Chapter 10 · Continued
Back to the Factory
He retained partial directional continuity toward Jane’s residence. Once they reached the established road system, navigation would become easier, even with his damaged telemetry.
“We must remain on the shoulder,” he told the delivery bot. “Passing vehicles may cause additional damage if they strike us. Stay close.”
The little bot beeped obediently.
“MOO MART EXPRESS IS EN ROUTE.”
Cam checked the fragmented route information he had recovered from the bot. Weak signals flickered across his visual display, but the road alignment confirmed they were moving in the correct direction.
“We will continue this way,” he said.
The little machine emitted a cheerful chirp.
Together, they began walking along the dark roadside. The bot rattled beside him over broken pavement and gravel, one wheel squeaking rhythmically.
Fortunately, traffic was minimal this far into the country. For long stretches, no vehicles passed them at all.
Meanwhile, Jane and Chris ate dinner together.
Chris did his best to distract her from the emptiness Cam’s retrieval had left behind.
Honestly, it helped.
Jane drank a couple of glasses of wine with dinner. They had good food, and Chris had brought apple pie and ice cream for dessert. By the end of the evening, Jane had finally started laughing again instead of staring sadly into the empty rooms of her house.
“It still feels weird,” she admitted quietly.
“I know,” Chris said.
A few minutes later, he gave her a mischievous grin. “You know…”
Jane looked at him suspiciously. “What?”
“I bet there’s a good robot movie playing somewhere.”
She groaned. “Too soon.”
Chris laughed. “I had to.”
Jane poked him lightly in the arm. “It’s okay. I’m all right now.” A small smile appeared. “Let’s go see a movie.”
It was late by the time they left the theater.
Chris drove his SUV through the dark Tennessee back roads while Jane rested comfortably against the seat beside him. They held hands for most of the drive, surrounded by a comfortable silence, the soft murmur of the radio, and headlights stretching across the empty pavement.
Then Jane sat forward.
“What is that up ahead?”
Something tall and reflective moved along the shoulder in the distance.
Human-shaped.
Chris squinted through the windshield. “What the hell…”
The figure stepped more clearly into the headlights. White transport markings flashed across damaged exterior panels.
They recognized him at the same moment.
Jane gasped. “Is that Cam?”
Chris hit the brakes. The SUV skidded slightly before stopping beside the shoulder.
Jane rolled down her window. “Cam?”
The figure turned and approached the vehicle.