Pages 15-20

got any lesser, but she had become numb to it. She rubbed the small bar of soap over her arms and flinched when she passed over a bruise she had acquired the previous night. It was not uncommon for the men to beat them, sometimes with their hands, and sometimes other instruments. Sophia and Lacie had become close friends since her first night, she had connected with many of the other girls too, but she was much closer to Lacie. She had become accustomed the cold corridors of the hostel, though there were no windows in her room, she could still hear the sounds of the city. Mogadishu was always full of activity, she could sometimes hear gunfire or an explosion, Lacie had told her that the city was some kind of battlefield for pirates and other violent thugs. The girls were never allowed during the day, only at night and only to the club, Sophia didn't mind this much, as the idea of wondering such a violen’t place scared her. She finished off her shower and dried herself slowly When she had dressed into her tattered pyjamas, she made her way back to her room. Lacie was still awake when she arrived, and was sitting on her bed rubbing moisturizer into her body.

'I was starting to think you'd slipped and drown,' she teased.

Sophia smiled. 'Would be a nice escape from here.'

'You really think death is better?' asked Lacie.

'Is there a difference?' asked Sophia.

Lacie laughed and lay back on her bed. 'I don't know, I have never been dead.'

Sophia had a troubled sleep, as she did every night, she had dreams of home. Dreams of home seemed more like nightmarish reminders of where she should be. Her sleep problems only helped worsen her heroin addiction. The candy helped make it all better, the exhaustion, the pain and the fear, all dissolved in a sea of euphoria. Sophia had fought hard against it during her first few days, but had quickly realized that life here was far enjoyable with it than without. When she woke up she found Lacie already awake, she was sitting on her bed eating breakfast. Breakfast was the same every day; small plastic bowl of porridge and three apples per girl. Sophia sat up and checked under her pillow for Scratchy. In order to preserve Scratchy she had gotten a client to laminate him with the promise of a free session next they met.

'You were thrashing,' said Lacie. 'In your sleep, again.'

Sophia slipped Scratchy back under pillow and propped herself up against the wall.

'More dreams of home,' she replied.

'One would think dreaming about home would make you happy,' she smiled. 'Why does it not?'

'I won’t get home by dreaming,' sighed Sophia grabbing an apple and taking a small bite.

‘Alex we need to do something!’ snapped Sarah. ‘We can’t just give up on her!’

‘Sarah,’ said Alex gently although her patients were quickly leaving here. ‘The Detective said it himself, its been over forty-eight hours, there is nothing we can do!’

‘HOW CAN YOU BE SO HEARTLESS?’ screamed Sarah. ‘SHES OUR DAUGHTER!’

Alex slapped Sarah across the face so hard she stumbled backwards shocked into silence.

‘Do not make the mistake of thinking you are the only who cares about Sophia!’ she snapped.

Sarah felt something under hand, she closed her fingers around it and felt the grip of a knife. As Alex stepped forward to speak again Sarah bought the knife forward and pushed it into Alex’s chest. There was a moment of stunned silence as both women stared at the knife protruding from Alexs chest.

‘What have you done?’ gasped Alex.

‘I am so sorry,’ said Sarah shocked. ‘I didn’t mean to.’

Alex fell onto the floor gasping for hair. Sarah stared at her for a moment before grabbing the knife and ripping it out of Alex’s body before sticking back into her again and again and again, until the lights in Alex’s eyes faded out.

‘What have I done?’ she gasped.

Two Months Later

Sarah Hartley made her way up the stairs to her apartment. It had been two months since Sophia had been taken. The police had done everything they could, but they had told her that if they didn't find her in forty-eight hours, than she beyond their help. Forty-eight hours had come and gone all to quickly for Sarah’s liking. She had begged, pleaded and threatened the police to continue, but they had closed her file and told her to consult a therapist to help her deal with her loss. Sarah slammed the door shut behind and threw her bag on the floor. The apartment was messy and smelt damp but worse than that there was this very strong rotting flesh smell that over powered the little apartment. Sarah dropped onto the couch next to Alex. Alex didn’t move much these days, so Sarah wasn't surprised when she lay still staring at the TV. She also was surprised when Alex didn't reply to her greeting, as she never spoke anymore. In actual fact Alex hadn't done much at all after Sarah had stuck the carving knife in’to her chest. It had happened just the previous week, Sarah had come to Alex and about trying to find Sophia themselves; but Alex had shushed her and told her to stop being ridiculous and to just accept that she was gone, when Sarah had pushed the point, Alex had slapped her and told her to just get over it. Sarah had grabbed the knife out the sink and thrust into Alex’s chest again and again and again, until she just lay on the kitchen floor unmoving. Sarah pulled Alex towards her and stroked her hair affectionately.

'I forgive you baby,' she cooed. 'You can stop sulking now.'

Seven Years Later.

Lacie sat at the bar alone. Sophia had been picked up already and disappeared with what Lacie considered to be a rather good looking man, well as good looking as they get in that part of town. It was very rare that anybody that they would consider good looking ever came in, every now and then there might be a few students coming to fore fill some erotic fantasy, but on every other occasion the bar was filled with drunk, old and very violent men who should between little and no restraint when it came to hitting the girls. Lacie was just draining the last of her fourth drink when she felt somebody tap her shoulder. She turned around and was face to face with a very small man. He was very thin and wore thick glasses that seemed exceedingly big for the size of his head.

‘Umm,’ he muttered. ‘How am I-I supposed to do this?’

‘Well you can start with telling me what you want,’ smiled Lacie she liked shy guys, made her feel powerful.

'My name is Bryce,' he mumbled pushing his glasses up his nose.

'I don't need you name darling,' smiled Lacie. 'I just need to know what you want.'

'I-I wish to use your...umm..services,' he stammered.

'Well wishes come at a price,' said Lacie gently caressing his chest over his shirt.

Bryce stood in front of bed staring down at Lacies nakedness. He had never solicited sex before and he was nervous. Lacie lay on her back with hand behind her head.

'Are you just going to stare?' asked Lacie. 'Or are we going to do this?'

Bryce gulped and fumbled with the buttons on his shirt. When he got to the last button he stopped and just sat on the bed.

'Maybe if we just talk a little first,' he said. 'I just need a few minutes.'

Lacie rolled her eyes and sat up with her arms now crossed.

'This isn't a buy-a-friend deal,' she said crossly. 'If you not paying then I’m going.'

'I'll still pay!' said Bryce quickly. 'Full price, just to talk.'

‘You don’t understand,’ pleaded Lacie. ‘If we don’t do this I can get into a lot of trouble, if my boss finds out that we even spoke this long I will be severely punished.

‘I won’t tell him if you don’t,’ replied Bryce.

Lacie studied for any sign of a lie. She found none and eventually leaned against the wall and gestured for him to sit down next to her. 'What do you want to talk about?'

