Trafficked Series

by Taylor Ann Stone

  CHAPTER 15

  I dragged my feet as I slogged down the hallway on my first day back to school. I could feel the eyeballs of every person on me as I passed them. They knew what happened to me because every news and media channel had been covering it over the past week. I was way past self-conscious and was questioning whether returning to school this soon was a good idea.

  Even Monica and Lucy had very little to say and I assumed it was because they didn’t know what to say. There wasn’t much one could say to a friend who had just returned from spending almost two months kidnapped and recovering. Janis hadn’t shown her face or caused problems either, which was extraordinary- for her.

  I found myself in Mrs. Schroeder’s Social Science class and plopped myself in my old seat. Usually I’d wear my hair in a ponytail, but today I wore it down. In my mind, it protected me, like a socially acceptable wall around my eyes. I was half-heartedly paying attention, instead of doodling in my notebook. The lights dimmed and I looked up to see that she was showing some kind of video clip. I returned to my doodles and the internal spaces in my mind where I felt safe.

  “The President and I have discussed this in detail and I can assure you that nothing is more important to him than securing our borders…”

  I looked up and on the screen at the man who was the face of the voice I heard in the van.

  “That’s George L. Hullman, Homeland Security Advisor to the President speaking about the meeting he had yesterday with….” the news announcer said.

  George L. Hullman. Security Advisor to the President.

  My knees began to shake and my heart pounded. This was the man who had paid for me from the Russian couple. If that was true, then I wasn’t crazy. There was something big going on and I was right at the center of it.

  Paranoid, I looked around at my classmates. I envied how carefree they were. They knew nothing about the evil and darkness outside of these walls.

  I wasn’t sure what I should do. If someone this high up to the president was involved in human trafficking, then anything was possible. Did the president know?

  That meant I wasn’t safe. Not at home and not here at school.

  “Excuse me, Mrs. Schroeder. May I please use the restroom?” I asked.

  She nodded. I grabbed my backpack and headed out of the door toward the school exit. My parents would know what to do. I just had to get home and explain what I saw. Then they would call Special Agent Roberts and he would take it from there. Except that-- he was part of the FBI-- that meant he was employed by the same organization that was under the president. What if he was in on all of this too? My memory flashed back to the day I was rescued when I noticed one of the agents grab the phone out of the kidnapper’s pocket and put it in his own. Could he have been part of all of this too?

  As I flung open the door and ran down the steps, I was confronted by a black sedan that pulled up onto the sidewalk, blocking my path.

  The window rolled down to reveal a man in a black leather jacket with black hair and a goatee. He pulled out a pistol and showed it to me. “Marlene. Nice to see you again.”

  I started to walk backward but he lifted the pistol into plain view reminding me not to move.

  “Listen, don’t get any ideas about talking to that FBI pal of yours. We’re watching you. This ain’t over.”

  He sped away as fast as he had arrived. I stood there shaking and frozen. I didn’t know what to do. I thought the nightmare had ended, but it hadn’t.

  It was just the beginning.

  Part II

  CHAPTER 16

  I watched as the black sedan drove away, its red lights glowing as it rounded the corner moving away from my school’s parking lot. The FBI agents inside on their way back to headquarters, leaving me terrified and more confused. The surreal reality hit me and I couldn’t believe that I was in the middle of something that felt like a movie. Except that I wasn’t an actor and didn’t go home to my safe life after the director called cut.

  My knees weakened as I stood there alone, looking down the street where the sedan used to be. What if I was being watched? I knew I might not be safe and needed to surround myself with other people. I turned around and walked back into the school, down the hall, and opened the door to my classroom. Everyone looked at me. First, because I interrupted the lesson and then a familiar facial expression spread across all their faces. They recognized me, but not just as Marlene, the happy-go-lucky girl. That person no longer existed to them. Now I was the girl who got kidnapped. The looks of pity and scrutiny were nearly overwhelming. They all knew what happened to me. It had been all over the news. They also knew that I had been institutionalized, which made it harder to live down the stigma that I was insane.

