As the sun settled into the horizon, the alien activity began to wear down. Then, finally, the younglings went home to their parents, and the more dangerous Poleepkwans emerged from their dwellings.

Aaron hurried home before his older brother David got off work and discover him missing. Aaron had spent most of the day talking to Sequoya. The first human he had spoken to outside of District 9. Sequoya never showed him any hostility, only hospitality. Despite his brother's warnings about humans, Aaron had associated with one whose very essence was kindhearted and sweet. He had learned that she was an orphan like him and raised by her aunt and uncle. He was orphaned when his parents were killed in a riot while he was a hatchling. He also learned that Sequoya has a large extended family. She is the only child with numerous cousins from her mother's side and her father's side.

So many exciting facts about Sequoya left him with so many questions. She promised to come back the next day to answer all of his questions.

When he finally reached the shack, the front door swung open, and he stopped dead in his tracks as he looked up to find the large, red Poleepkwa glaring down at him with rage in his green eyes.

"Where have you been?" he yelled at him.

Aaron flinched at his harsh tone and looked down, trying not to meet his brother's gaze. Too afraid to tell him the truth. He knew that it would only fuel his rage.

"I was playing with …Oliver."

"I told you to be home before sunset!"

"I know."

"You know how dangerous this place could be at night!"

"I know. I'm sorry."

"Your apology does not make up for your incompetence."

David grabbed him by the arm and pulled him inside the shack. He slammed the door with much force that shook the walls causing Aaron to flee under the table. David was usually agitated after work since his human boss gave him a hard time. David worked at a local shop, loading and unloading heavy equipment and supplies. So it was normal for him to return home with a short temper.

Aaron always stayed on his best behavior so as to avoid being punished for anything that he was supposed to have done wrong and sometimes for no apparent reason. But, unfortunately, he couldn't help his own curiosity, and his questioning was a nuisance to David.

David moved about, throwing things around in the shack and cursing under his breath. Aaron remained under the table, watching and waiting for his temper to subside. It had only been a week since David unintentionally struck him in the head with a wrench. He tried to fix a broken chair and threw the wrench when he got impatient and frustrated. Aaron happened to be passing by, minding his own business and walked right into the path of the flying wrench. It was one of many incidents that would occur as a result of David's unpredictable outbursts.

"I'm so sorry." He would always say and then give him a warning. "But next time, don't get in the way!"

His words were always insensitive and uncaring. Even though David really does care, he doesn't know how to show it.

David had taken a moment to calm down when he remembered that he had something important to tell Aaron.

"Aaron." He called out to him in a much calmer tone.

Aaron slowly emerged from under the table but kept his distance from David. "Yes."

"There's something I need to tell you." He carefully approached Aaron. "I'm going to be working double shifts again."

This meant that Aaron had to go to Christopher's place until David got back on regular day shifts. David's normal work hours are 8 am to 4 pm, and working double shifts, his hours are extended from 8 am to midnight. So Sunday was his only day off for each week. The one day that they cherish most.

Aaron felt depressed that he would only get to see his brother once a week and wished to spend more family time together. He felt relief that he didn't have to worry about his early curfew and his brother's bad temper. He felt confident that it would mean spending more time with his new human friend, and David wouldn't have to know.

"For how long?" Aaron asked, trying to sound more depressed to hide his excitement.

"One month."

"One month?" Aaron gasped.

"Yes." David responded, "We need the extra cash."

"Why is that important?"

"So we can afford better food and better things."

"Why don't you just get another job with better pay? That way, we can …."

"Why do you ask stupid questions?" David snapped, making Aaron tremble a little.

"I don't know."

"No! It's not that you don't know. You just don't understand. You're too young to understand anything."

Aaron knew that if he tried to argue with him, he would get punished for it. So he remained silent as David continued about trying to better their lives with the extra money. Aaron began to wonder how life could be better in District 9. They were forced to live in shacks when denied running water and electricity. They were forced to live in poverty when they were denied most jobs with decent-paying wages. Some were forced to commit crimes when they had no jobs and no money to provide for their hatchlings or themselves. Some reverted to savagery in which they take what they want and kill who they wish to, whether it was a human or a Poleepkwa.

Aaron understood well about the situation they were in. He waited for David to finish his rants about the MNU and the human race so that he could ask an important question.

"….that's why you should stay away from the MNU, no matter how friendly they appear," David concluded.

Aaron only nodded his head in acknowledgment and asked, "When are we going to eat?"

David placed his hand on Aaron's shoulder and replied, "Soon!"