Waiting For Sunrise - The Books Of Beginning AU

10. A Divine Connection

Rafe's boots clacked against the stairs as he made his way to the upper level of the church. He had just finished his tasks for the day; checking over the work Abigail and Marta had done for their financial records, peeking into the kitchen to make sure Addie and Ben were handling dinner okay, and of course, telling Jake and Beetles to stop blowing smoke rings at each other and start counting the day's loot. He had also heard from the children how their days were going, and been dragged over to watch Tom's latest card tricks by some of the younger ones. He always liked it when they were excited to tell him something; if they had that kind of joy and enthusiasm in their lives, he had to be doing something right. 

He knew very well that he was the closest thing to a father that many of these children had known and that all of them had available. He took that responsibility very seriously. The safety, learning, health, and above all, happiness and growth, of each child in the church was his to safeguard. Yes, there were Henrietta and Scruggs to help with that role - but Henrietta was a grown witch with her own duties to tend to, and Scruggs, well, he wasn't much of a parental figure. So that left Rafe to care for them, and while there was no greater blessing than seeing them grow up strong and loved, he had to admit, it was a lot for one person to take on. Especially as the Savages numbers continued to grow.

His mind drifted to the three added to the gang within the past day, the siblings. He had yet to meet the eldest sister of the trio, but his interaction with the two younger children proved interesting. He liked them already, they had that same spunk that most of the Savages shared; that was clear from the way they answered his questions directly and the way they subtly squabbled with each other right in front of him. Emma definitely possessed a fighting spirit that Rafe respected, even if it was somewhat reckless. Michael seemed more nervous, but that was alright too. Lots of kids came here nervous. And it was clear the siblings had suffered hardship - the loss of their parents, as well as the mistreatment by humans and instability and cruelty of orphanages. Sadly, that was also the normal for the children who ended up here. But they were safe now, and Rafe hoped they found a home at the church. Like with everyone who ended up in his care, he quickly found himself protective over Michael and Emma. 

He had yet to meet their older sister, though he planned to seek her out after dinner and introduce himself. She was fifteen, according to her brother, Rafe remembered. That would make her one of the oldest in the gang. It wasn't often people joined at her age; in fact, fifteen was usually the age when others in the past had taken the chance to leave and seek their own fortune. But then again, they didn't have younger siblings to stick around for, or if they did, they hadn't seen fit to do so. Perhaps this girl would be different in that manner.

Rafe sighed. Sometimes he felt so weary and old with all he had seen, despite living such a short life. Here he was, hoping for... well, someone who understood the burdens he carried. Wasn't that a ridiculous notion? The whole reason he took on so much responsibility was so others coming from similar tragic circumstances didn't have to suffer any more. He really must be tired if he was thinking of forcing that on someone else just because they were the same age. The eldest girl would probably be like her siblings - strong and a survivor of course, but new, nervous, still trying to find her place among the others. It was his job as a leader to welcome her, to make her feel safe and comfortable like he did with her siblings earlier, not carry unrealistic expectations. 

Though, before he could go about with any introductions, he had one more thing of vital importance to get done. He had to go check on Violet.

Violet was a girl of seven who had been living with the Savages for nine months (she had been six, one of the very youngest of the lot, when she joined) and she had been having major issues adjusting. Violet's past wasn't easy, so Rafe understood why she had a hard time trusting and forming connections, but he worried about her. She didn't like being around the other children; it made her feel scared and shy. She preferred to watch from the shadows and keep her distance, sneaking around the church like a tiny ghost. She had imprinted on him like a duckling to its mother, though, and seemed to hold no fear of his presence. Violet liked to keep him company while he did his work, and she seemed to trust him, treating him like the father she never had. A role he was happy to fill, of course. Violet was bright for her age, and quite creative, at least around those she trusted. Which was only him at the moment, but that was alright. Whatever helped her heal.