It didn't take long to find someone. My pond was behind this god awful looking building. There was a rather large family living in it, and one boy, probably a year or so younger than me came to fish, like I'd seen him in the warmer months. Boy was he surprised when I opened up my mouth and said "Hello."

He about fell into the pond, and I laughed, only startling him more. I honestly expected him to run away, but he collected himself, sitting cross legged as close to the water as he could. I sat still with my ugly head poking out of the water, waiting for him to at least say hi back.

"Or not…" I muttered. Maybe it was the pink and the black that looked like some kind of disease.

"No, I'm sorry." He moved so his face was about three inches from the water. "Are you… a god or something?"

I found myself laughing again. He was so subtle, this one. And innocent. That meant that I'd have to find someone else, unless he changed my mind in the next hour. Innocent people can't handle revenge.

"Not even close. It's a long story kid. Short version… People suck."

He actually reached out and picked me up. It was embarrassing, his scrutiny, and when he tried to flip me over and poke at my belly, I shouted at him "GET OFF!"

He dropped me. "Sorry, sorry!"

"God kid, it's called privacy. Last time I checked, you are supposed to at least know someone's name before you start the invasion."

"Would you stop calling me kid?"

"It'd help if I knew your name."

"Alright. It's Adam. And what you said before? People suck? I got the memo already."

"Name's Jennifer. I would shake your hand, but that's not exactly a possibility. You CAN pick me up, if you promise you aren't going to start the dissection."

He reached out, and much more carefully drew me from the water. "What's with the pink and black. I thought Alice was kidding when she said she saw a rainbow frog over here. How come I haven't seen you before anyway."

"Because I wasn't trying to become the next dinner for your family, or some science project. I know the colors are unusual. It's a miracle some bird hasn't picked me from the water yet. Maybe that's why they're there. I have NO earthly idea."

"So… Adam. I get that your family is pretty big, and all. Isn't it time you got out and saw the world. And you could tell me your people story."

"Really?" He seemed over enthused. He had me laughing again. "God, all I need is an excuse to leave this place. I hate it."

"Perfect. Pack up kid…I mean, Adam."

He dropped me, splash, back into the pond. I thought at first he would stop talking to me, till I heard the arguing inside. Under a half an hour and we were walking down a dirt road together. Well, he was walking. I rode on his shoulder.

I wasn't sure how I hadn't known the boy. He lived, after all, on the outskirts of town. Even though everything was much bigger than I remembered, I was used to looking up at the world by now.

"So, ki- Adam, what's your story then?" I corrected the 'kid' at the last second, and he either didn't notice, or pretended he didn't.

"Had a feeling we wouldn't avoid it for long. If I tell you… Well, I'll be angry for the rest of the day, probably. When I can live pretending it didn't happen, then I'm fine."

"I can go first, if you want."

"No, you'd better hear mine sooner. I can get the angry out of my system, at least." He waited a minute, and I didn't object. I was curious now. "Well… My original dad… he wasn't the nicest guy around." He stopped, steeling himself. "He abused me and my sister Kimmy, and our mom. Broken bones, cuts, bruises, the whole bit. I live with that family now, after… Well, after dad pulled a knife on mom and was taken away for murder. He's dead now too, I'd imagine."

I could feel him shaking from my vantage point, and saw also that his fists were balled around the sack he carried with us. I was very glad I hadn't let him carry me in his hand, like he'd wanted to.

"And those people, they collect kids with a twisted idea that the more they take in, the more beneficial they are, when half the time they don't have the time or the money or the care to keep us. I've wanted to leave to find Kimmy ever since I turned fifteen, but they kept me there with threats and bribes and whatever they could. I just didn't have the guts, I guess. Still feel like the rest of those kids need me too." He stopped talking, and I didn't press him further. We walked on as the sky faded into orange and purple sunset.