Free Moirai by Ruth Silver Page A

eyes closed, trying to think. “Are we ready to
be parents?”
    Joshua laughed softly. “To Adelaide? I don't know. Maybe
we could handle it. I mean she's what, four?” he guessed. “I'm not crazy about
having a child here. It's a huge risk considering everything we've been
through,” he acknowledged. “But she's also a person who needs a family and
parents who will love her. I see the way you are with her and I can't imagine
anyone doing a better job, Olivia.”
    “She's six,” I corrected him. “And I'm eighteen, barely
an adult,” I remarked. “I can't be anyone's mother.” The thought still
terrified me.
    “Well that settles it.” Joshua smiled. “If she's six then
it's much easier.” He tried to make light of the situation. “Any word
about the other two survivors from Thena?”
    I sighed and put my fork down, having lost my appetite
completely. “Not good news,” I remarked, glancing back at Adelaide. She sat on
the sofa, turning the page of a novel she seemed to be reading.
    I felt Joshua's hand come to rest atop mine. “We'll look
after her,” he assured me. “Between the two of us, we can handle it.” I wasn't
sure we could. We spent most days training, preparing for an uprising. What
would we do with Adelaide when we went off to war? I couldn't stay home and be
a mother, raise a child and live my life on the sidelines. I knew it was
probably the most selfish feeling in the world but I didn’t feel ready to give
it all up just yet. “Relax.” He squeezed my hand. “We can teach her basic
skills training. She'll be prepared for whatever awaits us.” I hoped it could
be that easy.

CHAPTER 9
    Only a few days had passed since Adelaide had come into
our home. The community of Shadow had come together to help in any way it
could. Adelaide was the youngest of Shadow. It was rare a child came into the
town and everyone wanted to be a part of her upbringing. Some had stitched
clothes for Adelaide to wear. Others had sewn together stuffed animals for
Adelaide so she could have companions. I felt terrible knowing Adelaide would
have no friends her own age to play with. Shadow had no swing sets or
playgrounds like Genesis had provided. The only school that existed was the
recruit center, training in weaponry and survival skills. As important as they
were for Adelaide, there was so much more for her to learn about our world and
about what was going on in it.
    Aidan brought books about our history and about the
history of the world to teach Adelaide. I wasn't sure how much to share with
such a young child. Incredibly bright, she was still a child. Shouldn't she be
allowed some freedoms until she grew older? Freedom from fear, for instance.
Although I knew she'd never have such a luxury. Her family had died. Her home
had been destroyed. We were lucky the drones hadn't come back but I knew one
day they would, and I would protect her like I had Hazel, no matter the cost.
    “Olivia, do we have to do this again?” Adelaide whined as
she lifted the Bo Staff in her arms. Aidan had crafted it himself, making sure
it was the perfect size for Adelaide. It was light but sturdy. I didn't want to
hand her anything she could injure herself with. We were trying to train her to
defend herself. Joshua and I had seen soldiers come in on foot while in Haven.
It was possible with time they'd travel as far west as Shadow. We needed to be
ready.
    “Yes.” I smiled. “We can take a break first,” I offered
as she shook her head no.
    “Let's get on with it.”
    I laughed hearing her words and helped her practice. We
spent twenty minutes at it before I heard a familiar voice. “Need a hand?”
Hazel asked. I was glad to see she was doing better since our last encounter.
    “Just showing Adelaide how to use the Bo Staff.” I
glanced behind me as Hazel came into the training facility.
    “I hear Aidan's making her a set of nunchucks next.”
Hazel grabbed a Bo Staff, gesturing for Adelaide to try with her.
    I put mine