Maxine had never been lost before. She'd been delayed, sometimes on purpose when she tested The City, but she had never actually been lost if one didn't count her arrival. If actions were any indication The City was always careful with the child, if only because there were adults that would panic if something happened to her.
But even The City couldn't resist throwing Maxine into an unpredictable situation at least once. So instead of coming home after school, she found herself walking. Maxine didn't recognize the streets or the shops. She wasn't panicked yet, but the more tired she became the closer she was to crying.
The City's people were nice but they weren't very good at helping. Maxine needed someone who could help her. Logan stood out immediately.
"Hi. Do you have a phone? I don't have a phone because I'm not old enough yet. I need to call my guardians."
She exhaled loudly. Trying to keep her wits took a surprising amount of emotional and mental effort of a young child.
"Did you break all your bones and that's why they're all covered up now?" Maxine couldn't tell that they were metal, only that there was something not red about him. "My guardian Wash crashed his shuttle and he broke a lot of bones, too. When he stays out all night, he's always grumpy the next morning."