A/N: Inspiration for the chapter, 'You'll Be in my Heart' by Phil Collins: http (colon(backslash, backslash) www. youtube. com (colon) watch ?v(equals)(underscore) aPXqrGoR1M

Chapter 8

As Kristin made her way back down the stairs, she heard a small commotion coming from the play area, a happy commotion. Kristin stood in the doorway, and saw Malique, Cynthia, and Maggie playing a rousing game of Twister with the children there. Kristin couldn't help but laugh when Cynthia looked up and saw her.

"You should join us, Mom."

Kristin continued laughing and shook her head. "No, it looks like there isn't much room for me. Besides, my body doesn't bend as easily anymore...at least not that way." She was referring to the fact that her daughter was in a full back-bend with her both her arms and legs crossed as they were on different colors.

This caused Cynthia to laugh. "Well, we're almost finished I think," Cynthia said as one of the children called out, "Left hand blue."

Cynthia rolled her eyes slightly, wondering how she was going to twist her hand from one side of the board to the other. But, she didn't have to wonder any longer since she fell and was out of the game. "Sorry, guys," she said, "but you'll have to let me know who wins." Then she glanced at the clock, "Just a reminder, there's about a half hour until we have to leave for a while." The children were used to this as this was an everyday occurrence. And, they'd successfully managed the charade for several months now without Mangos or his cronies discovering their presence.

Kristin motioned her daughter over to her, and they walked into the lobby area. "Can I speak with you?"

"This sounds serious," Cynthia said. "Is there a problem?"

"Not exactly, but I wanted to ask what you knew about Harry and Kristen," Kristin asked.

Cynthia smiled. "You're getting quite attached to them, aren't you?" Then, she sighed. "Unfortunately, there isn't much to tell. All I know is this: their father is non-existent. I'm not sure if their mother even knew who the father was. Anyway, Mia told me their mother had dropped them off here a year ago. Apparently, she was terminally ill. I can't remember exactly what illness she had...possibly AIDS. She died a few months later. There are no other known relatives, no one to take the children in, so they remain here. Anyway, shortly after that, as if the children hadn't been through enough, Harry was diagnosed with leukemia. He's been in and out of the hospital since."

"Is he terminal?" Kristin asked quietly.

"I'm not sure. He seems to think he is, but I don't know for sure what the doctors or Mangos tell him."

Kristin nodded sadly. But she gave her daughter a small, reassuring smile shortly thereafter. "Well, hopefully, we'll find all the children new homes soon."

They were interrupted by some more loud laughing from the play area. They walked in to see what was going on and saw the children laughing and cheering. "Malique won, Malique won."

"Way to go, champ," Cynthia said as Malique walked into the lobby.

"Thanks," he said with a smile. Then, Maggie announced, "Alright, gang, we better hurry and clean up."

They all worked quickly to clean up the play area.

"Well," Cynthia said, "you know what time it is."

She was met with a chorus of disappointed groans from the children.

"We'll be back later," Maggie reassured them.

Cynthia turned to Kristin. "Let's go."

Kristin followed her out. "You go through this everyday?"

"Well, when we're here at this time, yes. And, it's worked so far."

"Where do you go?" Kristin asked.

"Well, are you hungry?" Cynthia asked.

A short time later, they were sitting in a small cafe and ordering lunch. Malique and Maggie opted not to join them, so it was just the two of them.

"So, what do you know about the other men who help Mangos?" Kristin asked.

"You don't want to talk about much else, do you?"

"Forgive me, but I want to understand."

"I know; it's a lot to take in, isn't it? Well, he's supposed to have people working for him all over the island, but the ones that come to the orphanage are Jacob McKenzie and Kevin Psilinakis."

Kristin nodded knowingly, remembering little Kristen's words, even though she had put her own child-like spin on the names. "Are they kind to the children?"

"Well, as kind as two burly, weapon toting, drug dealers can be," Cynthia said sarcastically. Then she said, "The children never tell me otherwise. They come and feed the children, for the most part."

"And, how long do they normally stay with them?"

"An hour at the most, sometimes a little more. Why?"

"I was just wondering."

"Everything's going to be fine, Mom. We're going to help them, and they won't have to deal with them anymore," Cynthia said, trying to reassure her. She had to admit, she was a little surprised at the interest her mother took in the children. Sure, she knew she'd want to help, but she couldn't help notice how protective Kristin had become in the few short days she'd been there.

