Chapter Forty-Eight

Follow the Stars

There was no time to spend dwelling on their situation. Juliet sat in disbelief next to Mika for a good ten minutes before remembering the most pressing problem. Mika was safe in the shadows for now, but they couldn't hang out in this alley until nightfall. The Vampire would need to sleep, especially since they were both now completely sober, and possibly about to suffer from extreme hangovers.

Juliet hopped to her feet and once again began rummaging through garbage. Mika moved to help her but she shot him a look that told him to stay put. "Unless you want to look like a homeless man, sit still and let me work something out."

She managed to find a few broken umbrellas, but was really looking for a hat. Mika usually covered the majority of his skin with clothing, but of course this one time he was wearing a short-sleeved shirt, no robe. What were the odds that she'd come across a discarded jacket?

At her thought, Juliet pulled an oversized sweatshirt, covered with food stains, from one of the garbage bags she'd been rifling through. She tossed it to Mika and he immediately donned it.

"What do we need to do?" she asked him when he finished. He had donned his gloves as well. She was currently attempting to rig a functioning umbrella by taking the working upper part from one and attaching it to the lower part of another.

"Find shelter. I need to rest, as do you."

"Okay, well… I could probably get us a hotel room, but…" she forced the two fixtures together with a loud snap. "I'd need to make phone calls and I have no ID. It's a little dicey."

Juliet handed Mika the umbrella and he opened it above his head, protecting his face from the sun.

"How likely are you to succeed?"

"How much do you enjoy crack dens?" she asked. Mika was unfamiliar with the words, and Juliet could tell by his face. "The only places likely to take a credit card number over the phone without ID are the worst places… prostitutes, drug dealers…" she flicked her hand. "And so on."

"Our only other option is to leave the city." He said. Juliet nodded.

"I'd feel safer in the woods, but we don't even know where we are. There could be no end to this city for miles and miles." She sighed.

"Let us try the hotel, then." Mika suggested. Juliet nodded. "Can you get us to one?"

"I'm sure I could. All cities are the same. Follow the buildings, the older the better…" She headed towards the end of the alley, scoping out their surroundings. "Is that gonna work?" she gestured to Mika's get up.

He sure looked silly, that sweatshirt must have belonged to a man three times Mika's weight, and that was saying something. It was an unlucky green color, like sickness, covered with nasty stains, perhaps condiments? Paired with his black slacks, leather shoes and gloves, the olive sweatshirt and paisley umbrella he held above his head made him quite a sight. "I'll be safer out of the sun." He replied.

"Alright, follow me."

Mika shook his head. "I will follow you from the shadows. Perhaps atop a building, to make sure we are safe." He looked ready to start climbing when Juliet sighed loudly.

"You really want to get on the news? 'Crazed bag man scales building, stalks woman from vantage point above the city'." She shook her head. "Just stick with me, okay? We may look crazy separately," she gestured to her own outfit, very out of place outside of some Goth bars. "But together we look safer. Two crazy people aren't allowed to just roam the streets, right? People will just eye us instead of finding us suspicious." She grabbed Mika's hand and dragged him on to the sidewalk with her. There weren't many people out, but the few who walked across from them did eye them with interest. Juliet just began walking with Mika's hand in hers.

"Gods we smell awful…" she mumbled. Mika didn't bother commenting.

He looked around the city, clearly a more modern section of an older place. He allowed Juliet to lead him and they walked for what must have been hours, the sun had moved high in the sky as the journeyed. Busses passed them on the street and idly Juliet mumbled about her lack of identification and money. Mika immediately noticed the change in scenery as Juliet and he entered what she dubbed 'the slums'.

"We would hang out in areas like this…" Juliet said quietly. "Hunters. This is where we'd get info."

"What kind of info?" Mika asked as they passed a large, obviously condemned building. The windows on every floor were shattered, the foundation crumbling. A handful of men stood outside of it and eyed them warily as they passed. One of them blatantly observing Juliet's body and nudging his fellows to do the same.

"Drug addicts have the most interesting stories." She stated, then stopped abruptly. "I think we've found the place."

The motel seemed abandoned, until they approached it, then Mika could see cars lined up, parked in front of their rooms. A young girl was sitting in front of the office, smoking a cigarette and picking at her cell phone.

