The Story of the Seven

CHAPTER 23 - Apprehending the Trafficking Ring

-Kuroba POV-

"Listen up men! We have located five human traffickers, after reports of suspicious activity in an abandoned concrete building 1 hour from here. They have adopted a child from an illegal orphanage, so we must recover the child at all costs. Child safety first, apprehending criminals second." (Kuroba)

"Yes, sir!" (Kuroba's troops)

"Squad A, storm the compound from the front. Squad B, storm the compound from the back. Squad C, half of you guys enter from 3rd floor west windows, and the other half from 3rd floor east windows. And my squad – we storm from above."

"Yes, sir!"

"Now let's get moving! All troops, go to your positions! Meet up in an hour!"

Troops, clad in black riot gear, hurriedly readied their wood swords and riot shields as they got ready for battle.

-Mafuyu POV, age 4-

I awoke to a gentle voice, the sun shining warmly on my face.

Dimly opening my eyes, I saw a girl walking and singing a song about a grey steppe eagle.

"Where am I?"

"Oh, you woke up. Are you alright? Are you feeling better."

I recognized that voice. It belonged to the maid.

"Where am I?"

I repeated my question.

"We're at a steep and lofty bank, dear."

"Am I safe? Why did papa betray me? Was that a dream? That was a dream, right? Everything's all good, right?"

The maid just looked at me with sad, lonely eyes, and I started to cry uncontrollably.

"Why did papa do that? Was I a bad girl? Why? I don't get it? Why does everyone hate me so much? What should I do to be a good girl?"

The maid gently sat next to me.

"Hey, you're only four. Seventeen more years until adulthood, and that's just the beginning of life's journey. Trust your instincts, trust you heart, and use your morals as a guiding light. You have plenty of time to change yourself and walk down the path you desire."

She gently hugged me.

"To be honest, I know that's a tall order for a mere 4 year old. Certainly something I've never been able to have done. But you know, I gotta do one good god damn thing in my life, even though I'll never repent my crimes."

"What do you mean?"

"Your papa, mama, uncle, and butler are all human traffickers. They tried to make you look all pretty and attractive to sell you. You see, we were once the most powerful crime family in Moscow, but everything fell apart and we got exiled to Japan once the fed's crackdowns began. All that's left of the family is the boss – your papa – , the boss's wife – your mama – and his 3 lackeys – the uncle, the butler, and me. But I'm so tired of killing people; selling kids; bloodying my hands. I'm so sorry....."

"Is that why you helped me?"

"Yeah, listen, Mafuyu, you never go down the path of crime; got it? I hate my life, and there's no one left to run for me. I'm a lost sheep."

"Adults aren't invincible?"

"No, we're weak. We just pretend to be strong – at least, that's how its been for me."

"What are human traffickers?"

"Right, you still don't know what that means. To put it simple, your parents – all of them – are very bad people that want to sell you."