I came to the realization that chapter 4 and 3 of this story are both equally 11.6 kb in size. What were the chances of that?
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The next few weeks are spent with Maria teaching Shadow a number of things, such as how to read and write. He learns these things pretty quickly and is able to write his own name within a matter of days. (As opposed to a normal human child who has to wait a few years before they can write their own name.) Maria wakes up early each day and meets up with Shadow, who is always ready to go spend the day with her. He listens to her every word carefully and he does his best to do what pleases her, even if he doesn`t fully understand all of the human habits.

Maria views their learning time as important for Shadow. The skills she teaches him certainly are normal skills that nearly every human knows how to do, such as writing. If they are to go to Earth one day, these things are necessary to know. But for Shadow and his still very young-set mind, he has a different view. Yes, he acknowledges it is important to learn these things. But he finds these learning sessions only interesting because they allow him to spend time with Maria. Being with her has brought him much joy.

He enjoys her company so much not only because she spends so much time with him, and not only because she was one of the first people he came in contact with. Another reason for finding her so enjoyable to be with is that apparently the rest of the scientists on the Arc do not view Shadow in the same way that Gerald or Maria do. Not that any of them outright mistreat him but they do not speak to him like they speak to other humans. To them, he is just an experiment, like an animal. So, Shadow keeps his interactions with Maria and Gerald for the most part as they are more open with him and treat him with just as much respect as they treat anyone else.

As Maria teaches Shadow about a lot of things, she discovers that he seems to be a pretty reserved type of individual. He doesn`t speak much, not from out of shyness really, but more so because he knows he will learn more if he`s quiet and at times he just doesn`t feel the need to say much. Something else she has noticed about Shadow`s speech, or lack thereof. She has noticed that he usually only talks with her and Gerald but also that his volume is quiet and not much emotion is put into his voice. He doesn`t even seem to express emotion facially either. Gerald has assured his granddaughter that Shadow does have emotions, but perhaps he just doesn`t want to show them for one reason or another? Perhaps there just has not been a situation that has forced him to show emotion? In Shadow`s defense, most of his time has been spent learning anyhow.

During their lunch, Maria tries to think of something else they could do that would be more relaxing than learning. Perhaps in such a situation, Shadow would be given a chance, and reason, to show some emotion. While she is having fun teaching things to Shadow, Maria isn`t sure that he is having as much fun as her. What would be fun for him? She would ask but he is still learning and may not know himself. Maybe if she introduces Shadow to things she finds fun, he would find something that he would find fun. Even though Shadow`s mind is developing rather quickly and speedily catching up to hers, it might be best to start off with something simple. Complex things like board games could be done a little later on in the future.

As Shadow and Maria walk down the hallway towards the living quarters, Maria gets an idea of what they could do that would be fun yet simple. She loves looking through the large window and viewing Earth from it. Perhaps Shadow would like it, too? He has displayed enough curiosity that it may do him well. She detours from the living quarters, which was their original destination, and Shadow follows behind her. His curiosity makes him wonder why she has changed course but he says nothing about the matter. He is sure that she has a reason.

They come to the empty room that Maria wanted to find. The automatic sliding door opens up to allow Maria and Shadow entry. Across from them is a window, which is sitting on the outside wall of the Arc. The window is huge, nearly covering the whole side of the wall. It gives a very open view of Earth, which is glowing beautifully back up to the Arc. The stars are visible as well, even the moon can be seen. The room itself has a certain feel to it, as though it gets very few visitors. It also feels calming, which may be another reason why Maria comes here so often.

Entering this room, Maria approaches the window and stands before it. She puts her hands behind her back and folds them together, looking down at the life-filled planet.

However, Shadow remains in the doorway of the room. He is in awe of the sight before him. When Maria gave him the tour of the Arc a few weeks ago, she did not show him this room. Just from the doorway, the sight the window holds is an amazing one. Shadow finally comes forward to get a closer look, stepping away from the door which slides itself shut behind him. He stands beside Maria and looks out the window, looking upon the planet before him. His arms just hang at his sides.

Out of the corner of her eye, Maria can see Shadow`s expression. She smiles. He is showing an emotion, one that of enthrallment. Her grandfather has really done it. He has successfully created life and had put real life into it with full functions as any normal human being. Maria turns her head to the side to get a better look of Shadow and his emotion. She can see the reflection of Earth in his deep red eyes. Maria smiles once more and asks Shadow,"Do you know what that is, Shadow?"

Upon hearing her sweet voice after such a long time of silence, Shadow immediately turns away from the view of Earth and looks at Maria. With the light of the planet Earth coming through the window, to Shadow, it seems as though Maria has a more heavenly glow about her. Maria tilts her head to the side slightly,"That is a planet, called Earth. We, on this Arc, are orbiting that planet."

She looks back at Earth as she continues her short explanation to the one giving her so much full attention,"Grandfather, and most of everyone else here, came from that planet."

