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I FINALLY GET A MESSAGE from Archangel Gabriel on the details of this Code Red mission. Katy's mom, Sian, is a nurse who has to work extremely long shifts at the hospital. During one of these shifts, she left Katy in the care of a teenage babysitter, fresh out of high school. While the babysitter was busy with her boyfriend, Steven sneaked into their house and carried Katy away while she was sleeping. That happened less than forty-eight hours ago, and it's our mission to make sure Katy finds her way back home.
Ben reads Gabriel's message and says, “What if she never gets back home? I've read stories about people who are kidnapped for years. Not to be discouraging, but what if this is one of those times?”
“Then I guess we fail our mission,” I reply. “But that won't happen. I can't let it happen.”
“You sound awfully confident,” Ben says.
“I am confident... and you should be too. Katy might pick up on your doubts and get even more scared.”
The poor girl is more than scared. She's terrified—and I don't blame her. She's cross-legged on the floor, in a pitch black basement, captured by one of the most sinister men I've ever seen. She's cried a bit, but not as much as I expected. I've peeked into her thoughts, and she seems more worried for her mom. For such a young age, she's a tough little girl.
“So... what should I do, then? Should I tell her that everything's going to be okay?” Ben asks. “Because that might be a lie.”
“Maybe, maybe not... but either way, a good spirit guide is consoling and reassuring, regardless of the circumstances,” I tell him. “Maybe you could try to cheer her up.”
With a raised eyebrow, I watch Ben kneel beside our charge. He doesn't seem like the type who would ever console a child, but people surprise me sometimes. I'm ready for a surprise. He has to be more than an arrogant jerk, right?
“Hey,” he says, tugging on Katy's ponytail. I didn't think she would feel the tiny tug, but she actually faces his direction. “My name's Ben, this is Kaylene, and we're going to help you get out of here.”
Katy is looking directly at Ben as he speaks. I know she can't see him, though. In this dark basement, I'm sure she can't see anything. As a spirit, my vision isn't as compromised as Katy's, so I can see the soft expression on Ben's face. I usually get scowls and smirks from Ben, but Katy gets a gentler smile.
“Don't worry about this Steven guy, okay? If I have my way, you won't have to see his ugly face for another day. We're going to kick his ass, and you'll be back with your mom in no time.”
Ben's speech might be a bit too reassuring, and his promises are a bit much, but at least he's trying.
“You know, I have experience with this kind of thing,” Ben continues. “I have a little sister named Sophie. My mom used to date this lousy guy who used to do bad things to Sophie, and when I found out, I had to protect her. That's what I'll do for you too, Katy. I'll protect you.”
I wonder if Ben is saying some of this for my benefit, so I'll know a little more about him. I haven't done any research on him, so this is the first time I've heard about Sophie. I have to say, I'm pretty curious now.
“We're not going to let this Steven guy get away with this, okay?” Ben says, wrapping an arm around Katy's little shoulders. “Kaylene is tough, right? Just look at her! If you were Steven, would you want to stand up to a lady who looked like that?”
I can feel my eyebrow raising again. I can't tell if he's complimenting me, or if he's trying to say I look scary. I don't have a chance to ask, because the door opens, and we hear Steven's voice at the top of the stairs.
“Katy, are you ready to apologize yet?” Steven asks. “I need you to say: sorry, Daddy, I know I was bad, but I'd like to go to the good girl's room now.”
Ben and I exchange disgusted glances. We might not agree on how to handle Isaiah, but we definitely agree this time.
“The good girl's room is really nice!” Steven continues. “There's a doll house and a tv and all kinds of toys! I even bought some pretty dresses to put in your closet. Wouldn't you like to see them?”
Ben whispers to me, “I'd like to see them... and then I'd like to smash in his teeth.”
“Only good girls get to stay in the good girl room,” says Steven. “All I need is an apology. Go on, Katy.”
Ben, who still has an arm wrapped around Katy's shoulders, tells me, “I can feel her shivering. It's breaking my heart.”
Ben seems really invested. I might have to reevaluate him after this. Today, he almost seems like a decent partner.
“Last chance!” Steven warns the kidnapped little girl. “I could keep you down here forever, you know. If you can't be good, I'm not letting you out of here.”
Katy is so silent, Steven has to turn on a light to make sure she's still in the basement. While the room is illuminated, Ben sticks up his middle finger. If this wasn't such a tense moment, I would probably laugh.
Ben shouts, “Go away, jackass! We have better things to do than to listen to your garbage.”
“I agree.” As I concur with my student, I sent a slight smile in his direction. “We don't want him to go away forever, though.”
Ben's voice goes sharp. “We don't?”
“Nope.” I can feel my smile turning a bit wicked, and with a wiggle of my eyebrow, I reveal, “The next time he steps into the basement... I'm taking him down.”