Generation

by Ameraka

Just recovering from the events of A New Life, Connie and Jason are invited to an event that they think will be a new start. But soon they meet an old friend and are enticed into a world of intrigue and mystery while Whit is on a secret mission of his own. What will these events mean for the future of the Whittaker family? Warnings: violence, rape mention-human trafficking

32. Rescue

A jolt struck Connie's heart at the word. Gone.

She stepped forward. "A little boy?"

"Well—he's thirteen. He's not very tall. Maybe he's hiding, I just can't find him. Have you seen him?"

Connie shook her head.

"We didn't see anyone on the way in," said Jason. "What does he look like?"

"He has curly brown hair and brown eyes. He's about five feet tall. I think… well, one of the horses is missing. We followed the tracks as long as we could, but it looks like…he took her through the stream. So Laika, our hound, lost the trail. Zeb, my husband, is looking for them in the woods right now with a couple volunteers. I'm Tina, by the way." She held out her hand. Jason shook it and then she took Connie's hand. "I…just got Ali's message. David disappeared during lunch—said he was going to stay in his room but he was gone by the time I checked on him. I'm sorry about this—I don't think we're in much shape to give you a tour right now."

"That's okay," said Jason. "We're not exactly here for a tour—we're looking for information about human trafficking. But if it's a bad time, we can leave."

"Oh—I do think Ali mentioned something like that. That is some good work you're doing—" She stopped, looked down. Rubbed her forehead. "David was trafficked, you know. Most of the other kids come from broken homes—it's good to get them away from the city, from bad influences. Foster system wouldn't take them. So we gave them a home. David was different… he was found one day on the doorstep of Ali's orphanage, injured and bleeding. They took him to a hospital—then we agreed to take him. We thought the fresh air would do him good. Some of the others have faced horrific abuse in their homes… same with some of our animals. They heal each other. We didn't have an idea of what happened to him until recently… he hasn't spoken much since he arrived a few months ago. That's why I'm so worried—since it looks like he left on his own, he probably wasn't kidnapped. But I can't help but think that. And even if he just ran away, he's just a little boy, out on his own—who knows what could happen."

"We'll look for him," said Jason.

Her eyes lit up. "Really?"

"We're here to help kids. To do all we can." He glanced at Connie. She nodded. Of course they had to help.

"Can you ride?" said Tina.

"We both can," said Connie.

Tina ran her hand through her hair. "Okay. I'll give you my phone number. The reception isn't too bad here, away from the hills." She called on her phone while she motioned for them to follow and spoke to someone, apparently in the house, on the way out to the barn.

They reached a large barn, red with white trim. Inside, Tina motioned for them to each grab a saddle and bridle from the tack room. Then they followed her back outside to a riding ring and the pasture beyond that, where a herd of horses grazed. Tina hung up by then after giving directions to her assistant and gave them her phone number. She directed them to hang their saddles on the riding ring fence and come out to the pasture with the bridles.

"Now, we've got a kind of unique operation here," said Tina. "We couldn't do it without Ali's funding. It was our dream…" She gestured to the right, where, in another pasture, llamas, pigs, cows, and sheep grazed. "A lot of the animals were rescued. Some were abused. So…we've got to be a little careful. Some are…further along than others. It's why the kids aren't allowed out here by themselves. A horse that's afraid can kick. But once they learn they can trust you….well. They're the most loving creatures on earth." She gestured to the two horses on the right, a gray mare and a chestnut gelding. "Now—those two are inseparable. They were some of the first ones—they came together. We only know they were nearly starved one winter, the owner just left them. Hooves overgrown. Lila still has a few issues—have to trim her hooves a different way. But she's perfectly sound, as long as she's not riding hard all day. These two are sweethearts, but they've also got stamina." She reached the gray mare and patted her neck. The mare, apparently Lila, shook her head in response. Tina looked at Connie. "Probably the best for you, since she's smaller." Connie stepped closer a little cautiously; she knew how horses could react to strangers sometimes, despite Tina's assurances. The mare lifted her head, her mouth full of grass, as if to say, you're really gonna take me away from all of this?

She scratched the mare's withers and she closed her eyes a little. Then she ran her hand up under her mane. She hesitated…it had been a little while since she'd ridden. Then she slipped the bridle over the mare's ears and pressed the bit gently past her lips. Lila took the bit smoothly. Connie patted her. "Good girl." She rubbed the mare's shoulder. Lila plunged her neck back down and began eating. Connie laughed. "You can do that later." By the look of her round stomach…unless she was pregnant…. (a pang struck her heart at the word, as it always did) the mare wasn't going to starve any time soon.

Jason had bridled his horse, Jazz, by this time and they led the horses back to the riding ring. They saddled them quickly, making extra sure the cinches were buckled tightly.

"The tracks did lead to the woods," said Tina. "Maybe he just felt like a ride and got lost… I hope he didn't fall or anything. The horse he took, Viola, is a good horse…. They've formed a bond— she's the only one she'll let ride her without trouble. But she sometimes spooks easily. She's not as well trained as I'd like. Some Arabian blood in her. Part Thoroughbred too— bred for the racetrack before being discarded. I just hope her carefulness around him doesn't melt away once she's out in the unknown."

"Is there anywhere he usually goes?" asked Jason.

"He usually sticks around. Unlike some, who are flight risks. He's never done something like this before… although he's only been here a few months."

"We'll find him. No matter what it takes."

"Just—be careful. The forest can be a little…tricky. I've gotten lost in it before. If the others find him, I'll call you. They went along the stream… so maybe you could go the other way?"

"Sure. We'll keep an eye out for tracks."

Tina clasped her hands. "I can't thank you enough. I feel especially protective of him, because of what he's gone through. If anything happened to him…." She looked away, fresh tears streaking down her cheeks. "All right. I've got to go inside before they drive Vanya insane. I'll try to distract them with some time with the animals—some of them want to go out looking but for some that's just an ulterior motive." She gave Jazz a pat on the neck. "I'll be praying."

"Me too," said Connie. "I hope we find him."

Tina turned to walk back to the farmhouse.

"Okay," said Jason. "We'd better not lose any time."

Connie swung into the saddle and they rode off at a walk to get a feel for the horses. Lila seemed a bit overfocused on food, but otherwise she was very responsive. She was beautiful; Connie wouldn't be surprised if she had Arabian blood too. Jason rode beside her on Jazz, who was a little more muscular, bulkier—perhaps Quarter Horse or maybe a Muldavian breed considering where they were. He looked a little more alert, his brown eyes scanning the countryside for any possible threats. He didn't look especially scared though. Jason handled the horse expertly; he had a smooth grace when he rode, as if he belonged there. She could just imagine him with a cowboy hat on… for some reason, she'd never seen him wearing one. Now she felt a strong desire to see him in one…. But he was beautiful this way. The sun striking through the clouds to decorate the elegant, chiseled planes of his face, gorgeous beyond imagining. His blue eyes were especially vivid, complemented by the green grass, enhanced by the blue sky reflected in them. And his arm guiding the horse with every minute turn…. The muscles playing in his forearm—glorious. His hair swirled slightly in the wind and he caught her eyes—ah. He took her breath away.

"Ready to trot?" he said.

