A young man in a crisp new uniform walked past an alley. Looking inside, he was confused by what he saw. Everything is in neat stacks, and the path is swept clean not even a speck of dirt can be seen anywhere.

Sitting cross-legged on a small mat in a small alcove, he can see the small face of a child maybe ten years old or so staring at him. The child is clothed in barely held together rags that hang from his skeletal figure.

The young man frowned and looked at the sun that never moves on this tide locked planet. "I know this place has no night, but the kid should still have better clothes. It's not good for the skin to be so exposed all the time."

Reaching for his pack, the young man pulls out an old uniform and walks closer to the child holding the garment out in front of himself. "Here, kid, this is a bit worn and has a couple of patches here and there, but it should help protect you from the sun."

The child stared at the young man but didn't come forward to take the garment. "Ah, sorry, I don't know the local dialect. Please accept the clothes." The young man took another step forward and set the garment down on the ground a couple of steps before the child, not wanting to startle the kid.

Finally, the kid stepped forward and bent forward and picked up the garment. When he stood up, he bowed to the young man and spoke to the young man in the trade federation language. "I thank you for this gift." Then the child took two steps backward and bowed again before turning and disappearing into the alcove.

The young man raised an eyebrow, waved, then turned around and left the alley. "Strange why did this child seem to know our customs? Maybe I'm overthinking things. Perhaps the locals have similar customs to ours."

"Hey, Felix, what are you mumbling about? Actually, I don't care. Hurry up; our leave is almost up. It's time to head back to the ship." Said a tall older man who walked out of a shop that looked like it sold old appliances.

After the young man left the alley, the child came back out from the alcove, still holding the garment. Frowning, the child stared at the clothes. If I wear these, the constables will assume I stole them and beat me up.

While contemplating whether to wear them or not, the child heard a signal coming from the spaceport's direction. Strange, I generally can only hear signals from the local shops. Why did I pick up this one from so far away?

Sitting cross-legged on the mat, the child closed her eyes and concentrated on the signal and felt the strange sensation of her mind speeding up, and all the other sensations fall away.

After a while, the signal came again, and she began breaking it apart piece by piece and slowing parts down until a message could be heard. This is her strange ability. She can pick up signals, usually there random communications between families, or a drama being watched nearby.

But this time, it seems it's a message being spread over the whole city every thirty seconds. Strange, I wonder who this message is, for it's not pinging off any devices or towers. It's just spreading out over the city.

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Interesting; let's listen to the message then. It took another three times picking up the signal before I got the entire message, and it made me shudder in excitement. {Anastasia, it is time to come home} Followed by a set of coordinates. The message is always the same.

Well, my name is Anastasia. Maybe the signal is coming from my home. I've never had a home before, only this alcove in the alley. I'll put on these new clothes and head toward the coordinates in the signal.

A cough from behind me lets me know that Auntie Shay had come into the alley. "Little Anne, why are you standing naked in the alley? You should at least change in the alcove." Well, since she is so malnourished, no one will look twice at the child. You can't even tell she is nearly fourteen. Thought auntie Shay.

With a look of confusion, I turn to Auntie Shay and say. "But when you and Auntie Lue are making each other happy, you're sometimes naked here in the alley."

"Hush, little Anne, I told you things between women cant be spoken aloud where others can overhear, especially Uncle Wang."

"A slightly pudgy middle-aged man walked out of the rear entrance to the garment shop and asked. "What cant be said in front of me?"

"Nothing dear just girl talks," said Auntie Shay. Then she shoved the still naked Anne into the alcove and helped her put on the uniform. "So I saw you staring off toward the spaceport. Did you finally get tired of living in this alley and decide to try stowing away on a trade ship?"

"Auntie Shay, the voice said it's time to go home. I have to get to the coordinates in the message. I have already checked, and the coordinates lead to that big silver shuttle sitting on dock 3. And it is scheduled to leave tonight, so I have to hurry."

Auntie Shay smiled down at the child. "Alright, let me and Uncle Wang help you on your way. And remember what I said about telling others about that voice?"

With a serious face, "I remember Auntie Shay. I can only talk about it with you or Auntie Lue and in a pinch Uncle Wang."

When I turned to face them both, I saw Uncle Wang holding a pair of silver shoes and a white cap. At the same time, Auntie Lue, who I didn't even hear approach, is holding a pack with tears on her cheeks. "How did all of you know I plan to leave? I only decided right before Auntie Shay showed up, and that was less than three minutes after the man who gave me these clothes left?"

Uncle Wang chuckled, "little Anne, we keep an eye on anyone that steps into your alley. Although it's against the law for us to help or even talk to a non-citizen, you have lived in this alcove since you were three years old. As far as we're concerned, you are part of the family."

Auntie Lue handed the pack over. "This is enough nutrient bars to last two months if you are careful." Then she wrapped her arms around me, pressing my head into her rather large breasts and giving me a gentle kiss on the lips. "Goodbye, little Anne, remember always to be the sweet and obedient girl you have always been, and no matter where you end up, you will find a home."

Auntie Lue's hug lasted a bit too long for comfort, and when her hands began to wander, Auntie Shay yanked me away and wrapped her own arms around me before pressing her lips to mine. A cough behind us brought the two Aunties back under control. Uncle wang placed the white cap on my head and helped me put the shoes on before patting my shoulder and croaking out his own goodbye.

When I was all set to leave, Auntie Lue started crying again and ran back into her nutrient supply shop. Uncle Wang and Auntie Shgay stood side by side, looking at me with wet eyes. Uncle Wang said. "Remember to walk with your head up high like you are going somewhere important, and you have every right to be there. If anyone tries to stop you to talk, ignore them space people are notoriously arrogant."

I understand. I walked up to them and gave them both one last hug, then turned around and stepped into the street for the first time in years. That was when the constables beat me nearly to death and threw me into the alley and told me not to leave until they came to collect me. That was when I was six years old. I think it's hard to tell when there are no seasons or nighttime on this planet.