"Mika don't you have knock-out breath?" Juliet asked, eyeing the girl. "Because I need her phone."

Mika didn't hesitate he walked towards the girl, umbrella and all. "Excuse me miss?" he called. She didn't even look up.

"Fuck off." She snapped.

"Can I borrow your phone?" Mika asked. The girl looked up then, brown eyes glaring at him.

"I said fuck off!" she shouted.

"I only need it for a moment." He continued, eyes locked with hers. She stood abruptly and walked towards him.

"Listen jackass-" she began, but that was all Mika needed, he exhaled his knock-out gas into her face once she was close enough and the girl began teetering on her feet. Mika caught her and laid her down on the stone, eyeing her.

"I wouldn't." Juliet mumbled, picking the phone up off the concrete and blowing dirt off it. "Who knows what she's on."

"She could just be destitute." He said. "I don't smell drugs on her."

Juliet began dialing on the phone and shrugged. "I was gonna feed you later, but if you're that hungry."

Mika decided to ignore the girl. It had been a while since he'd tasted Juliet, the only person to ever make feeding an erotic experience for him. She motioned for him to follow her into the office, speaking into the phone every now and then.

"Reservation?" the employee asked, a balding man in his mid-forties by the look of him. He hardly looked up from his computer, eyeing Mika and Juliet with disdain. Juliet continued talking into the phone.

Mika shook his head. "Anything available?"

"It's one-fifty a night and check in isn't until four." The man said, returning to his computer. "I need credit card and ID."

"I've got my credit card provider on the phone." Juliet said. "But I've got no ID. Up the rate all you want just give me the room and give it to me now." She thrust the phone at him, waiting for him to take it.

The man looked at her and down to the phone then over to Mika. "Four-fifty." He said.

"Fine." Juliet said.

"Name?" He asked, typing into his computer.

"Jay Gatsby."

"How long will you be staying?"

"Until we leave." She stated, rolling her eyes.

The employee took the phone and created the reservation, handing it back to Juliet. He gave Mika a single key. "I've got you in for three nights. Your credit card has already been charged. Room Three twenty-six."

Mika nodded in thanks taking the key from the man. He turned to leave, but stopped when Juliet didn't move.

"I have a question for you." She said, leaning over the counter. The man watched as her breasts pressed against the surface of it. "Where can I get a replacement card and ID?"

"The DMV is-" he began.

"I mean now." Juliet said, leaning forward more and allowing her breasts to continue to spill out of her top. "I'm sure you know someone…"

"Uh… there's a guy in room one thirteen. I can call him for you…"

Juliet beamed. "I'd appreciate that."

The guy in room one thirteen had been able to print Juliet an ID and credit card, it only cost her another fifteen hundred dollars onto her credit card. It would have been only five hundred if they'd had cash.

"Small change." She'd whispered to Mika as they walked out. Mika wasn't so sure about that. Sure most Vampires who lived long enough had money stashed away, but fifteen hundred dollars wasn't 'small change'. "Considering this card has, and I quote 'no limit for you Ms. Gatsby', it's small change."

Mika insert the key into their room and opened the door. The smell of stale smoke and bleach wafted out into the hall and they both frowned. "Beggars and choosers…" Juliet mumbled and walked in, throwing on the light. There were two queen-sized beds against the left wall, bathroom toward the back, and a small TV sat on the chest of drawers against the right wall. As she entered she noticed a small table and two chairs next to the entrance, as well as the window, microfridge (a minifridge with a microwave screwed on top of it to prevent theft) and AC unit.

"It smells, but I've stayed in worse." Juliet said. Mika eyed the bed with fervor, clearly exhausted. Juliet had to admit she did have a pounding headache. "Go ahead and get some rest." She sighed. "I'm going to find the nearest store and procure some food and water. As well as air fresheners…" she sniffed uneasily again. "And clothes."

Mika began to strip as Juliet closed the blinds tightly. "Don't let anyone in." She said, snatching the key from him. She showed him how to utilize the locks on the door. "You'll know it's me because I'll sound pissed that I forgot the deadbolt was locked…"

Mika nodded and flopped onto the bed. Juliet picked up his black shirt and pants off the floor, ready to use them for sizing, and walked out. When the door closed behind her she heard Mika get up and lock it behind her.

