Chapter 4

It's almost time. I say to myself as I wait behind a nearby tree watching Helen get into her car.

We're prepared. We spent the whole of yesterday thinking of every little detail and anything that could hinder the plan. The story is perfect at least. We can do this. I can do this if I just stay cautious and focused. I and Alex had discussed the situation.

"So you plan to record the conversation and hand it over to the police ? " he had said.

"I guess so "

" But...what if...the police are in on it too? Or what if someone informs them about this to the traffickers and they change locations? "

he had a good point. It may seem unlikely that the police are involved but we don't know that. If they are, they'll contact the traffickers and then know about me. I'll be targeted. Helen Parker is a very rich person. It'll be easy for her to bribe the police. Another thing we had thought of was anonymously posting that information on social media. Ruining her reputation and forcing the police to take the right action. But...this route had two holes. One was that people would regard it as just a hate post and if the police are involved, they'll just pretend to investigate and find nothing. Second, if the police aren't involved and they actually look into it, the traffickers may have already read the post and changed locations. That will be trouble. Right now, we must focus on getting the information from the maid. Shouldn't overthink things.

The car drives away leaving behind a cloud of dust. The time right now is 11:32. We got a lot of time. Alex is inside the house, making sure of things. There are two guards at the front gate. Big and muscular. I need to wait for Alex to come back so we can start.

He dramatically exits through the front gate and walks between the guards who are chatting. He looks at me and I motion for him to stop fooling around and come quick. He rolls his eyes and comes to me.

"Lighten up! It's ok. We got two hours " he says

"Easy for you to say, ghost boy " I whisper. We then move away from the front gate and carefully make our way towards the back wall barrier of the house. I look around and then open my bag, taking out the rope.

"Is there anyone on the other side? " I ask him

"Nope. Don't worry, you won't get noticed from this spot. The security cameras aren't in here either " he reassures.

I look around and then throw the rope over the wall. I pull it and the hock at the end attaches firmly. I've done rock climbing before so getting to the other side was a breeze. The garden is huge and gorgeous. Colorful flowers and lush green grass cover the earth. I wish I had my camera. This is so perfect!

"Hey! " Alex breaks my train of thoughts "let's go "

The house is a few steps away. As I walk towards it, my heart fills with anxiety. This is it. If I get caught, I'll be charged with trespassing. No...I won't give up, I've come this far.

Luckily, no one sees me and I reach the building and hide in its shadow. Alex had said that at this time, no one is outside. Everyone is busy. He calls my name and points to a window nearby. I'm so glad the laundry room is on the first floor!

Sneaking towards the window I look in. There she is! A blonde woman in her late 20s stuffing the washing machine with clothes.

I knock on the window. Enough for her to hear it and leaving the piece of paper, I hide behind a nearby bush. After a few seconds, the window is opened and she's looking out in confusion.

"Anyone here ? " she says in a soft voice. I hear her pick up the paper and read.

"Alex...? " she says looking around.

Bracing myself I get out of my hiding spot. Her eyes widen and I quickly motion her to be quiet. She's obviously worried now. Looking at the paper, then back at me she understands. I see if anyone's coming or not and then get closer to her. She nods her head, allowing me to come inside. Beside me, Alex has a sad look on his face.

"Who are you and how did you get in? There are security cameras everywhere " she asks once I get in.

"Please, allow me to explain "I plead.

"What do you know about Alex," she asks, her voice tense.

I take a deep breath " I'm a friend of Alex. And he told me about the blind spots " I say. Right now my heart is filled with fear. Will she believe me? Will she expose me? Am I gonna die too? Does she know anything?

She glares at me "He's been missing for a week now. Where is he? "

"Tell me about the human trafficking " I clench my fists

The expression on her face goes grim " what are you talking about ? "

"Alex told me everything before he went missing. He told me to keep going. So tell me what you know. Please "it's a ridiculous attempt but I was never that good at persuasion.

She thinks for a moment and then goes to close the door. Then Sitting on a nearby chair, she places her hands on her head. "I see....so that's why he's been missing " her eyes well up with tears.

Next to me, Alex stays quiet and gloomy.

"Were you...close? " I ask

She sadly smiles "He was...a really odd one. I've worked here for too long and people don't like me very much. Say I'm too strict or bossy. He was quite a hassle always making trouble for me. He sort of reminded me of my little brother. It was good to have someone like him around. "

I understood her. Her pain. Her sadness. Her frustration. I've felt these feelings before too. I walk over to her and give her a handkerchief.

"When he went missing. Everyone had pretended that he doesn't exist anymore. It was...difficult for me I'd say. No more causing trouble for me. No more me shouting at him. No more him insisting to let it slide. It's sad when memories of a person remain but he's gone. In the end, all you leave behind are memories " she wipes away her tears

I let her get it all out. I wanna tell her that Alex is right here. That he's crying just like her. That he misses her too.

" Liverpool " she utters.

"What? "

"I don't know much just a bit. The traffickers get children from Liverpool and bring them here. They do it after every 3 weeks. It's a white postal service truck. I...saw it come here once "

"What was it doing here? " I ask

She looks up at me "Most of the servants here were bought by Miss Helen. They are teenagers who are well-groomed for housework. When she gets tired of one, she sends him back and gets a refund. That's all I know ."

Awful. Just awful. This is getting into a bigger mess than I thought. What do we do !?

"Are...the police involved ? " this is important

"I don't know that. But even if they aren't, you cant persuade them to arrest Miss Helen based on some recording " she points at my pant pocket. Shit. She knew!? Since when !?

"I knew about it this whole time actually. As you already know that Miss Helen has quite the reputation, no ones going to believe something a mere servant said. Exposing it like this would be careless if that's the only proof you got "I know that...but I still had hope. Maybe if we....asked the servents that were victims about the location. Then what?

Rebecka sighs "If your thinking of asking anyone here who's a victim, don't bother. They don't know anything and plus they are loyal only to those who have the upper hand "

Suddenly there's a knock on the door. My face goes white and I search for a hiding place. As soon as I hide behind a washing machine, Rebecka opens the door.

" Why did you lock it ? " a maid with short hair and frustration on her face.

" Sorry about that, I must have accidentally locked it. Are you done in the kitchen? " Rebecka says

"Yes. I just wanted to let you know " she says and looks around the room. I can tell she's suspicious.

"Anything else? " Rebecka asks sternly

"No nothing. I'll be going now " and she walks away.

When she's gone and the doors closed. I get out.

"You need to leave. As far as I know, the truck will come someday this week " she says without turning around

I walk towards the window and stop "Why did you....help me? "

She glances at me "I don't know actually. I have a feeling I can trust you . Maybe it's because I know you can do what I am unable to . It's dangerous " she says

I get it. She never tried to expose what she knew because that would be very risky. She'd be putting her family at risk too. Did she know I don't have parents? Do I really look like an orphan?

"Thank you...for everything Rebecka," I say

She nods

"I'm...pretty sure...Alex misses you too," I say and leap out the window, leaving behind a surprised Rebecka.

"Was that necessary ? " he asks with an annoyed look on his face as I climb over the wall.

I smirk "Yup "

A white postal service truck smuggling kids from Liverpool huh? Too bad we don't know which day of the week it'll be coming.