Rendezvous at Silver Lining

Damien's POV: The woman

Flashback…

Phone call:

“So, did you get me the location?”

“Yea. Check your messages. You have the place, time, and security entrance credentials. All you have to do is show up.”

“Ok. Thanks, B.”

“Of course. Be safe and be careful. You know what to do if there's a problem.”

“Yea. Bye.”

End of phone call.

12 hours later…

“ We're here, sir.”

I looked up at the driver through the rearveiw mirror.

“Ok. Good. You ready, Lance?”

I looked over at my partner. He handed me a mask that would cover my entire face, and he put one on himself.

“Yea. Let's go.”

He hopped out the car and I followed suit. No one was outside at the moment, and we were far enough away to not be seen by the guards securing the front entrance to the warehouse where the auction was being held and where we were to meet. I looked around before placing the mask on my face, and we headed into the warehouse. I pulled my phone out and sent a quick message to B, letting him know we made it inside. B sent a thumbs up and said everything was ago. Each buyer of the auction had to pay to receive an invite, and once paid, all materials to enter said auction were sent to a secure location for pickup. Included in the items to be picked up was a secured key card that you have to use to get pass security and the front door. B needed a way to get into the system and came up with the idea to use the key card, since all cards are secured through their own security system, and each buyer needed one. He recreated my key card and implanted a virus that wouldn't affect the system but allowed him access to their system and anything connected with it. The moment I swiped my card, he gained access to their whole operation. Lance and I were escorted to a room down a long corridor. There were multiple rooms, and each room was filled with different types of merchandise. The room we were headed to was the room for trafficking. There was a person we were looking for, and we heard she would be in this auction. We walked till we reached our destination and entered a room. It was dimly lit. A huge red curtain draped across the front of the room, and a red carpet split the room in half. On either side of it, there were circular tables and chairs placed for the buyers to watch the merchandise walk. There was a bar in the back, and security lined the walls. They wore tuxs and stayed silent the whole evening. It was practically a formal event. All buyers and sellers wore formal attire. We were the last to enter, and once in, the door was closed and locked behind us. A woman escorted us to our seats. We were the only ones to wear masks that covered our faces completely. Many stared at us and murmured. We took our seats and nodded at each other. We had agreed that Lance would do the speaking just in case we see some people who roam the same societal circles that me or my parents did. Sadly, we were right. A few of the men and women in this room I knew. I balled my fist up, trying to compose myself, my anger seeping from me at the idea that these people who act high and mighty are actually scumbags like the scumbags who threw this auction. The host of the evening came out and did a small speech. It was a woman. Both Lance and I looked at each other in surprise. She didn't have on a mask, and it didn't matter because I didn't know who she was. She was a pretty woman. Tall, tan skin, straight brown hair with some highlights tucked into a low ponytail. Her eyes stood out because they were blue against all the browns that surrounded them. She wore a badass pants suit that was all black. A spotlight turned on and landed right on her.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I'd like to welcome you to our little soiree tonight. I am the hostess, and I hope you all enjoy the beautiful items we have available. On your key cards, there are numbers, and those numbers are linked back to you and your table. If you so choose to purchase an item, you will see a little clear square in the middle of your table. Think of those like scanners at the grocery store and scan your key card over top of it. Just lay it on top, and your number will pop up on the screen. If you want to bid higher because someone else has bid against you, remove the card and relay it on the scanner. That will indicate that you wish to bid higher. Once the bidding for that specific item is done, the scanner, if you put in a bid, will turn red to let you know the time for bidding is over and that it's time to move on to the next item on the list for the evening. Ok!? Now then, please, sit back, grab a drink, and enjoy the show.”

She smiled, and everyone clapped for her as she made her way off stage. Soon after she left the stage, the first “item” popped out. It was a man. He was barely dressed and looked out of it. There was something around his neck. It sort of looked like a collar, and it didn't look comfortable. In fact, you could tell it bothered his skin. There was a reddish ring underneath the collar that looked as if a rash would soon appear. The bidding began, and like the host said, your number popped up on the screen behind the people being sold. I saw plenty of people being sold back to back. Men, women, and even some children. There were only two kids, thankfully, and I indeed brought them. I wasn't about to let these sick f***s purchase them. This all went on for about 2 ½ hours and I was beginning to feel disheartened. I came here to find someone and I hadn't seen the person yet. That's when the last person for the night was brought out. My heart soared seeing her and at the same time it hurt knowing the life she's been forced to live. My hands began to tremble. I was trying to school my emotions but they were too heavy. Lance noticed and placed his hand over my clenched fist that was on top of the table. I looked over at him and he shook his head, indicating for me to calm down. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, praying the tears that threatened to fall didn't leave the ducts that they called home. My breath ragged as the rage I felt was overflowing. They soon began the bidding and I immediately bid for her.

“150,000? Number 32 has bid for 150,000. Anyone else? Number 67 has bid for 150,000. How about 300,000? Number 32 has placed his bid. Ah… so has 67 and 19. Can we go for 450,000? 32 again has placed his bid. 67 isn't letting up either. He too, placed his bid. Anyone else? How about 500,000? 32, of course, has made a bid and so has 67.”

I was getting pissed the f**k off. Why won't this fucker back the hell off. I'm not leaving her without her.

“900,000? Can we go for 900,000? Wow, I can't believe it, ladies and gentlemen. 32 has bid again for 900,000. I believe this is the highest bid of evening. 67, are you also gonna bid?”

I looked up at the woman that stood before me. She seemed terrified and angry and it just pissed me off further.

“Going once. Going twice. Going thrice. SOLD, to Number 32. Number 32 come and claim you prize. Thank you for ending our auction off on a good note!”

