Roses Are Not Red

TRANCE

“This is it, the documents I found in sister Lily’s office.” Natalie said as her voice became unsteady, while her finger was pointed towards the array of files displayed on the desktop screen.

Garry scrolled through the folder, his eyes squinted as he focused on the screen. Each files were all named after specific numbers, the same numbers Natalie had seen on the files.

Garry clicked on the first file and read through everything. Natalie felt sick to her stomach as she stared at the same pictures and words she has read last night. It was disheartening and sad to view again.

She opted out from reading the contents of the files with Garry and sat down on the bed instead. A stifling silence settled in the small room as Garry checked each file one after the other.

After several minutes, Garry let out an exaggerated sigh and spun his chair until he was face to face with Natalie.

“Its just like you said, each file has information about the girls, mostly disturbing information.” Garry said and grimaced.

Natalie exhaled and rubbed her forehead. The weight of the new information she had stumbled on was crushing her. It was too much for her to bear. What exactly was she going to do with this information?

Garry spun back to the desktop and began clicking away at his keyboard.

“There’s a copy of a contract the orphanage signed with some organisation. There’s also a few documents having the tax regulations and financial dealings of this organisation.”

Natalie craned her head to get a view of the desktop. A document was open on the screen, and unreadable to her at the distance she was. Natalie walked closer to the Garry and got a better view of the document.

The page had several words and business terms, which confused Natalie.

“From what I can tell, the orphanage had some kind of deal with this shady company and my guess is-“

“Prostitution.” Natalie cut in.

Garry nodded and looked up at her.

“Its not exactly hard to make it all out.” Garry added.

Natalie frowned, feeling a heavy wave of sadness overwhelming her.

“How could sister Lily do this? How long has all this been going on for?” She questioned.

Garry shrugged and exhaled heavily.

“Im guessing it’s been going on for years.”

Natalie’s heart sunk to the bottom of her chest. The agonizing pain that stretched across her heart was almost unbearable.

She took a few steps back and settled herself down on the bed. Natalie stared pensively as the floor as she bit her lower lip with so much force.

“What do I do Garry? My eighteenth birthday is really close and I heard them say I’m next. I don’t want to be sold as a prostitute. I don’t want the younger girls to go through this. I don’t want-“

“Hey.” Garry called out firmly.

Natalie tore her eyes away from the ground and met Garry’s gaze. He had a stern look in his eyes, the look a parent would give you during a scolding.

He got out of his chair and sat down beside Natalie on the bed.

“Beating yourself up about it, isn’t going to make the situation any better. All we need to do is find a way to solve the problem.”

I blinked at Garry, taken aback by his optimism.

“This is unlike you.” I pointed out.

Garry chuckled warmly and rested both arms on his thighs.

“I know I’m not the type to be very optimistic, but I’m like this, because you’re involved. It would hurt me so much if they took you away.” Garry said.

For a moment, Natalie could notice the soft glint in Garry’s eyes. His warm pair of eyes were fixed on her, never averting. For a split second, she found herself drawing closer to him, like she was placed under a trance.

Her heart was hammering loudly in her chest as a strange feeling spread across her whole being. They both bumped shoulders and Natalie was broken out of her trance.

Garry had his face a few inches away from hers. Realising how close they were, Natalie moved farther away and averted her gaze to the floor.

“Thanks for caring about me.” Natalie uttered.

Garry rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly and smiled wryly.

“You mean a lot to me Natalie. And that’s why I want to help. I may have a plan.”

Natalie’s eyes were back on Garry again, but this time, they were filled with curiousity.

“What plan?” Natalie asked with curiosity in her eyes.

“Its still a rough plan, and I’ll need your help to iron it out.”

Natalie nodded with determination written all over her face.

“Okay, so I was thinking, the g-“

Natalie’s phone began to ring, cutting Gary short. She shot Gary an apologetic look and pulled her phone out of her pocket. Once she stared at the caller on her screen, her face went solemn.

“Sister Lily.” Natalie said once she picked up the call.

Gary watched and listened to Natalie, until she slid the phone away from her ear.

“I have to leave, sister Lily needs me back at the orphanage.”

Gary gave her an understanding nod as she rose up from the bed.

“I can walk you back to the orphanage.” He suggested.

Natalie just shook her head.

“Its fine, I think I want to be alone for now, I need to arrange my thoughts.”

Gary grimaced, but gave her a weary smile.

“I completely understand. I’ll see you at school tomorrow?”

“Sure.”

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Natalie made a turn into groove’s street where the orphanage was located. She couldn’t shake off the uneasiness in sister Lily’s voice when she talked to her on the phone earlier. Was something wrong at the orphanage?

Natalie could hear her heart race at the thought. She hastened her steps and jogged down the street until the large red gate of the orphanage was in view.

Pushing the gate open, Natalie jogged all the way to the entrance and basically burst through the door. She paused when her eyes fell on sister Lily.

Natalie’s eyes moved to the person standing beside her and her breath caught in her throat when she noticed the tattoo pattern on his arms.