Shadow then turns his view back on Earth. For a moment more, there is total silence in the room as Maria and Shadow continue looking at Earth. It seems as though the silence is mostly due to Shadow processing the new information, like he is giving it some deep thought. Surprisingly, it`s Shadow that breaks the silence,"And you, Maria?"

Not really expecting such a question from him, Maria turns her head and looks up at Shadow,"Me? No, I wasn`t born on Earth. I was born here on the Arc."

"Like me?"

Maria makes a nervous smile,"Mmm, something like that."

Looking on to this planet, Shadow finds that he does enjoy this activity, and it intrigued by Earth. He might ask more about it later on. But for now, he is just enjoying being in the presence of this angel of his. She is so patient and kind to him and quite gentle with everything she does. A wonderful girl.

After this pause of silence, Gerald`s voice sounds through the Arc`s PA system. He requests for Shadow to come to his office. Maria becomes a little sad. This means it`s time once again for Shadow to leave her to assist her grandfather with his work. It`s not even close to bedtime which is when he usually calls for Shadow. How unfair.

Sensing her unhappiness about him having to leave so soon, Shadow takes a hold of Maria`s hand with his. Maria notices this and looks up to Shadow once more questioningly. His face tells it all, or rather his eyes. His eyes seem to be telling her that it will be all right and that she should not be so unhappy. This makes Maria wonder. He does have emotions, yes, but is it that he expresses them through his eyes much more than his mouth or voice? He is definitely different and that makes him even more special, more so than because he was created instead of being born. Maria finally gives Shadow the smile that he has grown accustomed to seeing on her,"If you are finished early enough, before bedtime, you can come see me in my room. I can read another book to you."

For a quick moment, a small smile makes an appearance on Shadow`s face and then it disappears as though it was never there. Maria takes this to mean that he likes the idea.

Shadow releases Maria`s hand and he calmly exits the room through the automatic sliding door. Maria notices that he takes his time leaving the room. He must not want to leave so soon either. After he exits, the sliding door closes itself behind him, leaving Maria in the room to herself. Once he`s out of sight, Maria turns back to viewing Earth as it is one of her favourite things to do. She will spend more time in this room before she will finally retreat to her room in the sleeping quarters.

The time of day is unknown to Shadow as he walks down the hall after leaving Gerald. He has done what was needed to be done today to assist Gerald. A lot of studies have to be conducted on him before Gerald can actually begin using him to find a cure for Maria`s disease. Gerald told Shadow to get some rest but Shadow seems to be an insomniac. Shadow did not feel tired enough to sleep so Gerald gave Shadow some sleeping aids orally which should allow Shadow to fall asleep. Once Shadow reaches the border of the sleeping quarters, he can finally feel the effects of the sleeping aids finally starting to kick in.

He passes by each door as he travels down the hallway. It seems as though everyone else is asleep. Shadow begins to wonder if Maria is still awake or not. He continues on down the rows of doors until he comes to the one that leads to Maria`s room.

The doors in the sleeping quarters are different from the doors elsewhere in the Arc. They are sliding doors but not automatic. One would have to press a button to get the door to open and it will close automatically. However, the person inside the room would have to set the door to allow others to enter themselves or they want the door locked for privacy.

To his relief, when Shadow presses the button to Maria`s door, it slides open. Good, she has not locked it. The first thing he notices is how dark Maria`s room is. It is a disappointment. She must have gone to sleep already. He enters the room and the door slides shut behind him. Shadow was hoping that he could squeeze in some more time with her before she turned in for the night. But the work he did has taken too long and his time with Maria for today is cut down quite a bit. This knowledge brings Shadow more disappointment. Can`t he just spend all of his time with the sweet girl instead of always having to go off and do something else?

Each of these rooms in the sleeping quarters are just a single room with their own bathroom each. A bathroom is provided with each room for the obvious reason of there being so many people on the Arc and everyone having different schedules. Because of the fact that it`s just a bedroom, it does not take Shadow very long at all to locate Maria`s bed.

As expected, Shadow finds Maria in her bed, sleeping. She is laying on her side in a half-fetal position with the front of her body facing the door to her room. The blanket covers most of her but falls short of covering her shoulders. Luckily, the Arc`s temperature is maintained as a constant level so there is no worry of anyone getting too hot or cold. Her head is resting on top of one of her pillows. It looks as though she has been sleeping for a while.

The effects of the sleeping aids Gerald gave Shadow are coming on stronger now. His eye lids close half way as he watches Maria sleep. He quickly decides that he should sleep as well. Without really giving much thought as to what he is doing, Shadow climbs into Maria`s bed. This way, he can still be close to her. He moves slowly and carefully, not wanting to disturb his angel`s rest. He remains on top of the blankets and lays his head down in the valley of her waist. His left arm drapes over her thigh while his right hand rests on her ribs near her shoulder. Shadow dangles his feet, which are still in his hover shoes, over the edge of the bed. His eyes finally close all the way. He nuzzles his head into Maria`s waist a little more, gently. A soft sigh escapes him and he is asleep.

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