A crosswalk light held Jun back from crossing the street. Neutral-toned, squat buildings and unlit neon signs gave them little to look at, and few pedestrians commuted this way during the day. The sky, cloudless as usual, hung above, not even a gust of wind to stir their bangs. Zero cars passed. It would take little to cut through this dead air.

  Their tablet buzzing did just that. They unwrapped it, hoping to see a response from their runaway crewmate.

  Instead it was Roxie. ‘Did something happen back at the bar? You looked unhappy.’

  How sweet of her to worry. It wasn’t that deep, though. They put on an act of being annoyed with Aiden over the phone just in order to look less suspicious to Krow when they had to bail. Actually being annoyed made it all the easier.

  Helping to hide Angelo? That, Jun understood. Letting an already missing boy roam free in an unknown city seemed reckless even for Aiden. They’d deal with him soon enough. For now, they reassured Roxie without bogging her down in specifics.

  By the time they crossed the street, someone else headed their way. Not only did his bright red hair and vest ruffles make him stand out; he looked to be around Angelo’s age, much younger than the few others hanging around. Nova’s words came to mind.

  “Last I saw him, some little redheaded boy was helpin’ him walk.”

  “Excuse me.” To Jun’s surprise, he showed his phone to them before they got the chance to ask him anything. An even younger freckled redhead was pictured inside. “Have you seen this boy?”

  “No, but,” Jun realized the ‘little’ might’ve been more literal than they thought, “he does sound like a kid who was last seen with who I’m looking for. Have you seen someone this tall,” they lowered their hand to Angelo’s height, “with thick glasses, suspenders, and a bulls-eye shirt?”

  “Do his eyes carry a deep sadness?”

  The question knocked them back. “That’s weirdly accurate, yeah.”

  “Whatever he’s going through seems intense.” The boy stroked his ruffles. Closer up, Jun saw that they were tissues. “I hope he knows the inherent value he has.”

  “Hmm. I’ll see if I can let him know when I find him. So, like, where did you last see him?”

  “After I asked him about my brother, he turned onto Apennine Boulevard.” He motioned to where he’d come from. “That was about an hour or two ago.” His mood died. “Even if he found him, I don’t know if he has the self-confidence to guide him back.”

  “Actually, the person who saw them together said the kid who might be your brother was helping my guy walk after he busted his ankle. They planned on coming up this way, according to her.” Jun thought about the timeframe of Nova having seen them. It had to have been before her interview. “If I have my timing correctly, she saw them not too long after you guys talked.”

  The boy’s eyebrows scrunched up for a moment, then his eyes softened in heartfelt joy. “That’s great.”

  “Sure? I mean, the bad ankle narrows down our search area. They’d be easy to spot if they were here.” Jun looked around the ghost town of a district. “So if I had to guess, they’re probably still on Apennine.”

  “That’s even better! Through Elliot’s help, they can both feel seen, valued, and cared about.” This kid functioned on a wavelength Jun did not fully understand. “I hope you don’t mind, but can I join you on the way back to Apennine Boulevard?”

  Jun shrugged. “Sure, you can walk with me for now, but like, I gotta take a detour to talk to a friend. It’s probably better if you go ahead.”

  He gently took their hand with an intense stare. “I can always make time for you.”

  “Uhhh, I’m kinda planning on it being a private conversation, sooo…”

  “Then I’ll wait out of earshot.”

  “Cool. So long as you do that.” Jun went with the flow. The world wouldn’t end if an awkward teen tagged along. Two pairs of eyes were better than one.

  “By the way, I’m Kyle.” He followed their lead once they started walking again. “What’s your name?”

  “I’m going by Junk for now.”

  Kyle raised a concerned eyebrow. “Junk? Like trash?”

  “I didn’t really put much thought into it.”

  “A nickname can do a lot to influence your self-worth, you know. Is it okay if I call you J?”

  Jun shrugged. “If it makes you feel better. So, your brother. Do you have any ideas where he could’ve gone based on, like, hobbies, interests, anything like that?”

