Element of Surprise

Part 17: Lily Tries to Help

Continues with Part 18

Lily made sure all the babies had clean diapers and clothes after they had finished their liquid meals. It wasn't nearly enough for the growing twins as well as Caine and Caleb. Their Atlantean genetics was causing them to grow quickly. Even so, they were still babies. Lily could see that the babies were all related in some way, and that they were close. This would have been easier if they hadn't taken from the same family, and to discover they could speak to each other through their minds, had been unnerving. In her mind, the thought of taking these children and separating them, even abandoning them somewhere also didn't set well with her. She was getting to know these children in a unique way.

Lily grabbed the container of formula and realized she had the perfect excuse. Usually, they grabbed one or two children depending on the client who answered their ads. Grabbing children had gotten them into a lot of hot water in the previous city. They had to lay low and found themselves in Gotham. Grabbing babies who were either abandoned or whose parents were found dead in an apartment made their job easier. They wouldn't be missed. How one of the guys found out about these children, that was a whole new story.

The formula canister was nearly empty. It was the perfect opportunity to escape.

*Can you children pretend to be asleep?* Lily asked within her mind.

*Yes,* Caine answered.

*I will bring help,* Lily stated. She left the kitchenette with the canister of formula. "The babies need more formula. There isn't enough to keep them quiet. They're all asleep right now."

"I can drive you," one of the men stated.

"No," Lilly stated quickly. "I can walk. I need the fresh air, and it's not that far."

"All right," the guy stated. "You better be back within an hour. Those brats wake up, there will be hell to pay."

Lily knew what that meant. This was the first time in her life she was going to disobey. Lily grabbed her coat and checked in her pocket for the money she secretly carried for emergencies. Even the guys didn't know she carried this much money. Lily left the house, making sure she remembered the number and the street they were on. The phone that she carried was an old track phone. She didn't know how many minutes she had on it, but she was only to use it for emergencies as well. She walked briskly down the street toward the small shopping center and to the grocery store. She was lucky that guy hadn't insisted. In some capacity they knew the children couldn't be left alone.

'I have to call the police,' Lily thought. 'But I can't go to the police. I have to have them come to me. I will go to the store, get what I need and call the police while I am there.'

Lily formed a plan and quickly walked to the store.

Continues with Part 18: Calling For Help