Tori's Misfits

Chapter 11

Madam Kim’s Pov:

“I understand sir and will make sure that the records are altered until the girls are found.” I say then wait for the line to go dead before letting out a frustrated growl.

The missing girls have the potential to ruin everything. I will have to shut down the orphanage if they are not found or talk to the right people. I hate starting over so these idiots working for me better find the girls before the next pick up.

Hearing the knock at my office door, I glance at my clock and let out a chuckle, time for some stress release.

“Come in Mister Toben” I call out in a bored tone, no reason to alert him yet. I want to enjoy the cat and mouse game before closing the trap.

“Good morning, Madam Kim, you requested my presence this morning.” Mister Toben states standing in front of my desk.

“Have a seat and fill me in on the search for the girls.” I state with a quick wave of my hand.

Toben walks to the only other chair in my office, places his hand on the chair but watches my face. I raise my eyebrow and wait. He slowly lowers his large frame onto the child size chair trying to get semi-comfortable.

“I am a busy woman, Mister Toben, please do not keep me waiting.” Shifting his weight once more he begins, “the trackers and warriors sent out yesterday returned with no news, they are resting, and I have sent out the remaining to continue searching. I have ordered the teams to split and keep following the river. I have also sent warriors to all towns within walking distance to ask questions and watch for the girls. There were no supplies missing from the stockrooms, they took no clothing other than what they were wearing.

“So, the girls just disappeared with nothing, meaning they will have to show up somewhere for supplies. Make sure that the warriors are checking with any private homes in the area as well.”

“Yes, Madam Kim” I state, while quickly linking the head warrior.

“When you are done with your shift Mister Toben, you are to report to the basement. I am aware of the misconduct that led to the children being able to leave unnoticed and only one has been punished.” I state not letting on that I suspect him.

Watching him closely I see the brief panic in his eyes before it is masked, and he swallows before answering me.

“Yes Madam, will I need to bring anyone or anything with me?”

“No Toben I believe your presence will suffice, now leave” I state waving my hand towards the door, “I have work to finish.”

Toben rises from the chair almost stumbling, as his muscles seize and cramp from their uncomfortable position of balancing on the small chair. After a short time he walks to the door and as he is leaving, he hears an evil chuckle.

Mister Toben’s POV

Leaving the main building I walk to the training grounds, to get an updated report from the warriors and trackers. I must continue doing my job even as the fear of what truth the witch knows and what she will do about it, eats at my insides. I hope that she only knows the ‘truth’ we want her to know, or all is lost.

I glance around the training grounds looking for Joel the head tracker, spotting him across the large dusty fields. I see he is starting a sparring match with a young bird shifter that goes by Jace. I approach from the sidelines interested in the match. When Joel uses his vampire speed, not many can keep up.

Joel darts behind Jace and grabs his arms pulling them back. Jace shifts into a hawk, breaking Joel's hold on his arms. Jace flies up and then circles Joel and dives at him aiming at his chest with his beak. Joel dodges the attack, leaping into the air and grabbing the bird by its wings. Landing on the ground, Joel lets out a growl of frustration as Jace shifts into a hummingbird, breaking his grip on his wings and escaping. Jace flies around using the speed of the hummingbird to keep away from Joel’s attempts to catch him. Joel suddenly stops and stands completely still, watching Jace intensely looking for his opening. As Jace circles him, diving in closer, he grabs him out of the air. Holding the little bird in his hands, he waits. Jace, knowing the match is over, taps Joel’s hands twice with his beak.

With the match over I approach and inform Joel I need to go over the schedules of the search with him and Marty, our head warrior. He nods and offers to get Marty and go to my office. I agreed to meet them there.

After Joel leaves, I turn to Jace and say, “your mistake young one was staying in a form too small to damage your adversary. Once you were free from his hold you should have shifted once again into a bird big enough to do damage or returned to your human form to fight.”

“Yes, Mister Toben,” Jace replies, standing at attention.

“You may return to your training now,” I state, turning and walking away.

I arrive at my office to find both Joel and Marty waiting for me. Opening the door, I usher them in and motion for them to take a seat. When seated, I ask both for their updated reports of the search.

Joel begins telling me that he has his trackers checking in every four hours. They searched the surrounding woods and trails and found no signs of the girls. They are now concentrating on the river taking a large team downstream and a smaller upstream. The general feeling being they would travel downstream as to not have to fight the current.

I take out green pins and tell him to mark on the large territory map covering my desk the areas that have been searched. Marty then takes red pins and marks farms and towns that have been checked.

I ask Marty if he has anything to add. He shakes his head, replying, “no, we have allowed the trackers to take the lead in this and are available to offer any support they need.”

I slam my hands on the desk, causing both men to flinch and recoil. “How is it that my best trackers can’t find three children that have no experience outside the parameters of the orphanage.” I roar, spitting out each word with venom.

Their eyes are wide with fear and the guilt of having failed miserably. My body is shaking with rage, and I end the meeting, before I do something I will regret. I follow the guys to the door and lock it behind them.

Turning back, I go to the liquor cabinet and pour myself a glass of amber courage downing it in one drink. I then return to my desk and pull out a hidden pack of cigarettes, lighting one and taking a deep drag. I think about the meeting with Madam Kim with trepidation, wondering if she knows who I really am.

I then call my commander and report the girls missing, and what has happened. He advises me to go ahead with the meeting, but he will have someone nearby to assure I am safe. I know they will not interfere unless my life or true identity is endangered. I agree to attend and hang up the phone. Finishing my cigarette with one last drag, I stand and leave to report to Madam Kim as ordered. My gait is slower than usual to postpone my arrival as long as possible.