  “Before he disappeared, he said he wanted to use the extra money we had to buy new clothes.” Kyle’s head lowered. “I tried checking in a few, but they’re all so crowded. Plus, I don’t know if he wants to see me right now.”

  “Aww man. Did you guys have a fight?”

  Kyle nodded, then sighed. “One of my brothers told us we had extra money, and I suggested we should all take a vote on how to use it. None of us could agree on anything, which was annoying, yeah, but it brought us so close to making some big breakthroughs!”

  “Breakthroughs?”

  “I’ve found my passion in helping people with their emotions.” His determination melted into frustration. “It’d sure be easier if they’d talk about them. But when I become a therapist, I know I’ll have to deal with clients that close up, so I might as well start with my family. They’re practically allergic to talking about feelings!” He laughed.

  “Therapist, huh? That’s a noble goal.” It also explained a lot. “You seem particularly passionate about improving people’s self worth.”

  “Thanks, I try.” Kyle scratched behind his neck. “That’s why I feel silly for not realizing how Elliot must feel. You may not know this, but me and my brothers are kind of celebrities.”

  Something they both had in common. “Oh really?”

  “It’s not something I like to brag about. Me and my twins–Would they be called my twins? We’re identical triplets, maybe the only ones in Lunaria.”

  That rang a bell. “Oh yeeeah. I’ve never seen you guys, but someone I know from here mentioned triplets.”

  “Whenever we’re out together, people stop us to ask questions and take pictures. But Elliot doesn’t get as much attention since he’s not one of us.” He frowned. “I always feel bad about it.”

  “It’s not your fault. But yeah, I can see how he might feel like a nobody, not like being hounded over is, like, great or anything.”

  “That’s exactly it!” Kyle pointed. “It’s not much better at home, either. During our fight it came out that one of my brothers is feeling swamped by his responsibilities and holds a lot of resentment for it. My other brother is busy finding ways to make money to help out, but I think he’s also trying to replace the attention he feels like he isn’t getting from our mom.”

  “That sounds like a major bummer for everyone involved. Sorry to interrupt,” Kinda. Jun’s next question would feel less awkward if he didn’t share more, “but you wouldn’t happen to know a girl named Mia, would you? Red hair, freckles?”

  Kyle stopped and stared just in time for both to wait at the next red crossing light. “You know my sister?”

  Jun had a hunch, but it still came as a surprise. “Yeah, she’s the friend that mentioned you guys.”

  “Friend?” He looked up at them with a widening smile. “How is she? Is she eating well? Does she have other friends? Do you guys call each other? Can you tell me about her boyfriend?”

  “Hey, take it eas–Wait, huh? Boyfriend? Like a past one, or…?”

  “She had others??”

  “I dunno!”

  He opened his phone to read something. “My mom said she was out with her boyfriend.”

  Did she mean Captain Galhardo? Jun might as well keep their response vague just in case they’re using a date as a cover, though it seemed too unprofessional for either of them. “Oh, that guy. He’s quiet, self-disciplined, mostly keeps to himself. I don’t know if they’re dating though.”

  “Ohhh. They sound compatible.” He smiled. “I hope they are dating. Otherwise, my congratulation text’ll be really awkward. That, and she deserves to have someone like that.”

  “That’s sweet.” Jun acknowledged his heart being in a good place. No need to out her. “Mia’s doing pretty okay, at least after what happened on Earth.”

  Concern washed over Kyle’s face. “Did something happen?”

  “I, uh–” The light changed before Jun formed a response.

  Kyle continued while the two crossed Rockwell Street, where Jun last saw Aiden’s group. The post-lunch rush made for more crowded sidewalks. “I thought it was strange she didn’t say much of anything during that trip. She’s always wanted to look at nature more closely. Did she not get the chance?”

  “She got the chance.” Jun confirmed. “But she, uh, had some allergy problems.”

  “Was it serious?”

  “I-I don’t really know if I should go into detail.” In trying to avoid giving sensitive information, they realized they tipped Kyle off anyway. At this point, all they could do was lighten the mood. “We made sure she was able to take some rocks home.”