'I don't know,' frowned Bryce. 'Anything. What's your name?'

'Lacie,' said Lacie. 'Next question?'

'Have you been...doing this long?' he asked nervously.

'You mean have I been sold to men like you all my life?' she asked raising her eye brows

'Men like me?' asked Bryce.

'Yes,' laughed Lacie. 'Men like you, men who have wives and kids but risk it all for a little sex. I have been with many men, all the married want me to pretend to be their wives, even had some force me to play their daughters. It is men like you who create my world, a world where I will never remember my own moms name, not the colour of hair, the gentleness of her eyes or the warmth of her embrace. I owe all of this to men just like you.'

Bryce stared at Lacie with true pity. He could only imagine the horrors she had lived through.

'I am not like the other guys,' he whispered.

Lacie looked at him and smiled. 'Words uttered through prison bars have little meaning.'

‘This is my first time,’ sighed Bryce. ‘And I’m not even utilising it properly.’

Lacie giggled. ‘Well, you are the first man who hasn’t asked me to be somebody else.’

‘If I wanted to be with my wife right now I would be,’ replied Bryce leaning his back against the wall and doing his shirt buttons up again.

‘So you are married?’ asked Lacie. ‘Not so different after all.’

‘It’s complicated,’ said Bryce.

‘There’s a woman at your house right now who loves you and agreed to the spend rest of her life with you, how complicated is that?’ asked Lacie.

‘Things are never that simple!’ snapped Bryce.

‘Well if I had a life that I would make it simple,’ replied Bryce.

‘Yeah well you don’t,’ snapped Bryce standing up. ‘You have no idea what its like.’

‘If there is nothing else,’ said Lacie. ‘I need to get going.’

Lacie told Sophia about Bryce later that evening when they were back at the hostel.

‘Isn’t it dangerous?’ asked Sophia. ‘If Alik found out you were talking to clients the punishment would be unimaginable.’

‘I know,’ sighed Lacie. ‘But he promised not to tell.’

‘The man cheats on his wife,’ replied Sophia. ‘The one woman in his life that he is really meant to be honest with, what makes you think he’s telling you the truth?’

‘It’s risky,’ admitted Lacie. ‘But if he is being genuine he could help us.’

‘Help us do what Lacie?’ asked Sophia angrily. ‘Help us escape? You know better than anyone that will never happen!’

‘If we can’t escape we can at least make life more comfortable while we’re here,’ said Lacie keeping herself calm.

‘How?’ asked Sophia now curious.

‘Food,’ replied Lacie. ‘How long has been since you tasted chocolate? Can you even remember what chocolate smells like?’

Sophia shook her head. ‘You think he can do that for us?’

‘He definitely can,’ smiled Lacie. ‘The question is; will he do it?’

‘He will if we give him reason to,’ said Sophia. ‘But what reason could he possibly have for wanting to help us?’

‘We’ll think of something,’ assured Lacie. ‘Lets take a walk through the garden.’

Sophia agreed and removed her shoes, she spent so much of time in uncomfortable high heels or boots that she just loved the freedom of being barefoot. She followed Lacie outside and they made their way to the garden. The garden was not very big, it had in it eight benches and a large fountain in the middle, there were no bushes or high growing flowers either. Sophia and Lacie found an empty bench and sat down. Sophia spread out her toes and enjoyed the feeling of the grass tickling her feet. They sat in silence for a while just enjoying what little warmth the sun had decided to share with them that day. A tall skinny girl named Miranda came and sat next to them on the bench.

‘Hey Mira,’ greeted Lacie. ‘How was the doctor?’

‘Horrible,’ whispered Miranda. ‘Another abortion.’

‘Is that what they do if you fall pregnant?’ gasped Sophia.

‘Of course,’ said Lacie before Miranda could answer. ‘They would never allow you to keep it. Alik says it would spoil the merchandise.’

‘As if anybody would want to raise a child in this hole,’ spat Miranda. ‘I feel a lot better knowing my child is in heaven instead of suffering here with me.’

‘You really believe in heaven and God?’ asked Sophia. ‘After everything we’ve all been through?’

‘Yes,’ replied Miranda. ‘It brings me comfort to believe in him, God is the only being not trying to hurt me.’

‘But he is hurting us!’ snapped Sophia. ‘If he is as powerful as you say then why doesn’t he save us? If he truly loves us how can he watch us suffer day after day and stand idly by?’

‘We must prove to God that our faith us pure,’ replied Miranda. ‘Life is just a test, and heaven is our reward.’

The next night Lacie and sat together at the bar sipping their drinks. Lacie kept looking around for Bryce but there had been no sign of him.

‘Stop looking,’ warned Sophia nodding towards the door.

Lacie turned around and saw Alik coming towards them. Sophia and Lacie smiled and waved at him but he just scowled at them and went to sit with some of his friends on the other side of the bar.

‘Do you think Bryce is coming?’ asked Sophia rolling her eyes.

‘No,’ said Lacie. ‘I think he’s arrived.’ She gestured to the bathroom. Coming out of the bathroom was Bryce, he was dressed in a blue shirt tonight and still had his thick lensed glasses on, he made a beeline for Lacie and Sophia.

‘Hi,’ he greeted them. ‘You must be Sophia.’

Sophia nodded and studied him closely. ‘And you’re Bryce.’

‘Well now that we all know each other,’ said Lacie. ‘We still got a deal right?’

‘Of course,’ said Bryce. ‘You can trust me.’

‘Is that what you told your wife shortly before you came here?’ asked Sophia.

Lacie frowned and gave a Sophia a look that clearly told her to watch her tone. ‘She’s a bit drunk, ignore her for now.’

‘Yes,’ said Bryce clearing his throat. ‘Maybe it should be us again Lacie.’

‘I think so too,’ smiled Lacie and got up. ‘See you later Soph.’

Lacie and Bryce left the bar leaving Sophia behind, she wanted to kick herself for taking a dig at Bryce’s marriage, she had to remind herself that they really needed this guy to like them. She sipped on the rest on her drink and hoped nobody would come to her, no such luck, shortly she finished her drink she was approached and after a brief discussion she left hand in hand with a burly looking Somali man.

Lacie and Bryce were sitting on the bed talking. Bryce had been telling Lacie about his family. Lacie listened with envy as he described how his wife would prepare breakfast on the porch for the whole family every Sunday.

‘Sounds like the perfect life,’ sighed Lacie. ‘I find it hard to even dream about anything outside of mine.’

Bryce took her hand in his and squeezed it reassuringly. ‘You have to believe that things will get better.’

‘Hope is wasted in the land of hopeless,’ replied Lacie.

‘There is always hope as long as there are people to believe in it,’ said Bryce.

‘I know I have no right to ask this from you,’ said Lacie looking down at their hands.

