Adelaide stood in the doorjamb watching me with bright, curious eyes. “Hey sweetie.” I smiled, sitting up in bed. I glanced at Joshua and climbed off the mattress, careful not to wake him. “How about we get you some breakfast?” I whispered, reaching out for her hand as I led her out of the bedroom.
Together we descended the stairs and walked into the kitchen. I wasn't sure what we had to eat. Most days Josh and I ate in the cafeteria with the other members of town. It wasn't that we couldn't make our own meals, it was just easier. The new home we had acquired had been stocked full of groceries but I'd hardly spent any time cooking. I wasn't entirely sure how. Besides, we were busy with training. If not for the cafeteria we'd probably miss a day or two of eating. I glanced through the fridge, found some yogurt, and grabbed a few berries, mixing it together in a cup for Adelaide to eat. I didn’t know what she liked but I figured I'd find out soon enough. Adelaide climbed onto the chair, though she was scooted out much too far. Walking over, I pushed her chair in. “I'm hungry,” Adelaide announced.
“Good, because I made you some yogurt.” Adelaide grimaced as I pushed the cup in front of her along with a spoon. She dipped the spoon in, watching the milky liquid fall back into the cup. “This looks gross. It looks like snot!” She giggled.
I glanced back towards the stairs, wondering if Joshua would have any better an idea of what to feed Adelaide. “How about we get you showered, changed, and to the cafeteria where you can pick out whatever you want to eat for breakfast?”
Adelaide nodded eagerly, hopping down off the chair. I led her back upstairs and grabbed her a t-shirt of mine before I turned on the shower, leaving her alone to clean up while I checked on Joshua. I knew I'd need to find her clothes that fit, but at least the oversized shirt would be clean.
Heading into my own bedroom, I leaned down, pressing a kiss to Joshua's forehead and feeling him stir on the bed. “Hey, sleepyhead.” I grinned, running my thumb across his cheek. “Adelaide's in the shower. I'm going to take her to breakfast when she's done. Do you want to join us?” Joshua shifted on the bed, his eyes heavy as he slowly awoke.
“There's nothing to eat here?” He asked sitting up in bed. He ran a hand through his tousled hair.
“I tried to feed her yogurt,” I laughed, finding a change of clothes in the dresser for myself. “That didn't go over too well.” I took my clothes with me into the bathroom. “If she's looking for me, let her know I'll be right out.”
I didn't hear Joshua's answer. I jumped in the shower and tried to be fast, not wanting Adelaide to wait too long. I knew we'd brought her in last night and she hadn't been awake when she met Joshua. I didn't want to upset her. Finishing my shower, I dried off and got dressed, coming out of the bathroom to see Joshua still on the bed. He was lying back down but he hadn't quite fallen asleep. “Hey,” Joshua yawned, glancing at me. “No sign of her yet.”
I ran a towel through my hair before heading out into the hall. “Adelaide?” I knocked on the bathroom door, hearing the shower still running. The moment I knocked she turned the tap off. I waited outside in the hallway as I heard her tiny feet pattering around. A few minutes later she opened the bathroom door, my t-shirt much too big on her.
“I promise we'll get you clothes that fit as soon as we can,” I assured her. “How about you and me grab some breakfast while we let Joshua sleep a little longer?”
Adelaide nodded in response. I grabbed a hairbrush, combing through her long dark locks and drying her hair before taking her hand. I led her to the foyer, grabbed my coat and wrapped her in it before putting on our shoes and stepping outside.
Adelaide shivered as the door opened and the cold gust of air assaulted us. I wore a long-sleeved shirt and sweatshirt. Not enough for this cold morning in Shadow. Quickly, we walked through town and north towards the recruit center. It housed the cafeteria along with the training facilities for the town. I waved at Chancellor Collins, seeing him as he opened the door and we walked into the warm cafeteria together.
“Hello, there.” He smiled warmly at Adelaide. “I bet you're hungry.” Adelaide glanced up at me with wide curious eyes, not saying a word.
