"Is this some kind of joke?"
"Are you deaf?! It's a game! And you'll soon know what it is in a few days."
"What kind of name is, the ugly duckling."
The person on the other side, burst out laughing.
"I'm surprised that you are worried only about the name of this game. Are you sure you are a Holland? I think you should confirm that from your mom-"
"Watch it...."
"Ooh? Is that rage I sense there? Anyways. I don't have time for chit-chat . I'll deliver your present in a few days. Do me a favor and don't be pathetic before that."
And with that, the line was cut.
"Who was that?"
Ethan asked me as I shoved my phone back in my pocket.
I took a deep breath, collecting my thoughts and preparing myself for the easiest and shortest way to say this. I rubbed my face as I started.
"You remember our unsuccessful trip to Jason's match?"
I gave him a brief description of how I received a phonecall before the previous attack , and the same is happening again.
His jaw clenched with every passing second.
"And you are telling this to me now?! And why am I feeling that this still isn't the entire story?"
He's sharp. I'll give him that.
"Ethan, I didn't tell you because I didn't wanted you to worry. And I'm not going to hide because of a little danger.."
"Little danger? Grace, the last time I saw him, he was trying to choke you to death! In which world do you call that little danger?"
"Ethan, please-"
"Grace.. let's drop this here. There's a new grill nearby. We'll go there and you'll tell me the entire story. No hiding. And I'll try to understand your reasoning. Fair enough?"
"Okay.."
We left for the grill after informing my parents. We sat side by side for a better conversation and did what we agreed to do. I told Ethan everything. Right from the first letter, to the last phonecall in detail. I also told him why I haven't told my parents, and to my surprise, he understood...
"Grace, I don't want to encourage what you did, but if facing your problems is what you want, then I won't stop you."
"You are not saying this because you are mad at me, right?"
"I'm not mad at you. I do would have liked it if you would have believed me enough to tell all this on your own, but it wasn't entirely your mistake. You had too much to deal with and it's not like you knew how to handle it all."
"So you are going to let me handle it my way?"
"Something like that. I'm not going to stop you from anything as long as I'm involved in it. You'll let me look into it and would never go anywhere alone, if someone ever asks you to do that again. Clear?"
I flashed a smile and hugged him tightly as I said,
"Absolutely."
I'd be lying if I say I expected Ethan to make this compromise. I know he's understanding, but the deal on which we settled, could not have been better. This way, I won't have to find this mystery man alone, I'll feel safer, and my parents won't be involved either. Now, it's just a matter of time till we find him.
While we were digging through our dinner and chatting happily, Ethan received a call. It was from Reyansh. He said he wants to meet us. Yes, he wants to meet, 'us'. Me and Ethan, both. He asked us to come by his place. Ethan was with me, so I didn't had any problem in staying out late, however, it was hard not to notice the look on Ethan's face. He definitely was sensing something fishy there, but didn't say anything because he trusts Reyansh.
Reyansh doesn't lives with his family. He lives in a humble suburban house, quite far away from his family property. His father wishes him to join the family business, while he prefers being a detective. Leaving the lavish Roux mansion behind is, 'a small price for his passion' is what he always says, when asked about it, as stated by Ethan.
When we reached Reyansh's house, he welcome us in, and then went straight to business. Watson sat beside Reyansh, with two of his paws on the table, mimicking Reyansh. Reyansh laid the city map on the table and pointed a bar on it.
"This bar belongs to Martha Brooke. There were suspicions that she runs some smuggling business and I was appointed to figure it out. Turns out it's worse than some normal underground drug dungeon. Under this bar is an entire catacomb like place, and trapped there are kids."
"She smuggles kids?"
I said as my eyebrows furrowed to the sound of that.
"Yeah. Some lost, some orphan, some simply too poor. The girls will probably become prostitutes, while the boys will be made to do unauthorized work. Or a drug dealer may buy them for smuggling drugs inside them... I need your help to stop this."
Reyansh said the last sentence looking at me.
"Her help?"
Ethan asked with disapproval in his tone.
"Yes. Her help. The only way to get to these underground cells are through the ladies restroom. The cubicle to the extreme right has a huge tile on it's wall. But that isn't a tile, it's a door. I'll give you a card using which you can open it. Once you get inside, I'll tell you your route through this-"
He said picking up a Bluetooth device.
"-and you'll collect evidence. Pictures, video, whatever you can find and get out of there. We'll tell the cops, and they'll look after the rest."
"You really want 'me' to do that?"
I asked again, as I couldn't believe he wants to do something this serious.
"Believe me Grace, you aren't my first choice either. There are guards spread in the entire bar, and they happen to be familiar with me. I can't trust anyone else and I'm running out of time. The kids will be shifted somewhere else the day after tomorrow. If you aren't ready, tell me now. I'll think of something else..."
"What else can be done to stop this?"
Ethan asked, still looking for a better way to get this done safely.