Bryce placed two fingers under her chin and lifted her head until he could see into her eyes. ‘Ask.’

‘We don’t have much at the hostel,’ she said. ‘The food is very little.’

 ‘I will do whatever I can,’ replied Bryce. ‘But won’t your boss be suspicious of us meeting all the time? I would hate to get you into trouble.’

Pages 10-15

thing up soon as possible.’

‘Yes sir.’

Five minutes later there was a knock on Detective Ariyos office door and Mrs Joy Mkhize walked and sat herself down in the chair opposite Detective Ariyo.

‘Good afternoon mam,’ said Detective Ariyo.  ‘Tell me what you saw.’

Ten minutes later Detective Ariyo had ushered Mrs Mkhize out of his office.

‘Old lady says she saw a man throwing a hello kitty school bag into the back of his car. Apparently the vehicle had been parked outside her shop since about eleven o’ clock that morning. She didn’t get a clear view of the drivers face, but she did get the license plate,’ said Detective Ariyo to Officer Lunda. ‘Take the plate number of to Marcus and put out an A.P.B. We get that car and we get a lead on that little girl.’

‘Yes sir,’ replied Officer Lunda. ‘Shall I notify the family?’

‘No,’ snapped Detective Ariyo. ‘Not until we have something more to report.’

Sarah Hartley sat in her kitchen with a cold cup of tea in front of her. She had been in the same position since morning. Alex had pleaded with her to go to the police with her, but she had out right refused. She couldn’t bear to see other children; all of them reminded her of Soph. She felt the familiar sting in her eyes. She didn’t try to stop her tears anymore. They alone knew what she was feeling. Alex came and sat next to her. Sarah didn’t move. Alex put her arms around her and embraced her tightly. ‘They’re going to find her Sarah,’ she whispered. ‘I promise.’

‘How was she?’ asked Arikawe.

‘A lil tight,’ laughed Peta. ‘But I like em that way.’

‘You’re sick Peta,’ grumbled Arikawe. ‘How much you think we gonna get for her?

‘You know these Russians,’ laughed Peta. ‘They love a tight lil hole.’

Sophia opened her eyes slowly. She was cold. Her face hurt where she had been hit, repeatedly. The bruises on her chest stomach and thighs were a deep, violent blue/purple. The thin blanket that had kept her warm now had a pungent odour to it and was sticky from the mixture of sweat, urine, semen and blood. She struggled into a seated position, leaning her back gingerly against the cold stone wall she looked out the window and saw the silver beams of moonlight illuminating the window. She buried her face in her hands and cried quietly to herself.  A light breeze whispered through the window, and with a small brown leaf. The leaf landed on Sophia’s feet. She picked it up and caressed it in her hands.  She felt the coldness of the leaf being absorbed into her hands. The leaf was dry and scratched her fingers as she twirled it around. ‘You can be my friend,’ she whispered. ‘I’ll call you scratchy.’ She hugged the leaf and broke into tears once again. ‘We’ll protect each other scratchy.’

‘The girl has been sold, ‘said Peta sitting down next Arikawe.

‘Took long enough,’ sighed Arikawe. ‘How much did you get for her?’

Peta picked up a small syringe of the coffee table and studied the contents. ‘Eight-hundred and fifty thousand.’

‘Haw-haw,’ laughed Arikawe. ‘When do we make the exchange?’

‘Tomorrow,’ replied Peta. ‘Plenty of time to get her hooked on candy.’

‘Is she not too young,’ frowned Arikawe.

‘You never too young to enjoy some candy,’ smiled Peta.

Sophia woke up slowly. Her arms and chest still bruised and sore from the previous night. She gently lifted her arms and pulled scratchy out from under them. She stroked the leaf gently for a moment before she heard heavy footsteps coming towards the door. She quickly got up and hid scratchy on the window sill before covering herself with the blanket and lying down again. The door swung open and Peta walked in. Sophia scurried back to the far wall. ‘Please,’ she sobbed.

Peta waved her silent. ‘I am not here for that,’ he laughed. ‘Besides where you’re going, you’re gonna be having lots of it. But no, I am here to give you some candy.’

‘I don’t believe you,’ she cried covering herself with the blanket. ‘Please, let me go.’

‘Hush my dear,’ smiled Peta pulling the syringe out his pocket. ‘And give me your arm.’

‘What is that?’ she sobbed. ‘I don’t want anything from you!’

‘This, my dear is called heroin,’ said Peta. ‘It is highly addictive, and lucky for you, it will make a lot of the things that are going to happen you, a lot more bearable. Now give me your arm, or I’ll take it.’

It was eleven pm in the evening and Peta had driven Sophia to a dark parking lot. Sophia ran her fingers through her and spat her gum onto the road.

‘We leaving, or what?’ she asked Peta. ‘I'm growing old.’

Peta smiled to himself. The drug had had the right effect. ‘We are not leaving my dear; you are going with these gentlemen. I fear will we never meet again.’

‘Whatever,’ said Sophia. ‘I'm getting tired of standing.’

Peta grabbed Sophias elbow and walked her to the other side of the road. ‘She is a little light headed from the candy, but she will recover soon. It was necessary to ensure that we had no complications during the transit.’

Andrei examined Sophia closely. ‘She will do.’ He clicked his fingers in signal for the driver Alik to get her into the car. Peta stopped forward.

‘What about my money?’ he snapped placing his hand firmly on Sophias shoulder.

Andrei smiled darkly and nodded at Alik. ‘Pay the man.’

Alik stepped towards Peta and quickly pulled out his Makarov PM pistol and fired twice into Petas chest. Peta fell backwards onto the tar and was dead before his head smacked the ground. Sophia saw Peta drop and stood staring at his body in shock. Before she had any time to absorb the situation Alik pushed her into the back seat of the car. Andrei climbed next to her and the car pulled off.

The car stopped and Sophia was pulled out and taken inside what looked like run down mansion. It had high walls that were painted a faded cream colour. The huge double doors to the mansion were bright red and had a large set of knockers on each door.

‘Welcome to your new home my dear,’ laughed Andrei. ‘You will be introduced to others soon.’

Sophia was walked into the building. Soon as the door was open she hit with the over powering smell of citrus. She entered a long corridor that was lined with what looked like and endless line of doors on both sides. As she walked she looked inside the rooms with open doors, the rooms were decorated slightly differently but each had the same basic furniture; two single beds and night stand in the middle. The rooms were dimly lit with a single hanging light bulb, the pale yellow light illuminating the faces of the girls within. Most looked to be around Sophias age, but some were a few years older, and all looked sickly and tired. Some lay on their beds and barely managed to turn around and look at her as she passed them; and those who did, looked at her with such despair and pity that Sophia felt herself coming off her high very quickly. The gravity of her situation started to sink in. She shook her head and tried to clear her thoughts.

