The Squad

“How are you feeling?” Mr. Lyon drew my attention from watching Jason’s retreating back.

“I’m fine; why does everyone keep asking me that?”

“The longer you’re here, the more you’ll come to realize that we’re all about the safety and comfort of our women and children. For the next nine or ten months, you should get used to hearing that question at least once a day either from the men or your sisters-in-law.”

“Sisters-in-law?”

“Yes, everyone here is family; you’re now a part of this family; that’s the reason I called you here. Like I said, we take the safety of our women and children very seriously, which means your part in the rescue has come to an end.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean that there’s no way for you to get off this island, especially not now that you’re carrying those kids. You can be selfish and wait until you give birth and try to rescue the ones you left behind, but think of their suffering in the meantime. The other option is to tell me where they are so I can go get them as soon as possible.”

“Why should I trust you?”

“Good question. What have you seen here so far that causes you not to trust us?” It was a good question. Even though it had only been a few days, I have to admit to not feeling anything off about any of them, not even the staff. I haven’t been able to snoop my surroundings as I’d like, but now that I think about it, he was the one who’d convinced me to come here. Well, him, and the fact that Cierra was here as well.

But how can I be so lax with the others’ care? If this were legit, it would be the answer to a prayer. In five years, I haven’t been able to come up with a way to get back to rescue the others. Can I trust these people? I trust Jason enough to share myself with him, but how can I take that leap of faith and put the wellbeing of so many in their hands?

“By the way, your uncle will be here sometime tomorrow.”

“Uncle Mike? How…”

“That’s not important right now. I need...” He stopped talking and turned his head to the side. “Mengele, get out here.”

Mengele? Catalina came around the side of the house smiling like the little innocent she is.

“What did I tell you about listening in to people’s conversations?”

“I wasn’t eavesdropping, daddy, honest. Okay, not really.” She corrected herself at his raised brow. “I was looking for aunty Roxy. Aunty, guess what.”

“What?” Who can stay uptight in her presence? Part of the reason I haven’t tried walking my way off this island is because of her. I just have to look at her to be reminded that her childhood is a far cry from mine and others like me.

I know the signs of abuse very well, and there isn’t even a shadow around her. “I got you a surprise.”

“You did? Where is it?”

“It didn’t come yet; uncle Hank sent someone to get it from Seoul.”

“Se… you got me a present from Korea?”

I could only stare at her in amazement. “Yes, but I can’t tell you what it is yet; you’ll have to wait and see.”

“How did you buy me something in Korea?”

“Daddy let me use his card. I didn’t spend too much, did I, daddy?” Instead of an answer, he sighed. “Go away, Catalina, go help your mother with the trips.”

“As if!”

“What did you say?”

“Nothing, daddy. Bye, aunty Roxy, bye babies.” She rubbed my tummy with a smile.

“Babies? How did you…?” I don’t recall Jason mentioning to anyone what the doctor had said.

“Oh, did I say that? I meant baby. See you.” She took off running, making me laugh at her antics even though I was left feeling a bit uneasy.

“So, you gonna give me the name of that place or what? Keep in mind, the longer you holdout, the longer the innocent are being subjected to the hell they live in.”

He had a point, but it seemed so farfetched that these people who I did not know would be so invested in saving children that everyone else had turned a blind eye to. “I’d love to give you some time to think about it, but we both know we don’t have that luxury. Besides, I’m sure you already know what Jason did to the aide.” He looked at me as if seeing into my head.

“If we can trust you with that, I don’t see why you can’t return the favor. Look at me.” I turned to look at him fully.

“You met my eldest daughter; she sat next to you at breakfast. She’s my world, the first of my seed, and I’d die to keep her safe. Her little sister is now the age you were when you were taken. A year ago, someone nabbed her.”