Yesterday was my wife's birthday! Celebrated with some Harry Potter movies and snacked on a bunch of stuff (mostly new things from World Market). Just a relaxing day together.

Considered taking the week off of writing, but decided to just have a late chapter instead. Came up with some stuff for later as well, so glad I decided to stick with it this week rather than delay.

Also been a little shocked at the random interest in my first fic, In RWBY's Shadow, recently. Not sure if it's some of you all checking it out or just people randomly finding it a couple years after it ended, but I love seeing it get some newfound attention. Still really proud of it, warts and all. If you haven't checked it out, now's the perfect time. At least, according to the random people binging it out of nowhere.

Having Mazarin around proved almost as exciting for the rest of the orphanage as it did for Adam. Even if she wasn't a Huntress, she was the closest thing many of the children had ever seen. She ate every meal with Adam at a central table, while everyone else fought for a seat close enough to listen to her fantastical stories. Adam recognized most of them, even if some of the details seemed a little more exaggerated than last time..

Mazarin ate up all the attention, letting her booming voice ring out across the cafeteria for everyone to hear. Even the kitchen staff would pop out to listen in. But even with no shortage of adoring fans, her focus was always on Adam.

On the second evening, the two of them had pulled away from the main playground to the more open field beyond. Adam could hardly contain his excitement when Mazarin pulled out a familiar pair of swords with a "hope you're not too rusty." The handful of curious stalkers soon turned into a small mob vying to watch the spar. Adam knew Mazarin was taking it easy on him from the start, letting him take the offensive and even score a hit or two that she could've easily blocked.

Unfortunately, that was to be their only spar, as Madam de Thom informed them the next day that a child had been injured recreating their spar with a friend. Their choice of weaponry - two brooms - had been far less lethal, thankfully. Alyssa had treated their bruises and a small gash above their eye, but in the hope of preventing further copycats, Mazarin agreed to hold off until her return.

Her last day in Katai, Mazarin convinced Madam de Thom to let her take Adam on a horseback ride outside town. The stingy matron refused until Mazarin reminded her that she'd already paid the adoption fee. Eve practically vibrated with energy when he arrived. A quick check proved the inn had taken care of his horse well, earning his thanks and a tip from Mazarin before they departed.

The two stayed out until less than an hour before curfew, enjoying the quietness together as they tried to forget that Mazarin would be leaving the next morning. But as they turned back to town, so too did their conversation turn to the inevitable.

"Do you have to go?" Adam asked desperately.

"You know I do," Mazarin answered, much to his disappointment. "A person's only as good as their word, and you're not the only one I made promises to." It was a lesson both she and Father Bernard had often brought up.

"I know." Knowing didn't mean he liked it, though.

"You'll be okay, Adam," Mazarin assured him. "Besides, we've got to pass through here on our way east, so I'll see you again soon. Then we're off to the coast to deliver some goods for shipping, pick up a new load to drop off at the capitol, and finally back home again." Or back to the caravan's home, at least. That would be a few more days of travel at the end.

"You'll stop by on your way back to visit, right?" Even if it wouldn't be long for her to complete the trip and then return to Katai for him, the sooner he got to see her again, the better.

"Visit? Kid, you're making that last leg with me."

Adam jerked hard enough to nearly fall out of his saddle. "Really?"

"Why not? Nothing dangerous after Katai." Aside from the Grimm and bandits, of course, but that was true of any area. "Heck, maybe I'll make you drive a wagon so I can sleep the rest of the way."

Adam ignored the joke, too excited at the shortened timeline for his adoption. "Then what?" Not that freedom from the orphanage wasn't enough, but his mind was already racing beyond to what their life would be like.

"I dunno," Mazarin shrugged. "Maybe we'll head east. I've got some contacts in a few towns, and there's plenty of opportunities out there. Put some distance between us and here." More importantly, between them and the memories of Father Bernard's death. It would be easier to move on if they physically moved on. "Couple of towns closer to the capitol have been growing recently. At least one was looking for a sheriff to help guard the town. Whaddya think? Sheriff Mazarin. Has a bit of a ring to it, right?"

Closer to the capitol also meant closer to the larger Combat Schools…and Haven. Plus, if Mazarin got work as security for a town, then that meant they'd get even more time together. The more Adam heard of her plan, the more he liked it.

"So, you got yourself a girlfriend yet?"

