Helping Hands

As Turai emerged from the building, his small frame silhouetted against the backdrop of chaos he'd left behind, he found himself face to face with a group of a dozen individuals. Most were unfamiliar, but two faces stood out, causing him to pause momentarily.

Hubert's eyes widened as he took in Turai's blood-stained appearance. His mouth opened, ready to express concern, but as his gaze met Turai's, the words died on his lips. 'My God!!' Hubert exclaimed inwardly.

There was a hardness in the boy's eyes that spoke volumes, silencing any potential admonishment.

Marin, on the other hand, didn't hesitate. She rushed past Turai towards the children huddled behind him, their eyes wide with fear at the sight of so many strangers.

"Hello kids, my name is Marin and I'm here to help all of you get back home safely." Her gentle demeanor seemed to calm them slightly, but they still clung to each other, wary of these new faces.

Observing Marin's attempts to comfort the children, a subtle smile played across Turai's lips. He turned to the kids, his voice softer than it had been moments ago. "It's okay," he assured them. "Marin is a friend. You can trust her. She'll take you somewhere safe while I go get the others." His words seemed to ease their tension, and they began to relax under Marin's care.

"If Turai says so, then we will do as you say." One of the older kids said a tone that convinced the others.

"Come back with the others quickly." Another kid added, her small hands already holding on to Marin's dress.

"You better come back for us!" declared another kid, a girl with short brown hair and gold eyes who was a few months younger than Turai.

"I definitely will." Turai smiled back at the girl standing before him and patted her head. "Now, go along with her." He demanded.

Sensing the delicate situation, the three other ladies from the group moved to assist Marin. "Together, we'll keep you all safe." Marin suggested to the kids and the ladies behind her nodded with warm smiles on their faces.

Together, they began guiding the children away from the scene, towards a location where they could be properly cared for and protected. Two other men went along just so there would be enough security for the kids in case of any mishaps.

Hubert remained silent, his eyes never leaving Turai. It was the boy who broke the silence first. "Thank you for coming," Turai said, his voice carrying a maturity beyond his years. "But this is something I have to do alone. The organization runs deeper than we've seen. I can't risk involving you all."

Hubert's brow furrowed at Turai's words. "Knock it off, kid," he said, his tone firm but not unkind. "Everyone here came of their own free will. None of us were forced to help you, and you shouldn't dismiss our choices. If we're willing to help, at least allow us that."

Turai studied Hubert's face, recognizing the determination in the man's eyes. He knew arguing would be futile. With a slight nod, he relented. "Fine. My next stop is the heart of town. Try to keep up." Without another word, Turai turned and vanished, his speed leaving only a blur in his wake.

Gareth, one of Hubert's teammates, let out a low whistle of surprise. "I'll be damned," he muttered, shaking his head in disbelief.

As Gareth, the towering figure in the group remembered Hubert's stories concerning the kid, he wore a weak smile, pattingHubert's shoulder from behind. "You weren't exaggerating about the kid, Hubert. After all this is over, we should consider recruiting him."

Hubert chuckled, though there was a hint of tension in his voice. "Let's focus on the task at hand, shall we? We've got more pressing matters to attend to." With a nod to his companions, Hubert set off, the group of seven men following closely behind as they headed towards the heart of town where Turai was bound to be found.

Meanwhile, Turai had already reached his next destination. The building that supposedly housed the second group of thugs stood before him.

Bang!

He brought down the door but as he entered, he found it eerily empty. Anger flared within him, his fists clenching at his sides and in his anger, his fist filled with strength and fury, left a web of crack on the building's wall. But then he remembered—there was another location nearby that could be holding the children.

The place that housed the leader of the supposed group to have contracted the thugs—the man who wanted to buy the orphanage that was now in ruins.

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Turai set off once more. His target this time was the largest motel in Raynes, the town where he and the other children had grown up. As he approached, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of disbelief. The two-story building exuded an air of authority and mystery, its facade a stark contrast to the nefarious activities supposedly taking place within.

For a moment, Turai hesitated. Could such a respectable-looking establishment really be the hideout for kidnappers and thugs? But he quickly shook off the doubt. Appearances, he knew all too well, could be deceiving.

Turai strode towards the motel's entrance. His small hand gripped the door handle, and for a brief moment, he paused. The weight of what he was about to do pressed down on him, but the faces of the missing children flashed through his mind, steeling his resolve.

"This is for the kids." Turai muttered as he held the door handle.

As he pushed the door open, Turai made a silent vow. He would only walk out of this building alive if the children came with him. Failure was not an option. With that thought firmly in mind, he stepped into the motel, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead in his quest to rescue the remaining children and bring down those responsible for their suffering.

"Where are the kids locked up here?" He demanded instantly.