She nodded. She nudged the mare's sides—she took off at a smooth, rocking gait. Perhaps she was a gaited horse—that was the smoothest trot she'd ever ridden. Good for going on a long ride. Jason's horse, on the other hand, looked a little more bouncy…. The horse drew ahead but his trot was choppier. Connie pitied him until he found his seat, a smooth balance that made her hunger for him. Everything he did was amazing.

But of course they were here for something else. To rescue a lost boy.

Her heart squeezed with pain—this ride wasn't for fun. She'd have to look for clues. Now this was something she could do, not contend with potential evildoers. Focus, she told herself. Though Jason was incredibly distracting…. Well, we'd better go on a for-fun ride when we get home. Or here, after the case is over…. Although it seemed like the case would never end. There would always be another trafficked child… it sickened her to think of. How there could be so much demand—how so many debased people existed that they could—crush little children, twist them for their own sick desires.

At least this little boy had escaped… though he was deeply hurt. Even though he'd been taken in to a nice home, Connie didn't blame him for running away. What sort of pain he had to endure… she didn't know how anyone dealt with it and survived. Especially kids…. When they should be in a happy, safe environment like the Amirs they'd visited yesterday… instead of immersed in the darkness certain twisted adults conjured around them.

They reached the edge of the pasture. Beyond that a few yards away was the woods. A stream trickled into it from the left side, so they'd go to the right.

A sense of foreboding filled her as they guided the horses into the forest. At the edge at least, the forest was thin and light filtered through the trees. But a shiver ran down her spine. Perhaps it was just the nature of the mission. She hoped it wasn't a premonition….

She prayed almost constantly as they walked into the forest, pausing only to check for tracks and to talk to Jason. She wove her gratefulness for him into her prayers too.

They had to slow to a walk when winding around the trees and over fallen logs to make sure they didn't miss anything. There were no trails except for thin deer trails interlacing each other.

Jason stopped Jazz to check a broken twig over one of the deer paths. He jumped off and looked around it. Then shook his head. "Just deer tracks."

"I wonder where he would go…. I wish I knew more about him. And about this forest."

"There don't seem to be many paths… I wonder why." Jason climbed back into the saddle and they resumed their walk through the forest. The trees grew thicker, the underbrush grew denser. It got harder to maneuver at all, except on the deer paths, and even then, Connie got slapped in the face a few times by some branches and her arms scratched by some brambles. Jason forged forward boldly, not seeming to mind the blows and scratches. They were minor; still, she winced every time a branch hit him.

Finally they came to a clearing. Sort of. Brambles filled it along with scattered clusters of shrubs. She guided Lila alongside Jason. He looked at her and gasped. "Connie!" He reached for her, not quite able to touch her.

"What?"

"Your arm! It's—"

She looked at it. Beads of blood welled up from the slashes of thorns. "I'm okay."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"Well—I wasn't going to stop looking because of this. Besides, you didn't seem to mind." She gestured to his own arm, which looked worse because he'd forged the trail.

"That's different."

"Because you can handle it and I can't?"

"I—can't handle seeing you injured." He slid out of the saddle and stepped over to her, took her hand gently. Kissed it. "I wish I had some bandages…. If we'd come prepared…."

"Jason, it's literally just a scratch. We need to find that little boy."

"There is my shirt…" He gasped the bottom of it, contemplating it. "I could use it for a bandage."

"As much as I'd like seeing you without it, you don't need to do that. It hardly even hurts anymore. How are the horses?"

Jason inspected them. "They look fine. They've been avoiding the worst of it. They expect us to avoid them too….but we can't always. Plus, they have fur." He turned to get back on his horse then stopped short. "Look." He crept forward, looking intently.

"What is it? Oh!"

In the center of the clearing, mostly hidden by bushes and vines, was an old ruin of a stone house. Most of its roof had caved in. Only its chimney was clear of vegetation, jutting slightly above the rest of the underbrush.

Jason led Jazz and Connie followed on Lila. Lila took full advantage of the grass, tearing up huge mouthfuls. A few times, Connie had to urge her to move when she stopped for a particularly tantalizing tuft of grass.

At the house, they tied their horses on some branches, although Connie doubted the mare would go far. Then they looked around for an entrance. The walls had partially crumbled, but it was so thick with vines they couldn't find a way in.

Then Jason stopped. Crouched down and pressed his fingers to the dirt near the overgrown stones. A horse hoof print!

Jason braved the brambles and Connie winced as more thorns tore his skin. He forged through then lifted a pile of vines. They parted as if they were a natural doorway, and beyond that was an opening where the stones had collapsed completely. Connie stepped over a jumble of them onto a dirt floor, just a few small plants pricking up toward the thin shafts of light, the almost nonexistent roof replaced by a tangle of vines. Bunches of grapes hung from some of them.

On the floor, more hoofprints.

A snort. Something shifted in the shadows. A beautiful black mare pranced sideways, eying them suspiciously. On a pile of rocks a saddle and bridle were slung. And there were boot prints in the dirt.

"He might be in here," mouthed Jason. They followed the boot prints to some stairs which led to the remnants of a second story, most of the floor having rotted away long ago. Jason surveyed the stairs with chagrin. "I don't know if I can get up there…." he whispered.

"I'll try."

"Connie—"

"Sh!" She thought she heard something. Sure enough, a faint shuffling sound.

She crept up the stairs, avoiding the rotten spots, stepping on the sides which were less worn away. She almost reached the top when a board gave way, crumbling to dust beneath her. She flung herself to the top floor, sliding across the ancient wood. Slivers shot into her palms and arms. She knelt, her elbows scraped, her clothes full of dust and cobwebs. She tried to wipe it off, but the cobwebs clung to her fingers. So she wiped them off on her pants, shaking the creeped-out feeling.

Someone was watching her. In the shadows near the ancient dresser, the only recognizable furniture left besides the dilapidated bed covered with a mattress of rusty springs. The figure crouched smaller as if trying to disappear.

"Hey—" she said. "I'm not going to hurt you."

Dark eyes blinked at her. "Who—who are you?" said a small voice in a whisper.

"I'm Connie. Connie Whittaker. I'm—we're here to help you."

"I can't go back."

"Why not?"

He crept forward a little so she could make out a head of curly dark hair. "I…don't belong there." His voice was broken. A pang struck through her—such a voice should never come from a child.

"Well…you can't stay here."

"I—I thought no one could get to me here…. How did you find me?"

"Just kept looking. Found a hoofprint outside."

"There are grapes and grass for Vi… there's a stream not far away. But now…maybe I better go somewhere else."

"It's dangerous. You can't live in the woods by yourself."

"It's more dangerous—there."

"Back at the ranch? They just want to help you."

A pause. "They….can't help me." He shrank back into the shadows.

"They didn't hurt you, did they?"

"No…not yet. Everyone says they won't hurt you …. Besides. They can't protect me."

"They can try. They want to keep you safe."

"They can't. No one can. Besides…it's quieter here. When I go to sleep at…the farm, they're still there. They won't go away, won't leave me alone. But out here…" He took a deep breath. "My mind isn't so loud. It doesn't hurt so much." His voice faltered and he curled up.

Her heart broke for him. But she didn't know what to do. She couldn't force him. But he couldn't live out here….

"I better go up in a cave, where no one can ever find me. But then I can't bring Vi… I don't know what to do…." He sniffed, his small body trembling.

"Hey—" She said, at a loss. How could she comfort someone who'd experienced worse than she could ever imagine? "I'm sorry." She crept forward, carefully, trying not to scare him. Then she sat back against the dresser drawers and laid her hand on the floor beside her, letting him know she was there.