"No!" Aside from the fact she hadn't been gone that long, Adam wasn't exactly looking for one.

"Really? A handsome guy like you?" Mazarin laughed. "What about that Nila girl you introduced me to? She's cute."

'She's just a friend," Adam assured her. Like Mazarin said, she was cute, but neither of them were really old enough to be thinking like that. "A good friend. Like Erik."

"For now." Mazarin's grin suggested she thought that could change rather easily. "Those two look up to you, ya know?"

Adam didn't know. "Look up to me? How?" He was the new kid. He relied on them constantly. How could they look up to him?

"Those two are always around, especially that Erik kid," Mazarin pointed out. "You're a good kid. Friendly. Smart. Strong. Looked to me like they see you as a bit of a leader. Even more so after our spar."

"You went easy on me."

"I didn't hear you complain at the time," Mazarin reminded him. "So I padded your stats a little. Big deal! Not like most of them could tell."

Because none of them would know what a real spar would look like. To them, he'd probably looked like an action hero, keeping up with someone who'd been fighting longer than any of them had been alive. Mazarin hadn't thrown the fight just to be nice. She'd been trying to make him look good in front of the other kids.

"You're sneaky," Adam accused.

"And don't you forget it." Apparently, Mazarin didn't mind the term at all. "Just lookin' out for my boy."

Warmth bubbled up inside Adam at such a simple statement. Her boy. No matter how many times she assured him, it always felt nice to be wanted. Before, he'd always been part of the package with Father Bernard. A small part of him had always wondered if she was just being nice to him to get closer to his father. But if that was the case, she could've left when Father Bernard died. She had no obligation to look after Adam.

And yet, here she was.

They took their time walking back after leaving their horses at the inn. Neither was in a rush to end the day with Mazarin's departure in the morning. The sun had begun to set as a cool breeze wove through the town. The throngs of people rushing to and fro during business hours dwindled significantly. The two of them slowed to a stop before the imposing shape of the orphanage.

"Hey, kid…" Mazarin's smile faltered for a moment. "I…Sorry it took so long to come back."

"Better late than never," Adam tried, hoping to lighten the mood.

"Better early than late," Mazarin countered. "It just…took me some time when they told me about…you know."

This time, Adam did know. Talking about it still hurt, for her as much as him, it seemed. It was easy to forget that you weren't the only one in pain. He clung to Mazarin, hoping she would find the same comfort in his embrace as he found in hers.

"You're a good kid, Adam. Your father would be proud."

He will be, Adam promised himself.

"Well, I guess it's time to say goodnight," Mazarin reluctantly admitted, giving Adam one final, firm squeeze before letting go. "I'll drop in for breakfast tomorrow before I hit the road, okay?"

"And you'll come back soon, right?"

Mazarin ruffled Adam's hair playfully. "Caravan's gotta pass through Katai to go east, so you know I'll be stopping in for a visit. Maybe we can sneak you away for a real spar next time."

"No holding back next time," Adam demanded.

"You neither," Mazarin laughed. "Catch ya in the morning, kid. Try not to be too awesome while I'm gone."

"No promises."

/- - - - - - - - - -/

Mazarin's visit in the morning felt far too short. Adam had taken his time eating, hoping to delay the inevitable, but the time came for her to depart nonetheless. Promises of her next visit did little to ease their parting, though it would doubtless help the coming days. Adam stood alone in the entryway of the orphanage, watching long after Mazarin had disappeared from view. It wasn't until Alyssa called for him to help in the cafeteria did he finally abandon his post.

Throughout the rest of the day, Adam couldn't help notice little things that Mazarin had pointed out. Erik no longer led the way anywhere, choosing to follow Adam instead. Nila - who Adam suddenly felt nervous around after Mazarin's comments - spoke directly to him more than Erik. He now chose their seats at meals. In the evenings, both of them would wait to see what he wanted to do and join in.

But beyond those two, there seemed a shift in most of the other children as well. People parted before him in the halls and the yard. A few of the older teens began joining him in his morning runs, some struggling to keep up. Pika again approached him about joining him and his buddies for workouts. While he didn't find himself surrounded by friends suddenly, he felt a lot more noticed. More respected.

It wasn't until he asked Erik that the reason became obvious.

