I washed my hands, scrubbing off the imaginary dirt from how I was feeling on Hugo. Just the thought of a stranger made a twist in my stomach.It takes work for me to get used to men touching me. The men in my team had to avoid physical contact before I could claim they weren't a threat. I had to build trust in myself than in them.Now that I'm here in the restroom, it's time. I have to get rid of the guard to continue my search. I glance down at my watch with the red dot still blinking."It's below," I mumble. Is there another basement? I was scanning around this large fancy marble restroom with bright ass lights. I find an air vent at the end of the aisle of bathroom stalls.Crouching in front of it, I pull out my tools from my purse, and with a mini-screwdriver, I unscrew the nails. With the last screw, a loud bang made my head turn."Hey, are you done in there?" Robert yells on the other side of the door, making his voice bounce off the restroom walls.Shit!Putting my tool back
Scanning the dark surroundings, I can feel a movement in the corner. I slowly take each step.In the corner, I flash my light, curl up, and hide its face. I lean closer. A little girl reveals to me. She has dirt all over herself that I can't tell. The only thing I could tell was her eyes. They flash rich hazel color. She huddles herself, scared.I lower my gun and put it back in its holster, "Hey," I say quietly, not to scare her off. "I'm not here to hurt you.""W-who...who are you?" She asks, with a stutter. She's terrified."I'm someone who will get you out of here." I reach for her, but she pulls herself back."No!" She whispers, screaming. "If Mama Eva knows I'm gone, she will hurt me. She will hurt the others."She's talking about the other children that were brought here. Luckily, I'm not worried since Ghost is doing his job on the other end.I pull up a small smile. "Don't worry, a friend of mine will save them.""But...but..." she looks away and hugs her legs tight. "Mama Eva
I can hear the Order men closing in, and if they see one of their comrades dead and the other passed out, this whole side quest operation will end."O-okay," she whispers, and just as she takes my hand, footsteps are heard above us.I pulled Persephone behind me, pulled my gun out from my holster, and hid under the stairs."What the fuck?" An Order man shouts. "Who the fuck did this?"Heavy shoes creak the wooden floor above us as they survey the scene. While they are up there, I planned to get the both of us out alive. Fragile hands held onto my dress tight. I look down at Persephone with her eyes closed and her body shaking. It must be scary for her to trust a stranger like me to get her out. But I had no choice but to take it with me. I hold her with my free arm."Shit, check the perimeter. This fucker didn't get too far." says Order men one ordered. "Nestor, check the girl.""Man, why must I check the brat?" complains Nester."Just do it," says Order Man one and snaps at Nestor. "
"Are you just going to sit there and sulk all day?" I say to the oversized kid sitting across the room, glaring at me, and I can't help but laugh in my head.Since we arrived in Los Angeles, staying in one of Odin's summer homes, I had to put an innocent act in front of Seth. I had to change from the bloody dress I had worn, remove all my makeup, and it's right back to an XL T-shirt and sweats.Persephone looked at me oddly when she first witnessed me binding my chest. I had to inform her it's part of a persona of mine, and it needs to be kept a secret.The following day, after one of Odin's family doctors came to check on me, I read through the reports from Kendall. Seth came busting in like there was a fire, and he gave one look at me, and all hell went loose.He kept wailing and screaming about how stupid and reckless I was to go on a mission alone. Of course, it was my duty, and I also had some teammates with me. Seth had taken his eyes off me and glared at Ghost and Gunner. They
I stand in front of Persephone's room, wondering how she is doing. After Seth left to grab food, I decided to check on her.With my nose close to the dark oak door, I raise my hand and knock on the door. Once I hear her voice, I open, take a peek inside, and find her sitting on the bed with her back against the headboard and her knee up under her chin. The worried look in her eyes makes me want to hold her until there is no crest on her forehead.I never had this feeling before, not with all the kids I have rescued. Whenever I see Persephone, I want to keep her hidden from the world that would harm her. It's like some instinct. She and I just met, and suddenly, I want to protect her. The first time I see her in a critical state, although she is properly pampered, a special childlike Persephone is nothing but treated as an object. Eva will keep her until she is in good use. Just like me.I remembered the day I was adopted, and I felt special. It was my big day, and although I had to le
I stand in front of the room where Persephone is sleeping deeply.After our lunch meal, the three of us, Seth, Persephone, and I talked; we had Sebastian, one of the butlers, bring us some of the board games, and because Persephone was unfamiliar with them, she became a pro. She even beat Seth in his favorite board game - Monopoly.Persephone became so rich she made Seth lose lots of play money. He even whines and cries like a baby. He was sitting in the corner, feeling ashamed. We just laughed at him, which made him look at us with a glare on his defeated face, and we laughed even more challenging than our stomachs hurt.After a two-hour Monopoly game, Seth wants to regain his title but can't beat a thirteen-year-old girl.I watched how Persephone got used to us being around during that time. Before I met her, she was a scared child eager to escape hell. It didn't take long for her to trust me, but she did because I promised her I would. While she and Seth were getting closer, I took
"Stop slouching over there. The vibe in this room is feeling uncomfortable, Seth," I say through the tall mirror as I finish fixing my tie.Seth wasn't too happy I'd be leaving the state - again. After a few days of bed rest, I can finally continue my mission. He has been begging me not to go. After the talk about my job being too dangerous and risking my life. What can I do?The Order is still active, making children's lives miserable. Eve and her minions walk around the world as if they own it.I can't let the Order sully the world with their manipulation and belief."Seth, I don't like this attitude of yours." I was getting antsy. "Look at Persephone; she looks calm and not even complaining."I look at the child on my bed with an iPad in her lap and an Apple Pen that I had Kendall ordered for me. She is doing whatever on her new device and not paying attention to the adults in the room. I perk up a smile and glade Persephone acts like the teenager she's supposed to be.I was afraid
At that time, I became sensitive and stupid. Seth tried to help me, but I got mad at him because I'm a woman.A soft knock returns my senses from my mind as Gunner sticks his head. "What is it?""Cap, Ghost is on the phone with the Big Boss," he says. His expression tells me that something is wrong. Big Boss he is referring to is Odin.Am I in trouble or something?"Okay, what does it have to do with me?" I ask him, then look at Persephone and Seth's curious faces. "Why didn't he call me through my phone?"Gunner shrug. "I don't know, but he wants to talk to you."I nod and follow Gunner out of the room as he leads me to the office, where I find Ghost on the phone."Yes, sir," he replies and spots me. I close the door and stand next to him. "Yes, sir. She is here. Okay."Ghost hands me the phone and leaves the room. I place the voice in my ear and answer. "Sir?""Terry dear, how are you feeling?" Odin's voice is heard on the other end of the call."I'm fine, sir. I can still feel the