“Breakfast at home wasn't too successful,” I admitted, leading her towards the cafeteria line. Adelaide pointed at the breakfast items she wanted—most seemed out of reach—and I piled them onto a plate, glad to see she had an appetite. “How are the others?” I asked, curious about the two we'd brought in from Thena. I knew they hadn't been well and didn't expect an overnight recovery but was hopeful. Collins shook his head no and I didn't ask anything more. I didn't have to, already knowing the answer from his grave expression. Even the best of Shadow's technology couldn't save everyone.
I grabbed breakfast for myself, carrying it over along with Adelaide's to a table where we could sit down. Cate already sat at the table and although we'd never been much for friends, I sat down with her. I knew Adelaide had met her the previous day and at least it would be one more familiar face.
“Good morning.” Cate smiled at Adelaide.
Adelaide took a few sips of milk before glancing at Cate. “You drove the van yesterday.”
Cate laughed. “That's right. You have a good memory.” She turned her attention towards me. “Where's Joshua?”
I eyed the door, not sure why I expected to see him. “Still in bed.” I smiled.
Adelaide tugged on my sleeve. “Maybe we can bring him back something to eat?”
Cate smiled, averting her gaze.
“I bet he'd like that,” I agreed, helping Adelaide out of her coat. I glanced back towards Cate, worried about her. I knew she was happy we'd found Adelaide but a part of her obviously had hoped to find her own family. After we saw the damage of Thena, there was no chance we'd left any survivors behind. I knew what it felt to lose someone you cared about. Although I didn't know what to say. Nothing would ease the pain. It never did.
Adelaide kept eyeing Cate's strawberry sitting perched at the edge of her plate. Cate reached out, offering it to her. “Go ahead.” She handed Adelaide the fruit, watching her eyes widen as she plucked it from her fingers and brought it to her lips. Adelaide's lips curved into a smile, which seemed to bring a tiny smile to Cate's lips.
“Stay here, okay?” I told Adelaide as I stood up, heading towards the Chancellor. She nodded eagerly and climbed onto her knees to lean closer to Cate. Walking across the room, I gave him a brief nod. “We need to talk.”
“I know.” He stared at Adelaide and his look changed to something I couldn't quite recognize. He didn't say anything and I glanced at her small frame and dark hair as she giggled, talking to Cate.
“What's the procedure for bringing an abandoned child into this city?” I asked. I didn't know who Adelaide would live with. I wasn't even sure how she felt about all that had transpired. No one had asked her. I knew it wasn't easy: she'd been through an ordeal but she didn't let it show. Even at six she was stronger than anyone I'd ever met.
Collins glanced past me, watching Adelaide curiously. “We'll have a lottery to determine who will win the child.”
“Absolutely not!” My eyes narrowed, appalled by his suggestion. “Children aren't prizes to be won!” I couldn't believe him. “You're not serious?”
A faint smile broke out on his face. “I was kidding, Olivia. In all seriousness, Adelaide is the first child we've had brought into Shadow. We don't exactly have a procedure for this sort of thing. Besides, the town is a training camp, not a playground.” He paused, thinking of what to do. “I'll bring some clothes to the recruit center. She can stay with Taron tonight.”
“I'm not comfortable leaving her with a stranger,” I admitted, glancing back at Adelaide across the cafeteria. It was clear to me Taron didn't know her or at least didn't care enough about her. He hadn't come over to see who the sleeping girl was I brought back from Thena. He also hadn't come over in the cafeteria as he grabbed himself a plate of eggs after standing in line. Now he walked to a table across the room, refusing to acknowledge Adelaide.
The Chancellor answered. “She can stay with you, if you'd prefer?”
“Do you think that's best?” I remarked. What did I know about raising a child? I was barely eighteen and had enough trouble remembering to eat three meals a day! How would I look after someone else?
The Chancellor glanced past me towards Cate, watching them interact. “She seems to be taking a liking to Cate,” he suggested.
I didn't know what to do. Adelaide was so young, still a child. I wanted what was best for her and I wasn't