"Seriously? Everyone watched you fight a Huntsman!" Despite his prior attempts to correct their mistake about Mazarin, in everyone else's eyes, Mazarin might as well have been a fully-licensed Huntress.

"It was just a spar." Adam had sparred with her dozens of times before. It was nothing special.

Apparently, Erik disagreed. "It was a freakin' Huntsman, Adam! And you kept up with her!"

Adam shrugged. "She went easy on me."

"That's not the point," Erik insisted. "You knew how to use a sword. You kept pace with someone who kills Grimm. That was probably the coolest thing anyone here has ever seen."

Adam didn't think much of it until he thought back to when he first watched Team SPVC. He was nowhere near their level, of course, but he's come a long way with all his training. He'd gone from having to learn how to hold a sword to different forms, footwork, parries, and more. It seemed Mazarin's plan to make him look good had worked out.

Unfortunately, it did nothing for his math work.

"You're getting better," Alyssa tried, kneeling next to his desk during their weekly tutoring session. Better or not, Adam was still behind everyone else. A higher failing score was still failing. Alyssa placed his latest quiz in front of him, leaning over to point out one of his mistakes. "If you reduce this fraction first, it'll be a lot easier. You're always in a rush to get to the answer, though."

Why should he take his time if he was just going to get it wrong? Better to just get it over with and accept his fate. It didn't help that he was always the last one to finish. Having the entire class sitting silently waiting on him to finish his hopeless endeavor made it hard to stay calm.

Even though he'd only have to put up with these classes a little longer, Adam really wanted to make progress before he left. And like Alyssa said, he'd been improving significantly under her tutelage. It was just the amount of material he was behind on that held him back. Hopefully, she'd be able to help him catch up before he left and put him in a better position for his next school. After all, Combat School wasn't just about fighting, despite the name. He'd still have basic classes like math, just with a slightly lesser emphasis as more specific lessons took over, like weapon maintenance and Grimm studies. Part of him wished he could take Alyssa with him to continue their lessons after he left.

"I've lost you again, haven't I?"

"Huh?" Adam snapped out of his daydream of the future to find Alyssa shaking her head. The small smile told him she wasn't upset, at least.

Alyssa turned a nearby desk to face Adam's and sat down. "Can't say I'm surprised. You've had a pretty busy week, what with Mazarin coming to visit. I know you were hoping to leave with her, but she'll be back soon enough." Adam disagreed with that last part. The fact that he was still here meant it wasn't soon enough at all. "For what it's worth, I'll be sad to see you go."

While it sounded terrible to wish someone stayed at an orphanage longer, Adam understood what she meant. "I really appreciate all your help."

"But this isn't home," Alyssa added. She looked at the clock on the back wall, then glanced out the window. "Tell you what. I don't think we're going to get much studying done with all the excitement this week. How about we go for a walk?"

Getting out of the classroom sounded nice. Alyssa didn't wait for an answer. She stood up, pushed the desk back into place, and headed for the door. Adam followed silently, slipping past her so she could turn out the lights and close the room behind them.

Most of the children were out playing, but the two of them stuck to the edge of the property, slowly walking side-by-side until they were away from the main play area. Alyssa finally broke the silence. "You know, I once dreamed of moving away. Traveling Mistral. Maybe even go to Vale."

"Why didn't you?" Adam asked.

Alyssa sighed as she stared off at the forest beyond the walls. "Mom needed help around here. I couldn't just leave. Sometimes I wonder what life would've been like beyond these walls." Alyssa glanced over at Adam as they continued their slow stroll. "What about you, Adam? What sort of adventure awaits you once you leave us?"

The answer came easily. "I'm gonna be a Huntsman."

"Is that so?"

"Yep. The strongest Huntsman in all of Remnant." As childish as it sounded, Adam fully believed it. "And once I graduate from Haven, I'm gonna come back here and drive the Grimm from Shizukana and Katai. I'll make it safe for everyone." He'd make sure no one was left to face the Grimm alone.

"That's quite the lofty goal," Alyssa giggled. "Well, I hope it works out. And I hope you won't forget about us."

"Maybe I'll come back and visit after I graduate," Adam offered. Just like Mazarin, he'd stop in and cheer the kids up. Maybe even inspire and encourage some of them.

For the rest of the walk, Adam detailed his plans, from the Combat Schools he'd researched to enrolling at Haven. His excited voice was the only sound they heard until they eventually completed their circuit, returning to the orphanage once more. The muffled roar of dinnertime could be heard inside, leaving the two of them alone on the back patio.

