Chapter 37: She Knew Kids

Maggie didn't want to be smug, but that's how she was feeling. These were tough kids, but kids at heart. She knew how to deal with them. Better than Kel. It might have turned into a pissing contest if she hadn't stepped in.

They followed the tall boy through a side door of what was probably once a warehouse. New ones had been built elsewhere and these hadn't gone through what would eventually be gentrification. They would be turned into trendy loft apartments the size of a closet, but those right out of college would clamor to rent.

These kids would be ousted out of here. She wanted to find them all homes. Why had the system failed them?

Inside, boys and girls lay around in sleeping bags, both real and makeshift ones. The place stunk of body odor and weed. It all wrinkled Maggie's nose. She'd never seen such squalor. Phones lit up the place where rigged up twinkle lights didn't reach.

"Someone's got some talent," Kel said. "They've connected to the grid without anyone else's help."