Chapter 11

Ashley decided she had heard enough, even before the girls finished their long story, complete with fits, starts and sobs interspersed with gulps of cold water and food. She noted they drank thirstily, like parched creatures and devoured the food rations like ravenous animals who had been put on a starvation diet. It made her feel sorry for them and more determined than ever to get them justice.

As soon as the girls finished their story, Ashley began issuing orders.

“You two,” she pointed at Toni and Marshal who the girls seemed to have already formed an attachment to because they had a big hand in rescuing them. “As soon as we secure the other two girls, I want you to bundle them up so that they are completely unrecognizable, get them into the helicopter and deliver them to the safe house where you will watch over them 24-7 until this is over. Make sure they don’t go outside or their faces aren’t even seen in a window lest the word about their rescue gets out. We gotta keep everything top secret until we get to the bottom of this.”

She then assigned two other guys to go with them. They looked disappointed at the idea of missing out on some more action but nodded in agreement.

“What,” the girls protested. Why can’t we go home now? Haven’t we already suffered enough?

Ashley cut short their protests with a short but effective counter attack.

“I understand and agree. You should be going home immediately but that’s impossible right now.”

“Why,” the girls demanded again.

“Don’t you want to help us rescue your mothers and the other women and girls still in Eli’s compound?” she asked.

When the girls looked at each other and after a brief hesitation, reluctantly nodded in agreement, she pressed home her advantage.

“Then go with Toni and Marshal and try not to cause them any trouble because it’s the best we can do for you right now. I promise they’ll look after you really well and keep you safe until we can get you home. In the meantime, I’m going to do whatever I can to rescue the rest of those women and girls and bring them all home safe, okay?”

Again there was complete silence before the reluctant nods of agreement.