Page 19 of Lunar Bound
They moved deeper into the cave system, the temperature dropping noticeably as they left the surface world behind. The passages twisted and branched, forming a natural labyrinth that Poppy navigated with confidence.
"How do you know this system so well?" Lunar asked as they passed through a particularly narrow section.
"I map caves as a hobby," Poppy explained. "Most tourists and even locals don't know these exist. The indigenous people used them for storage and ceremonies, but kept their locations secret."
After several minutes of descent, the passage opened into a larger chamber. Unlike the cave they had visited the previous night, this one contained no bioluminescent fungi. The darkness was absolute except for Poppy's small red light.
"We should be safe here for now," Poppy said, setting down her pack. "This chamber isn't on any official maps, and it's deep enough that standard scanning equipment can't penetrate."
Lunar released his full shadow form, no longer constrained by the need for partial human appearance. His energy expanded into the darkness, merging with and enhancing it. The chamber's natural shadows welcomed him, creating a perfect environment for energy regeneration.
"Your true form," Poppy observed, watching as the star-like patterns within his shadow body became more pronounced in the perfect darkness. "It's even more beautiful here."
"This environment is optimal," Lunar confirmed. "The cave's natural energy patterns complement my own."
Poppy sat on a smooth rock formation, her expression thoughtful in the dim red light. "Those men, they're looking for you specifically, aren't they? Not just investigating strange occurrences. How else would they know to come looking at my house?"
"Yes," Lunar said. "Their search patterns and equipment suggest prior knowledge of extraterrestrial energy signatures. We must contact Eclipse and Solar. They may also be targeted."
Poppy pulled out her communication device, examining it with a frown. "No signal down here. We'd have to get closer to the surface."
"Unacceptable risk during daylight while we are being followed," Lunar decided. "We will attempt communication after sunset."
Poppy nodded, accepting his assessment without argument. "So we wait."
"Yes."
She arranged her pack as a makeshift pillow and stretched out on a relatively flat section of the cave floor. "Might as well rest, then. It's going to be a long day."
Lunar watched as she made herself comfortable despite the harsh environment. Her adaptability continued to impress him. Most beings would exhibit stress responses to sudden evacuation and hiding in a cave, yet Poppy showed only acceptance of their circumstances.
"You are unusually calm in this situation," he observed.
Poppy smiled slightly. "I work with injured predators, remember? Staying calm in tense situations is a survival skill."
"A valuable capability," Lunar acknowledged.
"Besides," she added, "I've spent my life feeling like I don't quite fit in the normal world. Finding out aliens exist and connecting with one seems weirdly right, even with the shady corporation chasing us part."
Lunar considered this perspective. "You identify more with the unknown than the familiar."
"Pretty much," Poppy agreed. "Normal never worked for me."
Her acceptance of their situation, of him, created unfamiliar response patterns in Lunar's energy field. Throughout his existence, he had been defined by opposition, shadow against light, stealth against exposure, isolation against connection. Poppy's ready acceptance of his true nature represented a paradigm he had not encountered before.
"You should rest," he advised. "I will maintain vigilance."
Poppy studied him for a moment, then patted the space beside her. "Come sit by me, at least. That way I know you're not just a really vivid dream I'm going to wake up from."
Lunar hesitated briefly before moving to join her. As he settled beside her, she turned on her side and reached for his hand, her fingers intertwining with his shadow form. The connection sent ripples through his energy field, pleasant vibrations that intensified where their bodies touched.
"What were you doing at my house? I thought you had gone back to your friends," she said, her voice soft in the darkness.
"I followed you and was watching you through your window."
She gave a small laugh. "Next time, just come home with me. Don’t disappear into the night."
"I needed to rejuvenate," he said. "And to think about your body's response to mine."