"Well, thanks for the walk, Adam. Maybe you can tell me more about all your training sometime."

Adam liked the sound of that. Alyssa was easy to talk to, and she seemed genuinely interested in his success. A quick growl from Adam's stomach drew a laugh from his walking partner.

"Sounds like we got back just in time." Alyssa ruffled his hair gently. "Let's go get you some food."

/- - - - - - - - - -/

Mazarin's return visit lasted only one evening, but she'd arranged for a quick training session before taking him to dinner at the inn. The merchants from her caravan joined them, most of which Adam recognized from prior trips. Two of them were new, though, including a thin man with a dark, feline tail that swayed behind him. This trip was to be his first beyond some shorter journeys for the trading company. Unlike his counterparts, however, he wasn't a native of Mistral.

He was from the island of Menagerie.

"Is it true the entire island is covered in faunus?" Adam had been questioning the man non-stop since he'd mentioned his home.

"Not the entire island," he responded with an easy smile. "Most of us live in Kuo Kuana, including my family. It's pretty much a tropical paradise."

"How many faunus live there?"

"Too many to count," the merchant answered. "All types, too. I've even seen some with wings."

"Whoa!" Adam didn't realize they came that varied. He'd seen tails and ears, mostly, but wings sounded pretty awesome. "So why'd you leave?"

"Give the man a chance to eat, Adam," Mazarin instructed, earning a short laugh from his new friend. "Sorry about my son. He's easily excited."

Yet again, the simple word "son" had Adam smiling. He'd nearly fallen over when Mazarin introduced him as such to the merchants. Most of them knew him as Father Bernard's kid, but none of them questioned the sudden change. Whether they'd pieced it together themselves or been told by Mazarin before, they easily accepted the two as family.

"It's no problem," the merchant assured her. "I love my home. But there's only so much to see on an island. I came to Mistral to travel and make my fortune, and these fine gentlemen have given me both."

"Buttering us up won't get you a bigger cut," the lead merchant laughed. "But feel free to continue."

Sadly, Mazarin's visit ended far too soon, as the merchants needed to depart right after breakfast. The promises of her return did little to comfort him as she waved goodbye from the head of the caravan as he watched from the front of the orphanage. Alyssa waited with him, as Madam de Thom didn't want him alone outside while everyone else was working.

"She'll be back," Alyssa assured him.

"I know." Adam was sure that would help in the coming days, but right now, promises of the future did little for the pain of the present. The next few minutes passed in silence until Alyssa patted his shoulder.

"C'mon, Adam. Let's go inside. Chores aren't going to do themselves." And making others work while he stood around outside wasn't fair, either. Most of the work was finished by the time he arrived at the cafeteria, but Adam made sure to snatch a broom from Erik at the end, insisting he take over after skipping the hardest part.

It wasn't until their next break that anything interesting happened. Erik scraped his knee and had to go see Alyssa to get cleaned up, leaving Adam alone outside. As usual, most of the other children kept to their groups, though Adam noticed a few glance his way and whisper. It had been like that ever since the spar with Mazarin.

He was different from the rest of them now. Enough so that he skipped normal and went straight from new kid not worth talking to all the way to special kid that they wouldn't be able to relate to. At least, in their eyes. Adam was still the same person he was a week ago, but it didn't matter. His uniqueness meant no one bothered talking to him.

Well, almost no one.

"What you doin' all on your own?"

Despite Nila's repeated warnings, Adam hadn't had any trouble with Pika. If anything, the guy seemed almost nice sometimes. But with Erik and Nila both not liking him, Adam couldn't help but keep his guard up whenever the boy was nearby. Especially when he had Adam outnumbered. "Just…enjoying the sunshine."

"Mind if we join?" Pika asked, already plopping down nearby without waiting for an answer. The boy with Adam followed suit. Adam really didn't have a good reason to complain. Besides, they'd be heading inside soon anyways. Worst case, he endured them for a few minutes and then got an easy out. "This is Roan, by the way. Friend of mine."

Roan nodded with the introduction, content to let Pika take the lead. Even though the boy looked close to their age, he barely came up to Pika's shoulder. Where Pika always seemed energetic and excited about something, Roan kept a more serious look on his face. He almost appeared disinterested with it all, except for his eyes, which were currently fixed on Adam. Adam shifted uncomfortably as the shorter boy sized him up, but after a few short seconds, Roan turned his gaze back to Pika.

