Chapter 2

Zack was small for his age-which Temperance assumed couldn't be more than eight. As it was he was barely taller than her biggest bag.

Great, so not only had she gotten kicked out of yet another foster home. She was also going to be stuck with a kid, a child.

Temperance didn't like children( even if this sounded horrible) she just didn't-and he wasn't looking forward to spending the one day she thought she had for herself with a kid who's main hobby was probably collecting comic books and playing with plastic dolls who despite being dolls were referred to as action figures.

'Zack was just recently left with us' the social worker said in a voice that was entirely too cheery to relate the fact that a child had just been abandoned-either by ill fate or by their parent's will.

Apparently Zack thought so too since as soon as the social worker said this he visibly flinched and seemed to suddenly find the cracks on the floor very interesting. The social worker went on seemingly unaware.

'Maybe you can help him with some of the worksheets I gave him'

Temperance shrugged noncommittally trying not to look too uninterested. After all, it wasn't the kid's fault she didn't like kids.

'That won't be necessary' Zack said softly like he said everything 'I've already finished them'

The social worker turned to him startled-though not nearly as startled as Zack. Really Temperance felt bad for him. She'd been the smart kid enough times to know it wasn't fun all the time.

'You've finished them? But they're not even for your grade'

Zack ducked his head and kept his gaze on the ground mumbling something along the line of 'they weren't that hard'

Finally it dawned on the social worker that Zack wasn't going to say anything else left the room leaving a very nervous Zack Addy and a mildly responsive Temperance Brennan.

'We have to share a bed' Temperance said the thought finally catching up to her.

Zack simply nodded apparently having reached his quota of words for the day 'you don't still wet the bed do you?' Temperance asked point-blank

'Of course not ' Zack answered turning red at the ears and apparently having found his voice.

'Alright then' she said reaching over to grab her toothbrush and pajamas. She then left without so much as a glance back.

It wasn't until she was already in the bathroom that she heard him speak again-so softly she was surprised she was able to.

'It was nice to meet you Temperance'

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'Are we watching a movie?'

Temperance glanced at the head peering up at her from under the blankets. She could have sworn he was asleep when she put on the movie.

'I don't have a bedtime'

'Oh'

'You don't like me much do you'

Although his voice didn't falter there was no way to mistake the hurt in his eyes and Temperance couldn't help but feel guilty.

'It's not you. I don't like children in general'

It wasn't the kind of thing she expected people to understand. So she was surprised when it seemed to make Zack feel better.

'Oh alright' he said then settled under the blanket again.

'Wait, you're ok with that?'

'Well, yes' Zack said coming out from under the blanket again. 'you don't have anything against me personally. You dislike children. Regardless of who they are'

He cocked his head to the side as if considering if this made sense then shrugged.

'Maybe if I wasn't a kid you'd like me'

Temperance was so taken aback by this answer she forgot she'd decided not to talk to Zack-or anyone else, more than necessary.

'I think I would' she said 'you seem like a very reasonable person'

Zack smiled then turned around and picked up the box the movie came in.

'The curse of the mummy?'

Temperance nodded

'yeah I bought it before….before coming here. It doesn't scare you does it?' she asked already fearing the answer. She had been waiting to watch this movie for days. Since having gotten into trouble she hadn't even been able to get it out of the box. Still children had a tendency to be afraid of dead things. Even though she never had been.

Zack shook his head 'It's my favorite movie'

Another surprise. And again Temperance was too taken aback to keep herself from asking.

'Really?'

Zack nodded enthusiastically apparently glad the conversation was lasting.

'I like science fiction better. But I like the mummy movie. It's really realistic'

'They use real forensic facts'

'I know' Zack said 'I saw a documentary on it last year'

'How old are you Zack?'

" I just turned seven'

Interesting, talking to him Temperance could have sworn she was talking to someone older.

Which was probably why he didn't seem to bother her like most kids did.

'Can we watch the movie?' Zack asked in a tone that was a plea for solitude and letting the matter drop-and which Temperance picked up on immediately having used it herself a million times. They both turned back to the small TV and she pushed play.

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Before the mummy was defeated Zack had fallen prey to sleep. By light of the TV Temperance ended up going over the worksheets he'd done-mostly out of curiosity. They were math workbook pages, the kind social workers printed out to keep kids busy while they straightened out the paperwork. By looking at them Temperance could tell they were at least 4 grades ahead of Zack's age.

And he'd gotten every answer right.

You're an intriguing child Zachariah Addy, Temperance thought before she too fell prey to sleep.