The people in the room applauded. Lance and I was escorted to the back where they held our “winnings”. We were walked to a room where the two children I brought and the woman I came for were sitting.The woman immediately stood in front of the kids and gave me a nasty glare. I smiled knowing that regardless of what has happened to her these last 3 years, she still has the firey spirit she's always had. They made sure the money went through before we were able to leave. We were escorted to my car, and the woman and children were placed in the back. Lance and I hopped in the car and drove off. Once we were a good 10 minutes down the road, we pulled over. I turned to look back at them. The kids were terrified, and the woman gave me a disgusted look as she wrapped her arms around the boy and girl. I reached back to touch her face, and they all flinched.

“We still have our mask on. Take it off.”

My eyes widened. I forgot, or rather yet, I was scared. I was scared to think that she'll hate me. It took me 3 years to find her. Lance took his mask off first, showing his braids that were only at the top of his head pulled up into a bun, while his sides and back was cut down into a fade. He had his ears pierced and a small stud on his nose. He smiled down at the children. He looked back at me and nudged me.

“Come on, man. You're scaring them.”

I reached up with shaky hands to pull the mask down. I didn't face them all at once because I couldn't bear it if she hated me. I turned slowly to face the woman. Once she registered my face, she gasped. My eyes found hers. Tears welled up in her eyes and spilled over onto her soft, light brown cheeks. I smiled.

“I'm so happy your side eyes are still as scary as ever. I thought you were gonna kill me when I walked into that room.”

She immediately sobbed and threw herself over the seat and into my arms. I held onto her like my life depended on it. She sobbed loudly in my ear, and I allowed my tears to fall as well.

“I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry it took me so long to find you, Penny.”

She started to chuckle in my ear and pulled back but not letting me go.

“You are not still calling me that, are you?”

“What? You look like Penny Proud, so imma call you Penny Proud.”

I smiled, and she began to cry and hugged me again.

“I'm sorry, Amara.”

“You came for me, D. There's nothing to be sorry for. Besides, you just spent 900,000 on me. I think you deserve a thank you before I say f**k you.”

She and I both laughed. I finally let her go and she sat back down in the back with the children holding on to her again. Lance looked at me and back at her. I knew what he was asking.

“Amara, this is Lance. He and B help me find you. Lance, this was my sister's best friend and another little sister to me. The day they killed Lillian was the same day they stole Amara away as well.”

My blood boiled remembering the letter Lillian left me. She knew something wasn't right and tried to warn me, but I was too late. I stepped out the car and opened the back and helped Amara and the kids out and into the car's backseat. Lance sat in the front with our driver and the kids sat next to the window with Arama in between them and me. They were silent and I'm pretty sure confused too. I looked over at them and smiled.

“Hey guys.You don't have to worry. No body is ever going to hurt you again. You weren't on my radar, but I would never leave children in harms way like that. We'll go back to my place and get you all cleaned up and fed. Then we'll see about finding yalls' parents. How does that sound?”

The little girl sat up, and her eyes lit up, and then she began to cry.

“Re- Really? I can go back home? And you guys really won't hurt us no more?”

My heart broke for the little girl. I was almost afraid to ask what had happened to her. She looked to be no more than 8 years old and the boy was no better. He cried silently.

“You have my word, princess. No one will ever harm you again. So relax and go to sleep. If you don't trust me, trust your friend here. You seen how she jumped my bones the moment she saw me, right? That means I'm a good guy. OUCH!”

Amara elbowed me in my arm causing the little girl and boy to laugh. I was happy that they were still able to do that. I think I want to get them treated before anything else and it was gonna take time to find their parents anyway. We were on our way again. The children felt safe enough to fall asleep and Amara wrapped her arms around my arm and leaned against me, falling asleep. Before she was too deep into her nap, I had a question.

“Amara. What is those collars around y'all necks?”

She reached up and touched it, moving it around some, showing me the bruised, reddish, infected skin that layed underneath the collar.

“It's a shock collar to keep everyone in line. When transporting us, they drug us to make us all sleep.”

“How long have you had to wear that thing?”

“Since… I was taken.”

I shut my eyes trying to control my emotions that were tryna make it's way out my chest. My tears escaped my eyes and she reached up and wiped them away.

“Hey. Don't do that. I know you and I know you've been searching for me. You didn't do this. You saved me, Damien. That's all I could ask for. That's all Star would have wanted too. It's ok. It's not your fault. I'm back with my brother and I get to see my parents again. What more could I ask for.

I gritted my teeth and shut my eyes.

“The life they stole from you. You're best friend. All the things they did to you to not have happened in the first place. All of those things are valid things to ask for and those are things I can't give you.”

She sat quiet knowing everything that has happened can never be changed and no one can turn back time.

“I can give you one thing though.”

“What's that, D?”

“Revenge.”

End of flashback.

I sat in my office thinking of the events of a few weeks ago. The children who's names I found out to be Nathan and Isis, were at the safe house along with Amara. She didn't want to reveal herself just yet, not until the work was done. Lance goes to the house from time to time to make sure everything is safe and to get the children's information to find their families. I've visited a few times with doctors and therapist. I knew they all were gonna need them once they were in a safe environment. I tried focusing on the workload in front of me, but I had too much on my mind. That's when my phone rang.

Phone call:

Songbird: Hey, Damien. Could you come over, please? I want to talk about something. That's if you have time.

Me: Sure. When would you like me to come by?

Songbird: You can be over in about an hour. I'm just getting home. Is that cool?

Me: Sounds good, Songbird.

Songbird: *giggles* Ok. I see you soon. Bye.

Me: Bye.

End of call.

I gave up on my work and just called it a day. I decided to take a quick shower in my office before I headed over to Divinity's. I ranged her bell to be let up into the building and knocked on her door. I heard the locks and the doorknob twist. There's she was.

“Hey, songbird.”

“Hi, Damien.”