Whatever David had experienced at the square left his mind quickly. Everything fell back into the routine. 

Sitting in the kitchen while Ms. Derek cooked was the best place to keep warm. Even after dinner the room still retained some of its warmth. Mr. Derek seemed to agree. Today, though dinner wasn't ready, he was sitting next to David at the table. 

Ms. Derek finished moving the plates to the counter. "I need to head down to Diana's store to buy some ingredients. You guys can watch the stove, make sure the house doesn't burn down." 

Mr. Derek made an exaggerated annoyed face. "This boy is turning fourteen, and you're thinking of going shopping." Mr. Derek rubbed David's hair. 

David laughed. The best part of Fall was that they celebrated his birthday. David didn't understand why the humans made a huge show of it each year, but David enjoyed eating the cake Ms. Derek made. 

Ms. Derek rolled her eyes. "I suppose that it can wait."

David kept eye contact with his mother, his grin dropping slightly. "I was wondering if I could start learning to read and write. I guess, as a present."

Mr. Derek took his hand off David's head, leaning back in his chair. "I'll see if I can squeeze lessons in."

"Eh?" David turned to his adopted father. "You can read?"

Mr. Derek chuckled. "Yeah, it was part of my studies at the castle." 

"Studies at the castle?" David's eyes widened.

A smile appeared on Ms. Derek's face. She moved towards the table. Instead of sitting she just leaned on the back of one of the chairs, crossing her arms. 

David's adoptive father nodded. "Yeah, guess I never mentioned that." Mr. Derek clapped David on the back, "Anyway, my job got me enough money to buy the supplies for a cake this year."

Ms. Derek gasped and put a hand to her mouth, standing up straight. "Oh, not like all the other years at all." She couldn't hold back her laughter. David joined her, and Mr. Derek rubbed David's hair again. 

"You're getting all grown up, David." Mr. Derek nudged David's shoulder. "In a couple of years, I'll be able to take you to get a drink at the—" Mr. Derek cut off his own statement.

Losing her balance, Ms. Derek stumbled. Her eyes widened. She grabbed the edge of the table and sank to the floor.

"Mo— Ms. Derek." David rushed around the table to get to her side. Mr. Derek wasn't far behind. 

Ms. Derek was clutching her chest, clearly trying to breathe. She was breathing too quickly, not getting enough air. 

"Stay with her," Mr. Derek took in the situation. He rushed towards the front door. "I'll get a doctor. That quack better be in his office."

Ms. Derek's hand on the table fell. David grabbed her hand. "Mr. Derek will be back soon." 

Ms. Derek nodded, shutting her eyes. Her expression tensed. 

For the first time in a long time, David heard screaming.  Why was there so much screaming?

"He'll be back soon," David repeated, trying to drown out the screaming. 

Ms. Derek squeezed David's hand but didn't say anything. 

There was a part of David that cared about this woman as if she was his actual mother. She'd taken care of him, but it hadn't been long enough for it to mean anything... right? 

But... it felt like there was a part of David that did not care at all. There was a part of him that felt nothing seeing Ms. Derek suffering. Humans died every day. What was one more? A part of him that wanted to let go of her hand. 

David wasn't sure which side scared him more.