THREE WEEKS LATER
Konos had entered the library and hadn't come out yet. Junior, just like him, had spent all his time inside. Unlike him, the reason was, of course, that he had been grounded by his mother. She hadn't liked their excursion at all.
BEATRIX
Why did you run after him?!
She said, angrily, as soon as she had stopped hugging him. They were standing on the steps in front of New York Public Library. Konos had just entered the building, and the various security convoys had caught up with them. Miyamoto looked the most distressed when he approached Junior.
MIYAMOTO
Where is he?
Junior simply indicated the library, and Miyamoto sprinted off, but Konos had refused to talk to anyone else. The library was subsequently closed and reserved exclusively for him to gather the information he needed so much...
The most amount of time Konos had spent with a human had been with Junior, and everyone was pissed about it. Still, even if the President of the United States was angry with Junior there wasn't much he could do to him. His mother on the other hand...
Today was the first day he had been allowed outside. His curfew was a very strict 4PM, but he didn't complain. Any progress was good.
Junior merrily got his baseball bat and jumped on his bike toward his friend Rick's house.
RICK
Finally! Junior in the flesh!
Exclaimed Richard as he saw Junior coming his way.
RICK
If I didn't know any better, I'd think you had been abducted by the alien!
JUNIOR
I wish...
RICK
Haha, yeah! He probably would have let you out sooner than your mom did...
JUNIOR
My thoughts exactly!
Richard was his best friend and Junior couldn't think of anyone better to help take his mind off of it all.
RICK
So, you gonna to tell me what really went down in New York?
Or not.
JUNIOR
I told you what happened in New York!
RICK
Yeah... I don't buy it. How do you know he didn't, you know, control your mind or something?
JUNIOR
He didn't! I was leading him!
RICK
Pfff! That's bull! He manipulated you, that's what happened. Thanks for telling me you'd be there by the way...
JUNIOR
I didn't really have time to warn you...
RICK
I'm serious Junior, you just went around with this alien...
JUNIOR
His name is Konos.
RICK
Whatever. You went around New York with him, careless of everything and everyone around you! You blocked traffic, scared people... don't you remember any of that?
JUNIOR
I don't know... I didn't notice I guess...
RICK
You didn't notice people literally jumping out of your way?
JUNIOR
No I didn't...
RICK
See!? He manipulated you!
JUNIOR
No he didn't...
RICK
And all the two of you talked about is cars...
JUNIOR
That's right! They don't have them on his planet...
RICK
Nothing else?
JUNIOR
Nothing else.
That was not true. Over the past three weeks, Junior had become obsessed with Konos' words. How could he "have died time ago"? And how could he be over 9000 years old at the same time? Junior regretted not having asked him these questions when had the chance.
He also didn't feel like sharing with Rick what had been bothering him, since he himself had yet to get his head around it.
RICK
Anyway... are you ready to be struck out?
JUNIOR
Yeah, yeah... I won't make it easy for you... I have been practicing!
RICK
Wanna bet?
JUNIOR
Wanna bet what?
RICK
If I strike you out, as I inevitably will, you tell me what really happened in New York.
JUNIOR
There's nothing to tell!
As they biked back, making their way past Junior's house and towards the baseball field, Junior saw his mother standing in the driveway, obviously looking for Junior.
When she saw the two of them approach, she called after him.
BEATRIX
Junior! I need you to come home right now!
JUNIOR
But mom! I literally just went out!
BEATRIX
Don't let me repeat myself!
Junior sighed, and resigned himself to his mother's will.
JUNIOR
I'm sorry Rick... maybe another time...
RICK
Now, that is a way to avoid losing a bet!
JUNIOR
Shut up, will you!
RICK
Never, haha! See ya Charlie Brown! Next month probably! Haha!
His mother had gone back inside and was waiting for Junior in the kitchen.
JUNIOR
Mom, why did I have to come home?
Before speaking, Beatrix took a deep breath.
BEATRIX
Junior, what I need to say to you goes against my best judgement.
She paused for a moment, wondering whether to actually say what she had to say.
BEATRIX
I received a phone call from President Clarkson.
JUNIOR
And?
"Is it what I hope it is?" thought Junior.
BEATRIX
Apparently Konos has asked to talk to you, and refuses to speak to anyone else until he does...
Junior barely heard the end of the sentence. He raced to his room to pack his bag.
He was going to meet Konos again.
