The Invasion of Adam (Tork and Adam Book 2) by Claire Davis, Al Stewart Page A

abandoned origami models had grown damp and collapsed, but the tinfoil star still stood proudly. “That star. See?”
    Adam peered sidelong at Tork, his lips twitching. Not exactly a smile, but near enough.
    “I saw you once, outside the shelter, singing Christmas songs. A year ago, now. You were in a very bad mood and probably singing swear words.”
    Now Adam was definitely smiling.
    “It made me think of a star, with bad attitude. See how its corners all turn at different angles? It is saying, ‘Yes, I have to be here shining, but I don’t like it. I am bright and beautiful, but fuck you all.’ That star is going on the top of our Christmas tree.”
    Now Adam was laughing, his wide mouth cracking open and his dark blue eyes gleaming. “Whatever, dude. Get the crappy star and let’s get out of here.” But he was pleased, picking up the star and gently cradling it in his hand. “What about those?” he asked, pointing at what was left of the models.
    “Let’s just go, and never come here again,” Tork whispered, wanting to get Adam home. “Just rubbish, and we don’t need them.”
    They left together, but at the last minute, Tork saw Adam scoop up the old shapes and hide them in his bag.

* * *

Awakening
    From an eternal feeling winter
    to a glorious spring you take me.
    Burnt down by brilliant wildfire.
     
     
    Kaarina Luoto
    * * *

Chapter One…
Ten Months Previously
Tork
    He kept away from the other young people in the flats, but it was Monday morning, which meant the dreaded ‘Community Meeting’. Every week, they had to assemble together in the main building and supposedly talk about community matters—antisocial behaviour, life skills, and other terrifying-sounding concepts that made Tork’s heart race.
    At first, he didn’t have to go, but after a few weeks, his integration worker decided he was ready to face all the other young people who lived in the Citywise supported housing complex.
    And here he was, slinking at the back, like always. Of course, it was useful to know about drug taking and kitchen hygiene, but what he yearned to be doing was the real day’s task—reading and analysing the next four chapters of the hefty book on his bed. But thankfully his ungrateful thoughts were interrupted by one of the staff.
    “Does anyone have any community concerns this week?”
    Tork thought about pollution and the small patch of spring flowers beginning to bloom outside his flat. He was extremely worried about the welfare of the stray kitten who sat outside his window on the fire escape, but did that count as a community concern?
    “Yeah, I’m fucking sick of you idiots throwing up on my doorstep. Piss off and do it somewhere else,” one of the girls said, looking around at the room, challenging.
    “Thank you, Kirsty. Anyone want to answer that one?” the worker, Alex, asked, reasonable as ever.
    “It’s always Kevin,” a boy shouted. The rise in his voice made Tork long to edge away towards the door, slip through and escape.
    But he had to try. They had already given him so much, and now, here, he was living his dream. He had warmth and safety, a shower twice a day. Community matters were as much his responsibility as everyone else’s.
    “Fuck off!” another boy, presumably Kevin, spat, but his voice lacked conviction. Tork had seen him too, staggering around every night, with eyes like doom.
    “Kevin, thank you for owning up,” Alex said brightly. “We have group rules about alcohol, which everyone signed. Come and see me later for a chat. Anything else anyone wants to bring up before we look at how to open a bank account?”
    “The rent’s too high.”
    “You’re ripping us off!”
    Their complaints were indecipherable to Tork. It was a supported housing project for young people in distress. People like himself. He watched Alex patiently explain again why she had no control over the rent.
    Out of the corner of his eye, outside the window towards the bushes, the flowers were