Hell no

James's answer came with a wide-eyed face. "No. Hell no. You screamed, can you even imagine what Mom would do if she found out?" The siblings shared a small look of panic.

"Right. Not telling Mom...follow up. How long can you keep her secret for?", Sally gestured to Aurora who still stared at them observing their conversation.

"I hope as long as I need to... Maybe if I can find the right people, I can even get clearance."

Sally scoffed. "Like they'd give a single male clearance to host one lone female."

He nodded in response. Not likely. "Then, if we can manage to piece together what brought her here, almost dead, maybe we can at least find her a kinder home."

Aurora interjected, a soft, grey-blue color fading into most of the spots on her body. "I...like thisz one home." She stared at the floor, an obvious look of sadness at the thought of leaving.

James slouched in half defeat. "Well...then maybe we just get really good at keeping you hidden."

Aurora flickered blue at that, and smiled. Sally raised a finger, "Uhh, hello? Even if that were a good idea, and it isn't, she'd never be able to go outside. And she can't just live in your bathtub the rest of her life."

James pointed to the wall his bed sat near. "I have a second room...I can look into like a big aquarium or something."

Sally cocked her head and put one hand on her shoulder. "And where are you going to get the money for that?"

James smiled. "I'm about to get a huge raise."

"And you can be sure it'll be enough?"

"Yep. Yesterday when I was working she messed with one of the designs. She worked up a diagram for a cruise ship engine that powers itself with ocean water. Company's gonna sell it to the highest bidder, Lee said he's certain we're both going to get a few extra commas in our accounts."

Sally's eyes widened and she glanced at Aurora for a moment. "Shit! Wow. Wait, so he thinks you made it?", she eyed him judgmentally.

"No, I told him she did it. He even said thanks."

"You let him talk to her? Isn't that like...incredibly stupid?"

"No! At least I think it isn't...she only said hello and yes. He was too excited to think about her voice. Point is, I can afford to convert the room next to mine over when I get paid. Maybe if it goes right I can get clearance.", he shrugged. Aurora faded between blue, green, and brown.

Sally spread her hands above her head. "Do what you're going to. I want to be able to tell whoever's in charge of that stuff I have no idea."

James gave an understanding nod. "Well...thanks for keeping this quiet, Sal..."

Aurora flickered white and brown, looking at Sally and repeating the nickname to herself.

Sally sighed and started walking to the front door. "Yeah, yeah...I'll come by later this week. Maybe she and I should talk. Whatever happened to her, maybe you can use that to get cleared or whatever." She hugged her brother, and gave Aurora a small wave. "Don't get caught or anything, okay?"

"We'll do our best.", James answered. Aurora stared at her hand, stuck her thumb up, and then started almost triumphantly at Sally as she and James watched her leave. Now that she stood with James, he sighed heavily and flopped against the wall.

"That...was a lot."