CHAPTER EIGHT

"You see, this is California. It's a state in the United States of America," said Kelsey, pointing to the map. "We're in a city in California."

April looked at the women, obviously confused and overwhelmed by the language and terms.

"We think you came from way over here," said Erin, trailing her index finger along the map.

"It looks not very far," said April. Faith smiled at the girl, nodding.

"It looks that way, but that's because the map makes it appear like that. In reality, it's thousands of miles away. You floated from here, all the way to here, before the boat got to you."

She stared at the map for a few moments, then stood, looking out the big picture windows at the ocean across the street. There were a few people still on the beach, but most had already left for the day.

"What about the other girls? Who will help them?" she whispered.

"We will," said Ghost. "We're going to help them all. That's what we do."

"You help girls in trouble?" she frowned. Ian smiled at the young woman, his fatherly heart breaking in two.

"We help anyone in trouble who has good intentions."

"Good intentions?" she repeated.

"Yes. Their actions are intended to do positive things for the world around them. They mean to do good," he said. She still looked confused, and Kelsey walked up, taking her hand to lead her to a seat.

"April, there is good and bad in this world. Good looks like those you see around you. They help others when they need it. They do no harm if they can help it. They don't ask for praise or reward. Did you ever have anyone do something nice for you? Something that made you feel warm, here, in your chest?" she said, rubbing a fist in the middle of her chest.

"Y-yes. I think so. A man who bought me once gave me this sticky thing on a stick. He said it was a s-sucker. Is that right?" Gaspar growled low, and Nine nudged him, trying to keep him quiet.

"Yes, that sounds right. A sucker is considered a sweet. Candy. It's not good for your teeth, but it's delicious," smiled Kelsey.

"It was nice," she said. "I think he gave it to me so he could do what he wanted." Kelsey nodded again, trying to keep the smile on her face.

"Is that the only time someone did something nice for you?"

"No. The men on the island. They gave me a name. They said a few names and asked me if I liked them. They didn't get mad at me if I didn't like it. They gave me a name." She smiled at the room, and they tried their damnest to smile back.

"I think that's a very good thing. I like April, by the way. It's a beautiful name. That was a good thing. Bad things are like the beating that man gave you. The fact that a man kept you a prisoner, not allowing you to bathe or eat the way you should. Those are bad things. Those are the things these men fight."

"You must fight a lot," she said casually. "There are a lot of bad things where I live."

The room became deadly quiet as April just stared at her feet. They were scratched and raw, never having seen a pedicure in her life.

"Tomorrow, Faith, Erin, Ashley, and I will take you to do something nice. We'll get your nails done like ours," she said, wiggling her fingers at her. April had a big smile on her face, nodding. "Then, we'll do some shopping and get you some clothes that you might need."

"I'm getting sleepy. Am I allowed to sleep?" she asked.

"April, you can sleep any time you like. Most people sleep at night when it's dark out," said Ian.

"Should I sleep on the floor or outside?" Again, they could hear the low grumble of Gaspar. When it got louder, they realized it was all the men.

"You will sleep in your very own bedroom with a big, soft bed," said Faith. "I'll take you up there and show you where everything is."

"Good night, April," smiled Kelsey.

"Good night?" she repeated with confusion. "You're wishing me to have a good night?"

"Yes, honey. I'm wishing you the very best night of your life, with many more to come." When Faith held her hand, taking her upstairs, Kelsey looked at her stepfather and started to cry, falling into his arms.

"I know, honey. I know."

"Dad, she was abused more than any woman we've ever treated. She can't be more than twenty, and I think it's been going on for at least twelve to fifteen years."

"We'll find them, Kels," he said, rubbing her back. "I think she might have given us a clue, and we didn't realize it."

"What's that?" asked Gaspar, frowning.

"She speaks English. Only English. That means that whoever owned her, whoever trained her, only spoke English to her, and the others around her only spoke English as well. We're dealing most likely with an American, Englishman, Australian, or some other dominant English-speaking countryman."

Nine looked down at his phone, then up at the rest of the team.

"Trak and the others are in the air. Stay tuned."