Page 34 of Viripotent

Taking the steps two at a time, my good mood disappears under the weight of what’s behind the blank bedroom door. The first time isn’t the worst, it’s the split second when my hand is on the wood, and I know what I’ll see is going to be haunting.The first time a person’s soul dies they become blank, each time after that they lose more, and it’s replaced with anger or acceptance.

I remove the band off my eyes and make myself smaller, less intimidating, as I push through the door gently. A quick head count shows Dima was right and the pain staring back at me from the mixed group ranging from three to eight has me hardening in anger. Two boys and three girls, all fucking children who have lived through things they shouldn’t.There have been a few instances where they’ve assumed I’m one of the clients and tried to undress, those are the ones that kill the small remnants of my soul.

A boy steps forward protectively guarding the others, they’re not related with each having different coloring giving away their ethnicity and I hold my finger in front of my lips, so he doesn’t say anything. The houses are always bugged with both visual and audio, the sick fuckers in charge want to profit on as much pain as possible.

He’s a kid, barely older than Viktor and I wait until Dima has used the scrambler to lift my mask.

“Five minutes.”

Anastasia’s voice is hardening, she’s getting antsy not knowing what’s going on. I lift the bottom of my mask to show my lips, so they can see something other than the void, and a little girl is filled with curious fear hiding behind the older boy. She doesn’t have blank eyes and I focus on her, selfishly ignoring the others that are in pain while they shut down externally.

Crouching down to my haunches, my voice doesn’t go above a whisper, needing them to move quicker but not wanting to add to their torment.

“We’ve got to be quiet, and I need you to close your eyes for me.”

I should learn new languages to help with communicating with them, but there’s not enough time and the older boy seems to understand.I’ve picked up a few phrases, enough to say stop and no in case they try undressing again, but the market of children is international and there isn’t enough time for me to sit and quiz them to learn their origins or which languages they know.

He moves hesitantly as I hold my hand out.

“You’ll be safe, I promise.”

There’s no trust as he shakes my hand and I’d be a fucking fool to expect him to, but he puts the others at ease.

“Three minutes.”

Fuck, there’s not enough time to coax them out and I know they’re going to scream as Dima and I move closer. It’s never in pain, always fear, but the older boy reassures them, walking ahead as we each pick up two of the kids.

Covering my eyes with my hand they follow the command and squeeze theirs shut. The little girl on my hip is the youngest and still a kid as she hugs me while the boy on my other side stays rigid. Her arms wrap around my neck, and she pushes her cold nose into my ear. Covering the rest of my face as panic infuses Anastasia’s voice, we move.

“Ninety seconds.”

Grabbing the older kid, I keep him against my chest, and he doesn’t try to fight as we rush down the stairs. The lights go out again, making them freeze in my arms. I can’t reassure them knowing my voice will be picked up now we’re out of the room and hold them tighter, doing it physically.

Each little whimper that leaves them stokes my anger and they shake as we get in the van. I do another head count as Dima jumps in and Anastasia peels away. We’ve done this shit countless times, but it still feels like it’s ten years ago and we’re only fueled by anger. Even with the addition of Anastasia into our mix, it’s always the same blank stares and shaking little bodies in front of me.

Taking my mask off when we’re far enough away without anyone coming after us, I turn on the dimmed lights and address the boy stood in front of the four children huddled behind him.

“Do you speak English?”

He nods once and I take my gloves off to give him the respect he deserves. “What’s your name?”

He steps forward with one leg, and he gives me the biggest thing he could, his trust. “Aro.”

He’s too young and witnessed too much, but I still put more on his shoulders, knowing it’s the only way to save him.

“When you’re asked tomorrow, you don’t speak English, and you didn’t see anything.”

Nodding once again, I continue, “You’ll see a lady with blonde hair, nearly white, and she’ll keep you safe. If you need me, you ask for her and I’ll come back.”

Some of his fear goes as the other kids grip his t-shirt not understanding, but he nods again.I lower my voice in an attempt to soften it as I ask him for more, “Do you know any names? Faces?”

He shakes his head and takes a step back as the little girl without blank eyes hugs his leg. She’s cute and has huge green eyes. They fill up her face and make her look like one of the kittens that Viktor is obsessed with watching on his cartoon.

Turning to Dima, I keep my voice low and give the children my back so they can relax as much as they’re able to without any attention on them.

“Take them to Trinity Group Home, send the file addressed to Verelli’s wife, but the contents to Inessa by 10am. Use Carluccio this time, he’s always the quickest.”

He doesn’t say anything and stays in position as the fear in the corner lessens.

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