Halting sobs, barely audible. Then it was quiet and she wondered if he'd fallen asleep.

She resisted the urge to look back at him. Took deep breaths. Below she could hear the soft thud of Jason's footsteps on the dirt and the horse's. Coaxing whispers.

A gasp from behind her, under the dresser.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"Who else is here?"

"My husband Jason."

"I…can't go down there."

"He won't hurt you."

A creak on the stairs. "Connie—are you all right?"

David scrambled back deeper into the space.

"I'm okay. He's just very scared."

"You'll have to come down another way. The stairs aren't safe."

"I don't think I can jump down."

"I'll catch you."

"What about David?"

"I'll catch him too."

"I don't know…"

"Please—please don't let him take me," said David, desperation ripping through his voice. "Please don't let him hurt me."

She turned to him, looking him in the eyes closely for the first time. He had a cute round face, just a hint of adolescent refinement to it. Large brown eyes, shot through with the dim light from the cracks in the walls. A tangle of dark curls. He wore a T-shirt and jeans.

"Hey—he won't hurt you. I promise."

He winced at the word and she realized she must've said something wrong. Perhaps adults had promised him too often…. Hurt him instead.

"I suppose I can't promise no one will hurt you…. but I do want to help you. Jason too. We want to keep you safe. If you don't feel safe at the ranch, maybe we can find you another place. Maybe…" A thought flickered through her mind. Adopt…. But… we can't adopt every lost child in Muldavia….can we….

"Well…" he said finally. "Vi feels safe there. Maybe…."

"She'd probably want to go back."

"I just don't want…anyone bothering me. They try to talk to me—but they don't understand. I don't want to think about it. And then they get too close and I – I guess I sort of panicked. I can't think back there. It's too…small. Except when I'm outside, with the horses."

"Maybe we can…find you a better situation at the farm? Do you have enough space there?"

He shook his head. "I asked if I could live in the barn, but they said I couldn't."

"Well…maybe they could build another room for you in the barn?"

"I'd like that." He crawled out a little. "You will help me?"

"As much as I can." She reached toward him. He hesitated, then slid his hand in hers. She held it gently and helped him up. He was covered in dirt and cobwebs and his face was smudged and scratched. He looked up at her, guarded trust in his eyes. He reminded her of someone, then she realized. He looked a lot like Ben, the boy they were here to find. Could it be-? No. He was fifteen, not thirteen.

She led him to the edge of the floor. "I don't know…maybe we better brave the stairs."

Jason looked up at them. "I'll catch you."

David backed away. "I can't." Fear burned in his eyes.

"Hey—Jason. We have to find another way."

"Maybe….maybe Vi can help," said David. He lay down on the floor near the broken edge of it. "Hey—Vi. Come here, girl."

The horse pranced around the room and looked up at him, startled.

"Come, Vi—you can do it." David climbed to the edge of the floor.

"David—maybe you shouldn't—" said Connie. "It's too far."

"She'll help me."

"I don't know if she'll just stand right where you need her. Jason—maybe you could-?"

Jason grabbed the bridle and walked slowly toward her. She danced away.

"He'll never get close to her," said David.

Jason tried a different tactic. He knelt down in the dirt. Vi arched her neck, looking at him curiously. She trotted forward, shied, then paced closer. Snorted close to his face. Connie could tell he was fighting a defensive reaction, along with a laugh. Slowly, he lifted his hand and rubbed her forehead; she shook her head and walked away but looked less concerned about his presence. He rose carefully to his feet, walked over to her side. Swept the reins around her neck. She backed away; he let her go. Then he tried kneeling again. She pranced forward, just like before, as if seeing him for the first time. But this time, she let him slide the bridle over her ears, slip the bit into her mouth. He scratched her chest and she closed her eyes. Then he led her up beside the drop-off from the second floor.

"If I lower you down?" said Connie.

David was looking down in astonishment. "I didn't think…she'd let him catch her."

"I think she senses he's nice."

David looked at her quizzically.

"Okay, well—we can try this."

She lay down on the floor again and David knelt beside her. Then she took his wrists and let him dangle over the edge. Her heart pounded as he hung there, the mare looking restless beneath him. Pain wreathed around her shoulders. But she ignored it as she made sure he was in the right position, then let him drop into the saddle.

David hugged the mare's neck. Then Jason handed him the reins. He snatched them away, looking at Jason warily, guiding the mare back into the shadows.

"Now it's your turn," said Jason. "Just jump. I'll catch you. It's not really that far… the floor's sunken."

"I was never good at jumping—it always looks impossibly high."

"It's not as high as your eyes, just your feet. So it's really not that bad."

"I don't want to hurt you."

"It won't hurt me."

"I'm not that light…"

"You aren't that heavy, either."

"Well, thanks, Jason."

"Come on, you can do it."

"Maybe I'll just go down the stairs…"

"I don't want you to get hurt."

"If I fell that way, it's not that far, either."

"But there's the loose wood… It could collapse on you."

"I don't think you realize how much damage I could do…."

"Better me than you."

"Well—that's how I feel. But the opposite."

"I won't even feel it. I'll be so happy you're down."

"Well, don't say I didn't warn you."

She stood at the edge of the floor. A bit of rotten wood crumbled away under her feet. She stepped back. Jason stopped right below her, holding out his arms.

Maybe if she sort of dropped off like David had…

She lay on the boards, getting even dustier—she'd have to have a shower when she got back, that was for sure. She slid to the edge—the boards creaked. Then, she grasped the edge of the floor. Jabbed her thumb into the rotting space beneath—slivers stabbed her fingers. Carefully, she rolled to the edge, swung her legs off—crack! The boards splintered, crumbling to dust and she grasped for edge with her other hand—slivers spiked into her hand— pain stabbed her shoulders as she dangled over the edge—she grabbed with her other hand but she slid further off, her weight pulling on her shoulders, her slivered hands sliding off inexorably—she fell, grabbing wildly, plummeting—

Oof! Strong arms grabbed her, snatched her leg and arm out of the air—but the force of her weight slammed him backwards and he fell to the floor. She lay awkwardly across him, their arms and legs entangled. He lay there, stunned for a moment, then sat up, slid his arm around her back. "Hey. Nice to have you back on solid ground."

She laughed in spite of herself. He didn't look injured, just even more in disarray, locks of hair curving over his forehead, a smudge on his cheek. She reached up to brush it off, then thought the better of it. He looked good this way.

He kissed her forehead; their lips met. She drank in his kiss, starving for more. But he pulled away, looking beyond her. David and his horse Viola waited in the shadows; he looked both fascinated and horrified. Connie slid off of Jason's lap, knelt in the dirt. So much for these jeans… better than shorts or a skirt for this mission though….

"Ready to go?" She stood, brushed off some of the dust from her shirt and pants.

He nodded, looking a little apprehensive.

Connie grabbed Jason's arm and helped him to his feet; he gasped, wincing a little and a pang of guilt struck her. Perhaps she'd hurt him more than she thought…. But he straightened up, looked back to normal except for his state of messiness similar to hers… he could use a shower too. But she dared not go beyond that thought to more of a detailed image… they had more pressing things to deal with.

