The Silent Watch

Mariza sat cross-legged on the window seat of the giant house's third floor, her single visible eye watching the courtyard below. The worn leather of her pirate jacket creaked as she shifted. Her turquoise-streaked brown hair fell across her shoulder as she observed the other kids gathering for morning chores.

"Hey, patch girl!" called Jake from below. "Come help with breakfast!"

She didn't answer. She never did much talking these days.

A commotion near the front gate caught her attention. Ava, their group leader, was walking toward the house with someone new—a boy about her age with messy dark hair and clothes that looked like he'd been traveling for days. His shoulders hunched forward as if he expected trouble.

The other kids stopped their work to stare. Mariza could see the suspicious looks on their faces already. New kids always faced the same cold welcome here.

But something about this boy's careful, watchful movements reminded her of herself.

The Unwelcome Table

Mariza climbed down from her perch and walked through the hall. The floorboards creaked under her boots as she headed toward the kitchen where voices grew louder.

"I don't trust him," Jake was saying to a cluster of older kids. "Did you see those clothes? He looks like trouble."

"Ava shouldn't have brought another mouth to feed," added Sarah, crossing her arms.

Through the doorway, Mariza spotted the new boy sitting alone at the far end of the long wooden table. His dark hair fell over his eyes as he stared at the untouched bowl of oatmeal in front of him. His shoulders remained hunched, like he was trying to disappear.

The other kids continued their whispered complaints, but none approached him.

Mariza walked past the gossiping group and sat across from the newcomer. She slid her own bowl toward him without a word.

He looked up, surprised. "I'm Max," he said quietly.

She nodded once. "Mariza."

Max's expression softened slightly. "Thanks."

From across the room, Jake scoffed loudly. "Great, now patch girl's making friends with the stray."