Enter the Child
By Laura Schiller
Based on: Wings
Copyright: Aprilynne Pike
Sarah Sewell's first reaction on finding a child in a basket on her doorstep was to gasp out loud and step back.
"What in the world – "
It was a fair-haired toddler about three years old, wearing a white nightdress and covered in a blanket which he or she had half kicked off. The child stared with wide, eyes, so light blue they were almost gray, and said in a perfectly clear British voice: "Who are you, where am I, and what is going on?"
Sarah put her hand over her pounding heart and used the other to pinch her wrist. It hurt like hell; she seemed to be awake.
"I'd like to know that myself," she said breathlessly, "But why don't you come inside first, eh? You must be cold."
"I'm not cold," said the child, in defiance of the biting March winds sweeping down the street. "But I'm coming. Help me out of here, please?"
Sarah helped the child out of the basket and led him/her into the living room, where it was warm and cozy with a view of the forest from the window. They sat down on opposite armchairs. Sarah noted that the child moved with unusual grace and precision, took in the surroundings with bright, curious eyes, and had an almost luminous quality in the sunlight coming in from the window. Beautiful, thought Sarah, with a sudden pang. You poor little thing, what can have happened to you? Who wound abandon you on a stranger's doorstep like this?
"What's your name, sweetheart?" she asked gently.
"Laurel."
"And your last name?"
"What last name?" Laurel's little face crumpled into a look of confusion. "Laurel's all the name I've got."
Sarah sighed. This wasn't getting her anywhere.
"What about your parents' names?"
The little girl (Laurel had to be a girl's name) frowned. "I don't know," she said, holding one hand to her forehead.
"Where do you live?"
"I don't know."
Sarah forced herself not to roll her eyes. How couls she not know?
"How did you get into that basket, then?" she said, gathering her patience. Her irritation must have shown in her voice, because Laurel buried her face in her hands and began to cry.
"I don't know!" she sobbed. "I don't remember? It's all a blank in my head!"
Sarah's reaction was instinctive. She put her arm around the little girl's shaking shoulders, stroked her hair, and whispered in her ear: "Shh, shh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. I know this must be hard for you, but I will help you … I'll contact Social Services, I'll do everything it takes to make sure you find a good home. All right, Laurel?"
Laurel wiped her eyes, sniffed, surprised Sarah with a hug.
"I like you," said the child. "What's your name?"
"My name's Sarah. It's a pleasure to meet you."