Sentiment of a Witness

𝚃𝚘 𝙰𝚍𝚘𝚙𝚝, 𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚘 𝙽𝚘𝚝 𝙰𝚍𝚘𝚙𝚝!

Small note – the story is still from Jack's perspective. The last chapter was more or less in third person. So yeah... please enjoy! :D

I awoke later than usual the next day, which really shouldn't have been that surprising – I hadn't gone straight to sleep after Jupiter brought me back to my room. Instead, I had sat by the window, thinking about what the next day would bring about. What changes would be made? Would I find a family? A family better than any I'd had before?

My birth family had been great – I felt cared for and loved, perhaps a bit too much of me was expected at times, but my parents really had been lovely up until that one fateful day. And the Larommi Orphanage could hardly be called a family – most of us were just in the same boat. One small boat where it was every broken person for themselves.

A maid came around to collect all of the children for breakfast and then to hear how the day would go. She seemed very cheerful but distraught about where we'd come from.

When we arrived down in the Dining Hall, I found myself being pushed to the back of the group of children as they surged forwards, not wanting to be the last as at Larommi, the last person to arrive at the table would always get the least amount of food. And as you might have guessed, that person was nearly always me.

Warm laughter bounced off the walls as Jupiter walked over from the kitchens, "settle, children, please – there's plenty of food to go around."

If his words did anything, it made them even more desperate to find a seat.

I ended up at the end of the table, next to Kyle of all people.

Halfway through the meal, Jupiter called for our attention and told us what he'd spoken to me about last night. Though there were various reactions around the table, the majority were thrilled; if not, they were a tad nervous. But, honestly, who wouldn't be? To finally be part of a family – people who'd love you no matter what – after being in a place like Larommi for so long.

I pushed the last piece of my waffles around on my plate, listening to the other kids talking about what sort of parents would adopt them. By this point, I was certain that no one would willing pick me. I had no idea how things would play out for me, but I thought that maybe I could stay here at the Hotel Deucalion if Jupiter let me, do some work to earn my stay, keep out of everyone's way, and most importantly, keep my knack to myself.

I'd heard stories of Witnesses being driven to the point of insanity and were never the same ever again. Most of them sounded like nice people, driven mad by a knack that was never to be appreciated, and then hunted and killed in fear of what a madman could do.

"Oi! I'm talking to you, John."

I looked up, shocked to hear my name fall from Kyle's mouth.

"I'm sorry, what?"

He sighed, "I asked what sort of family you hope to be adopted by."

"Oh..."

Why was he talking to me? And about this out of all subjects?

"Well??"

"Umm... I'd like a family who accepts me? And will love me... I dunno, I'd just like a family."

"That's it?" there was disbelief underlying his voice.

I nodded, "yeah."

"You're a strange kid, John," and with that, he walked off to talk with Larissa and three other kids.

"..thanks. You're pretty odd too," I mumbled under my breath.

I mean, who goes from beating a kid up to ask them what sort of family they wish they'd be adopted by? Well, apparently Kyle does.

Once everyone had finished breakfast, we were lead down to the lobby, where a few families were already gathered to meet us.

We spent most of the day there, talking to people and trying to prove that we'd be a perfect addition to their family. The majority of the kids were gone by the time the afternoon rolled around – there were only eleven of us left out thirty-something.

Jupiter had just told us that we could go explore the Deucalion and that we'd go back to the lobby the next day and meet some more families when a lady dressed in a long skirt of bright orange, a white flowy shirt and a bandana wrapped around her head ran in.

She looked like some sort of psychic.

"Wait! Can I have a look at the children before they go, please? My wife and I have been looking to adopt for some time now."

Jupiter beamed back at her, "why, of course!"

The woman went through the line and talked to each of us kids, not losing her smile for a second.

When she got to me, she smiled softly and said, "you remind me of my sister."

"Oh?"

"Her eyes... yours remind me so much of them – an endless ocean of emotions," she tilted her head, "I have a feeling that someone very special is going take you in. You're going to discover that life is way more beautiful than you could have ever imagined."

The lady gave me one last smile before standing up and asking to take Kyle. Well, that caused one less problem... but what she told me has stuck with me ever since.

At first, I thought she was just saying random shit, but the possibility of her being some sort of oracle was relatively high – we were in Nevermoor for Divine's sake.

Anything was possible.

Written: 17 August, 2021

Published: 19 August, 2021