My mind was racing, trying to decipher the scene that was unfolding in front of my eyes. 

        I stood as still as a rock, my body and senses paralyzed by some unknown force. I was surely dreaming, though this was nowhere within the category of satisfying dreams; more like a nightmare. Around me, I didn't hear any sounds from Mason and Ivana either. Although, I didn't dare glance at them, afraid of their expression. Were they stunned and staring with disbelieving eyes as I was? 

        I can't tell for how long I stood there, helplessly taking everything in with my widened eyes. Suddenly, I felt something nudging against my leg. With a yelp, I broke out of my trance and took a step back. When I glanced down to see what had rubbed against me, I barely stifled another shocked squeal. 

        Calming myself, I decided to look further into what this room held. In front of us, the room was filled with at least a dozen of girls. Some were teenagers, while there was a significant amount of children under the age of 12. The room itself was compact with the walls a lime shade. It looked as if it was a storage room with furniture draped with white cloths. Cobwebs settled in the corners of the room. The chamber consisted of no windows, neglecting the room of any sunlight. 

        The poor girls were tied up with the same rough ropes I had been bound with not a few hours ago. Cloths were wrapped around their mouths in order to keep them from producing any sound. Any cry for help, my mind offered. Their eyes were filled with desperation, as if they were silently pleading. I would have been among them if I hadn't taken action against those cruel men. I shuddered at that notion. What has this world come to? So much desolation, such hunger for wealth.  

        I glanced at Mason, who looked back at me with uncertainty. That uncertainty took me by surprise. I had always known Mason to be sure of what actions he took and what he wanted. I guess all of us have been impacted by this turn of events. This world holds a lot of surprises indeed. He might have seen the shock etched into my expression because Mason seemed to regain his composure and cleared his throat. 

        "April, we should really untie them. They need help as soon as possible," Mason said with the certainty back in his tone. 

        I opened my mouth to reply, although it felt as if my throat had gotten dry, seizing any sound. Instead, I managed to jerk my head in a nod.  

        We set to untying ropes and getting each girl to a comfortable position. While doing so, I came across a girl who seemed to be about 5 years old, perhaps the youngest in the room. Tears streaked her cheeks, while her hair stuck to the sides of her face from the trapped humidity. She seemed exhausted and worn, her striking blue eyes made dull by the bluish-purple circles under them. I felt as if a fist was tightening around my heart, squeezing without mercy. I choked back tears and tenderly pushed the girl's hair back, embracing her. The child held on tight sobbing into my dress. I gently broke the hug and wiped the tears off of her smooth cheeks. Her situation reminded me too much of my own. I was suddenly brought back to the way I had been treated these past months.  

        "It's going to be okay. What's your name?" I whispered.

        "S-Selena," she stuttered, her voice barely audible. 

        "Okay, Selena, I want you to stop crying and tell me what happened here. Can you do that for me?" I asked, cupping Selena's cheeks. 

        "Mhm," Selena mumbled, nodding. Her strawberry blond curls bobbed as she did so. 

        "Great. Come on." I took hold of her petite hand and led her to a dust covered chair in a corner of the room. 

        When Selena had reluctantly settled into the chair, I asked, "Who did this to you?"

        "There were three very mean men. They told me they would give me candy. I knew about stranger danger, but... The candy looked so yummy," Selena looked down at her hands, as if embarrassed by her actions. "Then, when I went to get the candy, they picked me up and forced me into a truck. I tried to scream and call Mommy, but they put a hand on my mouth."

        Selena started to sob, her words becoming a wet mumbling. I crouched next to her and pulled her into a hug. "It's okay, Selena. We'll get you back home."

        Selena nodded against my shoulder and continued, "Those men brought me here. I was so scared. So very scared. But, they didn't seem to care. They tied me up in this room with everyone else. I cried and cried. It was so dark and scary."

        "I know, Selena. I know how you feel. Do you know why they did this?" In response, Selena shook her head.

