The young girl, Deepti, was surprisingly resilient. Maddie could see hurt in her eyes, but at the same time there was fortitude and strength, a silent storm that doesn’t go away. Deepti kind of reminded Maddie of herself when she was younger, but this girl was more polite whereas when Maddie was young she had a sharp and often relentless tongue. She figured that since she was acting this way the previous slow child talk is no longer necessary. “There’s another boy in the next room. See if he needs help and try to bring him outside. I’ll care the prickly one”. It was somewhat odd treating someone much younger than her like an adult, but Maddie to. There was no time for baby talk. For the unforeseen time they had to be adults even if they don’t to. Being a child was not something they could afford anymore. The one that spooked Deepti, Maddie assumed was the Saito boy. Prior to being frozen she was given a rough idea on how the kids have lived and how they are as people and the other boy, Simon was the quiet type whereas Saito was a bit more abrasive. Using that knowledge Maddie went ahead and removed most of the pleasantries in her tone when she approached the Nijinsky boy. She stood by the doorframe and told the kid as mercilessly and commanding as she could. “Saito Nijinsky I presume? MY name’s Maddie Bates.” Maddie could have been nicer to the young man, but being nice and pleasant flew out the window ages ago. “Are you feeling okay? If you are you should grab your stuff and go outside. The fresh air will do your stiff body some good. We have a lot of talking to do” --- The unfamiliar voice was a bit of a shock. Her appearance was even more of a shock. The small town Simon grew up in pretty much isolated him from cultures beyond the White Anglos Saxon People so it was a surprise that the first face she encountered on this journey was that of a little Indian girl. She was small, adorable, but had a weather looked to her face. She talked fast, but gentle, had very little trace of an accent, and she spoke like an educated woman. These wear good signs. The sight of a human being definitely calmed him down. The fear of being left alone was a tortuous feeling that crippled Simon’s mind, but this girl blew that fear right out of the water. “I’m fine. Thanks for asking.?” He was never good with people, but children were different. They were often honest and didn’t play mind games with Simon. “I’m sorry to hear that you’re not okay, but you’re right I guess that means things get better.” Truthfully Simon didn’t believe that. He believed that things never get too bad, but rarely get any good, always just okay and more so crushingly okay, but she didn’t need to know that. Once he heard about the woman who had information, Simon got scared a bit. People with power and knowledge meant that they had the upper hand. If this woman did know something they didn’t that meant she could what she wants. “Is that so?” Simon said. “I’ll come with you then. Let me just grab my stuff here.” He told her making sure to keep an eye for her. He closed the bag and put it on himself with relative ease. “Hmmm it’s a perfect fit.” He told himself. “Shall we go?” Simon said with a forced smile. --- Summer’s been called ma’am many times before. There were those that worked in their house, his father’s associates, and people who knew of her status. For most of her life being called a ma’am was good thing until they had to move into the streets. The kids in her new school teased her with ma’am as well given that she acted like one. The word ma’am used to mean something good to her, but every time she heard it now all she could think off where those bitchy (excuse the term) girls and the douche bags (excuse her language) who picked on her day in and day out. It is for this very reason that Summer was surprised and then ticked off when she was being called ma’am with such a sassy tone while out in the open sea. “Excuse me?” She said to the female who called her ma’am. “I’m too young to be called a ma’am, a nurse or a PA, whatever that is. And no way in hell am I a stay at home mother I’m like sixteen how could I have kid so young.” When she turned around to face the woman she followed with “Ma’am.” Summer nothing off it of course. She was just trying to be fun unaware of how her words and tone really made her sound. After speaking her rather honest words Summer immediately noticed the two men behind the woman. One of the men was Alex, the tattooed guy who helped her out of the cage and the other man who had vomit on his face. “Ewww” Summer exclaimed, but she wasn’t worried or sickened by the view. She knew how it felt to be on the receiving end of one of those situations. “I’m not a doctor, but the guy’s probably sea sick. Most people who’ve never been in the middle of the ocean get it.” -- Watching the young woman leave left Alex kind of confused, but at the same time kind of red in the face. She was quite something and even though they’ve only just met Alex could tell what kind of woman Cherry was. Alex giggled at his new nickname Mr. Clueless. It certainly did fit him seeing as he was a clueless man in many aspects, but he thought nothing of it. He’s never been up front with girls always the shy type with them really which is why he never got to say anything witty or funny to her before she left. It wasn’t that he couldn’t follow up on the conversation later, but the moment would have already been lost. The guy wasn’t all that heavy, but to be fair Alex was a fairly athletic young man so that made huge difference. Cherry looked like she was in shape as well, but anatomy made a huge difference. He was no physician, but he’d studied enough naked bodies and anatomical figures for work and pleasure that he knew well enough on how different the male and female bodies can be. Carrying Mr. Friendly was an easy task for Alex which is how he got to the end of Cherry and Summer’s, what appears to be an introduction. “Ladies” He introduced himself with a smile as he gently dropped Friendly on the ground. “Got any ideas what’s wrong with him?” Alex got his answer from the Summer girl who looked okay now. “Sea sick huh?” It explained a lot since some people are just not naturally good with water. Alex was lucky enough that he grew up in California so the beach and the ocean were familiar to him. “Ummm put him on his side so he doesn’t throw up. All over himself and drown in his vomit. Other than that there’s nothing we can really do since he’s asleep.” Summer told them. Alex, surprised at the familiar tone on the girl’s voice who was just panicking moment before did as he was told. The guy was easy to roll to his side on the smooth surface of the raft. “Well that’s that.” He looked at the unconscious man who was looking sicker than ever when he focused on his attention on the two girls. “So…” It was time to face the music he supposed. “Ideas?’