"I'm not sure. I don't know if there is any other way even. But I'm not going to force you if don't want to go."
I looked at Ethan asking for permission. I wanted to do this. Who won't?
Ethan leaned back on the couch, crossing his arms. He wasn't happy with the idea and that was understandable. He is worried that if the plan goes off track, he won't be able to help me. But if he really meant every word of what he said a few minutes ago, then he won't stop me. And he didn't.
"I'm okay with whatever you decide."
Ethan said, giving up to the situation.
I gave him a hundred watt smile and looked back at Reyansh.
"I'll do it."
Watson let out a happy bark. He switched his place and now sat beside me. Resting his head in my lap, and allowing me to pet him. This gesture of Watson made all of us smile.
I'm failing to understand why was Nadia so afraid of him...
"Now... What's the entire plan?"
Ethan said, snapping us back to seriousness.
"It's just as I said. Martha Brooke, the owner, she isn't supposed to be there tomorrow so the basement will be entirely empty. We'll go there around eight. You will go with Grace inside, while I'll wait by the exit. Keep this in mind that this is an one way mission Grace. After you go through the tiled door, it'll lock automatically. And the exit door too cannot be opened from outside. Once you are in, you are on your own, so make it quick and stick to the plan."
I could feel Ethan's gaze on me as I nodded while understanding the instructions.
Reyansh noticed that too, but I believe that his priorities lie somewhere else and he kept instructing me.
"There are ten to fifteen children down there. Try to take clear pictures so we can identify them separately. We will drive straight to the police station, and they'll be busted."
The plan sounded like a piece of cake. All I needed to do was go down and take pictures. Irrespective of that, it gave me unsettling feeling, but I'm not going to back out.
After a little bit of further planning, we headed back home. Ethan was awfully quiet during the entire drive. I didn't interrupt the silence either. He finally spoke when I got down from his cruiser.
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Don't you believe I can do this?"
"I know you can do this."
"Then don't you believe in Reyansh's plan?"
"My best friend is plotting against dangerous criminals and is asking me to help by putting my love at risk. I believe I have all the rights to be worried."
I felt bad seeing Ethan so down because of me. So I tried to lighten his mood. I walked closer to him as I said, "Since I'm the reason of your worry..."
I draped my arms around his neck saying,
"... How can I help you feel better?"
He raised an eyebrow as a smirk escaped his lips. He snaked an arm around my waist, pulling me closer, while his other hand tilted my chin up.
"Now that you have suggested it, you have to make me feel better."
He looked at me straight in the eyes. Our faces were so close, I could see my reflection in his deep brown eyes. My breath quickened and I felt tiny goosebumps on my skin. But then he said something quite unexpected.
"Turn around."
"T-Turn around? What are you planning to-"
"You have to, Grace. It was your idea after all ."
He held my hand up and made me twirl. When I stopped, my back was facing him. Before I could even say anything, he tied the tree shaped pendent around my neck.
He turned me around again, holding me in an arm's length, looking at his choice with praising gaze.
"There. Now I feel much better."
I jumped into his arms smiling, and wispered to him,
"For a moment I thought you were a vampire."
He gave me a sheepish laugh and said,
"Don't you ever change.."
The next day, I didn't give a Damm to anything at school. My thoughts were filled with the plan which had to be accomplished, and that helped me ignore Jason to some extent.
As the time approached, I got ready to go. I wore a silver sequin top with speggatti straps, tugging it inside a high waist jeans. Ethan picked me up and we reached our destination before time.
The bar gave me a biker kind of vibe, and so did the customers. As we walked through the bar, some of them looked at me with not the purest intentions, but a single gaze from Ethan was enough to tell them to back off. They were beefy, and more in number, but Ethan wasn't even slightly bothered by them, let alone afraid.
We ordered our drinks as we settled in a far off booth. After our drinks arrived, I received a message from Reyansh, telling me to get ready. I put on my earpiece and got on conference with Ethan and Reyansh.
I'll be going to the ladies room. Ethan will wait here for a while, then head out.
When I went inside, the cubicle with the hidden door was occupied, so I put an act of touching up my make up, and tired to avoid any suspicion. When it was available again, I got inside and took out my card.
Finding the place where I had to swipe the card was difficult. It was a thin, almost invisible partition between two tiles. As I swiped my card, it blinked a green light and the tile slightly lifted, now looking like a door. I pushed it open, and ignoring my hammering heart, went downstairs using the flashlight of my phone.
"I've reached the basement."
I told Ethan and Reyansh.
Reyansh took a sigh of relief and said,
"Great. Now keep going straight, and take the last right turn."
"Okay."
I did as I was told and found many cells on both sides of a dimly lit corridor. But, to my surprise, there weren't ten or fifteen children there.
"Reyansh, there are at least fifty children down here."
"Fifty? Are you serious?"
"Is this a time to joke?"
"No. But we'll stick to the plan. Take pictures and get back."