‘This is going to be your room,’ said Andrei stopping her next a room towards the middle of the corridor. ‘This is Lacie, she will be your room mate as it were.’

Sophia shook her head again and tried say no, but all that came out of her mouth was: ‘Okay, can I lie down now?’

Andrei pushed her inside the room. ‘Oh yeah, Lacie, make sure she’s ready for breaking in tonight.’

Lacie nodded and extended her hand to Sophia to come closer to her. Andrei nodded his head at them and walked off with Alik.

Lacie sat down on her bed and studied the new girl from head to toe. ‘So, you are one of us now.’

It was not a question it was a statement, it was not aggressive but there was no warmth in her voice either. Sophia sat down on the bed opposite Lacie.

‘I guess so,’ she said. ‘What happens here? What is this place?’

‘Here we do whatever we are told to,’ sighed Lacie. ‘We are brought here at a young age, many are taken against their will, and others chose this life because they can’t do anything else.

‘You still haven’t told me what we have to do,’ said Sophia quietly.

‘You will find out soon enough,’ replied Lacie. ‘I will show you to the shower, time to get cleaned up.’

Two hours late Sophia had showered and dressed up in clothes that had been provided for her. She had been given a very short, tight red skirt, and black jacket to cover her top, with nothing underneath the jacket she felt very naked and uncomfortable. To complete the outfit she had been given sleek black boots that stopped one inch below her knees. After dressing she had followed Lacie and a dozen other girls onto a bus that had driven them into town. When the bus stopped outside a busy night club called Sarhoş they were dispatched from the bus.

‘Stay close to me,’ whispered Lacie taking the lead and pushing the door of the club.

Sophia nodded and followed her closely. As soon as the door opened the loud music exploded into her ears, she flinched and covered her ears. Lacie took Sophias hand and guided her off to the side where they both took seats at the bar. The music was not allowed at the bar as they were further away from the dj.

‘Do we come her a lot?’ asked Sophia rubbing her ears and glancing around the club. The club was full of men, the only females in the room were the girls who had come with Sophia. ‘What is this place?’

Lacie placed her hand on Sophias thigh. ‘We come here every night. This is where most of our....business will be carried out.’

‘Do we have to have sex with them?’ she gasped gesturing to the drunk men in the club. ‘I dont  want to be apart of this.’

Lacie slapped her across the face. ‘Do you think any of us want to be apart of this? We have no choice, if you even try to escape they will kill you, and not just you darling, they will kill a girl every hour you are gone. This is nobodys wish, but we have to perform to keep each other alive!’

‘Perform what?’ pleaded Sophia rubbing her face.

‘Each man is different,’ whispered Lacie as Alik came up to them. ‘Hello Alik.’

Alik stopped next to the two girls. ‘Why are you not drinking? This not a field trip, you know the penalty for meeting the nightly minimum Lacie.’ He signaled the bartender and ordered the girl twi cocktails and then walked away.

‘See,’ said Lacie as they watched Alik striding away. ‘We must make a minimum of five hundred  pounds a night, or else they will withhold the candy.’

‘Why do they wear those small hats on their heads?’ asked Sophia. ‘And I dont ever want that so called candy again.’

‘They are muslim,’ smiled Lacie. ‘Most of the men in Somlia are. And you cannot pretend that you can’t feel the hunger in your skin, once you’ve tasted it, its impossible to stop it. It will start lightly at first, but they will keep giving it to you until you cannot imagine living without day by day, believe darling, you will have a much better time when you’ve had some candy, that is why they have not given you any tonight, they want you to feel what its like without it, so that you will appreciate the escape it offers.’

Befora Sophia could speak again, a tall, dark man approached them and stood facing Lacie. She smiled up at him and uncrossed her legs. Sophia saw the man run his hand along her thigh before whispering something in her ear. Lacie nodded and took the mans hand, he helped her to her feet and lead out out of the club. Sophia watched her leave, and suddenly she had a terrible sinking feeling in her stomach. She could feel Scratchy in her calf, hidden in her boots out of sight he was able to lend her courage, it was Scratchys courage that stopped her from getting up and trying to run from the club as fast as her legs would carry her. Lacie was barely out of sight when another man approached the bar. He was a lot shorter than the one that Lacie had left with, but he was a wearing one of the small round hats on his hands and wore a very thin pair of glasses that kept slipping of his face because of all the sweat on his.

‘Hullo beautiful,’ he breathed into her face, her nose was instantly assaulted by the strong smell of alcahol and cigarettes. He ran his hand up her thigh, stopping at the hem of her skirt. ‘You ready for a good time?’

Sophia struggled to stop herself from vomiting on the man. She desperately wanted to say no and beg the man to help her, but after what Lacie told her about the punishment for anything along those lines, she hesitated. The man continued rubbing her thigh. Sophia nodded her head and turned away. The man gulped down the rest of his glass and grabbed Sophias hand. ‘Hope yer wet,’ he burped before dragging her towards the door.

It was the early hours of morning when they were herded back onto the bus and driven back to the hostel. Sophia had not said a word since she had been with the man. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying, and from he had hit her. Lacie sat next to her and had tried to put her arm around her, but Sophia shrugged it off, she couldn’t bear the feeling of another person’s flesh touching her. When the bus stopped she followed Lacie back to their room and collapsed on her bed, where she finally let her tears escape the prison of her eyes. Lacie closed the door and sat next to her, she placed a comforting hand on Sophias shoulder. Sophia sat up and threw her arms around Lacie and sobbed quietly into her chest. Lacie stroked her hair gently.

'You must be strong little one,' she whispered. 'It doesn't get any better.'

Sophia looked up at her. 'I begged him to stop,' she choked between sobs. 'And he hit me, again and again and again. He forced me to turn around, said if I didn't he was going to kill me. He made me-.'

'Don’t think about it,' interrupted Lacie. 'It will only bring pain. I promise you it won't hurt quite like that again. But it will never feel good.'

'How long have you been here?' asked Sophia.

'Sixteen years,' replied Lacie her eyes tearing up. 'I came here when I was eleven. My dad died in a car accident when I was nine and mom, she just never recovered from it, and we lost our house, our friends. Mum couldn’t find any work, she couldn’t support us. So I started looking for odd jobs around town, babysitting, cleaning, anything, but it was never enough. Then one day this man came to me and said he could help us, he could help us as long as I came with him immediately. I was young and stupid, and desperate. I got in his car and never saw my mum again.'

Sophia tightened her embrace on Lacie. 'I'm so sorry,' she cried. 'How have you lasted this long?'

'You become numb to the pain,' Lace whispered.  'You forget who you were and you accept that you will never see you family again. You get used to the fact that you are now the property of Mohammed Al Haseed, and that foolish thoughts of hope and freedom will only hurt you more.'