'Well, time for an adventure through the ghetto…'Juliet sighed and headed down to the office to ask where the nearest stores were.

The same employee was tapping idly at his keyboard when she walked in. He looked up, not surprised to see her.

"Hey. Where can I get groceries?" she asked.

He nodded in an undetermined direction. "Up the block is a megamart."

"What about guns?" she asked.

"Megamart."

"Clothes?" she snapped. "Lemme guess 'Megamart'? Do I look like I wear megamart to you?"

The employee smirked at her. "If you need brands you're in the wrong district." He shrugged.

"I don't need Versace. I just like black." She scoffed. "And so does my friend. Can you tell me where to get something similar to this?" she gestured to her outfit.

"Nope."

Juliet sighed. "Well thanks anyhow." She said before leaving. She headed up to the Megamart, ready to shop.

It had been early afternoon when she left, but Juliet didn't return until the sun was ready to set. She set all of her bags on the floor in front of the door to her and Mika's room, cursing when she remembered he'd deadbolted it after she left.

Immediately the door swung open, Mika, looking groggy, was holding it from the shadows. Juliet mumbled thanks as she collected all of the bags. Mika simply nodded and shut the door behind her before dropping back onto the bed. Juliet sighed and began unpacking. First and foremost she unpacked the cleaning supplies and air fresheners she'd purchased. Nothing crazy, just vanilla scented, something she hoped they were both okay with. Juliet removed the sheets from her bed and sprayed them with disinfectant, flapping them out to make sure she hit every corner. She then sprayed down the bare queen with disinfecting spray and lit some candles once the fumes had dissipated. Mika sneezed in his sleep and Juliet tried not to giggle. She'd do the same to his bed once he was up, now she turned her attention to the important items.

She'd been careful not to over-buy, but had realized they'd needed quite a few things once she'd made it to the store. For Mika she had bought him a pack of underwear, all black boxer-breifs, chosen based on what she'd seen him wearing before she left, and a pack of black socks. Since she hadn't measured his feet before leaving, Juliet simply hoped the size was right. Three long-sleeve button down shirts and two more pairs of pants, jeans both of them. All black, of course. For herself she'd opted for black shorts, black leggings and a pair of adorable black pleather pants that had fake rhinestones sown in to look like stars. Maybe she was a Megamart girl after all. She'd grabbed an assortment of thin colorful tops, four pairs of socks, and three bras, some thongs for comfort, but most importantly: hiking boots. Though she didn't doubt her ability to travel in her current heels, she would prefer to reserve them for testicle-squishing.

Juliet set about tag-removal for all of the clothing articles and began packing them into the duffles she'd purchased. One for her and one for Mika. After she'd finished with the clothes she began unpacking the foodstuffs and setting the cold items in the microfridge. A half-gallon of milk, two huge water bottles with built-in filters, a few frozen meals for her and Mika to dine on while they stayed in the motel. The dry goods consisted of canned soups and beans, dried fruits and nuts for energy, and plenty of those granola bars she liked. She set them on the chest next to the TV so Mika could see them. She assumed when he woke they would discuss strategy, and knew he would be hungry.

Speaking of hungry. Juliet knew if she didn't want Mika risking his health feeding from junkies, she'd have to feed him herself. Recalling the last time that happened with a blush and an unmistakable tingling in her loins, Juliet found the toiletries she'd bought and began unpacking and repacking them into the small toiletries bags for each of them. Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, razor, it all seemed so mundane and normal for their time-travelling adventure, but that's how most journeys started. She pulled out the soap bars she'd picked for her and Mika. Hers smelled like sunshine and white tea and lilies and made her excited to take a shower. She wasn't sure how Mika wanted to smell, but she'd picked something crisp and manly that she appreciated, and she was sure he wouldn't mind. After packing all of that away, Juliet stood and stretched. She picked up all the discarded bags and garbage and shoved it into the trash. Then she laid out some clothes for Mika at the end of his bed, along with his toiletry bag, before grabbing a pair of underwear, bra and thin tank top, as well as her toiletry bag. She headed for the shower.

Mika woke up groaning, his head throbbing. He looked around his surroundings groggily, remembering where he was. Steam filtered from the bathroom towards the back of the room, fogging the single mirror above the television. A sweet scent wafted with it.

