Freedom

12

Gabriel yawned, his head drooping in his hand. He had 2 more hours left before he got off work, and it was killing him. He had started working with Death about 3 months ago. He thought that he would be doing what he did, but no. He wasn't allowed in the field yet. Instead, he had to stay at the station and file the reports away. He was a little bored of it, but he liked doing something to help, and with how long it had taken for him to convince the agent to let him join the team, he was not going to complain about it now. It had been almost 2 years since they had managed to shut the angel club down, and Castiel was sent to prison for human trafficking.  Unfortunately, there were always more like him. Sam had not been thrilled with Gabriel wanting to dive back into this world, he wanted to keep him as far away from it as possible, but even he couldn't deny the way it helped Gabriel come to terms with everything.

Gabriel had just finished typing and filing the last report when Death walked in.

"OK, kiddo, it looks like you're going to get your wish."

Gabriel looked at him confused.

"I need you to come with me tonight. It's going to be a big catch, and it will look suspicious if I am the only one leaving with the kids."

Gabriel nodded, understanding. There had been a few times that Death had tried to get too many kids out on his own. The last time, they actually made him choose which kids to leave and which ones to take. That had been a bad night.

"Okay, where are we going?"

"Next town over. You'll go in first, I'll be about ten minutes behind you. Just be prepared, this one if only kids, and we won't be able to get them all."

Gabriel felt the blood drain from his face.  He wasn't sure if he would be able to leave the rest of them behind, but he knew he had to do what Death said. Otherwise, no one would get out. He nodded, standing from his desk.

"Just tell me what to do. "

Gabriel stood in the crowd, following the flow of people across the stage. He felt sick seeing all the kids paraded out, people touching and staring at them, commenting on how much they were worth. Gabriel didn't speak to anyone, his eyes lingering on the faces of the kids they were here for, and skipping over the ones he knew would not be saved tonight.

They couldn't very well take the whole auction, even though he wanted to. He wanted to burn the place down and take all the kids home where they would be safe,  but he had to stay focused on the plan.

He made his way off the stage, knowing they would be starting soon. Gabriel saw his partner making his way across, talking to a few of the buyers beside him. He couldn't help noticing he was one of the youngest people here. At only 23, he did not look like he belonged there at all. He hoped no one else would notice as the lights in the crown dimmed until you could only see the stage. The man running the auction stepped out, welcoming everyone and pulling the first kid to the front of the stage. It wasn't one of theirs, Gabriel bit his cheek, forcing himself to remain silent as people shouted their bids, the first kid being sold for 1500. He watched the boy being pulled off the stage and led away, as the next two were pulled forward. Twin girls, age 11, Kate and Ashley. They were Gabriel's first two. He waited for the bidding to start, letting a few people shout out first before he joined in.

"900!"

"1000"

"1100"

"1300"

Gabriel growled, shouting out 1600, feeling relieved that no one outbid him. He walked up, handing the man a pile of cash and leading the girls away to the van he had waiting. He closed the doors, heading back inside, passing Death with the first kid on his list. A 10 year old boy named Thomas.