The door swung open and Alik walked in holding a tray with two syringes on it. He smiled at the girls. 'Candy time.'

The itching sensation started in her arms; it felt like a swarm of tiny spiders were crawling up and down the length of her arms. Sophia robbed and scratched them to no avail, she knew what she needed to make it stop, but she also knew she would only get it later than evening. She dropped her robe on the tiled bathroom floor and stepped into the hot water; she closed her eyes and enjoyed the sensation of the drops splashing against her skin. Showering was the only part of the day she enjoyed, she felt as if the hot water washed away her memory of the nights events. It had been two months since she had been taken from the park, Lacie had been right, no matter how many

Pages 5-10

Interpol tried to seize one of our ships this morning,’ said Andrei. ‘It was a close call but the tide was against them.’

Mohammad was staring out the window. ‘Which ship?’

‘The Núsmas,’ replied Andrei. But like I was saying they failed.’

‘The problem,’ said Mohammad. ‘Is that they got so close. The fact that they were able to track one of my ships. Is my faith in you misplaced Mr Milikov?’

‘The tide was on scene in good time to ensure they didn’t succeed,’

‘And that’s another thing,’ snapped Mohammad. ‘That band of criminals that form your tide squad, get rid of them and hire a professional security detail.’

‘The tide is comprised of the finest men in Somalia,’ replied Andrei.

‘It’s a band of disgusting pirates,’ said Mohammad. ‘They just attract attention. We don’t need any more attention than we already have.’

‘They are loyal men,’ argued Andrei. ‘And they are a cheap form of disposable labour.’

Mohammad rubbed his temple as he always did when he was thinking. ‘Okay, reassign them to Sarhoş, they can be an added protection detail for the girls. But if anything goes wrong I will have the, used to fill up a few empty holes in the quarry.’

Andrei nodded. ‘I will see to it immeditaely.’

‘Good,’ said Mohammad. ‘I also have a problem with the new shipment on The Angel Wings.’

‘What is it?’ asked Andrei.

‘We’re three girls short,’ said Mohammad. ‘Use your contact in South Africa and find the replacements there.’

‘It will be done,’ nodded Andrei.

‘You can get out now,’ ordered Mohammad.

Andrei climbed out the car and it immediately pulled away leaving him standing in the quarry. Andrei climbed in his own car that was parked a few meters away and pulled out his cellphone.

‘Ariyo,’ said Andrei Milikov into the phone.

‘Yes boss,’ replied Detective Ariyo.

‘I need another one from your district,’ said Andrei. ‘They are quite popular with the locals.’

‘I am already working on getting one for you, boss.’ Replied Detective Ariyo.

‘Good,’ said Andrei ending the call.

The weekend had gone by far too quickly for Sophias liking and sooner than she liked it was Monday morning and she was back at school. Sophia hated Mondays, they went by slower than any other day of the week. Sophia sat down to her first lesson and immediately started her countdown to the end of the day.

There were two of them in the car. Obafemi Adenjii and Arikawe Uwa, Obafemi clicked his knuckles loudly, each loud crack adding to the tension in the heat of the car.
'Will you stop that!' spat Arikawe in his heavy Nigerian accent. 'It is almost time.'
Obafemi pulled small container out of his bag and passed it to Arikawe. 'It is just like every other job, better even as she is only twelve.'
'I just want to get this over with and go home,' sighed Arikawe and he pried the lid off the small container and instantly the car was consumed by the strong smell of copper coins. 'I hate the smell, makes me woozy.'
Obafemi smiled. 'Imagine what it will do to her.'

‘Is it safe to use that much on her?’ asked Arikawe.

‘It probably isn’t,’ smiled Obafemi.

Sophia Hartley sat in the back of her classroom with her head resting on her folded arms. It was one fifty-five in the afternoon, five minutes until the bell would ring and she would be free to make her way home. Sophia was twelve years old, same age as everyone else in grade six but she was considerably more mature than most of the kids in her grade, all the teachers loved her and often complimented her parents on how much of a pleasure it was teach. Finally to, Sophia’s delight, the school bell rang and it was time to go. Sophia’s relieved sigh was inaudible over the scramble of everybody packing the bags and laughing their way out of the room. Sophia threw her books into her bag and all but ran out of the classroom. She eventually found her way outside of the school gates, and she took a second to absorb the warmth of the afternoon sun before throwing her bag over her shoulder and beginning her walk home.

The wine glass seemed to fall in small slow motion. Turning slowly so as to avoid Sarah Hartleys outstretched hands as it smashed onto the clean white kitchen tiles. 'Damn!' swore Sarah grabbing a cloth from the counter and wiping up the mess.
'What was that?' asked Alex Hartley from the living room. 'You need a hand?'
Sarah rolled her eyes and threw the glass shards in the bin. 'No thanks, all done.' She rinsed off her hands and went to join Alex in the living room. 'Just fixing up lunch for Soph, she should be home soon.'

'There she is,' pointed Obafemi. Arikawe sat up quickly and looked where he was pointing.
'That’s her?' he groaned stretching his arms. 'She’s pretty.'
'She is not to be touched!' snapped Obafemi. 'But yes, that’s her. Go.'
Arikawe grabbed the wet cloth out the small container, shoved it in his pocket and climbed out the car.

Sophia had her ear phones in and was listening to music rather loudly on her phone. She turned the corner and walked into the park. It was a very hot afternoon and no one was about, save for one car parked on the other side of the road. As Sophia crossed into the park she saw the car door open and a very tall African man stepped out. Sophia immediately knew he wasn't from around the neighbourhood. The man seemed to be watching her, but as she walked passed he turned away and so she paid him no more notice.

Arikawe watched the little girl carefully. They had planned this for two weeks, he knew which point she needed to reach in the park before it was safe to make his move. He counted down her steps towards the fountain. When he got to one, he started walking after her. His long strides accounting for three of hers. In a matter of seconds he was only five or so steps behind her.

Sophia felt the hairs on the back of hair neck stand up. A very slow and cold chill stretching its tentacles down her spine. She stopped the music and immediately heard loud footsteps close behind her. Her heart sped up and she felt very vulnerable. She heard a loud ripping sound behind her and finally gave in to her fear and took off running as fast as her legs would carry her.

Arikawe swore loudly and took off after her. His hand had gotten caught in his pocket and startled the girl, but he was not overly concerned, he was already gaining on her. He pulled the cloth out of his pocket and jumped forward.

Sophia’s throat was raw, she could taste blood in her mouth and already the adrenaline was failing to numb the pain in her legs and chest. She barely had time to scream when the heavy man landed on her. She screamed loudly and kicked out at her attacker, but he was stronger, with one powerful blow to the head he knocked the fight out of her. Before she could cry out again he shoved a wet cloth over her mouth and noise. The cloth smelt and tasted strongly of copper pennies. She had only three seconds to ponder this before she fell back into the beckoning darkness.

