The children were led quite aggressively through a tight and vast corridor. A mysterious lady guided their backs and rushed them into a kitchen area where other children, all different ages, ate their meal. “Quickly, children! Everyone, please leave! We have new guests. They must be hungry, on your way!”

All stuffing down their food, they hurriedly took their plates and glasses. All dispersed at rapid speed as if they rehearsed it a thousand times, leaving only the lady and the duo.

Alice swung around and saw the young and spry woman holding her head high, and her shoulders straight back. Her face was pretty, and her hair was short, curly, and bright red. But the strange thing about her was she wore an eye patch over her right eye. Her clothes were simple and form-fitting. Studying the children, she tried to decipher if what they told her was true or not.

After gazing at them and considering them, she finally asked, “Children, where are you from? What are your names?”

The friends told her everything sharing with her their adventures so far.

When they finished the woman said, “Wow, what a story.”

“Do you believe us?” Alice asked.

“Of course, I believe you. It’s my job.” Alice and Max looked at each other and smiled, relieved that someone was on their side.

“My name is Miss Rose, it’s a pleasure to meet you children.”

“What is this place,” Max asked while he panned the room.

“This is a safe haven. This is where all the orphans around the City come to. It’s a safe place, for now.”

“It’s a huge place! What else is it used for?”

“Government officials and politicians use the building, but hidden inside the walls is where the secret lies.”

“No one knows we’re here,” Max asked.

“Oh, some know... like the Queen. I’ve made a deal with her. Knowing they have a crime and orphan problem in the City, I solve it by providing a place for displaced youngsters. They give me money and resources in exchange for doing this service. Do you follow?” The children nodded. “But they won’t know that you’re here. Don’t worry, children, I will never give you up to the authorities.”

She paused awhile.

“He’ll be looking for you two probably sooner than you think.”

“Who,” Alice asked.

“Rapture,” she said, shuddering at her own words. “Captain Rapture. He comes here from time to time searching for any illegals or criminals I might be hiding. He’s a cunning one. Don't underestimate him!” They felt chills running down their backs. Miss Rose sensed this as she pushed her red-haired bangs out her eyes, staring at them lovingly.

“Don’t be afraid, children. Have courage. I’m here to protect you and I won’t let anyone hurt you.” She smiled at them and they beamed back, feeling secure.

“Now, you must be hungry! What do you kids want? We have everything here!” She looked through the pantry and brought out meats and cheeses. She gave them plates and cups, spreads, and crackers. Donuts and cookies for dessert. Fruits and vegetables were all doled out and sliced and diced finely.

The children, starving at that point, thanked her and dug in.

After they finished Miss Rose situated them in their respective rooms. Alice on the girl’s side and Max on the boy’s. They each shared rooms with a few dozen children. It was just like the orphanage, feeling like home. It was comfortable to be back to a place where they were cared for but without the many regulations and rules of Miss Sweed’s orphanage. Without the hostile environment and the many fights and arguments that would break out, Alice and Max felt safe for once; it was bliss.

They started to make friends and started to laugh again. They would play for hours on end with their new friends. It was a sanctuary, a place where they could be kids again, but no place is cheap and no place is free.

The kids had only been there a week when Miss Rose talked to them privately. She told them the gist of things, how they would behave, and how they would make a living.

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“I’m sorry, but this is not a place for freeloaders, I wish this place was an orphanage, but it’s not. I let you get situated for a little bit, to let you catch your breath, but now it’s time to get to work.” The children were a little disappointed, but she had offered protection and seemed reasonable.

“I have a job for you Alice,” she said. Then she turned to Max, “And I have a special job that I think will work for you, Max,” she said smiling with delight.

Hearing she would work alongside Miss Rose to find other children on the streets, excited Alice, protecting them from the dangers of the City. Alice wasn’t the only one of the children who would do this. This was the job of all the girls in the haven.

Max would be working down in the factory district working alongside one of Miss Rose’s companions. He was to go down first thing in the morning to the factory where he would be working on flying ships. He would learn the trade and work diligently learning to build, maintain, and wash flying ships. Max was not excited, but if he was living in the haven, this is what it entailed as he surrendered willingly.

After their talks with Miss Rose at supper Max and Alice sat together as the entire table made a ruckus. Sitting alone in the corner, the two discussed what happened.

“I don’t like it here,” Max began.

“Really? I love it! Max, did you talk with Miss Rose?”

