Chapter 1
Oye, me muero de hambre, voy a preguntarle a mamá cuándo está lista la cena. (Hey I'm starving, gonna ask Mummy when's dinner ready) A boy who looks to be around the age of five called out to two other kids, another young boy and a little girl, who are at the same age.
He disappeared off inside the large cabin that sat at the edge of the tree line that surrounded the field that the three children were playing in.
"Tengo una idea, vamos a explorar" (I have an idea, let's go exploring) shouted a little girl as she climbed to her feet after being sat in the long grass outside of her family home.
"No tonto, nos meteremos en problemas (No silly, we will get in trouble) the little boy replied. "Papá nos dijo que no nos alejáramos" (Daddy told us not to wander off) He argued helplessly to her, knowing full well that she will give him that puppy dog stare and clasp her hands together to beg him and he always gives in.
"Sí, pero papá también dijo que deberíamos divertirnos y que no iríamos muy lejos". (Yes but Daddy also said that we should have fun and we won't be going far) She called back and as predicted she had her small hands clasped together in front of her.
"Ok... Ok pero no demasiado lejos" (OK... Ok but not too far) he sighs defeated once again by the girl and her cuteness.
Together the two youngsters ran through the maze of long grass and trampled on many wild flowers, until they came to the tree line. They both knew that the other boy, who went inside, would be upset they left him behind while he went to ask about dinner, but the thrill of an adventure overcame them. Excitement filled the little boy as he took the forbidden step passed the trees.
Playing out in the trees gave a sense of adventure, the girl collected daisies and made them in to chains she put a chain around her neck and she put a smaller chain on top of her raven black hair to make it look like a tiara on her head.
The boy climbed up high in to the trees, scaring the animals that lived there and rustling the green leaves until they dropped. His laughed echoed as he swung from the branches and launched himself higher. They both are fearless in the forest that was full of unknown animals.
They both played in the forest for over an hour, when they were distracted by the sound of a river, excited once again and took off to find the water source. They raced each other laughing and mocking each other when one fell behind. After a few minutes came to a skidding halt next to a gentle flowing river.
Almost immediately the boy crouched down and scooped up some of the slick mud with one of his hands and threw the messy pile at the girl, leaving her to squeal and dive out of the way.
"Oye, eso fue malo de tu parte, no estaba listo ... Mi turn" (Hey, that was mean of you, I wasn't ready... My turn) She scowled at him but that turned in to a beaming smile as she scooped up mud in both hands and threw one after the other. Successfully hitting him with one pile of mud on his arm.
The fun didn't last so long this time because out if no where, a man, someone they were familiar with and trusted,. came through the trees.
Niños... ¿Qué están haciendo ustedes dos aquí? Tan lejos de la casa" (Children... What are you two doing out here? So far from the house) The man asked as he looked around as if he was expecting company.
"Solo estábamos jugando... Pero mamá y papá no saben que vinimos aquí... Tal vez deberíamos regresar. Papá estaría molesto con nosotros" (We were just playing... But Mummy and Daddy don't know we came out here... Maybe we should head back. Daddy would be upset with us) The boy said while looking down worriedly at his mucky shoes and clothes.
"Sí, es una buena idea volver a casa ahora" (Yes that's a good idea go back home now) The man commanded in an urgent and serious tone
"¿Por qué estás aquí?" (Why are you out here) The sweet girl asked curiously.
"Yo yo ... Yo mmm ..." (Me I... I. Umm) The man stutters nervously while still searching the surrounding area.
"Papá también te estaría buscando, señor ..." (Daddy would be looking for you too Mr...) The girl started to say, but was interrupted by twigs snapping and a stranger stepped in to view.
The strange man is huge with tattoos all up his arms and scary scars littering his exposed skin. He looks at the man with disgust but then looks at the two children with an evil glint in his eye.
"Ah I see that you have brought something for me after all" The stranger says to the man but keeps his deep brown, almost black eyes on the two kids.
The boy and girl grab each others hands in fear, they don't know what's going on but they are smart enough to be afraid of not only the stranger but the friend of their fathers. He is obviously up to no good and they have accidentally stumbled in on it.
The boy stands protectively in front of the girl, trying to shield her from view with his small body but that only seems to amuse the scary stranger and prompts him to take a step closer.
"No... I mean I never intended for these two to be here, they are not apart of this deal so I was just sending them back to their home." The man shakily said in broken English but is unaware that the children's mother has been teaching all of her kids her main language, which is English, while they speak with their fathers language Spanish.
"Well... You see that is no good, since these little.. Uhm ones... Are already here. My boss is prepared to accept them as payment for the deal you have yet to pay for. Either that or I have full authority to take it how I see fit even if it means your life." The stranger negotiated with a smirk.
The children are shocked while they hear that the man they trusted made a deal that was dangerous and now the stranger want them apart of that deal.
The man looks pale and speechless, but to the kids dismay he starts to nod his head as an acceptance for the stranger to take the two youngsters in order to save his own life.
Knowing what's happening the boy looks at the girl and then almost silently whispers in the girls ear "correr" (run) and the two of them take off or at least attempted to run because the man grabs the girl while the stranger grabs the boy
Papá... Papá ayúdanos" (Daddy... Daddy help us) the little girl screamed as the man grabbed her and throwing her over his shoulder with a sigh.
The boy puts up more of a struggle as he is a bit bigger than the girl, resulting in the stranger to use force, by smacking him a cross the face and sending him flying to the ground.
"Easy they are five years old" The man shouts out, looking concerned but then it turns to fear as the stranger rounds on him. He cowers away still gripping the girl tightly as she tries to kick and scream.
"Put that damn girl in a gag and use this to tie her." The stranger demands before throwing a rope to the man and adding. "Also they belong to my boss now so as long as they need it they will get whatever treatment I choose to give."
The man nodded urgently and struggles but manages to secure the girl with ties and a gag. The boys had the same ties and gagged but he is nearly knocked out due to the force for the strike.
Then the two of males carried both of the frightened children away further from their home and family.
In the distance faint males and females voice could be heard calling out the children's names in panic but the person was too far away for the names of the two children to be heard clearly.