Sarah placed the hot frying pan next to the sink to cool down. She quickly rinsed off her hands and put the hot slices of french toast into the microwave. 'Anything from Soph?' she asked as she dropped herself onto the couch next to Alex. 'She really should've been home by now.'
Alex stifled a yawned and felt around for the remote. 'She probably stopped at a friend’s place,' said Alex reaching across to the side table for the remote. 'What's the name of that red head girl she's always seeing?'
Sarah smiled. 'Jillian, of course, she’s with Jillian.'

Detective Babatunde Ariyo was not having a very good Wednesday. It had started at around two o'clock Wednesday morning; he had woken up from a rather nasty dream, a dream in which he was climbing a mountain and as he got to the summit, he found his path blocked by none other than himself. Not only did this dream make no sense to him but it infuriated him daily while he tried to think of a way around himself. In one dream he had pushed himself over but then discovered that as the other him died, so did her. This dream often left him rather shaken, and he often found it hard to return to sleep. Detective Ariyos cell phone rang from within his jacket pocket. He rolled his eyes and prayed it would be good news at last.

‘Ariyo,’ he said into the phone.

‘We’re done sir,’ said a deep male voice. ‘We’re taking her to the half-way house.’

‘Very good,’ replied Detective Ariyo. ‘I’ll be there later.’ He cut the call and smiled to himself. Finally good news.

'She was supposed to be home at three!' snapped Alex. 'Four at the latest! We've checked with all her friends and the local library, she’s not there!'
'I understand you're scared mam,' sighed Detective Ariyo slipping his notebook back in his pocket. 'But these are routine questions, and more often than not the child turns up the next day from a friend’s house. If your daughter has turned up by tomorrow morning, then give us another call.'
'That's not GOOD ENOUGH!' shouted Sarah feeling her tears slowly slipping down her face.
 Captain Ariyo climbed into his car. 'But it's the best we can do, get some rest man, and call us in the morning if she hasn't turned up.'

When Sophia woke up she immediately became aware of three things, none of which she liked. Firstly she was groggy, tired and felt sick. The taste of copper coins was still overpowering her taste buds. She tried to sit up but she was still too weak, the chloroform had not relinquished its hold over her nervous system. She tried to work the grogginess out of her eyes, opening and closing them again and again. When they had cleared enough, she noticed she was in a small dimly lit room. She was lying on a thin blanket in the middle of the room. The only light in the room was emanating from a single light bulb in the ceiling. She looked around the room one more time before giving in to the chloroform once more. She woke after felt like only seconds, but she could tell by the light pouring in through the single, barred window that is was probably late morning. She didn't have much time evaluate the room before the door creaked open slowly. Sophia stood up quickly and for the first time became aware that she was completely naked. She grabbed the dirty blanket off the floor and covered herself best she could as the stranger made their way into the room.

Detective Ariyo entered the room slowly. He closed the door behind him and studied the little girl. She looked younger than most he had seen that year.

‘What’s happening?’ sobbed Sophia.

Before she could ask any other questions Detective Ariyo slapped her hard with the back of his hand. She fell backwards onto the hard concrete floor and cried loudly.

‘Please!’ she screamed. ‘What are you doing?

‘Just inspecting the merchandise,’ he smiled.

‘What do you mean?’ she asked backing away from him slowly.

Detective looked her over once more and then walked back out the door. The girl would do.

‘Get hold of the Muslims,’ he ordered Arikawe. ‘Set up an exchange as soon as possible.’

A man called Peta stood up. ‘Shouldn’t we aaaaah-test drive first?’

Detective Ariyo smiled. ‘Only once.’

Peta walked into the room, he didn’t bother closing the door, he knew the girl would not make it past him to reach it and would be very disappointed by what she found on the other side if she did. ‘Good morning my dear,’ he said almost warmly. ‘Did you sleep well?’

Sophia backed away from him slowly. ‘Where am I?’ she croaked her frightened voice almost inaudible. ‘Who are you?’

 ‘Ah of course,’ smiled Peta snapping his fingers as if he’d just remembered something particularly interesting. ‘You must be swimming with questions. Well I am Peta; I am your doctor, of sorts.’ Peta casually undid his belt and threw it on the floor. Sophia pressed herself against the furthest wall.

‘Please,’ she cried. ‘I wanna go home.’

Peta wiped her tears with his hand. ‘Hush child, you do not yet have a reason to cry.’ He placed his hands on her shoulders and pushed her towards the ground.

‘Please, I haven’t done anything wrong, I just wanna go home,’ sobbed Sophia struggling against his grip.

‘Brace yourself child,’ said Peta climbing on top of her. ‘The first time can get a little messy.’

‘Does your daughter always walk home from school?’ asked Detective Ariyo. ‘Or was this her first time?’

‘She always walks home,’ grumbled Alex, they had been at the police station since seven that morning; it was now half past eleven. ‘We live barely fifteen minutes away from the school.’

‘Can you tell me which route she usually takes,’ sighed Detective Ariyo who was enjoying this morning about as much as Alex was. ‘So I have better idea of where to start searching from.’

Alex stood up quickly, startling Captain Ariyo into dropping his notebook and pen and swearing loudly. ‘WHY ARE YOU QUESTIONING ME WHEN YOU SHOULD BE OUT LOOKING FOR HER?’ she screamed kicking her chair across the room.

Detective Ariyo picked up his notebook calmly and recomposed himself. ‘I’d appreciate you not destroying my office.’

‘And I’d appreciate you finding my daughter!’ said Alex slamming the door behind her.

It had taken the better part of the afternoon for Detective Ariyo to calm Alex down and get her back into his office.  She had still been rather hostile but for the most part had accepted that the best thing she could do for her daughter right now was to cooperate with him. Detective Ariyo pulled over beside the school. He got out and started off along the route Mrs Hartley had given him. He went straight along the street until he came to the park. The park was not very big, but on either side was an apartment building. But the park itself was obscured from the road by the line of trees on its border. If the girl had been kidnapped, this would be the perfect place to grab her. Detective Ariyo sighed, this meant a long days work was ahead of him. He pulled out his phone and dialled dispatch.

‘Detective, what can I do for you?’ asked Travis the officer on dispatch.

‘I need a forensics team, and some officers for mass questioning,’ ordered Detective Ariyo.

‘Officers are on route.’

Detective Ariyo put away his phone and climbed back into his car.

The afternoon was spent questioning residents of the apartment blocks surrounding the park and the school as well as small business owners in the area.

‘Alright Detective,’ reported Officer Lunda. ‘Last witness left is Mrs Mkhize.’

‘What do we know about her?’ asked Detective Ariyo flipping through his notes.