Jason lifted the swath of vines and David walked Vi out into the clearing. Connie followed, then Jason. She blinked against the sunlight; it was so dim inside the house. Jazz was still tied to the branch, but Lila had gotten loose and was grazing at the edge of the woods. Connie crept up to her and grabbed her reins and Jason and David joined them at the edge of the path.

"We'd better call them and tell them we've found you," said Connie, looking at David. He looked away into the woods, his face anxious. "Hey—they won't be mad. They'll be happy you're back. You're safe. Tina was really worried about you."

Jason called Tina and the other team; from the vague sounds from the phone, they were ecstatic. Connie was overjoyed it was a happy ending. She'd actually done some good…

She looked at her fingers and they were needled with slivers. She'd have to pry them out when she got back…. But it was a very small price to pay for finding David.

Jason hung up and then they headed down the deer path into the woods. Since it was so narrow, they had to ride single file. David led the way to the nearby stream and it was wider along the bank so they could ride side by side. David steered Vi closer to Connie while Jason rode on her right.

"I followed this stream on the way in," said David. "I let them think I was going down the other one, but then I went to this one. No one else knows about it. Except for you now." He glanced warily at Jason. "Now you know where my hideout is too. I…used to sneak out here at night. No one else found out because I have my own room. That's why Vi was okay with it—she's been there before. You won't tell anyone else, will you?"

"Well… it is kind of dangerous," said Connie. "You won't go back there?"

"I have to have a place to hide out. Just in case."

She wanted him to feel safe. And there were more dangerous things than an old, abandoned house….. "Okay. I won't tell."

"Thank you."

"But promise you won't go back. Unless you feel like you're in danger."

He pursed his lips, looking anxious. "I… always feel like I'm in danger," he said in a small voice.

"Maybe… if we can convince them to make your own place in the barn… they can set up an alarm system or something?"

"I hope so."

"Maybe you can take a self-defense class," said Jason.

David looked startled at Jason's voice.

"It's always good to have a way to protect yourself. If you don't have a weapon, you can still be a weapon."

David looked sideways at him, as if trying to see if he were a danger. Then he patted Vi's smooth, glossy black neck. "Maybe… that would be a good idea…."

"Jason said he'd teach me," said Connie. "Maybe… he could give you some tips?"

Fear flashed across David's eyes. Wrong thing to say. She just wished he'd make an exception for Jason…although she understood why he wouldn't trust men, if they were the ones to hurt him.

"Maybe I can pay for it," said Jason. "Self-defense helps condition your reflexes. Best way to win a fight is to run away from it. But if you have to—you'd have a Swiss army knife of physical tools to work with."

David's face fell. "I should've learned…. If I knew it before, I could've fought them off…." His voice caught. He closed his eyes, hunching down in the saddle, holding Vi's mane for support.

"Don't blame yourself," said Jason. "It's good to have that extra ability to defend yourself if you have to…. But no tool is foolproof. There will always be someone bigger, with more weapons…. They can have the element of surprise. I'm…well-trained in self-defense techniques, but I couldn't see the attack coming until it was too late…." Jason looked away, pain in his eyes. He set his jaw and continued. "The point is. Always remember, if they hurt you, it's not your fault. They're the ones that like hurting people. They're the ones who are guilty and should be punished. The ones who caught you should be behind bars—and more. If I had them here—" His eyes flashed fiercely.

David tilted his head, as if seeing him in a new light. He looked puzzled for a moment. Then his eyes strayed to Jason's scars. "You…you were caught?" He looked incredulous. "When you were a kid?"

Jason shook his head. "It was…not long ago, actually. Sometimes I wonder whether I was ever a good agent, considering how many times I've gotten captured… There were more of them, last time. One had the element of surprise, one was just…better. You can't guarantee anything… no matter how strong you are."

"You're a secret agent?" Awe crossed David's face, for the first time sweeping away his suspicion.

"I used to be. Now I'm… sort of a free agent operative, as Sierra would say. I'm here to rescue kids like you."

David looked away, pensive. Then he said quietly, "Thank you for coming to find me. I wish…someone had found me when…" Pain crossed his face and he sank down to wrap his arms around Vi's neck. They walked in silence for a while, surrounded by the trilling of birds, the soft thud of the hoofbeats, the gentle rustle of the leaves.

"Are you okay?" said Jason. "After that fall."

"I'm okay. Just a few slivers." She tried to pick one out of her finger, but it was hard to do that and guide the horse.

"I'll help you when we get back."

"What about you?"

"I told you, you're not heavy."

"But I kind of…botched that jump…."

"Well, your boot did hit me kind of hard." He pressed his hand to his chest. "But it's really minor—I don't feel it anymore."

She hated that she'd hurt him at all…. But she was grateful he'd been there to catch her. If only she could do the same for him…. With all his muscle, he'd probably break her if he fell on her. But then, he'd probably jump off gracefully to the ground….

David sat up again. Looked at Jason. "How did you escape?"

"I didn't escape. I was rescued. Once was the police. Then—it was an expert agent, Sierra. The last time was the NSA. So… I've been able to get myself into trouble. Not get myself out of it. I just wish I'd have been able to escape myself. I tried…"

"Me too. I tried to get out—tried to—" He shook his head. "But then they hurt me worse." He hung his head. In the light, Connie could make out scars on his face and neck—as if from a knife or whip—

A pang struck her heart. How could anyone hurt him! She wanted to gather him in her arms, let him know nothing would hurt him again….

"Hey—whatever you can do to survive. What you did… you were able to stay alive until you made it out."

David shook his head. "I don't know why they left me…. They were just… done with me. They just….threw me out…. Like I wasn't worth anything anymore…." Tears streamed down his cheeks.

"What they think doesn't matter. What matters is you're alive."

"Sometimes I wish—" He wiped his cheek. "I wish they killed me. When they were…. I wished I would just die and then I'd be free. But it never happened. And I'm out here—and I'm still not free—" He collapsed in the saddle, his arms covering his face. His body was wracked with sobs. Connie stopped her horse, reached over to stop Viola. She hesitated, then laid a gentle hand on his back. He froze for a moment, then the cries continued, not silent this time, but ringing through the woods, echoing into the trees. Tears sprang into Connie's eyes and streaked down her face—she barely noticed them. She wrapped her arm around him, as well as she could from the saddle, and held him as he cried. Eventually, his little body stopped shaking and he just lay there, as if exhausted. She couldn't imagine the horrible thoughts he had to deal with daily, didn't know what she could do to help him destroy them.

David slowly slid upright again and she withdrew her hand. He wiped his tears and sniffed. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't let it bother me since I'm safe now…. I'm not there anymore—" His voice caught and he looked away, struggling against tears again.

"David, it—" She hesitated, because what she had gone through couldn't compare. "It doesn't stop hurting once it…. Once it's over. It…takes a long time to heal. It's perfectly normal after all you went through."

"I just wish… it'd be over… I don't want to keep—being there." He pet Vi's neck and that seemed to calm him a little.

"I know, in a way, what it's like," said Jason. "How flashbacks won't leave you alone… when all you want to do is return to a normal life and not let them get to you. Not let them win. But it's winning just to be who you are, not in their hands anymore. What helped me, started to anyway, was focusing on the good things. Like on the beauty around me."

"Like Viola."

Jason nodded.

"She helps me a lot. I don't know what I'd do without her…." He patted her neck. "Sometimes I feel like she's the only one who cares about me. No one…" he swallowed. "No one came for me. All I had was my dad, and he—" He bit his lip. "He never cared about me. Only about…drinking. I don't think he noticed I was gone…. No one cared enough to rescue me."