  I sulked down in my chair, counting down the minutes until class was over and I could go to lunch. Finally, the bell rang, and I raced out of the classroom, trying to catch my breath from the claustrophobic pressure building on me. The cafeteria was full of students, including my friends. It was the last place I wanted to sit down and eat. All those eyes burrowing into my skin, judging me. Or worse, feeling sorry for me. I decided to go to the library instead. I opened the door and saw that there weren’t many students in there.

  “Hi Marlene,” Mrs. Thompson greeted. She was the school’s librarian and had always been kind to me. “Not hungry today?”

  “No, ma’am. Besides, it’s just a little too busy in the cafeteria. Would it be alright if ate my lunch in here?” I asked.

  Mrs. Thompson pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose and gave me a gentle smile. “Of course. Just don’t tell anyone that I’ve gone soft.” She smiled.

  It was a pleasant change of pace to be treated and joked around with, like everything was normal. Mrs. Thompson most likely knew what had happened to me, but she was gracious enough not to act like she did. I snickered, and it was the first time I’d genuinely wanted to do so. I sat down and unwrapped the sandwich my mom had packed for me. I pulled out the accompanying snacks and glanced at the glass doors of the library. Janice walked by just at that moment and looked in. She saw me, and her facial expression morphed into a weird combination of sorrow and anger. She stopped and just stood there. It was too late for me to pretend not to notice her, and so I stared back. It felt like forever, but finally I saw the corner of her mouth raise in a sympathetic smile and she walked away.

  After lunch, I made my way to my next class. The heavy weight of the wood door fought me as I opened it. Thoughts had been racing through my mind all day and the eyes of everyone around me were making me paranoid. There wasn’t any place I could be alone without eyeballs boring into me. I thought getting back to school would comfort me, but all it managed to do was make things worse. I suppressed my fear and kept my head high. I couldn’t let anything or anyone get to me. There was something very particular I had to accomplish, and I needed to stay strong to do it.

  Once home, I closed my front door and locked it before exhaling deeply. I threw my backpack on the table and rushed upstairs, where I found my laptop on my desk. Opening it, I logged in quickly and typed in the name of the secretary of Homeland Security. There was article after article, and my anxiety rose in my throat. I clicked on a YouTube video and watched him deliver a speech about tolerance and defense of our great nation. His words made me sick. The disgusting hypocrisy I was witnessing enraged me. The tone of his voice differed from the voice I heard on the phone when he was bargaining to buy me. My body stiffened and chills spread down my spine recalling the way he flippantly talked about me. I could feel the bile rise in my throat

  I looked up at the clock and realized that it was midnight. Nine hours had passed without me noticing. I stood up and stretched my back and legs, walking around my room. There was a knock at the door.

  “Marlene honey. Can I come in?” My mother’s voice was on the other side of my bedroom door.

  “Yeah, I guess.” I said.

  She opened the door and peeked her face in. “I don’t want to bot
her you, sweety, but you have eaten nothing or come downstairs. Your father and I were beginning to worry about you. How was your day at school?”

  “It was fine.” I said flatly.

  She hesitated. “Aren’t you hungry? I made lasagna for dinner. Would you like me to bring you up a plate?”

  The thought of food made me want to throw up. “No...thanks.”

  I didn’t turn around. There was a pause, and a moment later, I heard my door quietly shut. Part of me felt guilty. I knew my mother was trying to help. I understood she probably felt helpless, but I didn’t want pity. I wanted justice. And I was going to get it even if I had to scorch every inch of earth between here and D.C. I was going to make Secretary Anderson pay for everything he did to me and those girls locked in the basement. I felt the anger renewed inside of me. At this point I didn’t have a plan, but if there was no telling how many other top officials were involved too. I still remembered the horror of being locked up for a month in the basement. The filth and the depravity of all those girls.