‘She owns the sweet shop just across from the park, says she saw a suspicious looking vehicle parked outside her store, could be a possible lead

Pages 1-5

Saturday April 13^th 1994

It was fifteen minutes past six in the morning. The streets were empty but for the occasional car carrying husbands to work and mothers with children to school. All children went to school, all but one, a little girl stood outside Freshness Bakery waiting for the owner to open up. She was a rather scrawny girl, even for ten years old. Her clothes were second hand, mismatched sizes and so caked with dirt that it was hard to believe they were ever clean. Her small blue eyes were barely visible behind a curtain of dirty brown hair that just fell short of her shoulders. Lacie Deluis was not in a good way and she hadn’t been since her father’s death. When her father had eventually lost his fight against, her mother had taken it very badly. She had stopped working and retreated so far into herself that she barely had the strength to feed herself. Her mother’s condition had left her responsible for keeping food on the table, not an easy job for a ten year old girl. Lacie had been waiting outside the bakery for half an hour when she eventually heard the sound of a key turning in the lock and the door swung open. Mr Ferguson was the only baker within miles, and he had been the only person willing to give Lacie work to do. Truth be told, Kevin Ferguson had a soft spot for the little girl and whenever he could he would give loaves of bread or a packet of buns to take home.

‘Good morning,’ said Kevin gesturing for her to come inside. ‘Plenty of work for you this morning, the damn dog got into the store last night and made a right mess.’

‘No problem Mr Ferguson,’ smiled Lacie stepping in.

Three hours later Lacie walked out of the bakery with fifty dollars in her pocket and a packet of fresh buns to take home. Lacie picked a bun out the packet and stuffed half of into her mouth hungrily. It had been almost two days since she last ate and she was famished. Lacie walked home slowly, eating three more buns before she eventually got there. She knew that immediately she got home, her mother would take the buns and the money and she would probably not have access to either. She had once asked her mother what she spent money on and had shocked when her mother had screamed at her and smacked her across the face with her shoe, needless to say she didn’t ask any more questions of mom; not even on the numerous occasions she had seen her sticking a needle into her arm and injecting herself with a substance Lacie was sure wasn’t from a doctor. She didn’t complain when her mother injected herself because that seemed to be the only time she was happy.

Kimone Deluis was lying on her bed waiting. She wasn’t waiting food nor was she waiting for her daughter to come home. She was waiting for husband. She spoke to him every night, he came to her in her every time she injected herself and that was the only reason she did it. She enjoyed seeing him, he made her happy and she hadn’t been happy in a long time. Whenever he came to her he would whisper to her that he loved her, and he would wrap his arms around her and tell her they could be together again if she would only be wiling to make the sacrifice.  She had been scared and confused at first, but tonight she finally knew she was ready to do, ready to see him again. She picked up the small syringe off her bedside table and without hesitating stuck into her arm and I injected the contents in quickly before throwing the syringe across the room. She sniffed deeply for a few seconds and then picked up a small silver razor blade. She twirled it around in her fingers and hummed Elton John’s Rocket Man, the very first song she had danced to with Michael. She placed the razor on the same vein she had just injected into. She hesitated for a second, but then remembered Michael, and the warmth of his embrace, the fullness of his kiss and tenderness of his love. She smiled and drew the razor across her vein.

Lacie opened the door of her house and stepped in quietly. The house was silent.

‘Mom?’ she called into the house. ‘I got food from Mr Ferguson?’

She knocked on her mother’s bedroom door. There was no reply. She opened the door slowly and peaked inside. Her mother was sprawled on the bed, unmoving. Her eyes stared blankly into the wall. The once blue linen was now stained red with blood that had long since stopped pouring out of the cut on her mother’s arm. Lacie didn’t cry, she didn’t scream, she just closed the bedroom door and climbed onto the bed next to her mother. She lifted her mother’s arm and crawled underneath it.

Lacie woke up, it was late evening, she gingerly rolled over and stared into her mother’s now lightless eyes. She knew she couldn’t stay there forever, but she was not willing to leave her mother’s side. She closed her eyes and lay still for a few minutes before she got up and left the room. She locked the bedroom door and left the house. She didn’t know where to go or who to turn to, she just carried on walking.

Lacie was paying very little attention to where she was going, and before she knew it she looked up and realised she was in a part of town she didn’t recognise at all. She stopped walking and looked around, there streets were dark and empty, there were no street lights and the only signs of life came from inside a very unwelcoming looking bar. She sat down on the pavement and buried her face in her hands. She wanted to cry but no tears formed in her eyes.

‘Looks like you’ve had a rough day?’ said a voice behind her.

‘Lacie jumped up and whipped her head around. ‘Who’s there?’

‘Don’t be startled girl,’ smiled the man stepping into the dim moonlight.

Lacie studied the man carefully. He was not very tall, but appeared very muscular. He had very dark brown eyes and his smile seemed to fit into the wrinkles of his face giving him the appearance of somebody who smiled a lot.

‘I don’t have a home,’ she said. ‘Anymore.’

‘Oh dear,’ replied the man. ‘My name is Peta. It is my job to help little girls like you.’

‘How?’ she asked cautiously.

‘Why don’t we go for a ride in my car?’ smiled Peta. ‘I’ll tell you all about it.’

Lacie frowned and shook her head slowly. ‘I won’t. I don’t know you.’

‘Clever girl,’ laughed Peta. ‘But you will get in the car.’

Monday April 17 1992

Alex Hartley was sitting in her bedroom fidgeting nervously. She was waiting for her partner Sarah to come out of the bathroom. Alex and Sarah had met each other eight years ago through a friend of theirs. They had hit it off immediately and before long had started dated. Not long after they had married and now lived in a comfortably sized apartment and they were happy for a time, but before long they craved something more, they wished to raise a child together but because of their unique relationship this was impossible. So after many discussions and consultations they had decided to find a donor and inseminate Sarah. Sarah was in the bathroom now. Alex had been waiting for over an hour for her to come out of the bathroom. After what seemed like several long hours Sarah finally opened the bathroom door and walked out with a huge grin on her face.

‘All done,’ she sighed and threw herself into Alex’s arms. ‘Now we just wait.’

Alex laughed and kissed Sarah. ‘Suppose that means I have to eat out tonight.’

‘Can’t believe we finally did it,’ smiled Sarah. ‘After all this time, I was beginning to think we would never get around to it.’

‘I just can’t wait to be a mom!’ squealed Alex excitedly.

1 Year Later.

Sarah lay on a hospital bed holding her new born daughter in her arms.

‘She is so beautiful,’ said Alex kissing their daughter on the forehead. ‘What are we naming her?’

‘We agreed on Sophia didn’t we?’ replied Sarah.

‘Yes we did,’ smiled Alex. ‘Sophia is a beautiful name.’

‘Can’t wait to take her home,’ said Sarah. ‘Start our life as parents.’

