The day was new. Adam washed his face and combed his hair while singing a happy tune. Even though he knew his voice was harsh, he enjoyed the song. So much happiness was entering his life, and he could not wait to meet Mary's family.
Mary Ream had prepared a simple breakfast of fish and some edible plants from the Arctic Circle. This was one of the most nutritious meals Adam ever had.
Today they would begin their journey home. Technically they were going to Mary's home, but Adam hoped that it would become his home as well. Mary had a chest to carry that would be too heavy for any homo sapien, but was light for her. She would strap it to her back to keep her rifle more accessible. She often faced dangerous situations in her excursions, and tried to be prepared.
Adam wanted to make the trip with great haste, but Mary had work to complete on the way back. She explained, " I must make some stops to collect information for my father's scientific work. You will have to be patient."
"What sort of information."
Mary opened up the chest, and took out a book. "Look," she said as she handed him the book.
Adam opened up the recordings and was impressed. She observed so many details in the customs and cultures of various isolated towns. She recorded geneaologies, traditions, legends, news events, etc. "Did you spy on them to gather all this data?"
"No. Whenever I can, I help the people out, so they help me. I got food for that town after a fire burned up some of their supplies. People are nice to you when you are nice to them."
Adam continued to read the book. People usually shunned him, so he observed people from afar, and these writings provided some insights to human behavoir. Detailed and accurate drawings were also in the book. People were so beautiful, and he still longed to be like them, or at least interact with more of them.
"How did you learn to draw this well?"
"From my mom."
The artificial man was so engrossed in the book that he temporarily forgot about the travel plans. Then he came to a page that shocked him into feeling ill. There were entries about one of the towns that he had terrorized while Victor was pursuing him. The information was a little to old to include this event, so Miss Rean was unaware of his brutality. This angelic woman, who had probably helped this town in some way, would be angry if she knew the truth. She may even take actions to protect people from him if she discovered what had happened.
"Will we visit this town?" He asked pointing to the page.
"Yes."
Mary noticed the change in this recently suicidal man, and was unsure of what to attribute it to. She made a mental note of it.
Adam knew that he must contrive some way to divert her plans away from those people. He was angry with Victor again for making life difficult. Victor destroyed Adam's first woman companion before she had a chance to live. Adam was determined to keep this new companion. She was so perfect for him.