Excerpt: Primordial Soup

"I will ask you both to compose a small letter explaining that you have decided to leave home while you are gathering your belongings. We can leave copies with those in charge of your housing, and another copy can be sent to your families. This way, no one will worry.”
Ryan looked dubious. “What do we say?” He mimed opening a letter and pretended to be reading out loud.
“To whom it may concern: In the course of my studies, I met this guy who happens to be an alien. I know it sounds unbelievable, but it’s the truth. He invited me and a classmate to come see the interstellar sights with him while he’s on the run from corporate agents, who are after him for some heretofore undisclosed reason. It may be years before I get back, but I promise that I’ll be fine. See you eventually. Love, Ryan.” He looked at them both. “You can see how they wouldn’t buy that, right?”