Juliet.

He looked around and saw the clothes at the end of his bed, as well as a small bag. He opened it to find a toothbrush, soap, grooming items. He smiled quietly when he heard the shower stop. He stood and looked at the clothes she'd purchased for him, wondering over their fit. Juliet walked out of the bathroom minutes later wearing a think yellow tank-top and black thong. He tried not to hide his surprise at her comfortability.

"You're up. Isn't it a little early?" she asked, running a towel through her damp hair.

Mika shrugged. "It's fine. I have slept enough. What about you?"

"I haven't slept at all. Been shopping."

"I see. Thank you." He motioned to the clothes.

Juliet nodded and threw the towel on the ground. She walked over to the TV and grabbed a box of granola bars. "Hungry?" she asked him.

"Yes. Very." His stomach rumbled throughout his answer.

"We'll go get dinner in a second." She said. "First let me eat this and then you can get some blood and then I can put some pants on." She began unwrapping a granola bar. "Why don't you take a shower?"

Mika nodded his agreement, grateful, but unsure how to show it. Juliet was very self-sufficient, something he never realized. He entered the bathroom with his clothes and toiletries and nearly tripped over Juliet's discarded clothes. She seemed to hear him and rushed over.

"Oh sorry." She sighed and picked her leather outfit up off the floor. "I do this all the time."

Mika hid his grin when she looked up at him. "Oh I have something for you! I'll show it to you when you get out of the shower." She shooed him and closed the door for him to undress.

The shower felt heavenly, warm water cascaded down his body in glorious rivulets. Juliet had picked a pleasing scent for him, clean like mountain air, barely scented. He rubbed the soap into his bare body, feeling better with each massage of the bar on his skin, even as his stomach continued to rumble.

Juliet was removing something from her leather pants when Mika walked out of the shower, fully dressed. The clothes she'd bought fit wonderfully, although the pants were a little tight against his muscular thighs. He sat at the foot of his bed, noticing she'd tossed some socks there. He put them on while watching her.

Juliet was removing her daggers from the straps on the thighs of her pants. She noticed him watching and sighed. "I normally do this while wearing them. It's a fucking pain like this." After a few minutes she'd removed them and set them on the bed. She folded her pants neatly.

"Ready for dinner?" She asked, bending over to ruffle through her duffle and showing Mika the gorgeous spread of her tanned thighs a luscious ass.

He cleared his throat. "Yes. I need to feed first. Not much, just enough to get me by for a few days."

"I know." She said, wiggling into a pair of black shorts. She bent over again and began ruffling through his duffle. "Here." She tossed him something. Mika caught the item with one hand. It was a long machete in a simple Velcro sleeve. "Sorry I couldn't find anything bigger." She tossed two small items into her bag from his.

"It's alright. What was that?" he motioned to her movement. Juliet clenched her jaw.

"Guns." She shrugged. Mika frowned deeply. "Hey, you said it yourself, the Vampaneze have their little Vampets who can use guns. Well I can too!"

Mika sighed and decided not to broach the topic. Juliet was being safe, he shouldn't argue. "Come, I must feed." He beckoned her over and she came. Mika had grabbed a small plastic cup from the sink in the bathroom and held it to her. Juliet shook her head.

"I know it's better from the source. Here." She thrust her wrist to him. "Drink your fill."

Mika eyed the offered appendage with gratitude, but before he could cut into her flesh he noticed something. Small, faded scars crisscrossing her inner wrist, all the way to her elbow. "Juliet?" he asked, sensing he knew what those scars were from.

"Let's… not talk about it." She sighed, shaking her wrist in front of him again. "Hurry it up."

Mika continued to frown but didn't speak, using his sharp index finger nail, he cut a two inch incision into the side of Juliet's wrist. Blood began flowing instantly. Juliet didn't even flinch, simply examined the nails of her free hand as Mika began to suck on the cut.

He didn't need much, was finished in less than three minutes, lapping at the small red mark for a few seconds too long. Juliet snatched her wrist back and rubbed the spot on her shirt with a grimace. "You use a lot of tongue." She said. She leaned over to her bed and began pulling at her new shoes. "Let's go get some real food."