By the time I emerge from the bathroom, after having rinsed my face and wiped my skin with a towel that was questionably clean, I find Maxwell seated cross-legged on my bed. Luenos is crouched over in a corner, as far from him as possible.

“I suppose you’ve always been a bit sensitive.” He scoffs, running a hand through his light blond hair. I remember his words from my childhood, Yours is the colour of shit because that’s all you’ll ever be. And I think, Ironic isn’t it, how we ended up on the same mission.

“Shut up, Max.” I throw the towel onto my desk. “If you’re only here to mock me, then—”

“My only and eldest half-brother.” He smirks. “I only wished to know how you fared.”

I roll my eyes. “What is it you really want?”

Maxwell points to Luenos. “We found a girlfriend for your buddy over here.”

The phrase immediately grabs Luenos’s attention as he straightens up and turns in the direction of Maxwell’s voice. < That’s impossible, > he says.

My gaze wavers to his location. “What do you mean?”

Maxwell presses a fist to his tightly closed lips. He clears his throat. “Could you maybe, you know, fill me in on the details regarding your little alien talk?”

“He says it’s not possible.”

Resting a hand against his hip, Maxwell cocks his head to the left and says, “Why not? The guys were fooling around out there, and we found another one, just like when you found it. What’s so strange about that?”

A sour taste lingers in my mouth. I ignore his distasteful choice of words and turn back to Luenos who lets out a broken growl. < There aren’t many of us. Even if I wish for it to be true, it is highly unlikely, if not impossible. >

I want to apologise for Maxwell’s behaviour so bad before speaking any more, but I just know another fight would break out… and right now, a fight is the last thing we need.

Maxwell rises from his seat. He takes a step forward. “So?” he says. “You going to work your alien-whisperer skills on this one too, or should we just let this thing die?”

“Die?” I tilt my head. “Why would she die?”

“Oh yeah,” Maxwell yawns. He scratches his head and looks to the ceiling. “I forgot to mention, but it’s injured, and whatever brought it here seems to have left it stranded.”

I lean against my crutch and walk to the exit. Pausing once my shoulder aligns with Maxwell’s, my head snaps his way. “All right,” I say. “Lead me to her.”