The world was full of wonder, sunshine, and new words the young xero was just beginning to understand. Blinking at her classmates, X-185 knew today could be the day she was assigned a foster family. She had lived at ARC labs just long enough to watch others find their homes, and though her time here had been short, she anxiously awaited whomever might call her number forward. Typically, assignments were given on the first day of the week. Two cycles had passed since X-185 knew of the traditio...