  A weak smile flickered. “She probably appreciated that. Still, no wonder her responses are so short lately. That must’ve hit hard.”

  So much had been going on around the ship, Jun didn’t think to check on Mia after her near-death experience. “You really care about her, huh?”

  “She never says how she feels!”

  The sudden burst of anger startled Jun. They slowed down to a stop beside him, and both stood as a rock the stream of other pedestrians parted around. “Kyle?”

  “She’s the worst about that.” His fists balled. “I keep trying to reach out to her, but she won’t tell me anything.”

  Jun guided him over to the side of a dollar store. For a moment, they stared at a sidewalk, trying to figure out what to say. “Your sister seems private by nature. Growing up in a family that doesn’t talk about feelings much can make someone like that clam up more.”

  “I know.” Kyle nodded. His mouth formed a thin line. “But that’s not all. Elliot’s a cute kid even if he’s not a triplet. Sometimes people give him attention. All they ever do with Mia is get her to hold the camera. I hate how invisible she is to everyone, even us! She did so much work that we still don’t fully understand, and they have the nerve–!”

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  Jun waited for him to collect himself via some breathing exercises.

  “Sorry, I lost my cool.” He flicked his bangs.

  “It’s cool.”

  Kyle deflated with one last breath. “I’d hang out with friends any chance I could get, and I admit I was annoyed whenever Mia made me stay home. Then I noticed how hard she pushed herself to get into the IF.” Too hard, judging from the look on his face. “I told her how much it worried me, but nothing I said mattered.”

  “Do you have any idea why?” Though Mia did her job well, she never struck Jun as the type to be passionate about the Interstellar Forces.

  “She said I wouldn’t understand. I figured it was the money. Mia always worried about our budget, and the IF pays well even if you don’t have a degree.”

  “Ohhh.” From what Jun knew about this family’s situation, money seemed tight. College probably wasn’t in the cards for her. That much made sense. Mia’s involvement in budgeting didn’t. “Did Mia handle you guys’ finances? And what do you mean ‘always?’”

  “For as long as I can remember, she’s done everything around the house except bring home money. I think that’s the real reason why she needed to join the IF. She had to get away. Now everything’s falling apart without her.”

  “O-Oh.” Jun had vague memories from when they were four, and this kid looked about 15-16. Being generous, that meant Mia took on these responsibilities as early as nine-years-old. They couldn’t argue with Kyle’s guess. They’ve left for less.

  “None of my brothers are coping well. Mom either. I never realized the much-needed emotional support Mia gave her!” Kyle planted a hand in his hair. “I’m trying to fill in, but I can’t replace what they had. If Mia leaving caused this much pain, how did she feel when she was here?”

  “I can’t answer for her.” Jun stuck their hands in their pockets. “But, like, I gotta wonder: Dude, how do you feel?”

  His expression blanked out. “Me?”

  “Yeah, you. I know you wanna be a therapist, but therapists are people, too.” That’s why Jun never saw themself getting therapy, but this wasn’t about them. “They feel stress. If they hold it for too long, they’ll burn out the same as the rest of us, or explode. They have set hours for, like, a reason, right?”

  “Yeah.” Kyle nodded listlessly. “I feel bad about it, but most days, I don’t feel like coming home. My friends are fun. I know I’d probably alleviate some stress around the house if I stuck around more; I just don’t want to because I’m already there for Mom.” He attempted to smile. “Her feelings are beautiful, and I’m glad she trusts me enough to share them.” His ‘smile’ no longer reached his eyes. “She has a lot, though.”

  “No, yeah, I totally get not wanting to come home.” Jun remembered being that way at his age, complete with a less extreme but still troubled relationship with their mother. “Does your mom not have friends to rely on?”

  “She, uh, actually, I probably shouldn’t get into this much. Patient confidentiality and all.”

  “Got it.” Never stopped him before, but Jun took the hint. “Obviously, I can’t do much to help out with your family’s deal, but I can keep an eye on how Mia’s doing, and try to get her to talk to you more. No promises on how that’ll turn out, though.”

