The Zodiac of P.R.A.

Chapter 10

Guest Star:
Jessica Hsuan – Naja Lu

The following day, everyone was set in their places and Brad was ready to distract Naja. He rode up with Erin in the same car as they parked in the lot, he turned to her “Be careful.”

Erin smiled “I know. You too…don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

He wrinkled his brows “Now is it me or is that a double meaning comment? I swear I’m picking up these really strange vibes from Mia…”

She blushed unexpectedly while turning her head downwards “Really?”

“Yeah…you don’t think maybe she likes me do you?” he asked with wide eyes “Mia’s cute and all, but I don’t like her THAT way. She’s always been like a sister to me.”

Erin turned her head up and let out a short sigh “No…she doesn’t like you.” She saw him sigh with relief then he glanced at his watch and she knew “It’s time.” He nodded as they put on their ear pieces “Scorpio’s coming in.” she announced and left without warning.

Brad’s eyes followed her until she was inside, but he couldn’t help but felt an odd knot in his stomach, something was wrong with that conversation. She was acting strange lately and it made him wonder why yet he was too naïve to figure it out for himself “Capricorn, when should I come in?”

“Wait about five minutes.” Dennis ordered.

Erin greeted Naja on her way to her office and noticed the young boy that she had saved weeks earlier, he waved to her as she glanced behind her and saw that Naja kept on walking “Hi, sweetie…you remember me?” she asked with a smile.

“You save me from the bad people.” He nodded with wide eyes “Are you going to save me from this place?”

Her heart ached to say yes yet she knew it was impossible to adopt a child “I can’t…” she said with earnest eyes “What’s wrong? You don’t like it here?”

He shook his head solemnly “Timmy hates it here. The people are mean…”

Naja sat at her desk and instantly there was a call, she greeted the person but suddenly her face went pale as she hung up hastily and got up to walk back to where Erin was. Suddenly the door swung open “John?”

Brad nodded with a smile “Hi Naja.”

“What are you doing here?” she walked around her desk to greet him with a handshake.

He took her hand and held onto it for a while longer “There’s some stuff I didn’t get an answer on. The government apparently has some new rules.” He rolled his eyes with exaggerated annoyance. “I need to see the west wing again, if you don’t mind.”

Naja seemed to be distracted but she eventually nodded “Sure…I can take you there.”

“What do you mean by ‘mean’ people, Timmy?” she smiled finally knowing his name.

The boy seemed to be holding back as he stuttered “Oh…eh…I don’t know, they’re just mean. I can’t tell you anymore.” He shook his head. Erin wrinkled her brows as she stood up, her eyes staring down the hall, Timmy followed her gaze and then yanked at her hand “You want to see that room?”

Erin looked down curiously “You know how to get inside?”

He nodded while his eyes darted “All the kids know how.” He whispered. Timmy took her hand as he led her down the east wing. The metal door was standing there with a bolt lock.

“How do you get inside?” she asked.

Timmy smiled mysteriously as he took out a silver necklace, which was engraved with his name and stuck it in the key hole, surprisingly it opened with a click. He looked up to her “The door is heavy.”

“So you need an adult to open it…” Erin nodded with understanding. Now they were getting somewhere. She pushed it with all her strength and it gave way as it screeched open.

“What was that?” Naja asked from down the west wing, she could hear a screeching sound.

Brad looked at her blankly “What? I didn’t hear anything.”

“No, I swear there is a sound.” She insisted as she began walking down the hall.

“Wait!” Brad rushed to follow the girl.

Inside the room was all cemented but there were file cabinets on every wall. Erin pulled out her tiny white flashlight as she pulled out a couple of file drawers and looked through them, they are alphabetized “What do you do in here?” she asked Timmy.

The kid shrugged “We work.”

“Work?” Erin was confused “This is a tiny room, how could you possibly work in here?”

“No…it’s big.” His eyes widened with innocence.

