“Are you sure you haven’t seen him!?” Said Rey to an older woman with a bucket hat. She shook her head, followed by an out of place smile, a smile which unbeknownst to her, teased Rey. Frustrated, he pushed his feelings down and carried on with Ave searching for Kanoa in the park. The further they entrapped themselves within the green enclaves of the cluttered space of animals, hoping to spot Kanoa in his usual feeding spot, they were only left with more annoyance than concern.

  They separated from one another searching, interrogating and calling out for Kanoa from every corner of the park though unsurprisingly, despite how hard Rey had persisted, it was to no avail. Eventually, the sun was beginning to retreat from MurrowsBrow, dusk invaded the once visible nature exhibits the two had scourged. There was no choice but to discontinue their search. Heading towards the entrance of the park Rey’s mood stayed especially dampened, Ave while more calm, held a particular rage spread obviously across her face.

  Meeting near the entrance, Rey convinced the two to commit to one more lap around the park, anticipating to find Kanoa with his usual cheery demeanor, hoping to scold him. Ave discouraged him, though he pressed on, desperate. As he returned, Rey’s optimism had fully obstructed, he walked, his back slouched over as his forehead and neck were wrapped with sweat, soaking through his clothes, his eyes hanging low.

  “It’s… It’s no use.” He said with a shaky tone of voice. He clenched his fist, not at all enjoying feeling so hopeless! He grit his teeth shaking his head, suppressing the onslaught of tears catching on, his voice erupted. “Kanoa! WHERE ARE YOU!?” “...” And of course, no one responded. Leading onto to onlookers staring at Rey with eyes of pity.

  Defeated, he looked to the ground, tracing each crack, each divet within the imperfect streaked concrete while trying to comprehend how he could have lost his own son. He muttered places the two hadn’t been, though Ave’s mind wandered elsewhere. As she understood Rey was merely grasping at straws, and he knew this as well. Part of himself expected Ave to bark at him to stop, needing it even. Despite this awareness building in both of them, instead of a violent outcry, Ave’s soft hand reached his shoulder, her tempered eyes grounding him.

  “We’ve been at this for four hours Rey… Either he’s back home, or…” She paused, not even sure herself of the alternative. “Claudia can’t look after the kids for much longer- It isn’ t fair to her.” Rey lip quivered, he shook his head.“No, no… L-let’s call- Let’s call the Guards they can organize a search, and then–!” Ave shook her head, rubbing Rey’s broad shoulders in circles. “Now be reasonable. You and I both know how they look for trouble! If Kanoa was like you described- if they learn he can’t fly? They’ll have every right to assume he’s mentally defective, they’d treat him like he’s insane! And… You could already see how they would doubt us being his parents, can’t you?.” Disappointedly, he shook his head, clenching both of his hands at his sides. “I Know! They’re messy- They are! But it’s our only option- if we don’t Kanoa could be- the kids’ll be- We can’t accept that as his parents, It’s just-!!” He began sputtering about the place, confident in his words, though as Ave drew him into a hug he so desperately needed, his rationale returned for a few moments.

  “....What am I even doing? I-I’m so dumb… I’m not thinkin’ straight…I just wanna get ‘im, I wanna understand his head… His face Ave, you shoulda seen it… I did somethin’ wrong last night, I know it. Do you get ‘im?” He asked, the desperation resurging. “Well…. I understand who Kanoa is altogether… But like with anyone, there are some parts I don’t understand.” She said, releasing Rey from his embrace, his brows furrowed with sadness in response. “But… Once we find him, and talk? We’ll learn… Surely…” She said, saddened by the discontent her words brought Rey. As Rey looked down hopelessly a presence could be felt walking amiably towards the pair. “Is everything alright? You two look…. Frazzled. Lose something?” They both turned around to meet Ms Friend still dawning her short sleeve cassius dress though her hair now worn more messily. Ave’s eyebrows furrowed with anger whereas Rey stayed saddened. “Not something, someone. Kanoa has gone missing.” Ave said, angrily, as if giving an explanation were pointless. “Ah… I see, I’m so… so sorry to hear that.” her eyes peering into Rey’s flustered expression. “Be sorry. If you’d let us search Wellsborough we might’ve found him.” “Ave…!” He hissed, letting her know to ease her tone. “Funny. You make it sound like I did that purposefully… But anyway, the festival is over now, and with that the streets should be clear for a more thorough inspection. Who knows. Kanoa could have been looking into the flying fish exhibit near the church by your home. I hear they’re still there.