        Rising to my feet, I grasped Selena's hand and gently pulled her out of the chair. We walked to the front of the room where Ivana and Mason stood, examining the room. 

        "April, I asked one of the older girls about the motives of the kidnappers, and she told me that she caught snippets of their conversation," Mason said, leaning close to me to keep our conversation confidential. 

        "What did she hear?" I asked. 

        "She said that she heard something about sending them to Bangladesh as slaves," Mason continued, with grief set in his eyes. 

        I gasped, unable to believe what I was hearing. "That's horrible!"

        "I know. I called the police and they called more reinforcements," Mason informed. 

        Not seconds after Mason finished, the sound of footsteps reached our ears. My eyes widened, while my breathing got shallower. I squeezed Selena's hand, bracing myself for the reunion with the captors. Although, once again I was mistaken. It was the police. 

        "Hello, officer," Mason greeted the officer and went to explain the details of the situation to him. 2 female officers accompanied him, who waited for them to finish conversing. I couldn't help but stare at their crisply ironed uniforms. There was always something intimidating about police officers, though I could not identify what it was. Perhaps it was their everlasting confidence, or maybe the way they glanced at you with analyzing eyes.

        After about a few tense minutes, the officer finally announced, "We are surprised that a plan so serious was able to take place. We will take these girls to the police station and further question them and the captors, so we can return these children to their homes safely. Also, Ms. April, we are extremely sorry for whatever inconvenience these kidnappers have caused you."

        The police officers rounded the girls in a matter of seconds, and led them outside to their vehicles. Before exiting the room, Selena walked over to me and wrapped her tiny arms around my waist. Smiling, I crouched down and hugged her tightly. A strange feeling was dominating my heart at the moment; I felt somehow perturbed to watch her leave. Humans are peculiar, aren't we? I just crossed paths with this sweet little girl, and now I feel somehow tied to her. My heart has already made space for this fragile child. 

        "Take care, Selena," I said, stroking her cheek with my thumb.

        "I will. You are very nice. Your boyfriend is too." At this, my eyebrows shot upwards. 

        "Selena, Mason isn't my boyfriend," I murmured, trying to smother the part of me that wished he was. Rebellious heart. Despite my wounded feelings, my heart's travelling towards the same destination which caused me pain. 

        "Oh, sorry. I just saw him staring at you, that's why I thought he was your boyfriend." I looked down embarrassed, very well aware of the heat crawling up my neck and cheeks. "Bye! I have to go," Selena stated. 

        "Bye," I replied, watching her little feet take off. 

        Smiling at her enthusiasm to see her family again, I rose to my feet, and smoothed the my dress, which now was covered in dust and dark stains. 

        I walked over to Mason and Ivana, who were waiting for me. 

        Just as I reached them, Ivana said, "Let's go home now. Also, April and Mason, I've been watching you two and I can see there's something going on. I'm going to act as Cupid and get you guys to talk. I know there something bothering you."

        I stole a quick glance at Mason, who to my surprise, was looking right at me. Sighing, I nodded. I guess some problems can't be ignored for too long.

        Time to face the very notion that I would like to dismiss as much as possible. 

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Author's Note:

Chapter 17! Selling the girls off as slaves and labor workers? Now that's very inhumane, isn't it? I just want to express the fact that people like this still exist around the world... people who would do anything to gain wealth. So, that's why we should be alert when a stranger approaches us. That's why they say: stranger danger.

Also, I don't want to offend anyone by using Bangladesh as an example. I just merely wanted to mention a country where slavery is said to still exist. 

This is the website I used: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/11/23/countries-with-most-slaves_n_6207628.html  

Bangladesh isn't the only country where slavery still exists, there are many more. For example: Thailand, Indonesia, Congo, and more. 

All of this information is from the website I have pasted above. 

I hope you liked this chapter. Have a great day! :)

- Anika