Magnus watched Mavid press his palms into his ears. Their older cousin Harley had, inevitably, been found out. Magnus shifted his grip on the crates of alcohol and gauze, pretending he wasn’t bothered by the ugly, blaring alarm. 

“I’ll be quiet,” Harley had said, “They won't find us.”

She had tried to sneak some food from another storeroom, but it looked like she wouldn’t make it back. Magnus heard shouting, begging, then the airlock.  He covered his ears then, too.

                                              ◌•·················•·················•◌

Back home there was nothing. People fought and killed and died every day for a chance to leave Earth. The aftermath of all out war was too much for Mother Earth. She screamed and wept and destroyed to be rid of us. Earth’s population of everything decreased at an alarming rate. The only plants to have grown in years were the vines and weeds that took over architecture, abandoned or not. Scientists and engineers fought as hard as they could to keep humans on Earth, and they did, but soon the news was out about colonies on the moon. Everyone made plans, everyone saved up, and everyone was disappointed. They were put on a “wait list” that was decades long. Magnus, Mavid, and Harley did what not many people could do – became stowaways. 

                                              ◌•·················•·················•◌

“I don’t want it.” Mavid pushed away the stale crackers that were offered to him. He and Magnus were getting a bit too thin after months of secret space travel. It was too dangerous to sneak food now, since Harley got caught. 

“It’s either that or the peanuts, dude. And you’re allergic.” 

“Actually…” Mavid trailed off. He then produced a pack of freeze dried fruit and grinned. “I got something.”

“Where did you find that?” Magnus demanded. He could feel his mouth watering. 

“Tera got it for me.” Mavid ripped the package and took out a shriveled peach, not noticing his mistake in mentioning Tera.

It was hard to keep his voice down. “That kid?” Magnus seethed, “Mavid, I told you we’re dead if anyone finds us.”

Mavid didn’t respond.

                                              ◌•·················•·················•◌

“You seeing this? Right up ahead, everyone. Man, what a marvel.”

Tera gasped, Magnus shushed her. They were cramped behind a few stacks of crates still, but had moved some to make room. Magnus started allowing Tera’s presence when Mavid got sick. He slept constantly to conserve energy, because food didn't come easy, and was shaky and miserable while awake. Tera provided food and company, and a friendship to Mavid. He was better now, but still liked having Tera around.

Tera clamped a hand over her mouth, eyes sparkling “I think we made it!” She mouthed. Tera floated out of the storeroom to see what the intercom was talking about. Magnus was excited and terrified. Sure they made it, but he’d heard about people cutting up space suits. Earth was deathly, but they weren’t safe here either. Magnus realized he didn’t have a plan for when they got out. He didn’t even own a space suit. Would they stay in the ship forever? No, it already took forever to get here. Magnus resolved that he’d do whatever it took to build a life on the moon. As a refugee, as a worker, as a criminal, it didn’t matter. Harley didn’t die for him to give up.

                                                        ∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

While he was sick, Mavid dreamed of Earth. Not the Earth he grew up in, but the Earth humans once loved. It was a comfort during his discomfort. Icy blue water, dancing wind, the perfume of flowers. He dreamed of running through grassy hills, finding shells in the sand, waking at dawn to a smogless sunrise. He hoped he would dream of Earth again soon, because right now Mavid was sick to his stomach. 

“He’s just a kid…”

“He isn’t supposed to be here.”

Mavid squeezed his eyes shut. Tera had slipped up and mentioned Mavid’s name right before landing. She blew their cover, and now these adults played judge and jury, deciding their fate. Magnus got hauled off to who knows where, so Mavid was stuck feeling the weight of betrayal all by himself. 

The radios clipped to the adults’ suits crackled to life. “We got the kid a suit and sent him out to help with construction. Might do him some good – work off all that anger. If the other one can’t work, he has to go.”

Mavid read the name Commander F. as one of the adults – a woman in her 40s, approached him. “You aren’t going anywhere. Let’s find you a suit.” The other guy, “Cos. H,” glared at Mavid. 

Commander F. took Mavid’s arm and maneuvered toward the left side of the ship. They reached a tall door, which commander F. opened with ease. On the other side were some people, some machinery, and a massive window that almost covered the whole far wall. Mavid stared, and the surface of the bright moon stared back. He thought of seeing Magnus happy to be free of the breaking Earth. He wondered if Magnus forgave Tera. He pictured the three of them sitting and talking and eating and laughing and not caring about the world.

“What’s the air like? On the moon?”

Commander F. seemed surprised to hear Mavid speak, but responded, “I hope I never get to find out. I’m sure it’s better though. Cleaner.”

Cleaner? 

Cleaner would have to do.