Tori's Misfits

Chapter 20

Tori’s Pov:

I wait, scared and anxious for the girls and the littles. It hurts too much to pace, so I tap my good leg and wring my hands. Tia, my wolf, tries to calm me down. She reminds me it’s a good plan and the girls are smart and adaptable. Then, to distract me she begins talking about our first shift, how it will help me heal faster. I know she is correct but the thought of shifting terrifies me. It's not the pain of the first shift I worry about, it’s letting everyone know, not just those I trust. They appear in front of me with a flash. I squeal and reach for the babies who cry and squirm in my arms. The children are disorientated, and some are heaving from the effects of teleporting. I whisper in a soothing voice, “Hi guys, I’m sorry if you are frightened, but I promise you are safe here. We needed to get you all away from the orphanage. I know you are not feeling the best, but it will pass quickly.”

“Where are we?” Jules asks.

“We are in a cavern outside the town,” I say, trying to sound reassuring. “It is blocked at the entrance, and no one knows we are here.”

She nods her head and looks at the other children, then at me again, “Where is Tom?”

“Wasn’t he in the room with you all?” I ask.

“No, they moved him yesterday to the warrior side.” Jules says.

I look at Jaccia and Carli, whose faces blanch white. I bow my head and wonder what we are going to do. I can’t leave him; we didn’t cover what would happen if the children weren’t all together.

The other children are now moving around and starting to ask questions, their eyes wide with curiosity and fear. Jaccia pulls out the ripe fruit they brought with them and cuts a couple up, offering each child a piece, along with a sip of cool water. Next, she and Carli then start laying out the soft blankets for the children to sleep on, placing folded blankets in one of the crates to work as a makeshift crib for the babies. Soon, the children curl up on the blankets, eating their snack, eyes heavy from exhaustion.

“We will get you all settled and then talk over the best way to help Tom,” Carli says, her voice firm and confident.

I watch the littles quickly settle to sleep, with a mixture of feelings. I am relieved they are safe, distraught that we left Tom, and anxious about how to keep them safe.

Seeing that the littles are asleep for now. Jaccia, Carli, and I step to the far side of the room and begin to talk about what has occurred and what needs to happen now. Jaccia wants to teleport back to the warrior’s side and find Tom. Carli and I think it is too risky.

“Jace is on duty tonight at the far side, where we trained. I could teleport to him, and maybe he can help.” Jaccia states.

We argue a bit, but it is decided that she will go to Jace. It will be faster if she goes alone. I am not feeling great about this, but can’t leave a little behind.

Jace’s POV:

Tonight, when the girls come for the littles, I am on patrol duty. This means if something goes wrong, I will know right away. I wish I could contact them before the rescue mission. One of the littles was transferred to the warrior’s side today. He won't be with the others when they come. I've been trying to figure it out all day. Why did they move him today with them all leaving Friday? But I guess appearances must be kept up.

As I prepare to report for duty, I walk past the room of the little one. He is alone in the room for now, sitting on the bed, head bowed in sadness. Since it lights out soon, he is prepared to turn in. Jaccia knows this room. If I can find a way to get to her, she can collect him with her teleportation powers.

I grab my weapon, check my gear and head out to patrol. I have been assigned to a remote area that sees little movement from rogues or community members. In fact, this is the area me and the girls used to meet so we could train and study, without getting caught. I told the girls my patrol schedule so they would know if they needed to get out in case something went wrong.

Arriving at my patrol station, I let the guard on duty give me his briefing. Watching him return to the warrior’s house, I decide to walk to my assigned area. I approach the small clearing where me and the girls used to meet, for secret lessons. I wonder if there is a chance of one of them showing up. I decide to stay where I can see the clearing during my patrol shift. There is a stand where I can see the clearing and the orphanage, so I can keep an eye on both. I settle in to wait, knowing that the last room check will be soon, since the lights out is past. The girls will wait until after the check, then sneak in to get the littles. If they notice one is missing, and I believe they will, they will track me down to find a way to rescue him, too.

I watch the orphanage with a hawk’s eyes as time for the mission draws near. I am confused to see a lone warrior slip through the door for staff. Why would a warrior be in the orphanage at night unless called? I am now at full attention, eyes glued to the windows of the littles’ rooms. Is there a chance our plan has been discovered? I see no other commotion and wait to see if the warrior will exit. Seeing movement through the window of the nursery, I know the girls have arrived. I hold my breath counting down the minutes, while watching, hoping that no one is caught. Now the movement is in the older children’s room, so they have the babies. After about five minutes, the window is blocked for a moment, then I can see a light as the door of the room starts opening.

I prepare to jump down and run towards the orphanage, ready to fight if needed. Then the sliver of light disappears as the door is pulled closed again. I observe as the orphanage returns to being silent and still, no sign of an alarm. Still anxious about spotting the warrior entering the orphanage during the rescue time, I continue watching both from my advantage point. After about an hour, I see the warrior at the back door. He looks around carefully before exiting and darting to the side of the building. Once again, I wonder why he would be at the orphanage at night, but with no alarm sounding, I quickly let the thought go. I focus my thoughts on the problem of the one little left behind and how to get him out. I hope that when the girls notice him missing, that at least Jaccia will come here, and I can tell her where he is. If not before my shift ends, I will have to abandon my post and figure out a way to rescue him on my own.

I jump down from the stand and start pacing nervously as I try to come up with a plan. Knowing time is running out, I worry we won’t be able to get to him. Suddenly, I feel the hair on the back of my neck go up, and I sense something watching me. I grab my weapon and turn swiftly to the side ready to defend or fight. Seeing Jacia step out of the darkness, I drop my weapon and run to her.

“I’m glad you came,” I whisper. “They moved one of the littles today. He is in the room off the laundry area.”

She nods her head and gives me a hug, “I will go now, be safe” she says quietly. I step back and watch as she disappears from sight, knowing I have done all I can for now.