  And now I had to worry about the FBI causing more problems for me. That’s why I was keeping my encounters with them a secret. I didn’t want word getting around that I was cooperating with them. I knew that if anyone found out, I would be in real danger. Although, there was no telling who was still watching me. Did the Secretary have his people secretly following me? I started to sound in my head like what I was afraid everyone else was saying behind my back - that I was crazy.

  I reasoned that the best thing I could do would be to act like nothing happened. Not only did it seem to make everyone else around me feel normal, but it might save me from anyone trying to kidnap me again. Panic swept over me at the thought. Is everything over? Or is it only the beginning? I never asked for any of this. But I’m going to finish it.

  In the midst of this mess, my parents thought it best to send my brother back to school. It was just as well. I knew he felt awkward about the whole situation and didn’t know how to talk to me. Everyone around me was acting similarly. Wanting to say something but then thinking better of it. Of course, that makes it even more awkward. It felt like they pitied me. I hated that feeling.

  There was only one thing to do.

  CHAPTER 17

  F or the next two months, I worked hard to rebuild my reputation at school with the other kids. It was a serious attempt on my part to at least try to get back into the swing of things. For the first few weeks, I isolated myself, eating in the library, and pretended to work on my computer. However, as the days went on, I slowly connected with some of my friends. They realized they could talk to me and I wouldn’t break down into hysterics. I’m not sure why, but I felt myself growing unemotional about the situation and more methodical about planning my revenge. The things that I used to worry about in school just didn’t matter to me anymore.

  I woke up this morning and got to school early so I could go to the library to pick out a book. I thought that if I could read, then it would take my mind off of everything else. At lunch, Monica and Lucy invited me to eat lunch in the courtyard under an oak tree. I unwrapped my turkey sandwich and began eating.

  “Oh my gosh, did you hear about Janice?” Monica began.

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  Monica and Lucy exchanged glances. “You mean you hadn’t heard?”

  “No, do you want me to guess?” I was getting frustrated.

  “She escaped a near kidnapping two weeks ago.” Lucy’s eyes widened as she retold the story. “She was walking home, and a van pulled up beside her. A man got out and tried to pull her in.”

  “How do you know this?” I asked.

  “Her mom and my mom go to the same church and her mom broke down one day and told my mom.” Lucy said.

  “If it hadn’t been for a neighbor of hers shouting and running toward them, she might have ended up like…” Lucy’s voice trailed off.

  I knew what she was going to say. “Like me, you mean.”

  “I’m so sorry, Marlene. I didn’t mean-” Lucy slumped her shoulders.

  “It’s fine.” I said. The truth was, I didn’t care about this high school life anymore, or the gossip that fed into it.

  Janice walked by and looked at me with a sad look on her face. She had such a strange expression that I grew suspicious of it. Was it sadness or guilt? I knew that if this story was true, then Janice had to be pretty shaken up about it. I could feel her pain and I was sorry that even a bully like her was subjected to such a traumatic experience.

  “I actually feel bad for her,” Monica said.

  “Me too.” Lucy agreed. “I’ve never liked her, but even Janice didn’t deserve something like that to happen to her.

  This subject was bringing up anxiety for me, and I wanted to talk about anything other than this. I kept my cool, however, even though my mind was racing the entire time.

  “Hey, I have an idea,” Monica excitedly bounced on her knees. “How about we head down to D.C. tonight?”

  “I don’t think so,” I said.

  “Oh come on, it’ll take your mind off of everything.” Monica responded.

  “Yeah, it’ll be great! Oh, come on, come with us Marlene.” Lucy chimed in.

  The last thing I wanted to do was walk around downtown at night, but maybe they had a point. Maybe I needed to try to resume my normal life. “Okay, but promise me we stay together the entire time.”

  “Cross my heart,” Lucy made a cross motion with her finger to her chest.

  “Alright then.” I conceded.