"Roan came here a couple years ago. Good guy. He's one of the guys that works out with me in the evenings." Adam could well believe that. Roan may have been short, but he looked solid. There was clear definition in his arms, comparable to Adam's own. Whatever training they were doing appeared to be paying off. "Speaking of which, I wanted to check in again and see if we could tempt you to join us sometime. Would be nice to change things up a bit."

Before, Adam had resisted because he expected to leave any day. But now, what held him back? Pika at least acted friendly, and other than the initial awkwardness, Roan hadn't done anything to set Adam off. Yet here he sat, searching for a reason to say no.

Erik and Nila don't like him. Did that mean he couldn't? They said he's a bully. So far, he'd been a little pushy at most, but he'd hardly call that bullying. Still, he trusted his friends wouldn't just hate a person for no reason. They seemed too nice for that. With their warnings in mind, Adam felt it would be best to continue saying no.

If you always assume the worst in people, you'll never find the good.

Adam hesitated as Father Bernard's voice echoed in his head, repeating a lesson he'd heard long ago. It was easy to just assume Pika was up to no good. Trusting his new friends was definitely easier than trying to get to know someone else. But what if they were wrong? What if a single, bad interaction had forever stained their perception of Pika?

Besides, a workout group sounded nice. Adam missed his time with Shizukana's guards. Even if he wouldn't necessarily call them friends, there was no denying he fit in there. They'd nod at his approach, give him advice while training, and even joke around sometimes afterwards. The obvious age difference mattered less when he shared in their exercises and training. He became more equal as the Captain of the Guard yelled at them all. Maybe he could have something similar here.

And if it didn't work out, he could always stop, right?

Swallowing his worries, Adam decided to throw caution to the wind. "Why not?" Pika seemed surprised by the reversal. "What time do you guys meet?"

Pika recovered quickly. "Half an hour after dinner. There's a small weight room upstairs. I can show you after we eat."

"Sounds like a plan!" Adam hoped he wouldn't regret accepting the offer. Still, he could use some new training, and they looked like they at least knew the basics. Even if things didn't work out with the group, he might be able to pick up some pointers for his own training later before going on his own way. No harm done.

Erik disagreed.

"You did what?" Adam's friend seemed less than thrilled at the revelation before class. "Why would you agree to hang out with a bully like Pika?"

"He didn't seem that bad to me," Adam shrugged.

"Maybe not yet, but you can't trust him." Erik pulled him away from the door, keeping his voice down as a few of their classmates arrived. "He picks on everyone, especially faunus."

That was news to Adam. So far, Pika hadn't so much as mentioned his horns or even looked at them much, really. Not like Dorian and his pals always had. "I'm just working out with them tonight. If they turn out to be jerks, I'll leave."

Erik didn't share his optimism. "If they let you. You'll be alone with him and his buddies while most of us are outside."

"If you're so concerned about me being alone, why don't you come along?" Adam offered. Plus, Adam felt that his friend could use the exercise.

"No way! This is your mess." Both boys stopped as Alyssa arrived and the rest of their class filtered in. "Just be careful."

"Everyone, take your seats!" Alyssa ordered, ending their hushed conversation before Erik could get any more worried. "We've got a lot to go over today."

Class practically flew, with Alyssa having them read excerpts from a few poems in their textbook. While not his favorite genre, Adam could think of a handful of poems he'd actually enjoyed reading before.

The flowery, gushy love poem didn't make the list.

By the time dinner rolled around, Adam was starving. His stomach growled at the somewhat meager portion handed to him in line. Still, it was warm and would tide him over until breakfast. For now, he just needed the energy for the new workout.

"Hey Adam!" Pika slid beside him as he grabbed a glass of water. "Me and the guys are over there." Sure enough, Adam could spy Roan and a few others at a table near the center of the room. One of the ones he didn't recognize waved once before returning to his meal.

"I guess I'll meet you guys after dinner, then." Adam took a step away, heading for Erik and Nila.

Pika moved to cut him off. "Why not sit with us instead? That way, we can show you the weight room as soon as we finish eating."

