A young girl, no older than sixteen, sat at a table outside the cheapest food joint on the northside of the Karhu Space Depot. A greasy deep fried meal slopped before her, barely touched. She was dressed in clothes though ragged and well worn, discomforted her. They didn’t fit right, leaving her constricted while the harsh fabric irrated her skin. They were clothes like the ones worn of the people around them. The clothes of a prole, plain and dull. She gawked at the faces of everyone who walked past, man woman or child, seemingly disconcerted being around so many people at once.

It was an ever moving crowd of common people. Star haulers, station workers, shop attendants and children who ran around playing with toy weapons and jumping all around the place. She found them quaint, but she hated their clothes. Loathed the stink of the place. The smell of grease, of the overflowing bins and most of all the scent that was generated by the artificial atmosphere of the Station. It was inescapable. She fidgeted constantly. Hand in her overall pocket, running her fingers over and over some unseen item.

Across the table from her sat a young man, only a year or so older than her. His eyes were darkened, overtired, but he too kept a watch on everyone with a sideward glance. Only stopping to devour his meal, or to turn and watch the great space craft coming and leaving their docking ports. He noticed the girl’s constant fidgeting.

‘Knock that off will ya?’ he said in a lowered voice. Removing her hand she pulled her wool hat down over her face. He could feel her pout emanate from under it..

‘I hate you for bringing me here.’ She scowled.

‘One day you may love for for it. Eat your food.’ The boy said nonchalant at her remark.

‘I don’t like it. This food is horrible.’ She prodded the slop with her biodegradable fork. Slouched over with her other hand propping up her weary head. Keeping her eyes averted.

‘Too bad. You need to keep your energy up. And we are down to our last few Roth. We should sell that thing, it would last us a while.’ At that suggestion she flared up and began to turn red.

‘I’d never sell it. Never!’ She called out. The boy was quick to hush her down.

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‘Okay, okay! I guess it could be used to trace us if they find it sitting in some broker’s store window.’

‘I’d rather eat nothing’ She said deflecting the conversation back to the food.

‘Then stay hungry and give it here.’ As he reached for the paper bowl of food, she jerked it away from him. Out of spite, and because of her screaming hunger, she began to eat and soon polished off the entire meal. She let out a small burp and covered her mouth in embarrassment.

‘Good. Better?’ He asked kindly.

‘You normally eat this junk, Peter?’

‘Not what you’re used to, I guess. And its Paul. Actually, keep it Peter. I’m Peter, and you’re Garnett.’

‘Whatever. I don’t see the point in these names. There’s no one stationed here. There’s no one looking for us.’

‘It’s better to use them just in case. And they will be looking for us here. They are everywhere, and there is soon to be more. Sooner we find a ship, the better.’

‘Fine with me. Just make sure it’s big and comfy’ She huffed. Standing up from the table to leave, she realized there was nowhere to go. She had no bearings, and looked around without aim. Peter got up and headed in the direction of their hiding spot. With a gentle touch Garnett placed their refuse on top of an overflowing waste bin. Then went after Peter lagging behind him.

Garnett stood at the small entrance and forced Peter through the routine of going in first and inspecting for vermin. He crawled in headfirst and a minute later gave the all clear and she crawled in after him.

The shelter was only a few meters in length. Peter lit the area with working LEDs he had managed to scavenge back on Karhu. Full from her meal, Garnett swiftly set herself down to sleep as far away from Peter as possible. She preferred to keep the space lit while she slept. Whether this was out of habit or mistrust of him, he did not know. The light gave him little bother, as he did not expect to get any sleep either, and so stayed awake sat with his arms folded over his knees.

It was their second night on the Station Depot. He prayed that it would be their last, that tomorrow he would would be a ship suitable enough for them to stow away in. That it’s security would be low enough for them to sneak onto. That it would be heading in the direction he hoped to take them. That they could stay hidden. That Garnett wouldn’t do anything to give them away, that she wouldn’t change her mind at the last second.

There had been too many close calls on Kurhu. Too many reckless chances taken.

It was a miracle that they had made it off the moon and made it to where they now rested. It would take another one to get off the Station. Here was no better, the people’s faces where starting to blur together forming into that of the man he feared most. Time was running out. They would be here soon, and that man with them. The variables raced over his mind without end.

Peter lowered his head into his knees, spite of the warm air in the shelter began to shiver.