“Yeah…”

“Isn’t it exciting? I thought you would like it. I thought you missed the orphanage. It’s like what it was back home only better.”

“Alice, I would never want to go back there. I thought you wanted to see the City? Not be made to work. I don’t wanna work, I wanna play. I want to run and never look back. I don’t ever want to be told what to do again, but…”

“Oh, Max, I know it’s tough, but that’s what we need. I would rather not work either, but we’re safe now. We don’t have to worry about anyone chasing us anymore.”

“Is that what you think? Miss Rose said it herself. Rapture is going to find us and he’s probably not going to stop until he does.”

Alice looked away and saw the table across from them. Lily, her new friend, laughed as James across from her made juice come out of his nose.

James declared, “See, I’m the juice man!” Quickly, he stood up on his chair. Max smiled as he fumbled with a piece of cheese in his hands standing up with him.

“Oh yeah!” Max said. “Well, I’m the cheese man!” All the children cheered for him, pointing, whispering, and laughing in each other’s ears.

Suddenly, Max began to sing a little song that erupted from his lips.

“I’m the cheese man!” And the kids repeated back to him. “You’re the cheese man!”

“Look at these, man.” “Look at these, man!”

“Cause I’m the cheese man!” “Cause you’re the cheese man!”

“I’m the cheese man.” “You’re the cheese man.”

“Smoke some weed, man.” (The kids laughed at this.) “Smoke some weed, man.”

“Throw it down, stan.” “Throw it down, stan.”

“Cause I’m the cheese man!” “You’re the cheese man!”

It all ended with great laughter. Then Miss Rose called the supper to order.

“Oh, what fun! Children, attention. Listen up, please. Well, we do love to have you around, Max. You bring a great energy, so thank you!” She began to clap and the others joined in.

“And we cannot forget about our little Alice!” The whole table began to applaud while some boys drummed their fists on the table.

“Now that Alice and Max have been welcomed and feel at home, they are going to join us at work!” The table again became rowdy with applause. Blushing, they bowed their heads at the other kids.

“It’s going to be great to have two more sets of helping hands! We’re always excited to have new faces and can’t wait to gain more. That’s why we go and rescue those who are forgotten, right children?” They nodded. She smiled and continued to look at Alice and Max who were at the other end of the table.

“So, Alice and Max, welcome! Welcome to your haven. Welcome to your new home!” At that the children all applauded again and had a standing ovation. The two sat and soaked it in.

As they finished eating, all the children went to their proper rooms and got ready for bed.

Max lay in bed and processed everything that had occurred so far on their journey. Suddenly, his thoughts went back to Chance.

He couldn't help but think of this wretched man. His smile disturbed him and his voice haunted him even more. Closing his eyes, Max decided to put him out of his mind.

He hadn’t won. He couldn’t.

He was never going to win, but he was close. He had beaten Chance at his own game. But now felt invincible, a certain pride. It gnawed at him incessantly as he kept picturing himself standing over him with bloody hands. Looking down at his bloody hands and then down at his corpse, Chance sprang up, lunging at him. He shook Max violently, choking him.

“Are you happy now? Look at what you’ve done! You’re no hero,” he screamed relentlessly.

Max woke up, startled to death.

His heart raced like wild donkeys rampaging. He looked around the room, but nobody was there or awake in the humongous bunk bed boy’s room. Lying back down, he tried to get some shut-eye, but couldn’t. He lay awake for some hours.

Alice looked at the ceiling and thought about her father. He had smooth hands but his veins bulged out on the back of his hand that she used to poke gently. One vein would dissolve in the skin and would pop back up. She remembered how he would flinch sometimes if she pressed down too hard. He jerked back and said softly, “No, that's too rough. Be more gentle, Alice.” Then he would grin, warm and bright as she in turn beamed back.

“Alice? What are you thinking about?” Lily asked, who was on the bottom bunk.

Alice smiled, “My dad.”

“Oh, that’s nice. You remember him?”

“Yes.” She thought tenderly of him.

“I wish I remembered my parents... I wish I had memories.” This crushed Alice’s heart. She leaned over the ledge of her bed and looked at Lily. “Well, what if I give you my memories?”

“How can you do that?”

“Easy. I’ll just describe to you what I remember and you can picture yourself in that scene.” Lily liked that idea.

“OK.”

They both smiled at each other excited about their new friendship. She threw her head back on the pillow and began to tell Lily about her father, everything she could remember. Lily after a while fell asleep and shortly after Alice fell as well into a deep sleep.