Axel heard the patter of approaching boots on the sidewalk; someone light, a woman or child. He didn't bother to shift his attention from the water until a lilting voice asked where she was.
He turned his head and saw a young girl in winter clothing, blonde hair darkened by the rain, clinging to a face that was pale and gamine. Very young-looking, possibly adolescent. Huge blue eyes blinked up at him. She looked harmless, but very few Gifted actually were.
"You're in the North District," he said, looking down his nose at her. "How do you not know where you are?"
He tipped his head slightly, full mouth pursing a moment. Ah. Given her youth, she might possibly be one of the "rescued" brought in to "civilize." Preposterous. Stealing someone from their family was hardly likely to make them grateful, to craft them into ideal Haven subjects. He understood the need to occasionally bring in fresh blood (he was certain it wasn't for humanitarian ideals), but ripping someone from the arms of their family seemed both cruel and counterproductive.