The two didn’t talk to each other after that but Nijo’tika did stay with Alex a while longer. Alex turned over onto his back to get more comfortable and as he did, he found himself looking at an even more spectacular sight than even the spots of light that littered the grass: the night sky.

Clearer than he had ever seen, the sky was littered with specs of light from distant stars. Unhindered by clouds or light pollution, the sky was so clear that it looked almost artificial. Its appearance could only be compared to a computer wallpaper or satellite photograph.

The moon was crescent-shaped and very large, at least compared to the view from earth, and the light it provided would be able to give enough visibility to navigate, even without the aid of the lights from the grass.

“Whoa…” Alex whispered, seeing the sky. His eyes were wide with wonder. Every day his perception of this world changed as he learned, saw, and discovered more.

Alex’s stomach growled and then the pain hit. He was hungry. He had a difficult time removing his gaze from the beautiful spectacle, but another wave of hunger-pain struck him with the motivation he needed to get up.

“Hungry?” Nijo’tika asked, likely being prompted by having heard the rumbling of Alex’s belly.

Alex chuckled, “Very.”

He hadn’t had any food since that morning and he was ready to stuff himself. He made his way back to the horse where Lika’so was searching through one of the bags.

“I’m hungry,” Alex told her.

“So am I,” she said, looking up from the bag and taking out a yellow fruit. She gave it to him and took out another one.

It was as large as a grapefruit and had a similar texture too. Alex hesitated briefly, not knowing if he was supposed to peel it or bite directly into it.

“Eat,” Lika’so said.

Alex didn’t know the Kni’il word for “peel” or “bite” yet so he couldn’t ask her what he should do. He took a chance and bit into it. Instantly, a bitter flavor hit his tongue. His eyes widened and he pulled the fruit out of his mouth, spitting and gagging.

“Goddamnit!” he yelled.

Lika’so hunched over, fell to her knees and moved her arms to her abdomen, laughing harder than Alex had ever heard her laugh before.

Alex could still taste the bitterness on his teeth, but the flavor was less strong and more bearable. He picked at the skin with his fingers and began peeling, then started to laugh too. Feeling embarrassed, he tried not to look in Lika’so’s direction. He must have looked so silly.

Peeling off the last of the thick skin from the fruit, Alex observed that it wasn’t made of sections like an orange but was more similar to a grape or plum in its texture. Alex took a careful bite. The flavor was amazing! It tasted like fruit punch and was incredibly juicy. The taste gave him a feeling of nostalgia, bringing up memories of when he was a kid. It was an emotion he hadn’t felt in years.

Alex savored the fruit, taking modest bites. The others joined him and soon they were all eating together. By the end of the meal, Alex felt full and very satisfied. He was tired and Lika’so could see it in his face.

“It’s time to sleep,” she said. Alex and Nijo’tika agreed and the three of them made their way over to where each of them had set up their sleeping places.

“Good night,” Alex said to himself as he lay on his back, admiring the stars.