Part One
*Maddie’s POV*
“Ms. Reintag”
I turn over in my bed, my eyes squeezing shut.
“Ms. Reintag”
My eyes slowly open, turning into slits when I realize it’s my annoying doorbell. I could have sworn I muted that thing.
I throw back the covers and pad over to the door, fixing my duck pajama pants and white shirt as I go. I open the door to find a scrawny maybe 8 year old boy.
“What do you want?” I snap at the blonde.
“I-I was sent to tell you that He has requested to see you at noon,” he mumbles.
“Who?” I rub my eyes, adjusting to the brightness outside.
“H-Him,” the boy says again. “Our Friend.”
“Oh,” I say, now knowing who he’s referring to. Why in the world would He want me? The boy stands as if begging to be shooed out of my porch. I think about grabbing a rolled up magazine but instead I do the opposite.
“Since you woke me up, do you want to come in? Maybe some coffee?” I take in his small appearance “Maybe some apple juice instead?” I smile and he returns one.
“Sure,” he says, moving towards my door but not going in until having a glance behind his back to make sure no one is watching.
“So what do you want to eat?” I ask, opening the cabinets. The boy stares at me blankly. “What do you usually eat?” I ask again, looking into the fridge.
“J-just some Cheerios,” he says. “Gran usually doesn’t like to give me sugary things.”
“How old are you again?” I ask, reaching into the freezer for some frozen pancakes and put them in the microwave.
“Eleven,” he says.
“How long you been here?”
“Oh almost a year now.” I take the plate out and drizzle some syrup on them before handing them to the kid, which he accepts and starts to eat without a blink of an eye. I sit down across from him at my table.
“So what’s your name?” I ask.
“Harry. Yours?” The kid flicks some of his red curls out of his eyes.
“Maddie,” I say, sipping some orange juice.
“Oh my sister’s friend is named Maddie too. I never met her but my sister had described her as a very nice person,” he hesitates “I guess.” I can’t help but laugh at this stranger who showed up at my door not twenty minutes ago and is now eating pancakes at my kitchen table.
