Chapter 3

6/30/2045

When they docked in Lore, Selene and Justin came out of their cabin, carrying their bags. Daiki stepped out of his quarters and walked up to them.

"I have something for your necklace," he said, handing Justin a small charm. "It's a protection charm," he said. Justin smiled and signed "thank you," accepting the gift. Daiki nodded and signed. "You're welcome,"

"Here, I'll put it on your chain," Selene said. Justin signed, "Okay," and handed her the necklace. She handed the necklace back, and Justin put it on.

As they departed the boat, Daiki said, "Little prince, remember to be courteous to people." "And don't forget to keep practicing your signing," he added.

"How long will you stay in port?" Selene asked.

"For a week, then I have to leave for a couple of weeks to do a side job," he said.

"Thanks a lot for your help," Selene said. They hugged each other goodbye, and Selene and Justin headed to the orphanage.

"Now, when we get there, your name is Colin," Selene said.

"Do they know who we are?" he signed.

"Yes, but I want you to use your new name," she said.

"Okay, Nanna," he signed.

They reached Safe Harbor Orphan Home an hour later. Selene faced the young boy and knelt down to his level.

"I'll be a few blocks away, so this isn't goodbye," she said. "They will be safe here," Selene said, hugging him.

"I'll miss you," he signed.

"I'll miss you, too," she said. Selene rose to a standing position and stepped up to the double doors. She raised her hand and knocked on them.

The doors creaked open, and a tall female elf stood in the entryway. "How may we be of service?" she asked.

"We are looking for Sister Katerine," Selene said.

"And who should I say is requesting to see her?" The woman narrowed her blue eyes and asked.

"Refugees of Eblar," Selene whispered, showing her the documents.

"I'm sorry," she said. "We thought Lady Nicole was coming," she said, stepping aside so they could enter.

"My lady decided to stay behind and sent me instead," Selene explained.

"I'm Sister Rose," she said.

Selene and Justin walked into the building and followed the young woman down a long hallway. They stopped in front of a wooden door.

"Sister Katerine, you have guests," she said, knocking on the door. They heard an older woman say, "Let them enter." Rose pushed open the door and stepped inside. Selene held Justin's small hand, and they entered the room.

"Come here, son," she said, motioning for him to come closer.

"It's alright," Selena said, glancing down at the boy, who held her hand tightly.

"I won't bite," the older woman said, standing up and extending out her hand.

Justin exhaled slowly, let go of Selene's hand, and stepped up to the oak desk.

"Hello, Sister," he signed. Katerine glanced at Selene with a puzzled look.

"What happened?" she asked.

"He hasn't spoken since he was separated from his mother," Selene explained.

"He will be loved and cared for here," the sister said. "Where will you be staying?" Rose asked.

"Outside of town," Selene said. "The organization has a safehouse I can use," she explained.

"Have his powers manifested yet?" Sister Katerine asked.

"No, ma'am," Selene said, shaking her head.

"I'd say in six or seven years, we should see a sign," Katerine said.

Katrine knelt down so she was at eye level with Justin and asked, "What should we call you from now on?"

"Colin," he signed.

"We have a deaf boy who also signs, so they should get along," Rose said.

"By the way, the captain, who brought us over, wants to keep tabs on the boy because he feels close to him," Selene said.

"That should be fine," Katerine said.

They arrived at a small room and entered it. "This is your room," Sister Katerine said. "The boys' bathroom is down the hall," she added. A tear ran down Colin's cheek when he faced Selene.

"Will I see you again, Nanna?" he signed.

"I'll visit every weekend, and you can come home on holidays," she said. He then started to cry.

"Don't cry," she said, wiping his eyes. "We'll get to see each other again," she promised. She needed to leave, and Selene knew this. She forced herself not to look back when the sobbing started in the room.

"I'll be back next week," she told Katerine and Rose before leaving.

Colin didn't bother unpacking his bag. He felt all alone in this strange place. His heart felt like it was going to burst. He laid on the bed and cried. Colin wasn't sure when the tears ended and when he fell asleep, but he woke up to a boy shaking his shoulder. "What do you want?" Colin signed in anger.

"Dinner is ready," the blonde signed. "I can show you where to go," he signed.

"Not hungry," Colin signed. The boy tapped his shoulder and signed, "If you don't eat now, you can't until breakfast,"

"Fine!" he said, signing, "I'll come."

He wanted to be left alone, but Colin couldn't admit that he was hungry. This strange boy seemed to be unaffected by his attitude. Every few steps, the blonde would glance back and smile at him. Colin stuffed his hands into his pockets and trudged behind the boy.

"Follow me," the boy signed, glancing at Colin. Colin followed him up to a counter where trays sat with food on them. "Go ahead, take one," he signed.

"What would you boys like to drink?" a lady behind the counter asked, signing the words.

"Milk," the blonde signed.

"And what would your friend like, Chad?" she asked, looking at Colin.

"OJ," Colin signed.

"Here you go," she signed, placing them on the trays.

Colin walked over to an empty table in the back of the room. Colin heard footsteps approaching the table as he sat down. He looked up to see the blonde smiling at him. He sighed in frustration and signed, "If you're going to follow me, sit down." The boy smiled, sat across from him, and began eating his dinner. Something about the boy helped him forget his problems, at least for a while.