Chapter One Hundred and Fifty Six

I thought she died that day, he said to her. I only saw the house blow up. After we ran away.

And since then we haven’t seen her, she answered him.

She started the fire to scare us but it had backfired on her instead, Fiona said. That is not the point, Turner thought.

Why did she come here now? He asked her.

I don’t know, she shrugs, then something strikes her. Xavier, she muttered, making Turner confused.

Who is Xavier, Turner asked her but she kept quiet and then turned to leave. I need to check something she said.

Please trust me, she said to him, making him nod.

Then she turned to leave in search of Maxwell.

After she left, Turner looked down at his phone and saw a text, when he looked up. He looked sad.

I am sorry, Fiona. I had no choice but to respond to the text.

****

I need to ask you something, Fiona said when she found Maxwell in the corridor, she left him earlier.

He wanted to apologize to her, for his abruptness the other time and the fact that he got angry unnecessarily but the look on her face made the words die down.

What do you need? He asked in a mellow tone.

Let’s go to a quieter place, she said to him.

****

It gives me immense joy that you were able to come on such notice Ama, Xavier said to a woman in front of him.

Half of her face is marred with a burn and the other, shows a beautiful cold face.

Her small stature and burnt face make her look so innocent and pitiable but Ama is the most dangerous woman on planet Earth.

The woman runs a child trafficking, woman trafficking and flesh peddling business in a small rundown place that looks more like a foster home than a place of crime.

It's no trouble, Xavier, we have been running a business together for years and you have been loyal. I can help you with something as little as this.

The little Harold boy, she mused. I told you then to tame him though but you made him run wild.

Don’t give me that Ama, Xavier said to her, you let those little children go and now you are telling me one of them is the reason why I am unable to move around as I please.

You should have killed them in that fire, he said to her in the same tone she had used earlier with him.

Fair point, she noted.

Now, what do we have? She asked him and Xavier began filling her in.

****

Does Xavier run a drug business on the outskirts of New Zealand? Fiona asked Maxwell when they got to her home.

Yes, he does but that wasn’t his territory, he spoke about a witty woman who supplies him with children and women for his needs, Maxwell started wondering where this conversation was heading to.

What is the name of the woman? Fiona asked.

Ama, Maxwell said and dread filled her.

It's her, she thought. Oh no!

What’s wrong, he asked her in a gentle tone. Fiona, he called her but she wasn’t responding.

Fiona, please don’t scare me like this, he whispered. What is wrong with Ama, he asked but Fiona was long gone.

The memories came rushing like a movie in her head.

She saw herself poking her head through the crates piled on the ground looking for the boy she had seen struggling earlier.

Then she met her, the small innocent smile that was given to her, the pitiful look when she told her about the boy she was looking for.

The way she felt pity for her and the boy and volunteered to help look for him with her not knowing she was evil.

Then she remembered the smiles, the rotten food. Those annoying drinks, chores, mind games they do play just to keep her entertained.

Fiona saw them circling her head.

I beat her once, I can again she thought and then settled her resolve.

When she blinked, she found herself sitting on the twin couch in her living room with Maxwell on the floor rubbing her hands and looking at her worriedly.

I am sorry, I made you worried, she said to him.

I am just glad you are fine, he said to her. You were as pale as shit.

I am fine now, Ama was a nightmare I never wanted to remember, she told calmly.

She was the one that kidnapped you and Turner, he concluded to see her nod lightly.

Why do you suddenly remember her? He asked.

She was there in the middle of all the noise watching me, to confirm I wasn’t seeing things. I went in search of Turner to confirm.

He saw her too, he confirmed and she nodded.

She was trying to wade through her own nightmare and he was throwing a tantrum like a child. No wonder she had flared up when he confronted her.

I am so sorry, he said finally.

I acted stupid. It's okay, she comforted me.

I am sorry too that I didn’t tell you about the dance I wanted to surprise you all and telling you would ruin the surprise that was why I didn’t tell you.

Daisy talked me into it.

When he just stared at her, Ahn did suggest it but I didn’t agree, not at first but then he said it would show the people that those teaching the children are fit to teach them.

Matt agreed and Daisy wouldn’t let me rest about it so I gave in eventually.

I am so sorry, I acted that way, he kissed her now firmly on her lips.

I am such a moron, he shook his head.

You don’t trust me, she said in between the kisses, I do Fiona explicitly, I was just afraid.

I can’t let you go, I know it’s selfish. Every ounce of me told me you were better off without me, because of my condition.

I never wanted all these for you but in the end, I dragged you into it.

I am sorry my love. I truly am.

Fiona hugged him, it’s okay she whispered.