Adam could see two pairs of eyes watching him in the distance. As always, Erik had saved a seat for him, with Nila hovering nearby. "I don't know…"

"Ah, c'mon Adam. I can introduce you to the guys while we eat."

Adam's eyes darted between his friends and the roadblock in front of him. Sitting with their group made sense, but he'd feel bad abandoning Erik and Nila. He debated the pros and cons before finally settling on a compromise.

"I'll join you guys in a minute," Adam relented, earning a grin from Pika. "I'll let my friends know first."

"Pika followed his gaze to the two faunus, who turned away at the sudden attention. "Oh, my bad, man! If you want to sit with your friends-"

"It's fine," Adam assured him as Pika stepped out of the way. "I just want to let them know first."

"Cool. I'll save you a seat."

Adam took a deep breath and made for his usual table. Erik took one look at him and somehow knew what was coming, but Nila was less in the loop. "What was that all about?"

"Sorry about that. Pika and his friends offered to show me the weight room after dinner and asked if I'd eat with them tonight." And only tonight. He wouldn't need to follow them afterwards next time. "You guys don't mind, do you?"

Nila kept silent as she stared across the room at Pika and his friends, eyes narrowed as she tried to divine some unknown truth. Erik didn't so much as glance in their direction. "I still think this is a mistake."

"It'll be fine." Just a meal and a workout with a group of guys. "I'll give them a chance, and if something feels wrong, I'll leave."

"Are you sure about this?" Erik asked with a hint of concern.

"I don't trust them," Nila muttered, adding her dissent to Erik's.

"Don't worry," he assured them both. "I'll be fine. Are you two okay with me skipping dinner tonight?"

"It's fine." Nila sounded a lot less fine than she promised, but Adam was sure she'd come around once it was over.

"We aren't going to stop being your friend just because you skip one meal with us."

Erik's assurance felt a lot better. Adam backed away with his food, starting for Pika's table. "Thanks, guys. And don't worry about me. Nothing will happen. You'll see."

"There he is!" Pika cheered when he arrived. "Guys, this is Adam. You met Roan already. He's Clancy," a heavier boy across the table raised his hand slightly before returning to his food. "And this is Andúril."

"You're the kid who trained within that Huntress, right?" Andúril's orange hair matched his bright eyes, which seemed to shine with excitement.

"That's me," Adam admitted as he sat down.

"Dude, you were awesome!"

"Never seen anything like it," Clancy chimed in.

Unlike his fellows, Roan seemed only partially interested as he asked, "How'd you meet someone like that?"

Adam did his best to explain between bites. He told them about his first trip to Katai and their encounter with the Alpha. Even Roan looked shocked at the tale. Adam pressed on, telling them all about Jai and Team SPVC. His training with the guards. Lessons from Mazarin. By the end, he had them eating out of the palm of his hand.

"And someday, I'm gonna enroll at Haven and become a Huntsman myself."

"Whoa!"

"Cool!"

Adam basked in their awe. Maybe he was bragging a bit, but right now, it felt good to see how impressed they all were. Even Pika. "That's pretty crazy, man. I know I'm in no rush to face down those monsters."

"Someone has to." And that someone would be him.

Dinner stretched on as Adam shared stories from his training with Mazarin and dreams of the future. The tales continued after they finished until Pika shooed the others on, saying they'd catch up. When Adam asked what was up, Pika simply explained, "Figured you might want to change or something first. We all keep a change in the weight room, but I figured I'd wait for you to change and then head for the weight room."

Erik didn't say a word as the pair entered the dorm room together. Adam hastened to pull out a lighter shirt that he used to wear for training. His farewell to Erik went unanswered.

Adam followed Pika upstairs and down the hall, past the classrooms and out onto the balcony overlooking the cafeteria. The door two doors down stood open, and Adam could hear a few voices within as they approached. The weight room proved a little tight for all five of them, but Pika said it would be fine. A small group of free weights lined the wall under a couple of mirrors that had been hung next to one another. The floor was covered in a thin padding, either to muffle the sound or protect the floor if they dropped something. There was even a single bench press sat across the room, though the padding looked rather worn and cracked in a few spots. It wasn't great, but it would be more than enough for their purposes.

Adam kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, but the guys were pretty friendly, especially once they got started. Adam had never used a bench press, but his new friends seemed impressed with his performance after Pika ran through some basics on form and always having a spotter. Halfway through, Clancy and Andúril left, saying they had homework to do, which freed up a lot of space for the rest of the evening.