  Rey's eyes managed to light up with a manic, deluded sense of hope.. “That’s right! He loves those guys!” Without much thought he got up and ran, though as Ave tried calling out to him, a cold, solid circulate shaped object touched the back of Ave’s neck. “He’s taking too long… I think it’s time to opt from Plan K to Plan A.” Ave held her breath upon feeling what was pressing against her neck. Was this fear? She asked herself. Uncertain, she begrudged herself to think otherwise; her eyes still drawn to Rey’s shrinking back. “No…” She said sternly. “We agreed that if Kanoa were missing for a week or even a day longer-“

  “That we would switch then….. But, here’s the situation. Not only did you miscalculate when the two would meet, you nearly involved your “husband”. Do you know what would happen if word spread of these buildings too early?” Although prone to slurring her words, and generally looking drowsy, Ms. Friends' tone hardened, her eyes intensified as she pushed the pill against Ave’s neck. “Do you have any brain power to understand the irreparable damage that would stir, do you?” Quietly Ave responded,”Yes. Yes I do…” The pressure against Ave’s neck lessened, though she stayed frowning. She continued, “Her light still has not diminished. Meaning, the girl must see some worth in him, and might have overpowered him, or worse. He emphasizes with her.” Her muscles flexed with a fervor she wasn’t accustomed to. She turned to face Ms Friend, grabbing her outstretched arm defiantly. “Even so, you know we wouldn’t work the same. I’m older, I wouldn't win that fight, and I wouldn’t be able to hold so much energy!” she yelled, causing the small groups of people to look at the two strangely. Quickly, Ms Friend forced her arm out of Ave’s grasp, putting a finger over her lip. “I don’t care.” She continued, drawing closer.

  “You know what you signed up for when you asked to work together. You chose to put up this facade of a family, you chose to leave Kanoa in the care of that child. ” Her eyes widened, drifting away from Ms. Friend's intense eyes. “I’m right. Aren’t I?… He was the one who pushed Kanoa to leave early, wasn't he?” Defensively, Ave hissed,”He couldn’t have known about anything! It was my responsibility, he had nothing to do with why this happened!” She said, jabbing Ms friend in the chest while glaring into her eyes, hurt by the assumption she deep down thought as well. “... You can pick up for him as often as you would like.” She drew closer. “But please, keep this in mind. You’ve clung onto him since you’ve come here, your codependence is rancid. Mark my words, he’ll see you, and when he does, he’ll see what you’ve done to him…”

  With those chilling words Ave sat with the image of Rey losing all respect and potentially even love for her and gradually shut down, biting her lips while staring off into space. Realizing her disconnect, Ms Friend loosened her harshened demeanor.” Remember, Ave. You could have had this easier, I’m being kind for still involving Kanoa…” “Is that right?” She said, with a bit of a sneer. The two stared at each other briefly, Ave asked concernedly, “But what about Rey? What was your plan with him just now?” “I was telling the truth about the vendor. I just wanted a moment to discuss things. Though I didn’t expect him to go on so obediently. “ She nodded, “Stress. He regrets his carelessness, and wants to make things right, he loves him… Without Rey none of this would work… It’s because of that care, Kanoa is so moldable. They’re alike in that way. And for that, we should be grateful. Shouldn’t we?” Frowning at her comparison between Kanoa, and the still child in her eyes, Ms Friend frowned. “What are you saying? A “Like father like son”comparison? Funny.” Her gaze turned towards the clouds in the sky.

  “It’s funny… If Kirby were here… He would laugh as well.” Uncomfortable, Ave quickly intervened,”Now you know that’s just not what I-”“People need problems, even you, Ms “Avery Jones”.” Ms Friend interrupted, watching a group of fish, floating inconspiciously, a family perhaps. “We need dilemmas to keep being relevant, and people to be hurt. If we live in a world otherwise, no one would need a scientist. It’s just not any fun. It hurts.” She smiled at Ave, her eyes looking past her. “But that’s why… If you let this plan have any more holes in it.. I’ll be forced to fix the world by force. And with the help of someone else.” The thought twisted her focus from Rey’s far off figure, to the pill in her hand. She scowled at the thought of anyone but Kanoa or her fulfilling the plan- At the thought of not having the ability to control who has that power. “Is that clear?” Despite having so much to say, Ave simply nodded, silently. Brewing over the possibility of that world once more, she could feel the pill in her hand crushing. Her gaze shifted to the valley of mountains to the left of her. “Hurry. Just do it…!”

