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 sure what that was. I couldn't imagine choosing a random family in Shadow to take care of Adelaide. How would I know they were best suited for her? Maybe it was selfish of me to even consider raising a child since I could have one if I desired, but I wanted what was best for Adelaide. She deserved that much.
“Olivia!” Adelaide climbed off the bench and ran over towards me, throwing her arms around me for a hug. I rubbed her back. “Hey sweetie,” I smiled, bending down to her level.
“I'm bored,” she announced. “Can we go home?” I wondered what she thought home meant. There was no going back to Thena. I didn't want to tell her that.
“Sure.” I offered her a faint smile, seeing the Chancellor looking quite pleased with himself. I didn't understand why. Had he wanted me to look after Adelaide all along? I couldn't see the benefit in it. I stood up, taking her hand, and walked over to the empty tray of food. I cleaned up Adelaide's breakfast before helping her into my coat again. I grabbed my breakfast, taking it with me back to the house.
We walked back home, not wasting a moment as the cold air only made my arms tremble. I had to be careful not to drop our tray of food. Adelaide might have eaten but I'd barely touched my meal, and I carried enough for Joshua to eat too.
Unlocking the front door, I saw that Joshua had already dressed and come down the stairs. “You're back soon,” he commented, smiling as he saw Adelaide standing beside me. “Hi.” He grinned and offered out his hand. “I'm Joshua.”
Adelaide slipped behind my legs, poking her head out to the side to see him. Evidently she was shy. I handed Joshua our breakfast, letting him take it to the kitchen as I helped Adelaide out of my coat. I hoped someone would soon bring the girl clothes that fit. Together, we walked into the kitchen. I grabbed a seat at the table to eat breakfast as Adelaide ran into the living room, grabbing a book from the shelf. None had pictures but she stared at the pages. I wasn't sure if she was old enough to read but it kept her occupied for a while.