Crash!

Oops.

“It’s me! I’m just, uh, going upstairs now!” I shouted through to her as I rested my bike more carefully against the metal bars.

“Wait a minute. Come here, please.”

Dammit.

I strode through the metal door and into the house. The jail-like features suddenly changed to be more comfortable and homey. There was a sudden lightness to the air, I felt myself relax. Heaven above, she was good. Crap.

Adelle, with her usual soft glances and gentle demeaner, now looked angry. What had I done this time? She tugged at her robe and played with a string of her curly hair. I sighed.

And, of course, there was the one, the only, Gianna. I bowed hesitantly. Well, actually, it might be a clone. God only knows how many Gianna’s we have running around here.

Gianna simply stared at me. “Fame, you are getting out of control.”

Hm. Not the real Gianna, but not a clone. Maybe a robot? Her voice sounded strange.

“Fame! Listen!” Adelle’s hazel eyes bored into me. I retaliated. What was going on?