Perception

Part 9

Sang POV:

After spending the night with Silas, we were woken to go on a mission. It was rather uncomfortable, but the feeling I got after helping seven runaways seek medical care and receive better shelter than a condemned hardware store was one that I wanted to have repeated. I realized my severe disadvantage in that situation-the language barrier could have been what caused the mission to fail-and requested help from Nathan in learning Spanish. Here in the South, there are higher chances that I would need to speak Spanish. I took to the language pretty quickly and made sure that Nathan taught me important phrases to describe living conditions, health concerns, and emotions.

***

I was laying on my stomach on Nathan's bed reading one of the new books Kota had gotten me while waiting for the guys, any one of them, to come back for the night when I heard the outside door unlock and open. Quiet, sure footsteps approached and I look up to see Kota and Nathan looking through the doorway. They were slightly scruffy, raindrops splattered on their shoulders and hair.

"Sang, Mr. Blackbourne wants me to ask for your assistance," Kota said with a pinched expression.

"You mean he ordered you to," Nathan stated bluntly, but with no less trepidation.

"You can ask, but I really don't know how I can help," I say hesitantly. "Is it something dangerous? You don't look to thrilled about this," I say after striding toward them.

"It shouldn't be dangerous. Any threat there was has been taken care of by us and another team," Kota explained. Okay, Kota...what's the problem? I think with exasperation.

"I'll help. Do I need anything in particular? Clothes, supplies,....?"

"Just dress warm. We have a situation similar to what you helped with last time; these children need medical attention, but only speak Spanish," Kota states with anger in his voice. He can't be mad at me! I didn't do anything dangerous then, either!

I slip on a light pink and blue checked sweatshirt and my tennis shoes, and we head out. Kota drives to the very edge of Charleston, and I spot several black vehicles. Dr. Green and Mr. Blackbourne are quietly strategizing at the corner of a broken down farmhouse while North and Silas are guarding the corners of the property. Victor is seated inside one of the cars with his face illuminated by a computer screen. I don't see Luke or Gabriel anywhere.

Mr. Blackbourne spots us and heads over watching me the entire time. "Miss Sorenson, thank you for coming here. Did Mr. Lee and Mr. Griffin fill you in at all?" he watches as I nod, "Good. We have reason to believe that these runaways are escapees of a human trafficking ring. Mr. Griffin and Mr. Lee, along with myself and Dr. Green were the only ones that were supposed to be on this assignment but developments from the other team at a different location lead us to believe they are connected. Those we believe accountable for displacing these children are being closely monitored so that they may lead their watchers to their leaders. However, the children inside the cellar here are frightened, and will not let anyone approach. I believe it is because we are all male."