A knife stabbed Connie's heart. How many kids out there felt the same thing? They were forgotten, lost in the mire of human trafficking? And no one came for them… not the ones who would rather ignore it, would rather stay comfortable…

"Hey," she said. "I'm sorry that happened to you. I wish… I'd been there to rescue you… But you're with people who care now."

He shook his head. "They don't understand… some of the kids make fun of me. I know Tina cares, but she….has a lot of other people to take care of…. I can only rely on Vi."

"Well, I hope you get to stay with her. If… maybe…." She didn't want to give him false hope. "Someone might be able to adopt you."

"Yeah… well… I doubt someone would want me. I'm a teenager now. I'm too old. And…" He closed his eyes, looked away. Spoke barely above a whisper. "I'm….too damaged. No one wants that."

I do! nearly burst from her chest. But… should she really say that? Give him hope—only to dash it again? Could she…take him in? Him and Nika's baby? She'd have to talk to Jason first…. And there were adoption laws… and would he really want to move from everything he'd known…. He definitely wouldn't want to move away from his horse, and it would be hard to fly a horse back to the United States….

Maybe the excuses didn't matter. But was it the right thing? For him? Dear God—what would you have me do?

Let him know he is loved, the answer seemed to come to her.

How?

But she didn't get the specifics.

"David… there's someone else who loves you. More than you can know. God loves you—"

David shook his head, his eyes flashing. "No. God hates me."

"He loves you so, so much."

"Then why did he—" He jerked the reins, slapped the ends on Vi's shoulder and galloped off down the trail.

Connie sat there in shock for a moment. Then Jason urged Jazz to a trot. Then they cantered out of the forest. In the distance, David raced Vi around the pasture and slid to a stop by the barn.

Connie breathed a sigh of relief; at least he wasn't running away again. But she wished she hadn't triggered his reaction… although she hoped David would accept God's love eventually. If there's another way I can show him…. I don't blame him for seeing the worst in the world. How can I help him see God's love?

They trotted around the pasture fence and then stopped in front of the barn. David was nowhere to be seen. Vi trotted out to join the horses in the pasture. In the yard there were long skid marks in the soft earth. Boot prints fading as they headed toward the house.

A tall man came walking toward them. He had brown hair that looked rather windblown and wore jeans and a blue plaid shirt. He smiled, held out his hand and they took it.

"Thank you—very much—for finding him," he said in a thicker accent than his wife. "We were in very much distress when we couldn't find him…. You somehow went the right way. He looks okay, too. Where was he?"

"He was just…hiding out in the woods," said Connie. "He was…scared. He doesn't feel safe."

The man, who'd introduced himself as Zeb, looked saddened. "I have tried to make him feel safe…. But it is not easy. My very presence makes him uncomfortable. So I try to stay away as much as I can. Help with the other kids, with the farm. When he is in, I go out, and the other way around. My wife is better with the kids, so it is hard when he is usually outside."

"I don't know if it'd be possible," said Connie, "but he mentioned he likes his space?"

"We have tried to give him as much as we can. It is hard when we do not have much rooms. Perhaps he would be better off somewhere else…. But we were the only place that could take him then, and he loves his horse. Perhaps he will get better… it has only been a few months."

"Would it be possible… to maybe build him a place in the barn? With some…security system? Maybe that would help him feel safe."

He rubbed his chin. "I could ask Ali…."

"Or we could help," said Jason. "I could pay for it. I think he would also benefit from self-defense lessons. I could at least pay for those. As much as we can do to make him feel safe…."

"With me here, I don't know if he will feel safe…. But I cannot move away."

"It was men that hurt him?"

Zeb nodded. "That's…almost as much as we know."

"He got a little more comfortable with Jason," said Connie.

"Really?"

"If you're careful around him, let him know you care, maybe he'll come around."

"I hope so."

"And… are you Christians?"

He nodded. "We pray for the children every day."

"Does he have a Bible?"

Zeb shook his head. "We give every child a Bible when they get here. We of course respect their beliefs—but most don't have them. David… he was different. He would have nothing to do with the Bible. I found it out in the trash when he came. We have since come to learn he is Jewish and his mother had strong faith. We learned from his father, who wanted nothing to do with his son. Especially after… he was enslaved. David followed his mother's faith and he took comfort in it when his father would….beat them. Even after his mother died he held onto it—he had a star of David gold chain around his neck when they found him. But it…" He looked away, swept his fingers through his hair. "They used it to….abuse him. They…traded him because of it. And they used his precious star to…to burn him." Zeb looked sick at the thought. Her stomach turned over at the sheer evil people would come up with… there was no end to it. "I have seen some of the scars…. Apparently there are many more. But he doesn't show them, he wears only long pants, T-shirts with long sleeves, never goes swimming with the others. And now he…hates any reminder of his heritage. And he denies any hint of God's love—he will run away if we mention it. So…I don't know how to get through to him."

"Considering…." said Jason. "It'll probably take a long time. Meanwhile, you can be an example of God's love—so he sees what a real representative of Jesus looks like."

"I will try. I will serve him. I will build that room in the barn. He does seem to light up whenever he's outside…. And eventually, maybe it is something we have in common."

"Maybe you can go riding together someday."

"I hope. As…well, we could never have our own kids. We decided to help others. I love all of them, but…I feel most protective to David. I want to give him a good life after all he went through. I hope….he will let me give him that."

"He deserves it. You'll just have to take it slow at first. Let him see your love from a distance. And then, eventually…. Maybe he'll be more open to God's love too."

"I want to see God transform his life…."

The hound, Laika, came lumbering up to them and Zeb patted her head. "Well, I suppose I had better get back to work. If you would like to speak with David…?"

Jason looked at Connie. Then he said, "Well, maybe we'd better give him his space for now. I don't want to go asking him any questions today, that's for sure. Or at all… if you'd let him know, obliquely, we are looking for traffickers… and he volunteers any information…."

"It's probably best if Tina lets him know. As hard as it is…I have heard him say he wants them to be found. So they cannot hurt anyone else. Because he is pretty sure that they picked up more kids after they let him go…."

"Do you know if others were with him?"

Zeb shook his head. "What little he told, he told to Tina. But she didn't mention it to me."

"It would be strange if he were the only one. Unless it wasn't through an actual organization…. It seems like he may have been let go because he was…too old."

Zeb shrugged. "Maybe. That would be…horrible in itself. But… David has hinted that… he was just too damaged. They hurt him and then…throw him out for it." Outrage burned through his eyes.

"Do you know how they kidnapped him?"

"It seems like he was just walking along and they grabbed him from a van."

"That…sounds familiar."

"It does?"

"The MO might be connected to Yavesh. We're…. well, we're actually trying to find another boy. Who was kidnapped from the US and might be here. He reminds me of David. They are both Jewish…."

"I hope you can find him before he goes through what David has. His body is still healing….it will take his mind many years more." Sorrow clutched his face. He said farewell and tromped to the barn, the hound bounding at his heels.

Connie's heart felt heavy as they made their way to the car. She wished she could see David again…. But Jason was right, he probably needed his space. He had escaped…but he would bear the scars for life. What Ben must be going through… she had to hope they could rescue him before the worst, but realistically…it wasn't likely after over a month.