  ——

  As Rey ran from the edge of the park to the front of the Church, he found himself hopeful of the plethora of animals stuck in cages. Despite there being a line of adults and their children waiting to observe and inquire more about each animal from the shopkeep, Rey, without thinking, asked each of the four shopkeepers desperately, “Seen a boy with red hair? Black eyes and a tan!?” And each time they would politely shake their heads, some shook their fists at Rey’s persistence, as noticeable panic. He turned to each customer, even the children with the same energy, leaving them all off put. “Hey man, get outta her! I’m here with my boy to have a good time, not my fault you can’t keep track of your own.” A chubby, bearded man said, holding his son's small hand, who almost looked to be on the verge of tears. Rey quietly retreated, pacing up and down his own street, in an attempt to jog his memory. “Where is he?! Where is he?!” He asked, slicking back his hair yet again. Unable to stay in the same place for too long, he began roaming the street opposite to him. Flocks of pig-lamb, sheepbirds, and other assortments of cross-bred animals strolled through the street, which was incredibly odd for their side of town. As he strolled further, calling out Kanoa’s name however, this curiosity would be quelled as a group of familiar faces being his neighbors, and church goers each stood listless as a woman in a trench coat, her face and body exposed, though with an eerily familiar tone roared out to the crowd,”The Government is doing nothing with this even! Nothing with the money they steal from us!? So what if we’ve reached a status quo? What about the children’s futures outside of stargazing?! Why are we taught to accommodate a system that increases the societal dissonance of the poor and the rich, eh!? Why aren’t we funding more schools? Why is a man or woman allowed to slave their lives away for the most miniscule enjoyment!? Tell me why, will ya!?”

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  Although the points the woman made was getting through to some part of him, and even some of the men and women in the crowd, Rey couldn’t care less. “Scuse me, sorry…” He said politely, though as he pushed through his neighbors feverish appraisal, and maneuvered through the heaps of food left behind, Rey was beginning to feel more and more nauseated. His eyes outstretched beyond them though as he stepped on an uneaten hamburger, the juices letting out an unpleasant squeak. In that moment, as he felt urged to count the sesame seeds planted on the dilapidated bun, any noise that had been expelled from anyone’s mouths became muffled in Rey’s mind. It didn’t take long for his attention to be drawn back to the crevices of the floor; all other voices around him quieted. Though seemingly in spite of that chance of deliberation, the crevices slowly became filled with a murky liquid which upset Rey’s ever ruminating mind. Prills or liquid darkened each individual stone, some hitting the back of Rey’s neck, although subtly, causing a fluctuation to his breathing, he dug his heels the burger beneath him.

  “Rain?” He said, his voice coming out shakier than he anticipated. He wiped his eyes. Unsurprisingly, his anger and sadness had finally caught up with him. Tears traced his broad face. He resisted, immediately wiping the tears, afraid of the vulnerability that may cost him a second of searching for Kanoa. He lifted his foot off the burger, focusing his erraticism on the repetitive back and forth of his foot against the concrete. “People are so wasteful…”While wiping his foot, the moisture still building in his eyes, a warm, soft hand tapped him from behind,

  he turned, his mind expecting Ave, though his eyes met with an albino woman with dark brown eyes wearing a leather jacket, jeans like Rey, and boots. He squeezed back his tears instinctually, knowing the face, but not understanding quite where to place it. “Avery…? Is that you?” She said, her voice a bit overwhelmed by the crowd and the speaker behind them. Quietly he shook his head, she raised her voice smiling, grabbing his wrist,”Step out a sec! I wanna talk if ya don’t mind!” Desperately needing to be grounded, he followed.

  “I didn’t expect to see you at one of these!” she said, eyeing him up and down. “Especially dressed like that. What? Though about going to church today of all days?” She chuckled at her own teasing, Rey laughed alongside her, though still hadn’t known where to place her face, he admitted,”I’m sorry… Where’ve we met before…? I’m… I’m looking for my son right now, red shaggy hair, tan skin black eyes…” She tilted her head at both pieces of information. “Wait… You don’t remember me? And… You have a son? W-well excuse me and the barrel fulla friends you’ve got! Guess I’m just one more face in the crowd?” Quickly he shook his head,”N-no! I don't even have any friends anymore!” He retorted, though the word anymore, left him more confused than anything. Had he ever had friends to begin with? “Oh I’m just teasin’! Lighten up. But really. I’m sorry but I haven’t seen anyone out here with the description, sounds hella noticeable though, so you’ll be the first I’ll tell… And also, we were coworkers- good friends even. Remember? Back at Willbasin. We saw each other every other day for like… two years.” Quietly, the shame started brewing within him, as a look of hurt spread across her face, he rubbed off his neck. “O-oh for Phoenix’s sake, what’s wrong with me!? I’m so sorry, I never–!” Quickly a smile rolled up her cheeks, “Kiddin’! I’m kiddin’! We only worked a month or two together, ha!” “W-what-!? Why would you do that to me!?” He chuckled at her playfulness, his mind slightly easing. “You and me were just startin’ out with the whole minin’ thing. You were always sweet. Too sweet.” She winked, though Rey hadn’t picked up on the subtle undertone,”… Eventually I had to move up North. The only reason I’m here is cuz of this rally. Actually… Information about life along the outer walls and what they do with our hard earned money has been spreadin’ like wild fire!”

