Another life. Another identity.

Life as part of the Family

Living with Harri was a new experience for Matt. He was glad he made the right decision to become a ward of her family. Harri explained that he was entitled to family money and gave him 'pocket money' every week. Seeing how she treated him, Matt absently thought she would make an amazing mother and that her future husband would be lucky to have her.

Harri cooked him mouthwatering breakfasts before school every day and always had his lunch prepared and ready to go. His friends often asked him to request extra food from her, as many of them had parents who neglected them. Although their situations were better than his had been, he was tempted to ask her for extra food for them. He decided he would, once he settled into his new life.

When Matt came home from school, he noticed Harri sitting at the table, reading. As soon as she saw him, she asked how his day was. He always told her everything, as no one had ever asked him about his day before. At his own home, no one was ever there. Harri also reminded him to do his homework and offered help while she cooked dinner.

One day, Matt came home early and saw Harri busy with some paperwork. She didn't notice him as she went to the library. Curious, he looked at the paperwork and saw markings and pictures of some sort. He didn't understand them but shrugged and went to get ready for the night.

The next morning, he saw Harri talking to a snowy owl and introduced him to Hedwig. She took Hedwig to the garden after the introduction. While he thought it was odd to have an owl as a pet, he didn't question it. As she was walking away, he managed to ask Harri about extra lunch for his friends, and she was happy to pack extra for them. Harri told him she loved trying new recipes and that the more people to eat her food, the better.

When Matt got to school that morning, Elena made a beeline for him and immediately asked why he was staying with the Lady. Without going into detail, he told her it was nice to have someone care. Elena asked him to snoop for her, but Matt refused, surprised at how she had changed from a nice girl to someone jealous and fault-finding.

Shrugging her off, he went to see his friends, including Tyler, and told them Harri had made extra food for them. Tyler was happy that someone cared for his best friend and listened to him. Despite living in a big house with the mayor as his parent, he was neglected. His parents only loved money and attention, and he always rebelled against them. If anyone asked, Tyler was quite happy his dad was dead, as he had been abusive, and no one saw what happened at home.

Elena watched Matt leave, thinking the newcomer had done something to him since he didn't follow her instructions. Unbeknownst to her, someone was watching and thinking that Elena needed to change her behavior, or she would lose people in her life.