By the time Adam was finally ready to call it quits, he could see the obvious sheen of sweat on Pika and Roan. His shirt clung to his back, soaked through from his second set on the bench. Adam loved running, but the adrenaline pumping through his system right now told him he'd be back.

"You did good," Pika said as they wound down, wiping the sweat off the bench as Roan reorganized the weights.

"For my first time?"

"For any time. Guess hanging out with Huntsmen really pays off." Adam slipped out of the room behind Roan as Pika shut off the light and closed the door. "You down to join us next time?"

"Absolutely!" He didn't even consider rejecting the offer. Erik might not be thrilled, but right now, Adam couldn't help the thrill that rushed through him alongside the slight soreness in his arms and shoulders. Pika told him they usually worked out every other day, giving themselves rest days in between. Mazarin had encouraged the same, though she had him alternate between muscle groups instead.

"You keep this up, and you'll pass Clancy in no time." While Pika had done a respectful number of reps himself, Clancy was clearly the powerhouse of the group. Catching him would just be a matter of time, though.

"I've got to get back and take a shower before bed," Adam said, trying to excuse himself politely.

"Don't we all?" Pika laughed, sniffing his armpit and grimacing. "Well, glad you joined us, Adam. It wouldn't have been the same without you."

Adam bid farewell to Roan, then jogged down the hall to his room. Erik was gone, likely still outside with the others. He snatched a change of clothes and hurried for the showers, eager to get rinsed off before the others returned and got ready for bed. The warm water felt amazing after the tough workout, and he took his time, soaking for a few extra minutes.

The night had gone fantastically. Pika and his friends seemed nice enough. Whether that was the shared interest or the start of an actual friendship, Adam couldn't tell. But at the very least, he'd had fun. And he'd have fun next time, too. Maybe whatever town he and Mazarin moved to would have a gym he could use.

Returning to his room, Adam tossed his dirty clothes in the bin, eager to be away from the stink. Laundry day would have to come early this week. He briefly considered studying for tomorrow's history quiz, but decided he'd rather just relax for the evening. He was already one of the top students in that subject and felt confident he'd be fine taking the night off. Instead, he plopped down on his mattress with a content sigh.

One day closer. All the talk of the future earlier had his mind wandering beyond the orphanage. Past the walls of Katai. Down the trade highway all the way to the capitol and the incredible architecture of Haven Academy. Dreams of his future drifted in and out as he leaned back in his bed. A team of friends. Dating some cute Huntress in training. Becoming a great warrior. Traveling Mistral and vanquishing monsters. It all seemed so unbelievable, but someday, he'd make it reality. His hand slipped under his pillow…

And came back empty.

Adam sat up and reached again, waving his hand back and forth in search of the corner of the small frame that hid there. When he failed to find it, he lifted his pillow, only to be greeted by an empty space.

What?

Adam jumped from the bed, tearing the covers off and scanning the whole bed. He ran his hands across the cheap sheets, frantically searching for even the slightest bump. Lifting the mattress revealed an empty set of bars and a mostly clear floor beneath.

His mind raced through the previous evening. I put it back under my pillow this morning. And yet, it wasn't there. He even checked the entire room, peeking under each bunk in the hopes that it had somehow slid into a new hiding spot. His search came up empty. Adam returned to his mattress, sitting down in confusion as he tried to understand what had happened. Only one thing seemed clear.

His picture was gone.

Everything was going too well. Mazarin showing up. Pika being nice. Alyssa's lessons going well. Had to throw in some slight turmoil at the end.

Had to sneak in the slight joke about being sad to see Adam leave. Reminds me of the beginning of Ghost Town with Ricky Gervais. Nurse says "Hope to see you again soon" or something similar as he leaves in a wheelchair. His response of "What a terrible thing to say in a hospital" absolutely cracked me up.

Hoping to start picking up the pacing a little in the near future. The start was purposefully slow, but I don't want to drag it on forever. We've got a lot of stuff to get to, so expect more to happen per chapter moving forward. Might even start getting longer chapters as things pick up, but we'll see. Either way, I'm both anticipating and dreading some sections that are sneaking up on the horizon. Stay with me, though. Adam's got a long journey ahead.

Next chapter: Adam searches for his photo...and who took it.