Abandoned: 3192

Chapter 6: Savanna

   When I finally finish sobbing, we leave the bedroom and walk to the kitchen. Andrius and I sit at the breakfast bar, on the hard wood stools while Maia puts a pot on the stove. Maia makes hot chocolate, a fancy drink I've only had once.

   Apparently, in SA legion, they could have it anytime, because cocoa wasn't rationed like it was in NA legion. There was just enough cocoa in her backpack that was in her room. They were allowed a backpack when I wasn't. There are so many things I would've brought. But I couldn't go home now. I have to keep going for everyone's sake.

   I feel so sad, but I don't cry. I've already blubbered enough about my problems. I don't talk to Andrius about it, either. I just don't feel like it. But I do talk to him while we're waiting for hot chocolate. "What was it like in SA legion?" I ask him.

   He turns toward me. "Well, I guess just like yours except for the ruling. We had a prime leader who didn't ration much, except for stuff that was imported from your legion. We grow most of our food and materials, because we were all required to contribute to the entire system. You would be shot on the spot if you didn't work for the minimum three hours. Tough discipline, but easy work, if you were working for the leader like Maia and I. That's how we met." He explains.

   Before I could share about my home, Maia came over with a tray and three steaming hot cups. When she sets it down, I instantly grab for one. "No, you don't. it's still too hot to touch. You'll burn yourself!" she says maternally.

    Speaking of maternal, when she sits down, I can see her belly sticking out. She must be pregnant, though she doesn't act like it at all. Except for that one comment she just said. I want to ask her about it, but I barely know her, so I don't ask.

   When the cups stop steaming, I pull one towards me by the handle with my pinky finger. Maia doesn't say anything, so I go ahead and take a tentative sip. It was a little too hot, but it was the best thing I've ever put in my mouth. The richness of the cocoa swirled perfectly in with the sweet milk that came from a can. I hadn't realized how cold I was until the sweet liquid started to warm every limb in my body. I shuddered as it warmed me.

   "That. Was. Delicious!" I say to Maia. She laughs, making her almost spit out her hot chocolate. "My mother's was better." She says when she calms down. She gives a bracelet on her hand a longing look. Andrius gives her a one-armed hug. "It's okay." I hear him whisper. I could see she needed a distraction. "Let's go open the third closet." I suggest.

    I was about to open the door when I paused to think. I knew what was going to be in there. I wasn't sure if she would still love me because of what my father did to her family. Or to her. But I don't really think she would blame me for what my father did to her. But still. Nothing like this has ever happened before (obviously) and I wasn't sure how she would react. I was ranting again, wasn't I?

    But I needed to hug her. I haven't seen her in over a week. And to me, that was the worst thing that could happen. I couldn't wait any longer. I look at Andrius, then at Maia. She nods for me to open the door. I slowly open the door. The automatic lights flicker to life. I throw the door open the rest of the way. There she is. My poor, frozen girlfriend.

   Her hair was in a golden halo around her perfect face, her piercing blue eyes locked in that frozen stare that I wish I'd never seen on her face. It looked really creepy, and it sent chills up my spine.

   There was a slip of paper on her ice block, too. Except this one was a hot pink paper with light green ink. In my father's handwriting. Again, he always wrote in silver ink. How weird. I knew what her slip said, but I read it anyway. Savanna Jared. Age: 15. From: NA legion.