It was a few months after the escape. Young Max's current location was a nice little city. Billings, Montana to be exact.
The place of residence was an orphanage. Max's plan was to move through the city and continue moving away from
Manticore. But the city's Social Service committee saw a wandering child unfit and a bad image for their city. They placed
her in an orphanage. She decided to use its refuge for the time being. Mainly to relax, store up some energy before
moving on. Though it didn't turn out like that. A few days later, a family saw Max and wished to give her a proper home
with care. So Max went with them. Her young mind eager to know everything about this new world she was now in.

(~~**END INTRO**~~)
 

Max's first day with this new family was spent with her in the room she shared with Stephanie, the family's real child.
Stephanie was the same age as Max, only older by a few months. Darlene was the mother. She was a schoolteacher.
Darlene taught in the same school that her daughter, Stephanie, attended. Richard was the father. A real Mr. Fix-It, he
was the top mechanic. Both Darlene and Richard were well known and well respected in their community.

Max was deep in thought, when Darlene came up to call her down to dinner.

"C'mon, Max. Your dinner will get cold." Darlene spoke with the utmost of care.

Max looked up at the woman and then followed her down the flight of stairs, to the kitchen. Richard and Stephanie were
already digging into the various side dishes of tonights meal. Max silently took her seat beside Stephanie.

Darlene spoke as she poured her drink, "Would you like to do some shopping after dinner, Max?"

Max was holding up her plate as Darlene was placing some corn on the plate. Max nodded yes as she watched Richard
pass out breadsticks to everyone.

And soon dinner was over and everyone had their fill. Darlene got up to clear the table. Richard and Stephanie gathered
themselves in front of the television. Max watched as everyone went into separate rooms. The clanging of the dishes
from the kitchen caught Max's attention.

Darlene was scrubbing a pot when Max entered, "Hi, Max, why don't you and Stephanie go play a bit? I'll be finished and
then we can go."

Instead, Max walked over and grabbed a plate from the sink and began scrubbing it in the fashion as she saw Darlene.

Darlene smiled and commented, "If you wanted to help, you could have just said so!"
She grabbed a few glasses and put them in the correct shelf.

With Max's help, they finished the dishes. "Ok, Max, let's go out for a while."

Darlene helped Max put her jacket on, before doing her own. Stephanie noticed the hustle by the front door. "Can I
come too?"

Darlene smiled, "Sure, honey, get your coat on."

Stephanie excitedly put her coat on as they said goodbye to Richard.

They all packed into the car and were off to the mall. Stephanie was excitedly going on about the various stores she
wanted to visit. Max keenly watched the streets. Darlene noticed, "Whatcha lookin for hon?"

Max's response to was to shrug and gaze elsewhere. Though Darlene's concern had caused her to run a red light and
catch the attention of a policeman.

The sirens and the flashing lights startled and terrified Max. She visibly shook with fear as Darlene pulled to the side of
the road. And Darlene's soothing words were no help to Max.

Max fearfully watched as the policeman strolled over to Darlene's window and she rolled it down. "What's the problem,
officer?" Darlene smiled prettily.

The officer leaned over, "Did you notice the light going red, ma'am?" He then noticed Max. "Scared the kid awfully good
by doin that."

Darlene glanced at Max, "It's ok Max. I just made an error." She handed the officer her drivers' license and car id as he
requested. The officer took the items back with him to the car and Max watched, frozen with fear.

Moments later the officer returned the license and id to Darlene and let her off with a warning. Before returning to his
car, the officer to a real good look at Max, "You take care now." He tipped his hat and walked away.

Moments later they were off and driving towards the mall, soon after, they arrived. Max was calmed finally, but
continued to observe all surroundings. Stephanie agreed to let Darlene choose the first store.

They arrived at the woman's department. Darlene found a spot for Stephanie and Max to sit and wait. Though, as soon
as Darlene's back was turned, Max signaled for Stephanie to follow her.

"Where are we goin, Max?" Stephanie impatiently asked.

Max immediately turned to hush her, and quickly glanced to check Darlene's location. Once satisfied, Max continued on
with Stephanie tagging along. They weaved around clothing racks, past a dressing room, carefully avoiding other
shoppers.

Suddenly Max stopped in her tracks, causing Stephanie to collide with her. Stephanie noticed what Max was looking at. A
security guard was strolling their way. Instantly Max darted into an obstructed aisle and was about to get Stephanie's
attention to join her when the guard walked up to Stephanie.

"Are you lost little girl?" He said concerningly.

Stephanie nodded, "No. Me and my sister are just playing."

The guard glanced around Stephanie, "Your sister?"

"Yeah. She's right here." Stephanie frowned upon seein that Max wasn't next to her. "She was here."

"Maybe she is nearby." The guard walked around the immediate area. He noticed Max, startling her. "C'mon out of
there." He said holding out his hand.

Instead of coming out calmly, Max bolted out of her spot, pushing the guard down. Max grabbed Stephanie's hand and
headed back the way they came. The guard got up a few seconds later and charged after them. The children soon
collided with Darlene, with the guard catching up to them minutes after.

"What is going on here?" Darlene's was startled.

Now caught up to them, but out of breath, the guard angrily spoke, "That little one is a trouble maker....knocking things
over, running in a store, and disrespecting a guard."

Darlene gasped and looked at Max, "Max?"

"I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave, ma'am." The guard took a few breaths, "Maybe come back without
these two."
 

Once in the car, Darlene turned to Max, "I thought I told you to stay put."

Stephanie chimed in, "But mom....it was-"

Darlene threw her hand up, "I don't want to hear it....you two are grounded for two weeks." The drive home was in
silence.
 

Later that night, when both children were asleep, Darlene and Richard were discussing Max's strange behavior.
Meanwhile, upstairs, Max couldn't sleep. So she crept out of the bedroom. She heard the voices and crept to the edge of
the stairs.

"I've never seen a child so terrified of a policeman before, Richard." Darlene commented, shaking her head in disgust.
"And she has yet to utter a single word."

Richard nodded to all of Darlene's comments, "Maybe there is some psychological damage inflicted upon this child from
her previous guardians."

Darlene gasped, "Are you saying that she is mentally disturbed?"

Richard frowned, "I didn't say that." He sighed, "First thing in the morning well take her to a doctor. OK?"

Darlene nodded and both got up to head to bed. They both noticed that Max was standing in the entryway. Darlene
noticed a steadfast look on Max and she turned to Richard.

"Go on back to bed, Max." Richard sternly spoke. Max didn't move. "NOW, before I extend your grounding!" Richard spat
out pointing the direction to go. Max sulkily turned and went back to the bedroom.

~~**++**~~
to be continued