  “You’d do that?” Hope shined in Kyle’s eyes.

  “Yeah.” As soon as they sorted Angelo’s situation out, Jun planned to check in with her. Even if they considered her more of Roxie’s friend than their own, knowing what they knew about how hard she might’ve taken what happened on Earth, they felt an obligation to, if not as a friend, then as one closed book to another. “Ready to head out?”

  “Sure! And thanks, J.” Kyle smiled. His wrist buzzed, stopping him in his tracks. Once he checked his phone, his smile came back, this time with embarrassment mixed in. “I guess she’s not dating that guy after all.”

  Jun laughed. “I had a feeling.”

  For the next three blocks, Jun kept their eyes peeled for any sign of the laundromat Angelo mentioned. Not well, apparently, because only when they checked the street name he gave did they realize they passed it. One block back, they and Kyle found Prosperity Street but none of the luck it implied.

  “Huh. I thought he’d be here.” Jun checked behind a recycling bin.

  “Is this where you were supposed to meet your friend…?” Kyle stayed outside of the alley way. Smart kid.

  “Yeah, I’m gonna give him a few minutes, and if he doesn’t show up, we can head to Apennine.” Jun leaned against the cream-colored wall across from the laundromat’s and took note of Kyle’s unease. “You can go ahead if you want.”

  “No, I’m okay with staying! One of my brothers is supposed to be searching around here anyway.” He tried to reassure them. “You know, I was wondering about the guy you’re looking for. What’s he like?”

  “Pretty shy. Doesn’t talk much. Likes cardboard boxes?” Jun lifted one from the recycling bin. “I’d tell you more, but I don’t really know him all that well.”

  “You don’t?”

  “Nah. He’s another friend’s little bro.” They absentmindedly examined it. “Technically, he’s missing, too, and I’m trying to find him before his brother finds out. The guy’s been through a rough week already, no need for more stress.”

  “Good.” Kyle gave a nod of approval. “I’m always saying that less stress is best.”

  “Excuse me!” Someone outside nearly made him jump out of his skin. “Sorry, you’re not the kid I’m lookin’ for. Have you seen an 11-year-old boy about this tall by the name of Elliot Wattson?”

  “No, have you? That’s my brother.”

  “I’m afraid not, kiddo, but I’ll be keepin’ an eye out for him.”

  “Thank you, ma’am.” Soon, a short, blonde police officer wandered into Jun’s line of view. Her head snapped toward them. “You. Hands off the cardboard. That’s private property.”

  Jun raised their hands, letting go of it. “Sorry, Officer.”

  She strolled into the alleyway, squinting. “ID, please?”

  “This isn’t a stop and ID district.” Jun refused.

  Finally, she came to a stop, staring up at them. “You waitin’ for a friend?”

  “Do you suspect me of waiting for someone in particular?”

  “Not at liberty to say unless you show me your ID.”

  This sounded sketchy as all get-out to Jun, but there was a slight possibility she knew Aiden’s whereabouts. “Can I at least see your badge first?”

  The cop stared for a moment, then obliged. Officer Collins was her name, and she carried a legit Lunarian police badge.

  “Thank you, Officer. Here’s you go.” Jun returned the favor.

  Her eyes lit up. “Are you that–??”

  “Yep, that one.”

  “Oh my goodness. I didn’t even recognize you!” Collins shook their hand like an old friend. “I wish I had something you could autograph. Oh, it’s so nice to meet you. If you’d been around ten, twenty years ago, I probably would’ve enlisted.”

  Jun smiled and nodded the way they usually did with excited fans. It always felt bittersweet meeting women who would’ve joined the IF had there not been a gender ban in place.

  “Wait. Are you Jun Kim?”

  Both stared at Kyle, still waiting at the mouth of the alley. When Jun looked back, Collins covered her mouth in shock.

  “I’m so sorry. I know you guys are—I’ve said too much already.” She covered it again before stepping away. “Nice to meet you, hope you have a good one!”

  “Wait, before you go!” Jun called after her. “Have you seen a tall guy with blond hair and a scar?”

