Secrets

I walked over to the first fruit vendor I saw, trying to stay relaxed and smiling.

"Can I have... uh..."

My eyes flitted over the mountains of assorted fruit. So many different colors and flavors! I couldn't decide. For a moment, I wished that Emelyse was here, helping me choose. What would she like? She was probably just happy getting away from whatever was happening, and trying out new fruits.

"Yes?"

The fruit lady looked at me with big, blue eyes, and a kind smile on her face.

"Ah, I'll take whatever I can get for five credits," I said. "Could you please pick for me?"

"Of course." She blinked, and started putting various fruits into a paper bag.

Some were familiar to me, while I had never seen others before. It would be great to try these out, back at the pod. But I had to get back there before I could even think about eating them.

In my head, I quickly thought about the missing vegetables. We should stock up on some rice and potatoes, as well as some other things. Maybe tomatoes? A few herbs also wouldn't hurt. At least, that was what Mom always said.

"Here you go," the fruit lady said, and before I could react, I had a surprisingly heavy paper bag in my hand. "Enjoy!"

"T-thanks," I stuttered, and turned around.

Relax, Toma. You're not doing anything wrong.

So why was I feeling like a criminal who was definitely hiding something? I couldn't just relax, not with Emelyse on my mind. Wait, could Kandarians mindread? No, surely not. Even if they could, they wouldn't just do that, right?

I glanced around, and for one moment, stared right at the two aliens. I froze.

Look somewhere else! Anywhere else!

Mechanically, I turned my head, staring at an empty shop. I blinked. I didn't move.

Move!

I took a step forward. Or was it to the side? My head was still turned toward that stupid empty shop. Anything was better than to look at those two again.

I'm the worst, I thought. Now I definitely look suspicious.

I walked another step, two, three, still not looking in front of me. It went well until it didn't, and I collided with someone.

"Ah! I'm sorry, really, I'm super sorry..."

A few kiwis had rolled out of my bag, and I hurried to stuff them back. Only then did I dare to look up. Of course I had to run into the two Kandarians, who looked at me with unmoving faces.

"Uh... can I help you?"

No! Don't invite them to ask you more!

"We're on the search for someone," one of them said, and uncrossed his arms.

"Ah, aren't we all? In, like, a metaphorical sense?" I glanced to the side, the grin on my face frozen. "I mean, I'm not looking for anyone! I'm happy. Being... alone. By myself! On a trip! Definitely all planned!"

"Right."

My face burned. Oh, this was the worst. I wasn't sure if they suspected me now, or just pitied my lack of social abilities.

"If you would look here."

He stretched his hand out (too large, too close) and on his palm, a holo appeared, definitely featuring someone who looked like Emelyse. That was Em, right?

Of course not. It couldn't be. Not when I hadn't completely ruled out that the Kandarians could mind-read.

"Uh? That's a holo," I said.

"Of the person we're looking for," the man added. "Have you seen her?"

"Nope! Definitely not! And besides, I have a really bad memory when it comes to people and faces and names and, uh, general body shapes. Can't help you with that, sorry."

I averted my gaze. In my hands, the bag felt heavier than before. And it was too hot. Where had the cold breeze gone? Suddenly, I was sweating. Too much.

"Uh, I have to go," I said. "Getting my groceries."

"Understood."

The man continued to look at me, as if he knew I was hiding something. Which I was. I probably looked extremely guilty, but what could I do about that? Right, nothing. I was just super bad at lying, which is why I usually tried to stop before I actually had to lie. But it seemed like the Kandarians didn't—or couldn't—detain me for further questioning. Maybe that was the only good thing that came out of this whole exchange.

"Should you find any clue to her whereabouts, please let us know," the man said, finally. "Our interplanetary future depends on this."

"Uh. Wow. Intense." I said. "I will, ah, do that. Keep an eye out. For, that, girl, I think? Right?"

"Right. Call the Help Hotline if you do see her."

"Sure, will do!" The pain from my smile grew farther, along my jaw and cheekbones. "Then, I wish you, uh, luck with finding her. And stuff. See ya!"

I quickly slid away from them, and towards one of the vegetable stands. The man there greeted me with a sympathetic smile.

"I need to, uh, stock up for my journey," I said. "My solo journey. But, the road is long, and..."

"No need to explain yourself," the man said. "What do you need?"

"Rice, and potatoes, and really, just whatever else."

My head was spinning, and deciding anything was out of reach at the moment. "Please, just a selection of everything. I have five credits."

"Yup, yup," the man nodded. "I guess that should last you the week. You said that's enough, right?"

"Ah, yes, that's right." I nodded, maybe a bit too energetic. "Thank you for that."

"You don't need to thank me," he laughed back, "but I'm glad all the same. Have a safe journey."

I took another, even heavier bag into my arms. "Thanks, you too!"

I shook my head, and quickly retreated. Great. Now there really wasn't anything else that I could do to embarrass myself even more. Perfect score, Toma, ten out of ten.

I ran through the crowd, not because I wanted to loose the Kandarians, but because I really, really had to leave that whole situation behind me.