  A bit uncomfortable discussing politics, he rubbed the back of his neck, quickly intervening,”To tell the truth, I’ve never been too fond of the king and queen above us, we gotta make our own sewer systems, deal with our own waste, and since there isn’t any mandated education Noa- M-my son, can’t really find a job outside of flyin’... I’m not good with political stuff though…”

  “Really? You sound like you’ve gotta good grasp of most of it… Here.” From her jacket, she’d quietly retrieve an address."Next week on Clemsday, we’ll be meeting over by the capital, protestin’ and all.” Rey’s chest tightened.”Against the Government, y-you can’t! You could get hurt- killed even!” Silently she looked at Rey a bit confused. “Weren’t you the one who told me ambition is everythin’?” She asked, a bit saddened Rey had gone back on his words, “Of course it is! Even if I don’t remember when or how I said that, you just can’t risk your life! What about your family!?” Unlike before, her face stiffened. “Don’t have any… When we first met I told you that. You have to remember Cleetus, don’t you?” She asked, raising an eyebrow. Just then his breath halted. “W-wait…. What? Cleetus, but that’s where…” The crowd behind them began to disperse, the woman at Rey’s wandering eyes worriedly. “Hey… I’m sure it’s just the stress of your son that’s affectin’ you… It’s alright… I don’t expect everybody to understand why I do what I do… You have a family afterall… But that day, like we bonded over as two broke strangers, sometimes the risk is worth it when settin’ out sights high, ain’t it?”

  Quietly Rey nodded, and she gave a pained smile, the moment between them all that time ago seemingly meaning more to her, than it ever did to Rey. “Well… I’ve gotta go, the crews waitin’. And sorry if this is too forward but… Mind given’ me your house phone so I can call you about your boy?” She asked nicely. Though Rey’s mind wandered on as in the back of his mind, instead of Ave’s chestnut hair and silky voice leading the conversation, it was in fact this woman- this woman he couldn’t even name. He clutched his fists shaking his head. “A-avery? Is everythin’ alright?” Quietly he nodded. “I… It’s nothing… I have to go… Not… Not feelin’ well… Goodbye…” Walking away, his eyes were immediately pulled to the squished burger he’d step on earlier, thinking back to how Kanoa might’ve offered the burger to an animal friend of his, or how he would have offered to make burgers for the family. He considered the warmth and tenderness of the supple meat hitting his tongue, his nose being filled with the barbecue sauce and cheese carefully laced onto the toasted buns and savory meat. Kanoa might’ve doubted himself, but Ave, Sammy, and Jess would all stay content, that thought eased him enough to tread some of the way back home. It was enough to shift his mind onto thoughts outside of the confusion his wretched mind had produced.

  Kanoa would make a wonderful chef, he thought. He quit wiping his foot. His shoulders rose. “Why didn’t I…?” He clenched his hands, a wave of regret evaporating his desire to face Kanoa in an instant. Instead of resisting the emotion, though still not understanding himself the point in thoughts when he could be searching, he gave in. Sniffling followed by short gasps for air under his upsurge of tears followed. You could’ve Kanoa- Why didn’t I? Why did Ave? It wasn’t stupid, It’s not wrong, Why did we-? His disoriented mind went round and round in a cyclical motion, remembering the discouragement of his cooking, the irresponsibility that made him run- Maybe if I let him talk to other kids more-? If I fought for a school? Protested alongside them? He continued to blame himself, the tears, sending him into an incoherent state, devoid of any substance to an outsider’s perspective The questions to himself wrestling between self pity and genuine worry. He confused even his own words of encouragement for Kanoa to fly, was I ashamed? Does he have to? Though the largest thought in his mind was, Why had his heart sunk at the very idea of Kanoa being unable to fly? The people who he’d call neighbors all gave him mixed expressions of sympathy and unease, regardless none intervened. His pain continued to run deep, despite the increasing drought reality brought on crashing down to his fragile self.