  “Oh yeah, him. He and another freckled kid were here last time I passed. Dunno where they went. Hey,” she pointed at Kyle, “aren’t you one of those triplets? Delilah Rose’s boys?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Now it was Kyle’s turn to be put on the spot.

  “Wow, doesn’t time fly? I remember when your mom was a maternity model. Sorry about your little brother. We’ll find him as soon as we can.” she reassured him. “I’ve got some people on the lookout.”

  “We really appreciate it.” He watched her leave before letting out a big sigh. “I really hope Mom doesn’t find out. This won’t be good for her emotional state. Do you think the guy you came here for is still around?”

  Jun shrugged, still confused by Collins’ sudden shame. “I know he likes to walk around sometimes. If he’s not here in five more minutes, we can leave.”

  “It’s cool meeting you. I can’t believe you’re Mia’s friend! Did you guys hang out often?”

  “Well, she’s kind of my roommate, so…”

  “Your roommate??” His eyes went wide. Just as quickly, confusion and concern clouded them. “Wait. Does that mean you’re on–?” Something to the right stole his attention enough for him to approach it, leaving Jun’s sight. “Russell?”

  “Kyle?” asked the voice presumably belonging to his brother. “What are you doing here so early?”

  “You’ll never believe who I ran into!”

  Someone else stepped into Jun’s field of view, one none too happy to see them, judging by the way he cursed under his breath. That’s okay. Jun was happy to see him anyway.

  “Yo. ‘Sup, dude?” Getting the jump on Aiden filled them with smug glee.

  “Wh–? How did you–?”

  “I’ve got my sources.”

  “Angelo.” Aiden sighed. He finally entered the alley, leaning against the opposite wall. “What do you want?”

  “Who are you talking to?” A black-and-red-haired boy raised an eyebrow at the two.

  Kyle joined him. “That’s Jun Kim. Jun, this is my brother, Russell.”

  “Cool. Nice to meet you.” Jun waved to the now slack-jawed boy. “Sorry to shoo you off, but me and my buddy Aiden here need to talk alone. It’d be, like, way chill of you to go across the street. We’ll try not to be too long.”

  “Okay! We’ll give you two some privacy.” Kyle yanked at Russell’s backpack. “C’mon, let’s go.”

  “So,” Jun dropped their smile once the two were out of earshot, “about Angelo. He’s not with you. Why is that?”

  “He said he wanted to go to Apennine Boulevard, and I let him.” Aiden shrugged. “It’s not like I own the kid.”

  “You don’t, but I do find it weird that you let the kid whose whole thing is running and hiding out of your sight. Aren’t you worried he’s not gonna come back?”

  “He’ll come back.” He crossed his arms. “He’s too afraid of Galhardo.”

  “I dunno.” Jun glanced at the boys talking across the street. “He doesn’t have the most predictable pattern of behavior. What if he freaks out and tries hiding from Galhardo?”

  Aiden looked away. No response.

  “In a weird way, I’m kinda glad he’s not here right now. It gives us a chance to talk more freely, dont’cha think?”

  “What are you getting at?”

  Finally, Jun got an opportunity to ask the question that’s been burning on their mind for the past three days. “Was it you? Did you convince Leon not to tell anyone?”

  Aiden just stared at them for a moment, completely unreadable. “Maybe I did. Maybe I didn’t.”

  Jun’s head bobbed. “So that’s how it’s gonna be? Alright.”

  “I got a question for you.”

  “Yeah?”

  “You think people run away for kicks and giggles?”

  Jun met his eyes with a shrug. “No. In fact, the whole reason I’ve been trying to track Hook down is to figure out why she’s running. Lunaria’s the worst place to avoid the IF. I wanna give her a chance to turn herself in now before she inevitably gets found and charged more severely.”

  “Hmph. Shoulda said somethin’ before we ran into each other. Not like you would’ve seen her anyway.”

  “What, did you tell her about the others?”

  “Yup.” Aiden gave a self-satisfied nod.