She settled into the passenger seat and they were silent as the car pulled out and rumbled down the driveway and onto the gravel road. Weariness dragged at her. She pushed her seat back, almost nodded off, but the darkness burgeoned through her heart and she couldn't. How could she ever sleep again with those kids out there…. and here she was, worrying about her own safety. When kids like David were being torn apart.

"I wonder…" said Jason after they pulled onto the paved road.

"What is it?" She slid her seat back up.

"If we could somehow follow the lead of the people who kidnapped David. Because…it might be someone who wanted a kid similar to Ben…."

"He's older, though."

"It doesn't necessarily have to do with age…. They seem to want someone who's…." He grimaced. "Undamaged. And it seems like…they wanted someone Jewish, for whatever reason. At least, they…used it to hurt him, which suggests…. I hate even thinking along these lines. Someone who hates Jews. Wants to humiliate them. Or…." His voice trailed off and he looked deeply troubled. A few moments later, realization dawned on his face. "I could be onto something…. I mean, some seem to not care who they kidnap, as long as they're young. But if…we follow the leads of people who wanted Romani…we might also find a path to Luna. Maybe."

"That could be something…."

"Or I'm just… well. I'm tired of floundering around, finding no real purchase…. I need solid ground. I need some path to follow. Some enemy to crush." He didn't look apologetic—and she agreed. The people who abused kids—they didn't deserve to be called human.

"So… we look for places other Romani were kidnapped…."

"And Jewish. And—well. I don't want to abandon the other kids, either. There's Luna's cousins who were kidnapped. I should've taken that lead sooner… only there were so many threads to follow…. And then there's that agent. The one who was killed. I don't want to leave anyone without justice…which means we'll probably be here forever."

She almost objected, because he seemed serious. But then…after seeing what Nika and Ana had gone through…now David. There was really no excuse not to do all she could. She only wished she could make sure Jason stayed safe…. And she didn't want to be in pain… but worse, she didn't want to leave Jason alone.

It's in your hands, Lord, she prayed, her heart aching.

They reached Rakima and drove the highway until they reached the exit to the palace. Inside, they headed back to their room, not wanting to be seen until they could wash off. Supper was in about an hour. As they passed James' room, they saw his door was open. He was sitting on his bed in the dark, gazing at his computer, his eyes glistening with tears. After he looked up and saw them, he slammed the laptop shut and flopped down on his bed, his arm wrapped around the computer protectively.

"Are you okay?" said Connie softly.

He just turned his back to her and curled up above the covers.

"I'm sorry," she whispered and followed Jason to their room.

"I shouldn't have bothered him," she said, after he shut the door.

"It's not your fault. He's just going through a lot… it's good he knows you're there for him. Speaking of which…." He took her hands gently in his.

"What—Oh." She looked down at her slivered fingers. Now that she thought about it, some still throbbed, especially the one that had thrust under her fingernail. "You don't have to—"

"It'll be easier for me to do it." He rummaged around in the bathroom and came back with some tweezers and a damp cloth that smelled of disinfectant.

He held her wrist and carefully pried out the slivers. Her mind flashed back to when her mom used to do that… she'd never had this many though.

He discarded each one and pressed disinfectant to the small wounds. Finally he came to the one under her fingernail. "That torturer sure did a thorough job…" he said.

"This is nothing. I mean—it's different when someone's doing it to you."

"This is not nothing. It might hurt coming out too…."

She braced herself. A jolt of pain—and then it was gone. Her finger still throbbed though. He dabbed it with disinfectant and then kissed it for good measure.

"Hey—it doesn't hurt anymore," she said. The pain had been swept away by the tingle of pleasure that flooded her at his kiss.

"Are you going to take a shower?" he asked.

"Are you kidding? Look at me."

He tilted his head. "I am." An appreciative look crossed his face and heat rose to her cheeks. "You're gorgeous this way."

"Jason, I'm a mess."

"Exactly." He kissed the top of her head. "The most beautiful one."

Her heart warmed at his words. "Why don't you take a shower first."

"Are you sure?"

She nodded. "I still need to recover…" Not just from the slivers. She flopped down on the bed.

"Okay." He stepped toward the bathroom, peeling off his shirt.

She shot up again. A thrill raced through her at his beauty, his flawless muscles rippling with his movements. But—there was a shadow. No, a bruise on his chest.

"What is that?" She leaped over to him.

"What? Oh." He pressed his hand to it, as if embarrassed.

"Did I do that to you?"

"Well…"

"I did! It's from when I fell on you, isn't it."

"Yes. But it doesn't hurt anymore. It's really minor."

The bruise was reddish purple with broken blood vessels in it. "It looks terrible. I'm sorry, Jason."

He laid his hand on her shoulder. "Small price to pay for getting you down safely."

"I just wish… I could've gotten down more gracefully."

"You can't always count on that. You had to deal with rotting wood—a dangerous situation. Thankfully, it wasn't that far down. If this is all I get from it—it's barely worth mentioning."

"I just hate that I was the one to cause you pain."

"I'd rather have accidental pain from you than…any other kind. I just wish you hadn't gotten hurt too."

"I might have to get hurt. I mean—if it means rescuing kids…. I don't mind. It's just—it might be easy for me to get hurt, because of how I blunder into things."

He swept his hand into her hair. "Connie—you did great. That house was unstable, it could've happened to anyone."

"You'd probably have jumped off and landed on your feet."

"Maybe. But I've had training. I'm not so sure nowadays…."

"If I had training, I'd be more useful, I would be more…efficient, I wouldn't make mistakes. I'd be a better partner."

He smiled, kissed her forehead. "Connie, I wouldn't wish for any other partner."

"What if I make a fatal mistake?"

"We'll try not to get in a situation where that can happen. In something like this—how good you were with David. How you helped him trust you… to be good with kids that have been hurt—not everyone can do that. There has to be people who can help kids like him—after they're out of the darkness."

"I'm no therapist."

"But you're—" He stopped short, as if he'd been about to say something else. "You're good with kids. They really need that kind of empathy—and love. Maybe you won't be best at fighting the enemy overtly. But rescuing them from traffickers is just the start—they still need rescuing afterwards. I think…you would be good at helping them."

"I…would like to help them…." Her voice caught and unexpected tears sprang to her eyes. She leaned her forehead against his as tears streamed down her cheeks. Some of them landed on his chest.

She laid her hand next to the bruise. "I'm sorry, all the same." She kissed it gently.

A soft laugh rumbled in his chest. His thumb caressed her jaw. "Connie—that helps. It feels better now."

She looked at him. "I thought you said it didn't hurt."

"I may have…exaggerated."

"Jason!"

"It didn't hurt—much. Now it doesn't at all. And… I better get in the shower now." He slid his hand down her arm, squeezed her hand, then released it and shut the door behind him.

She stood there feeling empty, hollow, without his presence.

She reveled in the touch Jason had just given her. Her arm still tingled. But ah, she wanted more.

The shower turned on. The spray of the water hissed in a steady flow. She imagined it hitting his hair, drenching it, plastering it to his head… the water flowing down over his back… gliding over his chest, droplets beading in the hair there….

She swept her hair back, turned away from the door. Connie, get ahold of yourself. You'll drive yourself crazy thinking of him like that.

Remnants of dirt still on his face, his bicep….. ah, how she longed to wash it off, kiss the bruise again, kiss all his scars…

But the game. Her heart sank. That would be too much—past the boundaries….

