#utopia stories

They met as children. Mercy was an orphan with ADHD and lost her leg when she was only 4 or 5 due to a tragic factory accident involving unethical child labor and gross negligence, though eventually finding a loving home.

She met one Abel Devereaux, a non-verbal boy her age on the autism spectrum, when he was sent away from his emotionally abusive aristocratic family, to an Engineering apprenticeship due to his prodigal fluency with machinery, following an meltdown outburst deemed socially unacceptable by his family, as a way to get him out of the picture.

They become fast friends, Mercy eventually learns ASL to communicate with him, and he over time learns verbal speech. He builds her an array of advanced prosthetic legs (for different uses, i.e. running, biking, walking, etc.)

They become each other's first real friend. Mercy is very active and excitable and has a lot of interest in a vast array of things, and enjoys listening to Abel talk about the science of his inventions and whatever hobbies may crop up on the side.

Abel enjoys Mercy's company and enthusiasm, as well as her encouraging him to take steps outside of his comfort zone to try new things and experiences.