Kristin nodded. "I know."

At that moment, their meals had arrived, and the two ate while exchanging smalltalk about the children. After their meal, they continued the conversation until the time came where it was safe enough to return to the orphanage.

Upon their return, they stopped to talk with General Thomas for a few moments.

"Doctor, Cynthia," General Thomas said.

"Hello," both Kristin and Cynthia greeted him.

"Is it safe to go in?"

General Thomas nodded. "Yes, Mr. McKenzie left about twenty minutes ago." However, his voice had a hesitant tone, as though he knew something he didn't want to reveal.

"Is something wrong?" Kristin asked.

"Well, he didn't leave alone."

Cynthia nodded knowingly. She turned to Kristin, who seemed confused. "Sometimes, he takes some of the children with him, especially when they decided they need more 'workers'."

"After today, we aren't going to hesitate any longer. If it's true what you say about them coming at the same time everyday, then we should be able to do this tomorrow. Do you think that's OK?"

"Of course," Cynthia answered. "We can have everyone meet at my condo tonight to work out final details."

"That'd be fine," General Thomas answered. "We'll see you later."

"Thank you, General," Kristin and Cynthia muttered as they walked across the street to the orphanage.

"So, there may be some missing children then?" Kristin asked before they entered.

"Yeah, we're kind of used to it by now. You won't be too upset, will you?"

Kristin sighed and answered honestly, "It depends on whom they've taken."

As soon as they got inside, Kristin headed upstairs to check on 'her angels', but she was surprised by what she saw.

Little Kristen was sitting on the bed alone and sobbing quietly. Kristin immediately sat down next to her and pulled her into her arms.

"What's the matter, Sweetheart?" she asked quietly as she rubbed her back and tried to calm her down.

Through sobs, little Kristen replied, "Mr. 'Kenzie...he, he...took...Harry! He said...he said...he wants...to get...some use...out of him before...he dies!"


After calming Kristen down, Kristin said, "Wait here, Sweetheart. I'll be right back."

But as Kristin turned, little Kristen grabbed Kristin's waist tightly. "Please don't leave me too."

Kristin gently removed the girl's hands from her waist and knelt down before her. "I promise I'm not leaving you, alright? I'm just going go downstairs for a minute and talk to Miss Cynthia. Do you trust me to come right back?"

Little Kristen nodded.

"Good," Kristin said. She gave the girl a gentle hug and kiss and handed her a book off the shelf. "Why don't you take a look at this until I get back, hm?"

"OK," the girl replied.

Kristin lingered in the doorway for a few extra seconds to be sure the girl would be alright before she hurried downstairs.

"Cynthia!" Kristin called as she reached the lobby.

Upon hearing her mother's voice, Cynthia popped her head out of the doorway of the play area. "Mom? What's wrong?"

"It's Harry. They've taken Harry," Kristin said, nearly in tears herself. "He's sick; he shouldn't be out there."

"Mom, are you sure? Are you sure they didn't just take him to the doctor?" Cynthia asked.

She shook her head. "No, Kristen told me that McKenzie told her that they want some use out of him before he dies."

Cynthia shook her head sadly and was silent for a moment. "Well, there's not much we can do. I know it's hard, but we aren't sure where they take them. Normally, the kids return by the end of the day. Harry will probably just come back with some 'supplies' that's he's supposed to sell."

"So you're telling me to just sit around and wait? Wait? Cynthia, he's sick. He should be resting."

"I know that, Mom," Cynthia countered, "and I know how hard it is. You forget, I do this all the time. You can't just go searching the island for them."

Kristin thought for a moment. "Why can't I?"

"Mom, no. How are you-"

"Look, I made a promise to them that I would help them, protect them. And, I'm not breaking it now. I'm going back upstairs for now, but I want to borrow your car later."

Cynthia was about to argue some more, but she knew there was no bargaining with her mother when she got an idea in her head. "Alright," Cynthia finally conceded.

Kristin was pleased that little Kristen was tear-free when she returned. "How are you doing, Honey?"

"A-alright," the girl replied meekly. "I'm still worried about Harry though."

"I know, Sweetie, me too. But, don't worry. I'm going to find him and bring him back.

Little Kristen brightened. "Really?"

Kristin nodded. "Yes, I promise. But that means I'll have to leave for a little while. Is that OK?"

Little Kristen hesitated. "You'll come back, right?"

"Of course, Honey. I promise. I'll be back soon."