Alex heaved a sign and went over to sit next to Michael. He had no idea what to say either. How could he explain the turbulent emotions he felt any time he and Michael were in a room together? How could he explain this connection he felt that shouldn't have existed? Like he knew Michael down to his soul when all he really knew were the basic facts. Hell, Maria probably knew Michael better than he did.

He wanted to reach over and take Michael's hand, the one ruined by his father. That was something he'd never understood. Why hadn't Michael gone to the ER? Sure, he'd been a kid on his own living in his truck, but someone would have taken pity on him. Kyle's father would have taken him in, Alex was sure of that. Almost sure. Given that the shard of what was probably an alien ship was hidden in his cabin and not with Alex's father's collection of all information alien, even if he'd known he might have helped.

But could they have dared the blood tests that would have happened, not to mention any kind of allergic or toxic reaction where, to a human, it would have been fine?

He kept his eyes on Michael's hands and his own hands to himself. "Why don't you start at the beginning. Three children are found wandering down the middle of the road. Mute."