‘Soon love,’ said Alex stroking Sophias head.

One week later Sarah and Alex carried their daughter Sophia into their home.

‘Look Sophia,’ said Alex gesturing to the apartment. ‘Your home.’

‘She’s tired,’ whispered Sarah. ‘Let me put her to sleep and then we can do the grand tour when she wakes up.’

‘Look at you,’ laughed Alex. ‘Already sounding all bossy-mommy.’

Sarah clicked her tongue and carried Sophia to their bedroom and put her in her cot.

‘Sleep little lady,’ and Sarah. ‘Sleep little lady mummy’s here, my hugs and kisses will end your fears.’

5 March 2005

Bryce Donogan sat at his desk twirling his fingers irritably. It had not been a good month for him so. Bryce was a reporter for a local newspaper titled The Scoop. They had become widely recognised as the only paper that printed the solid truth, unedited by fearful politicians. Bryce however was not I the department that got to right the hard hitting stories about dirty police officers or corrupt judges, no, Bryce’s job was a little less exciting, Bryce was in charge of the petty theft column, he got the exciting job of writing about purse snatching and pick pocketing. Bryce had been begging and pleading with the editor to give a more substantial article, but time and time again he had been denied his opportunity. As it was that day Bright had just handed in his article on a daylight purse snatching that had taken place the previous day and was now sitting at his desk waiting for the clock to click in place and set him free. Just before five that afternoon Arthur Cunningham the editor and chief of The Scoop called Bryce into his office. Bryce knocked on Arthurs office door and walked in slowly.

‘You wanted to see me?’ asked Bryce standing at the door.

‘Bryce Donogan,’ greeted Arthur waving him into the office. ‘Yes I need to discuss something with you.’

Bryce closed the office door and took the seat in front of Arthurs desk. ‘What’s this about?’

‘You’ve been pestering me for months now about giving you a more challenging article,’ said Arthur. ‘And I believe I have finally found an opportunity for you to prove yourself.’

‘Why now?’ asked Bryce.

‘You want to question my decision to promote you?’ asked Arthur with a small chuckle. ‘That’s not very polite.’

‘No it’s not,’ nodded Bryce.  ‘But it would be stupid of me to think that you did this out of the goodness of your heart.’

Arthur smiled and handed Bryce a thin file. ‘What do you know about Somalia?’

‘Not much,’ admitted Bryce.  ‘I know it’s considered a danger zone for reporters. In the past year alone four reporters have killed and two have never been seen or heard from and are now presumed dead.’

‘Yes,’ sighed Arthur. ‘And as a result there is nobody who is willing to accept this job. It is a very hard job and it is only appropriate for a single person.’

‘What exactly would I have to do?’ asked Bryce opening the file.

‘This is a six year investigative job,’ replied Arthur. ‘We have a source in Mogadishu who has provided with information about a smuggling operation so huge that its revenue stream is hundreds of millions of dollars.’

‘What are they smuggling?’ asked Bryce raising his eyebrows.

‘Everything,’ said Arthur. ‘Guns, drugs, vehicles and prostitutes.’

‘Sounds like quite a party,’ said Bryce. ‘How much time do I have to consider?’

‘The flight’s in two hours.’

11 Years Later.

Sophia Hartley was twelve years old. She had grown beautiful long brown hair with a fringe that tickled the tips of her eye lashes. Sophia was on her way to the dog shelter to meet her friend and the owner of the dog shelter Marcus Tretna. There was nothing Sophia loved more in this world than dogs but unfortunately because she lived in an apartment she could never have one. So she contented herself with spending as much time as possible at the dog shelter helping out. Sophia pushed open the door to the building and walked in.

‘Right on time,’ said Linda Woodgate the receptionist. ‘Marcus is in the back getting the food ready, you can go straight through.’

‘Thaanks Linda,’ smiled Sophia. She left her school bag with Linda and hurried out to the back. She found Marcus dishing out the food and she quickly grabbed a bag of food and joined him.

‘Hey Soph,’ said Marcus smiling warmly. ‘Almost done here, I started early today.’

‘Her Marcus,’ replied Sophia. ‘It’s okay, I can’t stay long today anyway, I’ve got afternoon class today.’

They spent the next hour feeding all of the dogs, and afterwards Marcus showed Sophia some of the new dogs that had been brought in that day. Eventually it was time for her to go, so she said her goodbyes and made her way to school. Sophias school day went slowly, she hated school on Fridays because she was always so eager to get home and let the weekend begin that she felt every hour drag by as slowly as possible. Eventually though two o’clock came and she made her way home, Sophia always walked home as she lived only two blocks away. When Sophia got home she threw her bag down and went to change into her comfortable clothes. When she had changed she came out into the kitchen and found her mother Sarah had come home and was unpacking her shopping bags.

‘Hey mom,’ said Sophia giving her a hug.

‘There you are,’ smiled Sarah. ‘I bought you pizza for lunch.’

‘Thanks mom,’ said Sophia. ‘I’m hungry.’

While Sarah and Sophia were eating their lunch they heard the sound of key turning in the lock.

‘Mommy!’ shouted Sophia getting up from the table and running to the door.

Alex dropped her handbag on the couch and caught Sophia in a hug. ‘Hey sweetie, how was school?’

‘fine,’ replied Sophia. ‘We’re eating pizza!’

‘Oh wow,’ smiled Alex. ‘I’m coming join you soon, just let me go and change into my relax clothes.’

‘Okay mom,’ said Sophia climbing out of her mothers arms and going back to the kitchen.

The Hartleys had an enjoyable evening eating pizza and watching movies together and eventually all went to bed rather late. When Sophia woke up on Saturday morning she could smell the lovely warm scent of bacon and eggs coming from the kitchen and she leaped out of bed and ran to the kitchen where she found Sarah cooking breakfast.

‘Morning Soph,’ said Sarah without turning around.

‘How do you always know?’ asked Sophia laughing and giving her mother a hug.

‘I can hear those hooves of yours clomping all the way down the hall,’ smiled Sarah.

Mogadishu, Somalia.

Mohammad Al  sat in the back seat of his car waiting for his associate to arrive. He did not have to wait long, everybody knew better than to make him wait. The door next to him opened and Andrei Milikov climbed into the backseat of the Range Rover.

‘Evening,’ greeted Andrei.

‘Mr Milikov,’ said Mohammad. ‘You were almost late.’

‘Yes,’ replied Andrei nodding his head. ‘But I wasn’t. So what’s the reason for this meeting?’

‘Be careful Mr Milikov,’ smiled Mohammad. ‘Do not forget who you’re talking to.’

‘My apologies,’ said Andrei bowing his head. ‘It has been a busy week.’

‘So I have come to understand,’ said Mohammad. ‘What’s the situation with the police?’