Six

“I don't understand why my mother is being so cruel to you, and I also do not understand why you choose to stay here admist these maltreatments. Can't you just run away?” 

Carissa, spoke as she applied honey on his tummy, her eye trickled with tears as she tried not letting them drop. His entire tummy was already burnt. Before he could get to the bathroom, pull off his clothes and wash up, he was already burnt.

“Are you asking me to commit the act of a criminal? Don't you know your parents will find me and throw me in jail, then you won't be able to do a thing.”

He spoke in his calm voice. Carissa,looked at him and sighed deeply, she wondered if this is how Sebastian, will continue forever in their home. She would have torn the contract papers and saved him from this suffering. At least, he would be able to make a life for himself. 

“I will be right back.”

 She said and left with the honey while Sebastian, looked down at his tummy and wept looking in a mirror in front of him, he hated himself his eyes were brutally, damaged.

At a location, a car zoomed past a lonely street where the dry yellow leaves flew up by the act of that. The car, came to a stop at the front of a massive black gate. The black isn't that of a sharp colored black, it's faded, and it looks old. Immediately, two men in suits came down, an old man wearing a security uniform came out to inquire from them why they had come they showed him a picture and requested to see the owner of the property.

“Good day ma'am!” 

One of the men greeted, and they took their seat on the office chair opposite the lady. She wore a dark wine colored bob wig and a blouse with a fluffy hand. Her spec under her eyes, and she looked at the men intently.

“Why have you come? Adopting a child?”

 She asked lazily, as she is already old. She is already at the age of retirement.

“No ma'am, we have come in search of someone he grew up in your orphanage.”

 The man in a suit wearing an eyeglasses said as he looked at the surprised face of the woman.

“Here, we have a picture of him.” he touched the other guy as he brought out the three pictures. Staring at the picture, the woman stepped back and adjusted her glasses while she looked at them. She felt fear grip her, for she did not know the where about of the child.

“Found him?” she asked, and that was a dumb thing to say.

 “I mean, my… I can't recall countless children, come and go from the orphanage many that are adopted but, I really, can't recall them all. It's been a very long time.”

She spoke, her speech not apparent. Stanley took the other picture and left the one with the baby alone on her desk.

“A woman visits this child every day with gifts. So… You can't recall?” 

He asked, trying to control his temper. He hates having unfinished mission and this lady is trying to complicate things for him.

“If I know, I would tell you my child.” 

She swore, looking at the pictures again, and she glanced away pitifully.

“Alright.” Both men stood to their feet. “We will be here this same time next week, to ensure you go through your files and get us the information about this individual and his whereabouts. When we return and can't find you, then we will burn down your orphanage.” Stanley, threatened while he moved to the door.

“What is his name?” 

Her tiny voice asked, and they turned to her at once.

“We do not know, you will provide the information to us when next we come.” 

Stanley replied and walked out of her office. Once, they left, she made the sign of the cross as her fragile hands grabbed the picture and she sighed sorrowfully.

Stanley, once he stepped out of the gate, he called the security and the gatekeeper for interrogation.

“How long have you worked here sir?” he asked, and the security man glanced at him before answering.

“I have been here for almost forty years now. I have been the head of the security apartment whether others come and go, I have always been here.” 

He answered and Stanley, looked at him while inserting his hands into his pocket.

“Well… I have worked here for fifteen years.” 

The gatekeeper replied and Stanley smiled. It's obvious he can't get any information from the gatekeeper, but he will keep him posted.

“I heard, the madam of this place, sells kids she uses them for human trafficking sell them to the corrupt government individuals, and they use them as a thing for protection while they render havoc.”

“Nothing like that happens here, sir.” 

The gatekeeper replied. Stanley was sure to look at their expression.

“For the years I have stayed here, nothing of such happened. Children here get adopted by parents or single mothers, that is for the fortunate ones. And for them, who ain't fortunate, once they reach a legal age, they're made to go out to the society and fend for themselves. But, there's something special about us. Those children still return we don't let them go. We hope someone might need them and no one does, once they go to college, we give their support, and they're entirely free.” 

The security man explained and Stanley nodded. He might not have gotten the information he need, does it mean his master son left or what?

“We are looking for a boy.” he presented the picture to the two men. 

“A one million Dollars for anyone who finds him.”

“I Haven't seen that face before, but I will be on the lookout.”

 The gatekeeper said and retired to his position. But, the security man lingered near.

“I have seen this face before.”

 He said, and Stanley smiled at him as he paid keen attention to what he had to say.

“Do you mean my son is dead?”

 The old man asked, hitting the table in anger, he wouldn't want to hear such news from the only heir he has.

“I'm not sure, sir. The man only said, kids broke out sometime from the orphanage and…” 

“Kids Stanley?  How possible was that? Where could the kids have gone? My poor son. Kat will regret it, I don't find my son even on my dead bed.”

He queried him and Stanley bowed his head. He heard his master cough deeply and long, he could tell he was pained and had started overthinking.

“I need my son. Do whatever it takes you to find my son within two days. Two days Stanley. Tell that woman who runs that orphanage, that I'm pulling it down, how could she allow kids to break out of there? If I don't find my son, I will wipe her entire family.”

 He said and sat down. Taking his tobacco.  Stanley knows his master doesn't joke about these types of things, so, rather than saying a word, he quietly left to craft out the way for his next mission.

________________________________________

Laying on the cold tiles floor was Sebastian, he shivered as his entire body kept shivering. He couldn't move his hands because, he was warming himself with it regarding the position he laid.

Suddenly, Karen, badged Into his room and kicked him angrily before she proceeded to say whatever brought her.

“You dumb brain, didn't I ask you to keep water in the fridge? And what is this?” 

She asked and poured the jar of cold water on Sebastian, and he sluggishly, moved out of the position, forcing himself up.

“I asked you a question, and you stared at me?”

 She sneered at him and Sebastian, looked at her and his eyes dropped a tear. He couldn't speak, he was finding it difficult to say any word.

“Bastard!” she held his head and hit it angrily on the wall.

“Why are you so in humane, Karen? What wrong did I ever do to you? You have always treated me like a trash.” 

Sebastian, managed to speak.

“Yes! You are a trash! You dare think you could have me as your wife? Wretched stinking cattle? I don't have time to gamble words with you.”

She paused, walked to the door and returned. 

Get my shoes cleaned I need to attend a function tomorrow also, get my favorite red gown ironed I will be needing them.”

She commanded and Sebastian, quickly asked her for a request and that annoyed her greatly.

“Please can I do that tomorrow I'm ain't feeling well. My whole body aches my head aches, and it looks like I will collapse.”