Hameel watched his guests walk ahead of him, their boots hitting the bridge at odd angles, causing him to misstep as he fumbled to keep up. He was trying to communicate with the Orb, but without success.

  “What are these?” Lilly asked, reaching out to touch one of the stone lights wrapped tightly in feathers.

  Alex rolled his eyes.

  "God, Lilly. Is there any part of you that thinks this is weird as fuck?" he whispered.

  “Those are Merrick souls,” Hammel explained. “They're our ancestors. When a family builds their home, the souls nearby gather and become vessels for the Orb. Because we live underground, the souls light the way from our homes back to Merrick.”

  "And what's up with the feathers?"

  "Well, that's the best part. When Merrick die, their wings grow back on those they love most. I have feathers from both my parents and grandparents,” he said, turning to showcase the hundreds of feathers woven together behind him. “When we gain feathers, it’s our custom to pluck out the most beautiful to bury. The souls find them. This way, part of you and your loved one are buried together forever. If you can understand my meaning, the souls find our feathers and wrap themselves around our underground bridges. They spend eternity helping us find our way. "

  “Oh my God, I can't with this," Alex said.

  “Can't what?” asked Hameel.

  “Can't wait to meet your family,” Peyton interjected, scowling at Alex and his complete lack of regard for Hameel.

  Lilly slowed to walk beside her new friend, touching feathers reverently, the stones glinting under her fingertips.

  "I could stay here forever," Lilly said, ignoring Alex and the disgust on his face.

  But even Alex couldn't deny the pure joy of meeting Enyst. From the moment Lizzak had opened the door, Enyst had never stopped moving. At two years old, his wings were beginning to fill in, sticking out away from him like magnets repelling each other. In fact, his wingspan was so asymmetrical that it looked like his wings were actually fighting each other. And his laugh was simply the best.

  “Enyst, stop standing on Alex's foot. You're thick as a bag of potatoes,” Lizzak said, smiling, pulling Enyst off of Alex, who looked like he'd give the little boy his last five dollars.

  “So, all Merricks live underground,” Peyton said, as if reaching for something to say.

  “Yes, do you not?”

  “No," Lilly answered. “We mostly live above ground, although some houses have a basement. My Grandma's basement is full of Christmas decorations.”

  “What is Christmas?” Hameel asked.

  Lilly, Alex, and Peyton stiffened and turned to face one another. If the question had been asked back home, they'd have to censor their answers, unsure if their explanations would match. But on Merrick, Christmas could be just something important back on Earth, like glowing stones hanging from feathers.

  “Well, Christmas is the most memorable time of the year back on Earth,” Lilly began, wanting to go first and ensure her version was heard. “We basically celebrate for a whole month by decorating everything in red and green. There are fancy lights, presents, snacks, and no school for kids!”

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  “Merrick families have school at home, so there is never a day off. Enyst will wish to go to Earth one day for this Christmas break.”

  Enyst laughed, and his laughter was a balm that washed over everyone, like the joy of Christmas Eve.

  “Why red and green?” Lizzak asked.

  “I don't know, honestly,” Lilly said, turning to Peyton for help.

  “Well, you can thank Ms. Landry for making me write an essay about why we decorate with red and green at Christmas. It has to do with holly bushes and how they stay green during winter with their stupid red berries,” Alex said.

  Lilly smiled at Alex, who was oddly easier to be around on Merrick than on Mars.

  “We have red berries in Merrick, too, crackleberries! They're delicious and also grow year-round," Hameel answered.

  “Crackies!” Enyst screamed, balling his tiny hands into fists and falling to the ground, his small snout curling up sweetly.

  “We know you love crackies,” Lizzak said, smiling.

  And then his mother stepped over him and made her way to a cupboard full of jars of food and bowls of nuts, putting out snacks for her guests.

  “I think the red and green also symbolize Jesus and death,” Peyton said.

  “Jesus?” Hameel asked.

  “Well, yes,” she said.

  “Nice,” Alex said under his breath. “Why make this easier when you can make it exponentially harder?”

  “Who is Jesus?” Hameel asked again.

  “Jesus is the son of God,” Peyton replied. “Many people on Earth believe we were created by an entity named God who controls what happens to us and can offer help if we pray to him. Jesus was his son, or, rather, is his son. It’s a bit more involved, but he's really what Christmas is about.”

  “That's subjective,” Alex said.

  “God is similar to the Orb, then,” Hameel replied. “The Orb has always been here. It knows everything and controls everything. We look to it for help and assurance.”

  “Very much like that for me,” Peyton said, clearing her voice.

  “Do all your people believe in God?” Hameel asked.

  “No," Alex said, quickly.

  “It is the same for us,” Hameel said, looking down at his plump son, who was finally still, listening to the adults.

  “Merrick have been taught to trust and believe in the Orb and its choice of leaders. I'm an enlisted reader, which means the Orb communicates with me, though it hasn't been for many days. I am respected by most. But some Merrick question the Orb and resent me. I do understand they feel quite angry that they were not chosen to lead. Younger Merrick question everything about the Orb and want more voice in their world. Dissension has grown quite rapidly in these last few weeks. I fear our people may be in great danger.”

  “What a great time for us to drop in then,” Alex said.

  “You are what we call prickly, Alex,” Lizzak said. “You say the thing that others will not.”

  “Nailed it," Lilly said, shoving Alex.

  “I like to think that's true and glad someone appreciates it," Alex said.

  “A bit of thought ahead of your words and actions would be appreciated,” Peyton said.

  Alex nodded back wordlessly, the glint of an apology in his eyes. Lilly didn't know about Alex forcing Peyton through the portal, although Hameel did. He was reading everyone's mind.

  Suddenly, Enyst stood and puffed out his cheeks before taking flight, knocking Hameel off balance and smacking Lilly's helmet loudly.

  “I’ll catch you,” Lilly teased, her body rising slowly in the small space.

  “Enyst, you and Lilly go to the playroom,” Lizzak said, behaving as though Lilly was her daughter and not an alien from a different world.

  “Why are you not afraid of us?” Peyton asked.

  “I'm also a reader,” Lizzak replied. "I can see your thoughts are only on finding Edward and returning to your friends. You're not here to hurt us. That is clear. And the animals trust you."

  "What?" Peyton replied.

  "The animals are also readers. I asked them what they thought about you, and their thoughts returned as curious but unafraid."

  "The animals are connected to the Orb. Just as we are. Just as you are," Hammel said.

  "I'm a reader, too," Peyton said shyly. "But I can't read your minds."

  "Learn to relax," Lizzak said. "A reader can block themselves from another's mind if they allow fear to overtake them. It is a limitation we put on ourselves."

  Hameel helped Lilly navigate the short ceiling as she followed Enyst to the playroom, which was nothing more than a large, empty room meant for flying and exercise.

  “You are here so we can help one another,” Hameel said out loud, even though he didn't know precisely how.