  “And she believed you?” Jun raised an eyebrow. Nova having met Angelo on Apennine Boulevard meant that she also ran into Mia and the captain, so she probably believed Aiden. But only someone who read the group chat would know that.

  The way uncertainty crept onto Aiden’s face confirmed he didn’t know. He didn’t need to know, just like he didn’t need to know Jun and Roxie already found where she worked.

  Aiden scratched his goatee. “It’s funny you’re thinkin’ about Hook’s reasons when you haven’t even thought about the kid.” He grew more serious. “What makes you think sending him home is safer? Do you know why he ran in the first place?”

  “You’re right.” admitted Jun. “I haven’t thought about that. I just kind of assumed he and Leon had a normal home life.” They thought the same of Mia until today.

  “You asked if I noticed anything weird about him. The first thing that came to my mind was the look in his eyes.” Aiden looked away. “It reminded me of some of the kids I saw on Skid Row. Ones who’d seen things.” His eyes widened for emphasis.

  “Oh dang, really?” Thinking about it, Jun found Angelo’s anxiety a little worrying. “You think something serious is going on?”

  “Dunno. Maybe he’s easily freaked out. But you don’t know either, and there’s clearly somethin’ up with him.”

  “I get what you’re saying. Fine.” Jun made their decision. “I won’t make any more moves until I figure out what’s going on at home.”

  “Good luck getting him to tell you.”

  They stared at him. Nothing he said should’ve raised alarm bells. It did anyway. Aiden spent too much time alone with Angelo not to make his own moves. Angelo’s shift from freely giving information to leaving Jun on read made a lot more sense once they factored that in.

  “What?” Aiden lifted an eyebrow.

  “Nothing.” Jun knew he wouldn’t answer if they asked. “I’m gonna go look for him. You coming?”

  “To Apennine??” He looked as if they invited him to jump off a cliff. “That place is swarming with pigs.”

  “So long as we stay together, you won’t have to talk to any of them. Promise. It’s gotta be more fun than standing in an alley.” Jun looked toward the boys across the street. “Your buddy is probably gonna join us.”

  “I wouldn’t count on it. No skin off my bones if he does, though. I’ll live. Besides, if Angelo saw me, he’d probably just go the other direction.”

  “Huh? Did something happen?”

  “He thinks I ditched him when a pig showed up. I mean, I did,” Aiden sunk into his shoulders, “but I wasn’t gonna let him get arrested. He figured out how to get off the hook before I had to got a chance to swoop in.”

  “How did y–?? Duuude, that was, like, your whole thing, protecting him from the police!”

  “I didn’t think she was gonna go after him for just standing there!” he argued. “He’s some suburban-lookin’ kid. I’m the suspicious one! Now do you want me to go?”

  “Whatever. You can stay if you wanna. Later, Kelly.”

  Jun left him behind to wave at the boys across the street. Kyle returned it with a smile, followed by his brother, who did so more awkwardly. Before they made it to the crosswalk, they heard another pair of footsteps tailing them.

  “I thought you weren’t coming.” They saw none other than Aiden over their shoulder. “Feeling remorse? Boredom?”

  “I have my own reasons.”

  “Of course you do.” Jun wondered if it was the same reason they realized Aiden staying back worked in their favor.

  Mia’s brothers would have less of a reason to stick around once they found Elliot, leaving Jun the chance to start winning Angelo’s trust back. No matter how things played out, though, the chances of solving Angelo’s situation before the Celestion-5 left the Moon grew slimmer by the second. Still, hope lived on.

  Hope lived on Mars, to be exact. Interstellar Forces spacecraft travelled to and from the Martian Base all the time. What it lacked in convenience, it made up for in the time it gave Jun to understand him better.

  In the meantime, they’d try to understand Mia, too. Jun checked the group chat on the walk to Apennine Boulevard to see all the information she compiled for a case similar to Nova’s. Good stuff. She deserved some thanks for all her hard work.

  So they gave it. ‘thanks mia. this info is a big help. keep it coming. you are the mvp.’

  How Appreciated Do You Feel In Life?