Save me

Lance DeWitt

It was only my first day here at school. I was hired as a school counselor and I was starting today. I got a tour through the school. The principal was old and fat. He spoke soft and he walked slow. Sometimes I had no idea what he was saying, so I nodded whenever he looked at me.

'We are truly happy that you are here, Lance.' He said in his office. He literally fell into his chair like he was tired from the short tour.

'Is there anything about the children I need to know? Are there special cases or children with a backpack?' I asked him.

'A backpack? I hope they all have a backpack.' the principal laughed.

But I was serious. I need to know about it, so I don't have any surprises. 'No, I mean about illnesses and special courses. Who has ADHD, who takes medicine, who needs tutoring and all that kind of stuff. Are their files of the children who are special?'

'All children are special. They are a gift of god.' The principal laughed again.

'Sir, I am serious right now. Do you have files of those kids?'

'Why do you want to know?'

'If I am going to be a school counselor, I need to know which children I need to counsel. Or even why they need it. Don't you think?'

'The old counselor didn't need those files.'

'Well that is a problem sir.'

'If there was anyone with a problem, I would know about it. I know for sure I would be the first to know. I will give you the file of all the students that need counseling first thing tomorrow morning. There are three to begin with.' The smile he gave me was disturbing me. Those teeth were yellow and even rotten.

'Well, thank you sir. By the way I am ready for the assembly later today. I have some great tips on how to defend yourself. I have even some exercises to practice with the students.' It was why I was hired in the first place, because I teach self defense classes in my free time.

'I like that you're intuitive, Lance. I think this will be great. Let's get something to drink now. You like coffee?'

I never thought this morning that I was now here, standing next to the ambulance that was carrying a young girl with cuff marks. Whatever is happening in this town, it's worse than they let me believe. Did they torture that poor girl? The cuff marks told me that she was.

'Sir, I need an adult to ride along with her, are you coming?' One of the paramedics asked.

'Yes, I am coming with.' I didn't hesitate and jump in the ambulance. I sat next to the girl, I even held her hand. How old was she even? Sixteen? Seventeen? She was way to young to deal with all of this. Whatever she has been through. So sad.

We drove to the hospital where she was brought to an examination room. I had to wait outside since I was no family. I had her parents number in my phone, so I called them.

'Hello this is Alegra speaking.' Probably her mother.

'Hello Alegra, this is Lance. I work at Mena's school. I want you to inform you about something, but I don't want you to panic. Can you do that for me?' I didn't wait for a response and told her right away that her child was lying in the hospital.

'What did she do this time?' Was Alegra's response. Definitely not the response I thought I would get.

'She, eh, did nothing. It looks like she was pray to the group of men that has assaulted young girls. Do you know anything about that? Did she tell you about it?'

'Sorry, but who is this again? Why are you calling me while I am at work?'

'I am sorry, madam. Can you come to the hospital to come visit your daughter?'

'Is she in danger?'

'No, I don't think so.'

'Then I will pick her up after I am done working.' She hang up. Yes, she actually did. Poor girl, not even her mother was picking her up.

I went back to the waiting room. I saw a doctor I had met before and asked him about the girl.

'She has lots of bruises and scars. Some of them are resent, but most of them are older. The marks on her wrists are definitely cuff marks.'

'Do you think it's the group of men they are looking for is responsible for all of this?'

'I couldn't tell you. I'm sorry.'

'Oh, thank you. I informed her mother by the way. She isn't coming until she is done working.'

'Do you want me to call the social workers?'

'Maybe we wait for what the girl has to say.'

I waited for hours at the side of her bed. She looked so skinny and broken. Her dirty blond hair looked like it hasn't been washed in a while. Her clothes had holes in it, but now it was called fashion, so maybe she bought it this way.

Finally she opened her eyes. 'Where am I?'

'You are in the hospital. You sprained your wrist when you fell. They also gave you some ointment to heal the cuff marks.'

Her eyes grew wide. She was shocked I knew. Her mouth opened and closed a few times.

'You want to talk about how you got them? I know you don't know me, but I'm your schools counselor and I'm a great listener.'

She only shook her head and when I thought she was back to sleep again, I heard her cry under the covers.

I stayed with her until her mother came to pick her up. Only the vibe I got from her mother was terrifying. I didn't even get the chance to talk to her before they left. I had no use staying here, so I walked back home. I stopped when I saw a bar. I needed a drink. Beer, I needed beer. I ordered one and laid my head on the bar. This day couldn't go any worse than I thought it would go.

'Here you go sir.' The girl behind the bar said, placing my drink.

I was shocked to see I girl I had seen earlier today. She was one of my new students. That means she is still a minor. How does she work here. When I was speaking to her, she kept looking to the back. The manager I thought. And I was right.

'I don't know anything.' She shook her head.

'Shall I talk to your boss about letting a minor work in a bar serving alcohol?'

'Lance.' Now I was hundred percent sure about her being my student. 'Please, don't do this. I need the money to take care of my sisters. Please, don't tell him.' She looked so scared. I had seen the same in Mena's eyes. The pure fear. All of these children were scared to talk. The principal said I would only have to counsel three kids, well I just added three more. Mena, Richie and this Chinese girl in front of me. This was going to be a hell of a job for me.