Tension

Veil saw June off to the hospital's parking lot. It was dark outside as they stepped out through the main entrance, and the whistling of crickets hit them at once. Veil and June had a little old joke about the language of crickets and the possibility that they were trying to cry for help from another group of aliens.

It was all teenagers' chatter, but it made a lot of sense to them at the time. They couldn't understand why the insect was built that way and why they sounded like they were tired of Earth.

"They still sound the same," June muttered, sighing into the cold air.

"Of course. It's impossible they change. There would have to be some problem with evolution."

"And that's the exact reason I know you are hiding something, Veil," June said, suddenly sounding serious. "I know you are over the moon that Dad is finally getting the help he needs and that he'll be out of death's way soon. But I told you I could talk to my father about the money."

"I don't want you doing that, June," Vei