Morris' desk had always been the tidiest among his colleagues, reflecting his uncomplicated personality – a characteristic that endeared him to everyone he worked with. But with the urgency and sheer pressure of the day's events, he had completely cleared off the desk in the most uncharacteristic manner, wildly stuffing everything into any available cabinet and drawer. Now all that remained was his phone, which had become the unforeseen anchor to his soul, the only thread connecting him to this unknown young girl. Her life and death were contained within this mundane device, and Morris both hated and clung to it because of that.
Almost an hour had passed since the last call, so the silent trio were startled from their daze by footsteps in the hallway outside. It turned out to be the two Thai helpers.
The newcomers introduced themselves as Aat and Chariya. Aat was a gentle, soft-spoken young man in his mid-twenties, friendly yet reserved. Since he worked as a driver, he knew the area well. Chariya was in her early thirties, and was rather tall and slim. She shared Aat's subdued demeanor, yet her cheerfulness shone through her ready smiles. What pleased Morris the most was the fact that she was fluent in both Thai and Burmese, allowing her to assist him in talking with Mya and eavesdropping on the kidnappers. All in all, the two newcomers brought with them a sense of serenity and normalcy, rejuvenating the forlorn office atmosphere.
They were filled in on Mya's situation, and what their roles would be. Aat was obviously a people-person, assuring the team that his contact network covered most major retailers and malls. With him, they would be able to have eyes on the ground at Mya's possible locations...a technical advantage that brought a tear of joy to Jeremy's eyes. He and Aat instantly became the perfect division. Chariya, on the other hand, excelled at translation and communication with youth, since she worked as a youth counsellor at a local NGO. Morris was relieved to know that he did not have to struggle to understand the kidnappers' Thai anymore. She would also be able to teach him how to comfort Mya in her distress. As the new teams settled into their roles, planning for the next call, Margaret sat back for the first time in three hours, relishing the camaraderie that was blossoming in the soil of despair.
For the first time, she felt hopeful.
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When Hope Calls: A Human Trafficking Story
Short StoryOne phone call. One kidnapped girl. One impossible rescue mission. When the staff of a human rights NGO receive a call from a distraught girl, Mya, claiming she had been kidnapped, they are thrown on a gut-wrenching quest. They don't know who...
