Her mother came home first. The first thing Mrs. Barstow did was to fix dinner and clean up the house in case Maria might have messed it up during the day.
Normally no one would go up to talk to Maria until they were sure all their neighbors were not driving back and forth past their house.
James was the second to come home. He admired Maria most of the times, but when she corrected him on things, he would be very irritated and would curse at her.
The third to come home was her father.
Everyone was home quite early because Jason said that he was coming home that day. Maria stayed in the attic quietly, thinking. Suddenly, around five o'clock, someone pounded on the door, shouting.
"Population Police, open up!" the voice shouted loudly.
The door was opened as Maria sat stiffly on her chair. She strained to hear what was happening. There was some murmuring and laughing before the door closed again. Her mother walked into the attic.
"Jason's home," she said breathlessly as she led Maria downstairs quickly.
Maria smirked at the sight she saw. Jason was being held by Mr. Barstow. James was laughing.
"Jason was playing that dirty trick again," her father growled, furious, as he boxed Jason's ears soundly.
Jason gave a yelp and struggled out of his father's grip and dashed off into his room. James cracked up again. Their mother gave an anxious glare. James shut his mouth before bursting out once more. Maria rolled her eyes.
"James, go to your room. Maria, stay here," their father ordered sharply.
James grinned and stomped off. Maria threw herself onto a couch as her mother perched nervously on a chair. Her father still stood as he watched Maria.
"Maria, when he came home, Jason confessed that the Population Police will actually be coming soon to this house. Jason admitted that he signed up with the Population Police and that, during school, he mentioned your name, the fact that you are a third child, and that he wishes to be rid of you because he is an obedient and lawful citizen," her father said in a low voice.
Maria leapt to her feet, "How dare he! I'm going to kill him!"
She was about to storm into Jason's room when her father caught her arm. Her mother burst into tears.
"Christine," her father said in a low voice, indicating that she could not be Maria anymore.
Christine trembled before gathering herself together and nodding. Her mother rocked back and forth, sobbing, while her father gazed into her eyes.
"Christine, there is a man called Mr. Talbot. He had a third child once, but the Population Police shot her during a rally. Mr. Talbot has a group of third children with him. I'm going to send you there until it is safe here. I have sent all your belongings there already. You may have noticed that your things have been missing lately," her father murmured gently.
Christine gulped and nodded. A car pulled up into their driveway. Her father peered out the window quietly.
"He's here. Mr. Talbot," her father muttered.
There was a knock on the door. Her father opened it quickly. Christine nearly ran up the attic to hid as usual, but she stood there, ready. Mr. Talbot stepped into the house and closed the door behind him quickly. Christine met his glance with a fierce glare. Mr. Talbot nodded. Her mother stood and hugged her tightly.
"I'll make sure that you'll come back home soon," Mrs. Barstow murmured into Christine's ear.
Christine did not return the embrace. Mrs. Barstow stepped back and dabbed at her tears. Mr. Barstow stepped forward and shook Christine's hand. She gave a small smile at him. He nodded as he released her hand. Christine walked up to stand next to Mr. Talbot who opened the door and walked out with Christine on his heels. Mr. Talbot opened the passenger's side door. Christine gave a nodded and stepped in, closing the door by herself as Mr. Talbot got into the driver's side. He drove off quietly. As they were on the road, Mr. Talbot started asking some questions.
"So, what is your fake ID name?" Mr. Talbot asked quietly.
"Christine O'Donnell," Christine replied quickly.
"And I suppose your real name is…?" Mr. Talbot asked gently as he glanced at Christine with a sorrowful look.
She stared at him as he looked back at the road, "Maria Barstow."
Mr. Talbot nodded and sighed, "As you might know, my daughter is Jen. She led the rally, but all of the third children there were shot. Everyone there was shot, including her. Luke Gardner, now Lee Grant, knew her. Lee is in the group of third children you'll be with. Trey, as we call him, is also in there along with Nina and a few others. Population Police won't attack us and they don't even know that we still stay there."
Mr. Talbot parked the car and stepped out with a smile and a wave. He opened Christine's side and let her out quickly. Mr. Talbot took her arm and led her up to a small house behind a few trees and bushes that covered it completely. The door opened to show a red-haired lady smiling broadly.
"George! I see that the new girl is here!" the woman exclaimed softly as she let them in.
She closed the door quickly and showed them to a room full of kids and some adults. She sat down and stared at Mr. Talbot who was still standing.
