Perception

Part 11

I would like to take a moment to admire all of the very amazing writers out there that could probably have written these scenes with half the amount of word vomit....and do it better! I'm not thrilled with how this came out, but it was hard to revisit some of the topic matter. Over the weekend there were allegations of a human trafficking ring 30 minutes from where I live on the news.

 As always, let me know if there are plot holes—I'm cool with constructive criticism. If you enjoyed it at all, give a vote, and/or comment.

**A**

The next several days were filled with Sang being called to the foster home where the children were cared for. Mia bonded almost immediately with Sara, the foster mom, but couldn't stand being alone with Joe, Sara's husband. For the first few nights, Mia refused to go to sleep unless Sang was there to hold, rock, or sing to her. Mateo refused to even speak to either of his foster parents, and Paula was reserved but not unfriendly to Sara, although she also would not remain in a room with Joe unless there were others present.

Dr. Green, with the assistance of the kind-eyed translator determined that all three children are related—Mateo and Mia siblings, and Paula a cousin which they lived with when their mother died during childbirth. Paula's parents are impoverished, and had the children working in their craft stall in the market. All three were taken on their way from school to the craft stand. Sara and Joe attempted to have the children see a counselor to deal with the abuse, but Mateo refused.

Sand POV:

I am about to leave my violin lesson when Dr. Green gently knocks on the door, and walks in without waiting for a response. Mr. Blackbourne's eyes snap to him in a bizarre mixture of annoyance and something akin to worry.

They share a silent conversation with their eyes before Dr. Green turns to me and states, "We need your help, but in helping, you are exposing yourself to more Academy members than you may be comfortable with."

"What do you need?" I ask as my insides start to vibrate. I really have no idea what they could need me with beyond the kids. Maybe the kids are having a hard time. I already help tuck in Mia every night, creating extra schedule gymnastics for my family.

"Mateo is refusing to speak to a counselor. The counselor himself speaks Spanish, but that won't matter unless we can actually get the boy there. I am actually thinking it may be a good idea if you act as a translator anyway, so there is a person there that he is comfortable with," Mr. Blackbourne says.

"I'll do it," I say without hesitation.

"Pookie, as of now, only people who were already aware of you know of your involvement with these children. Sara and Joe are extremely discreet because of their standing as foster parents, but exposure to even them may accelerate your involvement in the Academy past what we are ready for," Dr. Sean explains quietly.

"It doesn't matter. I need to be there for those kids. I need to help them like you all helped me, even if I can only act as a translator," I respond equally as quiet.

"Alright. I will see if we can arrange for the counselor to come to the home of Sara and Joe. I think that this is the best course of action if we wish to maintain some amount of discretion," Mr. Blackbourne says with resignation.