CHAPTER WARNING: The last part of the following chapter contains something that may or will probably anger some. Just so you know… I am completely against what I wrote happen toward the end and that's why I didn't make it as harsh as I could have.

Friday

Chapter 4

Just after dawn, the boat smuggling Tony and Gibbs into North Korea enters into the vicinity of the Kron-Printzen. The boat continues moving northward passed the ship. Tony and Gibbs each grab a pair of binoculars. From the stairs to get onto the deck, Tony and Gibbs look at the Kron-Printzen. They see armed Korean soldiers on the ship. Cal is up on the deck, sitting on a chair near the stairs to get inside of the boat. He points to a section of the ship.

"Do you see the man in the red hat?" Cal asked. "Since he's on the ship that means the slaves haven't been moved yet. He personally transports them to the trading camp."

There's a moment of silence as Tony and Gibbs continue looking at the ship.

"I'll save you if it's the last thing I do, Chioke. I won't rest until you're safe. I promise to save you." Tony said softly to himself as he lowers the binoculars. "Your name means; God's gift. You truly are that." He continues talking softly to himself as he wipes a single tear from his eye. "You came into my life unexpectedly. And I couldn't be happier. My life isn't complete without you in it."

"You should tell him that, Tony." Gibbs said in a caring tone of voice as he places his hand on Tony's shoulder. "When we get him back, you tell him exactly what you said just now."

The boat continues moving further and further away from the Kron-Printzen. For Tony, sadness set in with every little inch he moves further away from where Chioke is. He wants more than anything to rescue Chioke at this very moment, but it breaks his heart that he knows it can't happen just yet.

Inside the Kron-Printzen, while all of the other captives are sleeping, Chioke is awake. He's been awake for quite some time. He lies tucked in the woman's arms because it's cold in the storage room. The thoughts of Tony race through his mind. Chioke thinks about all of those times when Tony was there for him and how much he felt loved. He wipes the tears from his eyes. Chioke wishes and hopes Tony will save him. He tries to be optimistic about the current situation. But sadly, Chioke feels he believes in something that will never happen. As he wipes a couple more tears from his eyes, he tries to not think of Tony.

Abandonment quickly takes over Chioke's mind. He feels cheated. His heart breaks. Hate for Tony seeps in. Chioke pounds his little fist on the floor as he feels Tony may not have loved him as much as what he originally thought; especially since he hasn't been rescued. He tries to be tough, but the overwhelming urge to cry takes over his emotions. The tears trickle down his face. He begins to wish he never met Tony as his little heart remains hurting. He feels alone and unloved. Chioke finally comes to the conclusion that he has no family, which makes him cry even more.

An hour later, the boat smuggling Tony and Gibbs into the country is now docked at a small village to the north of the where Kron-Printzen is anchored off the coast. Cal and Igor move all of the equipment to the van. Tony and Gibbs remain on the boat until everything is packed in the van.

After a couple minutes, Cal enters inside of the boat.

"It's time to go." Cal stated as he motions for Tony and Gibbs. They cautiously follow him to the van.

The three men enter into the van. Cal is in the driver's seat. Tony and Gibbs are in the back lying down in order to keep out of sight. Igor is standing next to the driver's side.

"Be careful, my friend." Igor said.

"Thank you for your help." Cal said. He takes out some money and gives it to Igor as payment for transporting them into the country. "Take care of yourself."

"Good luck."

Cal puts the key into the ignition. The engine starts. He presses his foot on the accelerator pedal. The van is now in motion. Igor goes back to the boat. The van drives away.

Back on the Kron-Printzen, the door to the storage room swings open. A couple men enter into the room. They're carrying shackles. A couple guards stand watch as the other places the shackles onto the captives. The captives will now be transported to the trading camp where they'll be purchased from and ship out to new their new owners.

The slaves are escorted off the ship. As they walk through the area of the town from the ship to the transport truck, the surrounding people watch. The majority of them turn their heads to look away. Some of the people don't really care, just as long as it's not happening to them or their family. But most of the people feel sorry for the slaves. Though, they know they can't do anything about it.

Hours later, the transport truck enters into the trading camp. Tony, Gibbs and Cal are watching from a hill in the distance. Tony is watching through his binoculars as he sees Chioke step off the truck wearing shackles. He watches as one of the guards grabs Chioke. The expression on Chioke's face is that the man is hurting him. Without thinking, Tony tries to stand and advance forward. Gibbs grabs him.

"I can't leave him there. I have to rescue him." Tony said. He struggles with Gibbs for a couple seconds before Gibbs pins him to the ground.

"Don't fuck this up by doing something stupid." Gibbs stated. "Keep your head straight."

"I'm sorry. I saw the look on Chioke's face and…"

"That's a natural fatherly reaction to seeing your child hurt. Its worry and concern for him, and angry toward the person hurting him." Gibbs said. "We'll get him back, Tony." He assures him.

Chioke is brought to one of the huts as the rest of the captives are brought to the slave pen where they'll stay until they're purchased. Once inside the hut, the man sits Chioke on a chair next to a table. The shackles are taken off Chioke. Another man puts a plate full of food unto the table. He points to the food and yells at Chioke in Korean. Chioke moves toward the table. As Chioke is eating, he notices another man is gathering some food. He knows the food will be given to the others as it's just a small amount. When no one is looking, Chioke stuffs some food into his pockets.

After about twenty minutes, Chioke is escorted to the slave pen. The slave pen is basically an outdoor cage with a wooden roof and no real solid walls, so from every side it's susceptible to the elements. Upon approaching the pen, a man close-by notices a piece of food on the ground. He picks up the food and looks at it. He yells in Korean as the guards are about to put Chioke into the slave pen. The guards look down at Chioke as they're yelling. Chioke struggles with the guards. While struggling, Chioke tries to toss as much food to the others as he possible can. The food lands in front of the slave pen. The captives reach through the bars and grab the food. As they grab the food, one guard tries to strike at their hands with a club. Each of the slaves eats what they were able to get from what Chioke tossed to them.

Chioke is taken away. He's brought to one of the huts and punished by being hit with a thin, wooden cane. Chioke is only struck two times because he's worth more as uninjured as possible.

After receiving his punishment, Chioke is brought to the slave pen. The door to the cage is open. Chioke is pushed inside. The door is closed and locked. All of the captives approach Chioke and try their best to comfort him as he's crying.