Untitled Project

13. Where to begin

Cian had closed his eyes with the intention of napping when Walter knocked on the door and called out, "Food!" Cian took a moment to blink his eyes open, before heading out to the kitchen.

Walter had prepared a simple meal of roasted potatoes, chicken breasts, and steamed broccoli. Cian ate wordlessly, feeling once again the acute emptiness in his stomach caused by the sporadic eating habits he had unwillingly taken on in the past few days.

"Good?" Walter asked, as he sat down with his own plate.

"Great! Thanks!" Cian replied.

"Glad to hear it. Once you're done eating, you can use my shower if you want. I found you some clothes, just some old stuff of mine, it should fit you okay. Then, we have to meet some people."

"Some... people?" Cian asked between bites.

"Yes. I'm not trying to be mysterious by not telling you more than that. I'm just trying to save time. Eat quickly, clean up, and we'll go."

The rest of the meal was eaten speedily and silently by both parties. When Cian finished, Walter began to clean up, leaving Cian to find the bathroom. It was next to the spare room, and it was tiny, with just a shower stall crammed in one corner, and the sink and toilet residing against the opposite wall. Cian took a fast shower, and tried only minimally to clean his hair, which he was beginning to suspect was out of control. He dressed in the clothing Walter had left out for him – a tshirt, a pair of jeans, and a flannel shirt – and met Walter back in the kitchenette.

"Ready?" Walter didn't wait for a reply. "Good. Let's go."

Cian grabbed the bag Jacinda had given him as they hurried out of the apartment. Walter led the way to his car, which was parked on the street. Cian, who had assumed they would be taking public transportation, was initially alarmed at the prospect of little old Walter driving them through the city. But Walter surpassed Cian's low expectations and then some, proving himself to be a calm and trustworthy driver.

"We're meeting with a group of people. All about your age. Some of their parents were friends with your parents. They'll explain the rest; just act like yourself, and you'll be fine." Walter did not expand, and Cian could not think of any adequate questions. He had never done much socializing with his own age group. That was part of the trouble with being home-schooled.

They pulled down a dead-end street, which Cian assumed to be their destination. He was right, he realized, as the car pulled to a stop outside what appeared to be an apartment building.

"Here we are," Walter said.

Cian gulped nervously as they stepped out of the car, into the bright sunlight and mild air outside. He followed Walter up a set of stairs, which took quite a long time, and finally, they emerged onto a purple porch. The color was unlike anything Cian had ever seen, but maybe it was more the effect of seeing it on the floor of a porch that made it so remarkable. While Cian studied the floor, Walter knocked on the door.

"Who's going to get the door?" asked Maera, as a second knock sounded through the apartment.

"I will," Astrid said uncertainly. She jumped up and proceeded out to the kitchen.

"Who's Walter?" Ivy asked Oliver in a whisper.

"Old friend of Maera's, Astrid's, and Cass's families. He's a great man, really smart..." Oliver's voice trailed off. Ivy nodded.

"Hi!" They heard Astrid exclaim from the other room. Ivy heard another voice greet her. Maera leapt up and stalked out to the kitchen herself.