  He stumbled farther from streets into an alleyway, his steps drawn and harsh with barely any coordination in them. Drunk with sadness, his face flushed with red , Rey toppled onto a pile of garbage burying his face into a bag. He winced in disgust of the smell, though still desperate, embraced it as he felt something warm pressing against his face. As he pushed further, a shadow enveloped him.

  “…?”

  He turned- his eyes laying on the same woman who was leading the crowd he’d just escaped from. “Who.…?” He cringed at his own voice ashamed of the tiny whimpers following. For a moment she remained silent, before walking past Rey, then brusquely tearing open the bag he was laying on, dirtying her nails and clothes. “What are you-” Without processing the woman's swiftness, she drew closer, pointing her fingers laced in garbage at Rey. “It’s been awhile, Rey Jones. How’s the wife? The kid? I’m guessing good? Good. I am here to remind you that we are life forms born of the trail of feathers your kind has left behind! fused with the leftover stardust in the galaxy, nurtured by people a trillion light years away and sent here, all in the name of discovery! Our intentions are urgent to tear down your world…That is to ask… How much has she told you? And what is your involvement in the plan between the two?” Vexed by the clearly disturbed woman Rey pushed her hand back weakly.

  “I don’t care. Bother someone else.” Pushing back against Rey the girl scoffed at his apathetic tone. “What? Come on! Don’t you get it?” She exclaimed, stomping her foot. “Do you seriously not remember me?!” “I don’t CARE! Leave!” Pushing her away with a hair more force, the woman stood over Rey, about to lay down on his pillow of garbage, a small orange ball caught his eye. It resembled nothing more than a jaw breaker, something a kid may have. Though the tiny orange ball illuminated the trash Rey had covered himself with, it beseeched for his focus.

  “Well Gosh. Even the mighty fall, eh?” She said picking up the ball. Though upon closer inspection, the slightly revealing wrist of the woman matched to that of the ball- orange.

  His mind jumped from yesterday, then the day before yesterday, then a week ago, then months- no years ago! Confounded by feeling so strongly, and yet having no memory in which he would associate orange as strongly as he had, his mind was racing itself for answers. Rey’s entire being had been hinged on acknowledging the truth. “Y-you’re-! You’re-!” His tears had finally ceased as his stomach shifted towards bewilderment, yet excitement. Trying to stand up, his body trembled. “What did you do to me…?” He cried miserably, the palm of his hand even unable to form a fist, disallowed him figuratively and literally to gain a better grasp of the situation. “Nothing.” Her voice carried no aggression nor animosity, she walked towards it, her hands swaying playful, kneeling to his crumpled self. “I guess you really don’t know everything… That means she’s not lying…. My bad, you stupid nincompoop..” She sneered, followed by frivolous laughter.

  “You should clear outta MurrowsBrow when you finally remember! I’m sure you’ll want to after you remember everything- How they she used us! Later Avery!” She said, skipping along happily. “Wait!” His outstretched filthy hand stretched out the cheery figure skipping along. Rey’s view became blurred, his body toppling over, his body failing him completely and utterly. The final moments of his consciousness revealed a crowd of animals gathering towards him, their fur coats and flighty voices sending him into a dissatisfied deep sleep.

  “Alright then Avery! Ready to fly?”

  A girl with blonde hair, green eyes and a flowery blouse stood before him. She looked young, older than someone like Kanoa, though not by much. Her hair was parted in the middle and was kept neat, not a hair out of place. Her blouse had been a simple cyan, Rey’s favorite color.

  As he looked down to himself, his eyes met with the body of skinny, bony boys. He looked to himself initially confused by how much he had shrunk, he clasped his smaller hands, though appreciating the moisture and softness they had retained. Fearful of the dreams' realism, he pushed his hair back, his palm met with the grease he had used to slick his long hair back. Only his mother and father would take the time to buy it for him on their ventures to the market, his chest lightened.

  Readying to find the right words to confront the woman, he felt a familiar breeze encouraging his perception of the world and current body to remain. The refreshing air hitting his old hot and moist skin, caused a smile to creep up his face. He looked down from the precipice the two stood upon, MurrowBrow’s tiny homes from every region, with no factories, nor the surveillance of royalty hanging above the edge of the pit, surely was the same as Rey- Avery had always known. The further his smile rose, the more he felt the plumpness in his cheeks, he laughed, unfamiliar to the weighty feeling after so many years.

  He yelped in affirmation to the woman.

  “You betcha!”