"Er, if we could all announce our names, both…?" Mr. Talbot said nervously.
"I'm Theodora Talbot," the woman smiled quickly.
"Luke Garner, but my fake ID says Lee Grant," a boy sighed.
"Er, just call me Trey," another boy shrugged.
A girl smiled, "Elodie, but you better Nina Ida."
"Matthias and this is Percy and Alia," a boy said as he waved his hand at a smaller boy and little girl.
"Call me Mr. Hendricks," a man in a wheelchair said warmly as he gave a smile.
"Smits Grant, but I'm also Peter Goodard. I prefer Smits, though since it's my real name. I'm not a third child, by the way," a boy grinned.
"Matthew Garner. Luke's oldest brother. I'm not a third child," a tall boy who bore a similar resemblance to Luke.
Everyone looked at Christine for her to introduce herself.
"The name my parents gave me was Maria Barstow, but my false ID claims that I am Christine O'Donnell. My brother, Jason, gave me away. He's with the Population Police," Christine explained quickly.
"So, do you prefer to be called Maria or Christine?" Matthew asked as he leaned back in his chair.
Christine spread her arms wide with a mischievous smile, "Whatever you wish to call me."
There was silence. Christine smiled slyly and pressed her fingertips together quietly. Mrs. Talbot broke the silence.
"Er, Christine, you'll be sharing a room with Nina. Nina, can you show her to her room so she can settle down. All her luggage is in there already," Mrs. Talbot said quickly.
Nina nodded and stood. Christine stood quickly and followed. Nina opened a door in the hallway and let Christine in. Nina closed the door quickly and smiled at Christine.
"Mrs. Talbot, Alia, you, and I are the only girls here. I've been kind of lonely without a girl my age," Nina smiled as she sat down on a messy bed.
Christine shrugged and sat down on the bed opposite of Nina's, "I'm afraid that I'm not much of a talker. I normally don't talk unless it is necessary."
Nina smiled sadly and commented quietly, "most third children are that way, too. It's sad. But I'm not like that because I always had my aunts and my grandmother around me all the time to talk to."
Christine nodded.
"You might like Trey, if you have a large vocabulary. If you spent your time out doors, Luke might be better suited to you, or Matthew. Smits was used to riches and mansions, so we have to be kind of patient with him. Matthew, Percy, and Alia are close together because they grew up together even though they aren't brothers and sister. Anyway, when you're here, you can almost do anything. Most people take naps at odd times or we sit up and chat or watch movies or something like that. We have visitors coming and going because they help us to spy on the Population Police and the government. Sometimes we have to go on little missions. It's fun, kind of," Nina smiled gently.
Christine nodded.
"Anyway, I've been wanting a nap, but they told me to stay awake until you come. So, good night," Nina yawned as she laid down on her bed.
When Christine heard Nina snoring, she crept over to the door and placed her ear on it. The conversation outside came through.
"Barstow… Isn't that Jason's name? She said Barstow and she said that Jason gave her away. Do you think…?" Luke's voice came.
"It is possible. We better ask her slowly and carefully. If she finds out that her brother has been part of the Population Police and that he has tricked us at one point, she might not take it very well," Mr. Hendricks voice replied quickly.
Mr. Talbot's voice came, "oh, we need some people to go and work in the Population Police headquarters. Nedley caught me and told me that they're up to something."
"Nina, of course, will probably volunteer. I'd like to go, but I can't because I'm a Grant. I can't even go as a Garner," Luke's voice laughed.
"I can go through the vents," Trey's voice said quickly.
There was some chuckling until Matthew spoke up suddenly, "I can go if I get a fake ID."
"There'll be no problem with that," Mr. Talbot replied.
"I'll go. The commander likes me. Perce and Alia can't go, they're too young," Matthias said with a sigh.
"Do you think Christine will…?" Percy asked softly.
Christine opened the door quickly, stepping out boldly as she said loudly and defiantly, "Of course, I'll join you."
Nina jumped out of the bed and placed a hand on Christine's shoulder, "it'd be best for you if you stayed here."
Christine laughed, "You think that I will shrink at the fact that my brother is the one who betrayed you? I must admit, it is slightly revolting that a relative of mine would give me away, but I can act as if I do not know him. It would even be my pleasure to spy on him. I know his ways. I know how he thinks. I know him."
Mr. Talbot frowned slightly, "Does Jason know your fake name?"
Christine smiled, "no. In fact, not even James knows it. Only my parents know it and they never speak about it."
Mr. Talbot nodded.