain it.
"You mean like sex?"
"Yeah...like that."
"Has it happened before?"
"Once." Twice if you counted Wanda but that didn't count since he did it with her on purpose. There was no way Klaatu was going to give her a detailed explanation. He'd die of shame if she figured out it was his mom he had sex with. "You wouldn't even be aware that you were doing something against your will."
"I'm not going to worry about it," Maya replied. "I doubt if you're interested in me that way conscious or unconscious. I know I'm ugly."
"What gave you that idea? You're very pretty!" Maya wasn't anything like Wanda but certainly attractive in her own way. She was at least six inches taller than Wanda, almost as tall as his mom. Maya had a slim build with a small bust. Her shoulder length brown hair hung down straight. She could pass for a much younger teenager than...my gosh Klaatu thought. She's going to have a birthday tomorrow. It won't be much of a birthday for her.
"You're just saying that. Really?" Maya had a smooth complexion and pleasant face which at the time was blushing green too.
"Really," Klaatu confirmed.
"No one's ever told me I'm pretty. Thank you, Klaatu."
"Those people were just being mean."
"I realize that now," Maya replied. "I'm going to take a shower," she added. The young woman got up and walked into the bathroom. Klaatu closed his eyes for a moment. He was asleep in an instant. When he woke it was dark and Klaatu felt a body beside him.
"It's happened again," Klaatu muttered. "Wake up, Maya."
"I'm awake."
"Oh...but...I was wondering if you realize you're in my bed."
"Of course I realize it. I've been lying here awake waiting for you to have your way with me."
"Huh?"