  “Great!” Monica cheered. I’ll pick up Lucy and then we will come by around eight.”

  I was afraid to get excited about this but I was looking forward to resuming some normalcy again. Maybe a night out with my two best friends would be good for me.

  CHAPTER 18

  M usic blasted in the background as I got ready to go out. I tried my hardest to get into the mood, so it pleasantly surprised me when I realized I was dancing with the beat. The hot rollers burned my fingers as I rolled my hair around them. I stuck my index finger in my mouth to relieve the sting.

  My hair didn’t hold a curl worth a darn, but I missed getting ready to go out. The ritual helped build the excitement of the night. So tonight, I decided to try to put some effort into it and curl my hair.

  I saw some smoke and was hoping I wasn’t burning my hair off.

  My mom peeked her head in my room. “Do you need anything?”

  “No thanks.” I said.

  “I’m so happy to see you’re going out. Monica and Lucy picking you up?” She asked.

  “Yeah.” She seemed excited for me and I appreciated that.

  “Don’t stay out too late.” She reminded.

  “I won’t.”

  “And don’t forget to text me to check in or I’ll have to call you.” She smiled.

  “I got it, mom. I will.” I said.

  “You know, I bet your brother wouldn’t mind tagging along. Do you want me to ask him?” I knew where she was going with this.

  “No, mom. I will be fine. Monica, Lucy and I will stay together the whole time.”

  “I love you and I’m proud of you.” She gave me a kiss on the top of my head and left.

  I finished my hair, gave it a quick spray, checked my lipstick and deemed myself officially ‘dressed up’ and ready. Monica texted me to say that she was waiting for me in my driveway.

  I ran down the stairs and yelled over my shoulder as I opened the front door. “Bye!”

  “Be careful!” They yelled back.

  I ran out to the car where Monica and Lucy were waiting and jumped in the passenger side front seat. “Hey ladies. Ready?”

  Monica has her mother’s black SUV giving us each plenty of room to stretch out. Lucy’s in the backseat, bouncing her

  head to the pop song playing. The whole way there we’re singing and laughing. It was so nice not to worry about anything and just let go. Tonight, I didn’t want to think too hard about anything. I just
wanted to have a good time.

  “Hey, I bet the college guys from Georgetown will be out tonight.” Monica smiled and looked back at Lucy.

  “Oh my gosh, I hope so.” Lucy shook her fists in the air. “I could use a nice, hot distraction from Paul.”

  “What’s wrong with you and Paul?” I asked without thinking. Lucy had dated Paul for close to three years. They were a couple I saw making it out of high school and into the world. It was a bit of a shock to hear that they were having problems.

  “Tiffany Spencer, that’s what’s wrong with Paul.” Lucy’s expression changed from excited to jealous.

  “Oh come off it, Lucy. It’s not like he cheated on you. She’s just the daughter of your mom’s best friend.”

  “I don’t get it,” I said.

  “She’s mad at him because she just found out that Tiffany accompanied them all on a camping trip over the summer and didn’t mention it.” Monica said.

  “With those double D’s, you’d think he’d remember to tell me.” Lucy folded her hands across her torso.

  “Well, I’m sure it wasn’t anything serious.” I offered. I had no idea what was going on and I honestly wasn’t that interested in finding out.

  We drove across the Potomac River and onto D.C. I recognized the monuments in the distance and knew we were getting close to D’Angelos. It was my favorite Italian restaurant. We had decided to go there for dinner. They had the best pizza I’d ever tasted. My parents had taken me there a few times. It was a D.C. staple.

  I rolled down the window and took a deep breath allowing the night air to cool my face. I wanted to linger in this moment. It almost felt normal. Out with the girls, enjoying a simple night of teenage fun. I listened to the laughter that my friends traded back and forth and wish I could have that innocence back. I wanted to feel normal again. But in the back of my mind, it was always there. The events over the past several months. Even driving into D.C. had me scheming of ways to investigate the slavery ring.