Surrounded But Alone

Chapter 27- Closure Doesn't Mean It's Over

Gail's Point Of View;

After what felt like an hour had passed I began to hear the traffic outside beginning to move normally. Then the policewoman who I had seen outside with the bullhorn came into where we were. She introduced herself to us as, Chief Arlene Trust. She was a woman of African American descent and she looked at least in her early forties although being rather muscular and tall. She still had a coarse, but almost raspy voice that was just as noticeable without the bullhorn. She took off the police hat as she stepped inside which revealed her a faded haircut.

She wanted to personally question us along with another younger policeman of Indian descent and a smaller muscular build than the Chief. He had a notebook and pencil out the entire time busily writing something Homer was telling him as they came in while Presley followed in silently. Chief Trust asked for both my and Amelia's names and ages so they could be written down for our statements. Of course, Amelia didn't have to say what she had seen because she literally didn't see anything. I still said the part she and her dog Octo had done from giving the police better directions and her dog luring people to the scene. The two workers didn't have much to add because they didn't have any idea what was going on until the police arrived.

My statement took the longest since I had to talk about what the perfume salesman had tried to do with me earlier that day. Chief Trust seemed to be very impressed with Presley's involvement from early on. Then I matched it all in the timeline she asked me to confirm.

"Wow, saving two lives in one day, where we professions are lucky if we just save one." The policeman taking notes said to stop momentarily to look at Presley and then continue writing.

"I'll say, he got to pull her out of the way just in time," Homer chimed in putting his arm to pat Presley's shoulder proudly.

So Presley was the one who did that. I should have known because he does have a powerful grip that usually comes out of nowhere. He did the same with me earlier.

"Well I'm glad you all were able to help prevent this and I'm especially thankful to you Mr. Qiaodi for being so observant." Chief Trust said to him but the officer taking notes made another remark.

"I wish all citizens were like that. It would make our job so much easier."

The chief gave him a sharp glare before turning her attention back to us."What he means is that we've been after this group for eight months without a lead and within that time they have kidnapped at least twenty-four girls."

"That we know of since no one ever sees anything. It's the same story with all our snuggler cases," said the officer who was writing again putting in his two cents.

"Officer Daanesh would you please just stick to writing?" ordered Chief Trust with a hint of annoyance in her tone. The officer immediately closed his mouth pressing his lips together then started writing as she shook her head.

"Anyway, they are a part of a gang of human traffickers linked in this city and one of their ploys involves one of them pretending to be a perfume salesman who uses chloroform sprays. Then when it knocks the girl unconscious, they usually pretend that the girl isn't feeling well to appear helpful to others who are unsuspecting," Chief Trust continued with no interruptions.

"You said one of their ploys, so there are others?" Amelia spoke up asking the chief.

"Unfortunately yes, they always come up with new ways but it does bring me comfort to know the ones in our area are behind bars tonight."

"Me too," I agreed out loud with Chief Trust, That was one of the scariest things I've ever faced in my life. She nodded to me and then continued.

"And you all helped the girl from being another victim so I call that a win. Mr. Qiaodi, your description of what happened was very impressive as you were first noticed." Presley looked a little flustered when the Chief told him that. His head sank and he looked to the ground as he took a step back.

"Well, um thanks but I didn't do it on my own. If it wasn't for Homer and Amelia things might have turned out differently. Uh, Ma'am, I don't know if I told you but I'm only seventeen so only Homer's statement you can really use out of the two of us. You may need a parent's permission for me."

"Forgive the modesty of our hero Chief Trust. I only knew what happened when we got to the bookstore, not what happened before," Homer said as he ruffled Presley's hair.

"That's OK Mr. Reeves, from your descriptions I got a good idea of what took place. Plus we have Ms. Isreal and the young lady outside who can testify along with catching the criminals in the act. So we don't need many eyewitness accounts for this case."

Until then I didn't know Presley's age but I was not surprised as he does look more like a high school student. It's actually cool that he got into college early. The rest of us are either eighteen and up so no wonder he's so shy around the other students. I see Mitchum hang around campus all the time but Presley barely leaves his apartment. Half the time I'm not even sure if he lives next door.

After the chief took all our contact information and the name of the college we were allowed to leave. It sure has been a pretty overwhelming evening. Our campus was within walking distance. So on our way back, we had a little small talk about what happened today between us on our way back. Presley just nodded to most of it but I couldn't exactly focus on what was being said. I found myself going over the events of today in my head.

If Presley had not shown up when he did I would have been taken for sure. I owe another one to him for being there for me. Octo then broke me out of thought with his barking. That was when I heard Homer call Presley the hero of the day. He sighed and then told Homer not to call him that. He looked really disturbed by it. I wonder why because technically he was.

By that time we arrived at the campus where we had to part ways. Homer and Amelia said goodnight and went their way to their dorm building. Presley who I knew depended on me to find back the way, went to ours. According to what Mitchum told me; he has trouble finding the building during the day.

As we walked up the staircase of our dorm building I couldn't even try to make conversation. My mind still was crowded by the thoughts of what could have happened to me today. I felt a tightening feeling in my chest that I'd never felt before. Presley must have seen it in my demeanor by the conversation he started to break the silence. Am I overwhelmed by my thoughts?

"I know it must've been a frightening experience Gail but we did prevent the worst," I knew that he was trying to be comforting. But I couldn't see it that way now. Even though my airflow felt restricted I still managed to respond.

"It's just the idea of it even happening is... like surreal; I mean you hear about it all the time but you never really think that it would happen to you. I have to ask though, how did you know?" We had just reached our floor when I asked him this. He began to search through his pockets as he answered me.

"I just saw what we all saw when the man approached the other girl. A black minivan was driving up behind you but I wasn't certain of anything at the time. I only met you outside there because you left your notepad at the cafe and wanted to return it. Oh no, I think I left it in the bookstore; I will have to buy you a new one, sorry."

"Wait... Hold on, so if I didn't leave it behind, you wouldn't have come to meet me and I wouldn't be here now." We had just reached outside our dorm rooms.

It scared me to death as the thought cut through my mind like a knife, that had to hold my head. I think I'm starting to panic as I clutched my chest with my other hand. I felt like I couldn't breathe as I slowly dropped to my hands and knees. I was shaking profusely; what was happening to me?