We're married. The boundaries are imaginary. We…wouldn't have to play the game… or we could make up our own rules. If… if we ended it, it wouldn't be the end of the world. Maybe….maybe it's worth the risk.

He's worth everything.

Even losing a baby?

That wouldn't be our fault. There's no extra danger… it's just my fear getting in the way. Maybe the birth control's kicked in enough by now. If not…well, maybe we're…meant to have a baby.

Besides… we could still play the game… just… push the boundaries. He's doing this for me, after all. Somehow still loves me after what I did. He's being careful of me…helping me with this game.

It's already doing its magic. Making me want to go past the boundaries…. Or maybe it's just that I've been away from him so long. And I love him. And I'm realizing nothing should ever come between us.

Stop thinking. He takes short showers. It might be too late…

If he would rather not—of course I'll honor his wishes. I'm just afraid he accommodates me too much… I'm too fragile. But when it comes to loving him—I want to go all out. Even more now, after I know what he has to give, after…what I did to him.

But no guilt. No fear.

Just love.

She cautiously creaked the door open. If he didn't want to be disturbed, she'd understand.

"Hey," he said, his voice somewhat muffled from in the shower. "I'll be out in a minute."

"Don't," she said, her throat tight.

"What?"

"Can I…join you?"

"Um…" She could see the vague shape of him beyond the shower panel and her heart thumped hard in her chest. "I mean…the game…"

"We could…push the difficulty level up." She could still play the game by using physical barriers. Be with him but keep up enough distance to make it easier not to go past their boundaries. She didn't want to hurt him by taking it too far; he would be more healed tomorrow.

"Oh. That would be…. Are you sure?"

"If you want."

"Of course…. Whatever you're… okay with."

"I want to be with you. As close as possible."

A pause. "Me too." His voice was hoarse, whether from the humidity or something else.

Her heart pounded hard, drumming deep inside her. She opened the door. Water flicked out onto her. There he was in all his beauty, the water cascading over him. She slid off her shoes and socks and stepped inside with the rest of her clothes on.

He closed the door behind her.

Caught her with his eyes—and she lost herself in them. Their gorgeous sapphire—all she needed.

Water sprayed onto her face, her clothes, making them cling to her, but she barely noticed. Just to be in his presence…

He kissed her forehead, her cheek. Gently pressed his lips to hers. She gasped for more. Drowning underwater, he was her one source of air. She wrapped her arms around his back, needing more of him—he kissed down over her neck, her chest, until he met the soaked fabric. She pulled away a little and then gave him kisses over his jaw, his chest, licking up the water slick over his skin. His skin tasted heavenly, like the sea. With her hand, she swept away the remnants of the dirt on his face then untangled a shred of leaf from his hair.

She stepped back, appraising him. "So beautiful…." It really wasn't fair, that she got to see him and he didn't get to see all of her. But this game wasn't about fairness.

She washed him, gently gliding soap over his body. Carefully, she tended to him, extra gentle near his bruises, because he had more than just the one on his chest. He was probably sore, and she didn't want to hurt him. She only hoped he wouldn't get more injured during the investigation—because she never wanted him to feel any more pain. And she'd have to wait longer for him then, because she wasn't going to be the cause of any more of it.

Softly, she washed his scars, let water clear the soap away, then kissed him tenderly. He swirled shampoo into her hair, massaging with his expert hands. She leaned back and let the water clear the shampoo away while he kissed her jaw, her lips, her neck. Then, he held her close, buried his hands in her hair, and she pressed her cheek to his, immersing in his presence.

He slid his hand down her back and knelt before her, his hand resting on her calf, still clothed with drenched jeans. He kissed her thighs, held her tight. Then he rose and kissed her lusciously on the mouth, his passion blazing hotter— Consumed by his beauty, she pressed close to him, yearning for all that he was—

He pulled away, regret, longing, and deep burning love in his eyes, then stepped out of the shower.

She gulped a deep breath. To leave her with just a taste…. Whet her appetite for him even more than before.

One more day—and then I set free all the desire that's been building up… let loose the fire that's consuming me from the inside. Give him all that I've ever given him—and more.

She shed the rest of her clothes and finished the shower. Grateful she didn't have to wash her hair, that he'd taken care of that. She savored the memory of his hands in her hair as she washed her body of the dirt and grime of the day's adventure.

She stepped out, picked up a towel while dripping all over the floor, and wrapped it around herself. Jason was tantalizingly still shirtless. He had already laid out some clothes for her on the bed. She was touched by that thoughtful act of service and sat beside him on the bed in her towel. Her arm brushed his; longing for more of him spilled through her. She caressed his shoulder, kissed it. He brought his hand gently to her chin and nuzzled her cheek. Her breath hitched.

He laughed, pressed his forehead to hers. "That was—particularly devious. Coming in to join me. So, so beautiful…." He rubbed her shoulder softly with his hand. "To make me wait for you, when you were so close… exquisite torture."

A jolt struck through her at the word. "I'm sorry. I—"

"I don't mean— If it was torture, it was the good kind. When you said you were going to take the game up a notch….well. You weren't kidding." He bit his lip and looked away, his breaths carefully controlled, though his hand trembled on her jaw. He slid his other hand down her arm, his fingers brushing it as lightly as butterfly wings. White-hot shivers trickled through her. He threaded his fingers through hers and withdrew his hand from her chin. She longed for his touch—but didn't know if she could stand more than this. She considered asking if he wanted to end the game….but then, there were his bruises.

One more day. She'd waited for him much longer, before they were married. Of course, she hadn't known fully what he had to offer then….

He slid a strand of damp hair back from her face. "What you did to me in there…. I don't know if I can outdo that. But I can try." He untangled his fingers from hers and slid away reluctantly, his gaze flickering over her appreciatively. Then he stepped away. "As much as I'd like to stay for this… I think I'd better not." He walked into the bathroom and shut the door.

She quivered with the feeling of his touch still lingering on her skin. And she trembled to think what he might have in store for her…. Something she'd have to endure before getting to the end. Exquisite torture…he was right. The only kind that she didn't mind enduring—or inflicting.

She realized she'd better not keep him waiting in the bathroom and pulled on her clothes, a green shimmery shirt and white capris. Then she knocked on the door. "It's okay to come out now."

He stepped out, his hair combed. His eyes lit up. "I thought you'd look beautiful in those, but then—" He reached out for her, and she took his hand. "You always take my breath away."

She snuggled close to him, pressing to his warm chest, sliding her hand over his heart. His heartbeats thumped against her ear as his fingers glided through her damp hair.

"Well, I suppose we'd better get to supper…."

She nodded reluctantly, then he pulled away and took a shirt out of the closet, a blue one that complemented hers and brought out the blue in his eyes.

Hand in hand, they headed out to supper, and she had to force herself to focus, to keep her mind from flashing back to the wonderful time they'd just shared.

James didn't join them for supper. Connie asked if he was okay; Darya replied he was in distress over Luna. For some reason, he'd fallen into complete despair, not even feeling enough hope to help look for her.

Roderick told them more about the task force to find Luna. It had found some more potential leads pointing to Yavesh. Jason asked if he could talk to Karima, who had lost her daughters. Roderick said he would see what he could do; he'd probably ask Luna's family if they could introduce them.