The reactions I was receiving from these children were uncommon. Some saw me with hopeful eyes but most weren't interested at all. Maybe they are used to people taking their pictures, as they didn't made any sound at all.
While I was following instructions and taking pictures, I saw a familiar slot in the lock of these cells. It was same as that on the tiled door. I took out my card, and just was about to insert it, when Ethan's voice came through the earpiece.
"Guys, Martha is here. She just walked in with some bouncers."
Then Reyansh's panicked voice came.
"That's bad. This means they'll ship the children today. Grace, get out of there with whatever you have, we've got to hurry."
"No. Change of plan."
I said as I swiped the card. It blinked green and the cell creaked open.
"What do you mean by no? And what was that sound?"
Reyansh asked, wispering a shout.
"I can open the cells. I'm getting these children out of here, you call the cops and tell them to come near the exit."
I said opening one cell after another, ordering children to stay by my side.
"Ethan, what is Martha doing?"
Reyansh asked.
"She's talking to the bartender. He gave her a card."
Ethan said tensing as well, because he understood what that meant.
"Grace there is no time for this. Get out of there now!"
Reyansh said. This time actually shouting.
"I'm done with half. I can't leave the rest of them. Believe me, I can-"
"Grace, are you absolutely positive you can do this quick enough?"
Ethan asked, cutting me mid sentence.
"Yes..."
"Alright. I'll try and keep Martha occupied to buy you some time."
Ethan said, but his voice told he wasn't hundred percent sure if this will work.
"Are you seriously going to support her on this?"
Reyansh questioned Ethan angrily.
Ethan snapped back,
"I am! And if you can't, then simply tell her the way to get out of there and log out."
Reyansh took a deep breath to calm himself.
"Fine. Change of plan. I'm calling the cops, Ethan, you keep Martha busy. Grace, you remember the path through which you came? Now you have to take the last left turn of the previous path though. Got it?"
"Got it.."
Ethan and I, both got busy with our tasks.
While I was unlocking the last cell, I was dead shocked to see the girl inside. It was the five year old, red headed girl from the orphanage, Grace. Her face was tear stained and the way she looked at me told me that she recognized me.
This case just got way more complex. I told myself to look into it later.
While we were running to the exit, we could hear footsteps and shouts which kept growing louder. We opened the exit door and found the cops already there. They were standing beside the door, so as they won't be seen when Martha comes out with her men.
As soon as the last child came out, Martha came as well. She was immediately arrested by the cops.
After that, the cops looked after everything. The criminals and the victims as well.
"Grace!"
Reyansh shouted my name, ran towards me and swept me in a hug. It was unexpected, but comforting.
"What were you thinking back there?"
He said as he let me out of his hug.
"Hey now, don't be like that. I saved the day!"
"Can't argue with that."
He gave me a sheepish smile.
Then I saw my love approaching us.
I ran towards Ethan and gave him a deep kiss which he returned with equal passion. I wouldn't have been able to do what I did, had he not supported me.
"As I've said earlier, I knew you can do it."
He said as we walked back to Reyansh.
During this, Reyansh had an unreadable expression on his face. Wether it was hope, anger, hate, or even jealousy, it was very well hidden. But I can't understand the reason for this.
Keeping that though aside, I told them about Grace, the girl from the orphanage. Who was also found in the cells.
Both of them were surprised to discover this. Reyansh said he'll find out how she got there and Ethan said he'll have a serious talk with the orphanage people. After that we said our goodbyes and Ethan dropped me back home.
Dad was waiting for us outside the house, which was quite unexpected. The moment Ethan got out of his car, dad started glaring at him.
"Can you remind me, when I permitted you to decide what level of danger my daughter will face?"
"Dad, it was my decision. I wanted to-"
Dad stopped me as I tried to interfere.
"I didn't asked you Grace. I want to hear his answer."
Ethan tilted his head slightly up, going back to his business posture and answered,
"I apologise if I'm crossing my line sir, but I believe Grace is grown enough to decide what she wants to do."
"We are not talking about my daughter's rights here. We are talking about your's. Shouldn't you stop her from doing this, rather than encouraging her?"
"I've made a promise, and I'm not about to break it."
"All right then. I'm never going to let you two meet again. And I'm promising you that."
"Dad... Please...."
I requested him on the verge of tears, but he was too angry to understand.
Ethan stood there in disbelief. He was trying to choose his words very carefully. He wasn't able to decide wether he should react calmly or should he give Dad a blunt answer. But whatever he would have decided, dad wasn't in the mood of listening.
Not waiting for an answer, he took my hand, walked inside the house and slammed the door shut.
Dad generally cools down after a few days and realizes his mistake, but I highly doubt if that'll happen this time.
Other than the problem of the mystery phone calls, the relation between the orphanage and these smugglers and the thought of not seeing Ethan ever again, there was one more thing on my mind.
We've completed our plan hardly an hour ago. There were no news reports to cover the story, and the question of print media is totally irrelevant.
But then.... How does Dad know about it?