Alex and Caleb greeted them at the Infinite City where Alex slipped his arm around Jess. Althea, the elderly nurse, gave her a gentle hug and Jess smiled. The woman was sweet, and one of the few grown ups Jess felt she could trust. She and Alex ducked out of the tunnel, after telling her friends she would be right back. "Before we go get the supplies, I have something I need you to help me with." Jess giggled as Alex pressed a kiss to her temple.
"What?"
"I'll show you." He led her down the darkened streets of Meridian and up the steps to a small building. "I used to live here as a kid. I still help out a lot." He put a finger to his lips and opened the door. Two little kids sat in the floor in front of the door. They leaped up and ran to Alex.
"Alex! Where've ya' been?"
"Hey guys. I've been busy." He lifted the two boys off of the ground. The mouse haired boy turned to Jess, who smiled shyly.
"Who are you?"
"This is Jess. She's a friend of mine."
"She's pretty," The other little boy said with a giggle. Jess blushed.
"She's already taken," Alex said. Jess blushed deeper.
"Oh Alex, how did you know that I loved children?"
"You seemed like the maternal type to me." He smiled, brushing his lips across hers. "Come on. I want you to meet somebody."
"What is this place anyway?"
"The orphanage."
"So all these kids are…"
"Orphans." Alex finished for her as he led her up the staircase. Jess nodded sadly, remembering the orphanages she had stayed in between foster homes. The stairs ended and Alex led her to a small room with three beds crowded in it. Two little girls came running when Alex entered the room, but the third didn't even look up. Leaving Alex with the other two, Jess sidled next to her on the bed and she cringed further under the blankets. "That's Nadia. She's new here." Alex said. Jess pulled the covers away from Nadia's face.
"Hey there sweetie," Jess said softly and the little child scooted further away.
"She doesn't talk or eat or anything. I've done all I can for her, but she won't respond. You've been where she is. Maybe you can help her."
"So have you,"
"But you're a girl. You two are on the same cosmic plane." The little girl snuggled against the headboard of the bed and sniffled. Jess looked helplessly at Alex, who intervened. "Hey, Nadia. Jess here is an orphan too. It's ok. You're safe." Jess put a hand on hers and the little child looked up, showing her tear stained face. Her hair was white-blonde and soft, and her eyes were pale and power blue.
"Alex, she's blind," Jess said.
"Is she? Are you?" The little girl nodded. "I'm sorry Nadia. Why didn't you tell us?" She shook her head and buried her head in Jess's waist. "Well no wonder you haven't been talking. I bet you're scared out of your mind, being in a strange place that you can't even see."
"Come here sweetheart," Jess said as she pulled the little child into her arms. Alex wrapped an arm around Jess's waist to hold her close. The two little boys came running into the room, carrying a story book.
"Hey, Jess, will you read to us?" The two little girls leaped on the bed and she felt Nadia fidget with excitement from the sheltered harbor of her lap.
"Sure. Why not?" The kids cheered and snuggled in close to her Alex sat on the foot of the bed, watching with a gentle smile on his face. "Once upon a time…" Jess began.
Sometime later, Jess looked up at the clock. "We should go," she said, and felt Nadia's grip on her waist tighten. The other children groaned in protest. "We'll be back later. We've got to help the rebels." Nadia giggled and released her and the children climbed off of the bed. "I'll see you again later I promise." Alex took Jess's hand and pulled her out the door.