After supper, Connie and Jason went back to their room to work on the online investigation. They avoided looking directly at the videos; instead, they pretended to be buyers, looking for more usernames and links, along with anything to identify them. Connie used her fake identity to look through different sites, trying as much as possible to block out any images—though sometimes she glimpsed some things she wished she hadn't. She checked one of the sites she'd signed up for and it turned out that risingstar had messaged her. Her heart thumped hard as she clicked on the message.

"Hey!" it said. "I know you have a thirst for the hottest videos on the internet. If I'm right, follow me to the exclusive club Rising Stars. It's got a small entry fee, but compared to what we have to offer? I'm sure you'll agree it's worth it. Click the link. It'll bring you to a super-secret entry room. We're very security conscious, which keeps us giving you the best content. Don't be alarmed at the questions—they're just there to keep us safe. It is of course anonymous, but we know how to weed out the impostors. I hope you'll join us—soon you'll be seeing the most beautiful girls and/or boys performing to your heart's content! And of course, as with all the most exclusive clubs, they're top of the line. Meaning we pick them out—and they're not always willing. 😉 Which makes for the most exquisite videos. Join us, and you'll see what I mean! At a higher level, we even provide auctions so you can own your own performer either remotely, or in person. Exclusivity is guaranteed. But more on that once you're inside. 😊"

She gasped—she hadn't realized she'd been holding her breath. Jason turned his chair to face her as she sat in the chair in front of the fireplace. "What is it?"

"I…I think I have something. But I don't know if I can do this…. It's a bit too… high stakes for me." She handed him the iPad.

His eyes scanned the message, disgust filtering over his face as he read. Then he nodded. "It might get a little tricky…maybe I'd better take over with this one."

"Okay." She sat back, feeling drained from immersing in darkness for over an hour. But at the same time, she felt like she had let the trafficked kids down… there was always such a limit on what she could do.

Her phone rang. Eugene!

She told him about the investigation, how she wished she could do more.

"I believe I may have a solution," he said. "I have created an application which will remove the figures in the videos, leaving just the background. This way, you'll be able to look for clues without having to witness the traumatic images."

"Wow! How did you do that?"

He launched into a technical explanation she couldn't follow. Then he apologized, knowing she wasn't interested in such things.

"That's okay! I'm just glad you could do it! It seems like magic. I don't know how you did it so fast."

"Well… I did take some time off from the college. Once I had this idea, I had to see it through—so you could get to work right away. I couldn't leave it alone when there are kids to help—and something I could do about it."

"Thank you, Eugene!"

"Of course, I will have to finish the rest of the program, but I will send this application to you immediately. There are other clues that can be found from the victims and the perpetrators…but I can send the unfiltered videos to someone else."

"I'm just glad I can do something. I can't handle any of the hardcore investigation…." She told him what Jason was up to, infiltrating an exclusive club on the dark web.

"Tell him to be careful," said Eugene. "Just because the online world is virtual, it doesn't mean it isn't dangerous."

"What can they do?"

"They can use your own techniques against you, like trace you through personal clues. And they can not only destroy your virtual assets, but they can come after you in the physical world as well."

"Maybe he shouldn't be doing this…."

"There are safeguards you can take. He probably has knowledge of most of them, however, I would be happy to send some tips."

"You sound like you speak from experience."

"Well…I can't say I haven't done some white hat hacking in my day, so to speak. Perhaps I should lend my skills to this as well…. And you can give me some information specific to human trafficking. However, my priority right now is Lifeguard."

She asked him how Katrina was doing and everyone else back in Odyssey. She couldn't help but be struck by a wave of homesickness…. It had been almost a week now and Odyssey felt very far away. But then she looked over at Jason, and she wouldn't be separated from him for the world.

Eugene sent the program but she had to wait to use it until Jason was finished signing up to Rising Stars. She paced the room, tried to read a book, then watched the sun sink over the hills in the west, spreading its golden light over the gardens, gleaming through the flowers climbing the wall near the window.

Wearily Jason set down the iPad on the desk. "And that was just the beginning. I'm planning to go to the next level—which will take some more money—where they have livestreamed auctions. I might…have to see things I can't block out. But if there's a way I can help the victims— it's real time, not recorded, so I…might be able to buy some of them. They said it's exclusive so…. That way they won't be bought by someone who'll…hurt them."

"That would be great. Be careful, though."

"Caution is my middle name."

She sidled over to him. "No, it's not. If anything, it's Danger."

"I have more than one middle name."

He grasped her arm and she sank down onto his lap. He held her in his strong arms, his biceps pressing against her back and legs, and she told him what Eugene had said. Then he spun the chair around and she laughed as her hair swung outward and he held tightly to her, looking down with his eyes the center of her universe.

She clung to his shirt, the room whirling, and he pulled her upright and held her as he configured the program to his computer and linked it to the videos they'd downloaded already. While it converted them at lightning speed, he carried her over to the bed.

He ran his hand through his hair. "It's been a long day. We can start fresh in the morning."

She nodded. Flopped down on the bed, feeling worn out. Come to think of it, she probably had a few bruises too… they might show up tomorrow.

He stepped in the bathroom with his pajamas to change, but then stepped back out, his phone to his ear.

"What—M-hm. I understand. Yes, we can't miss this chance. I agree. No, I'll do it. It's not out of the realm of…. I'll ask. She's always at the center of… I know. I feel the same way… but I—don't want to pass up an opportunity—something this close—it could be the break we're looking for. Yes. Thank you. Bye."

He clutched his phone, looking at it for a moment, then turned to her.

"I have to go."

"What?"

"Saul's found some movement—some chatter in the underworld. Looks like Ali's going on a 'business trip'—overnight on a trip south to Valhad. This could be it. It could be a courier trip—leading to Yavesh HQ. Or a satellite."

"You're going to follow him?"

He nodded.

Her heart stopped. "Jason. What if—what if it is Yavesh. By yourself— there'd be too many of them."

"Don't worry, I'll just do a recon mission. If it's Yavesh— I'll call in the cavalry."

"It could still be dangerous."

"I just—if this is it—we might have a chance of bringing them down."

She almost begged him not to—it could bring him down instead. So many things could go wrong… like they had in Paraguay, when he'd almost been sold. But his mind was made up. To leave him alone was unthinkable.

"I'll come with you."

"No—it's too dangerous."

"You just said—"

"If it does go wrong…. I don't want a chance you could be hurt."

"I don't want to leave you. If you get hurt… I want to be with you."

"But I couldn't bear that…."

"Don't leave me. Please, don't leave me."

"Connie I—I have to. I'm so sorry."

"I don't want you to leave but… I get that you have to do this. Just— don't get yourself captured. Okay? Do whatever it takes to come back to me."

"I'll really just do a recon mission—I'm done doing one-man infiltrations, except online."

"This could go sideways too…."

"I'll keep a balance between gathering intel—and making sure I keep in the shadows." He stepped toward her and laid his hand on her shoulder. He leaned down, kissed her lips, lingering, his hand on the back of her neck. He pulled away slightly. "I can't…"

She slid her hand into his hair. "Go. I'll be fine here. But if you get lost—" Her breath caught. "Know that I'm coming after you. No matter what."

"That's motivation enough to come back." He straightened and grabbed his jacket from the closet. Slid it on. "About half an hour, the sources say, before he leaves… I've got just enough time." He caught her eyes; his brimmed with love and longing. Then he turned and strode out the door.

Leaving her alone.

She sank down onto the bed, buried her head in her hands, and wept.