“What’s big?” she urged. She continued to snoop at the other file cabinets. She crossed her name on a file as she pulled it out. She glanced inside and it was fully updated with her most recent home, of course it had nothing about the P.R.A.

“There’s a big maze and then we go out to the beach and then we wait for life jackets to go swimming.” Timmy explained while he followed Erin everywhere she looked.

Erin turned to the boy but didn’t get a chance to ask when she heard Andrew’s warning “Scorpio, get out…he’s coming.” She quickly put back the file and grabbed Timmy’s hand as she peeked out the door.

“Where’s Leo?” she asked.

“Apparently not doing his job.” Mia quipped while Dennis turned her with a shaking head.

“Crap, Naja’s coming!” Erin could see her and Brad through crack of the door.

Brad eventually caught up to Naja as he passed her and turned her body around using her arms “Naja, I have to tell you something.”

“Can it wait?” she asked with her eyes darting towards the open door.

“No…” he didn’t know what to say and was desperate to save Erin as he pulled Naja closer and planted a kiss on her.

Erin’s stomach dropped as she saw but reacted quickly as she figured he was doing it to help her. She took Timmy’s hand and pulled him out as she gently closed the door and the lock let out a short click. They began walking back but her eyes refused to stare at the scene before her.

“What the hell is going on here?!!!” Darren’s voice boomed through the hallway causing an echo to follow it.

Timmy quickly hid behind Erin’s leg at the sound of Darren’s voice “The bad man…” he pointed.

Erin patted his head gently as she saw Darren as well as Andrew walking up to them “Naja, get back to your station!” he ordered. Naja’s face was a crimson red as she held her head down and walked back.

Brad quickly felt remorse “I’m sorry, please don’t yell at her, it’s not her fault.” Naja heard as she spun around and gave him a quick smile.

Darren frowned “I can yell at my workers if I want, who the hell are you?”

He smiled coolly “Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself, I’m John from the Social Services.” He brought out his hand but Darren only stared at it. Brad looked down at his hand as he pulled back.

“Why are you here and when the hell does the Social Service make out with people in an orphanage? Are you Naja’s boyfriend?” he leered his eyes at Brad.

“No…I…well, it’s quite embarrassing, but I assure you, Naja had nothing to do with it.” Brad insisted.

Mia covered her mouth “You kissed her??!!” she was shocked and Mia was instantly worried about Erin, who was probably witnessing the whole thing.

“He had to….” Dennis shook his head at Mia again.

Darren was not interested as he waved Brad away “Well, if you’re work here is done, please leave my premises.” Brad nodded politely as he walked on, he turned in time to see Erin looking at him. He gave her a quick nod and continued on his way.

“Darren.” Erin greeted. She winced when Timmy squeezed her leg tightly.

“Why is he out of his room?” Darren pointed.

Timmy whimpered with fear as he hugged Erin’s leg even tighter. She quickly bent down to his size “It’s okay, he won’t hurt you.” She noticed Timmy’s eyes were glancing upward at the male figure. He wrapped his little arms around her neck. Erin looked up at Darren and then patted Timmy on the back “Don’t worry…I’m here.” She soothed. She picked up the boy with ease and turned to Darren “I was just taking him back to his room.” She assured him.

Darren nodded as he turned to Andrew “Make sure that creep is gone. If he’s talking to Naja, call the police for trespassing.” Andrew nodded as he turned to Erin and nodded at her with his eyes.

Timmy turned upwards as his eyes softened “My room is over there.” He pointed behind her.

Darren smiled “Timmy, could you be a good boy and go to your room so Erin and I can talk?” Erin wrinkled her brows, shocked that he would know Timmy’s name. The boy was no longer afraid as he slid out of Erin’s arms and walked obediently back to his room “You look shocked.” He commented.

Erin smiled “Just surprise that someone like you would know a kid’s name.”

“I may not like to be around the orphanage but I pride myself on the great memory. I can remember every kid’s name with just one conversation with them.” Darren nodded with confidence.

“A little cocky aren’t we?” she did not take his words seriously.

He raised his brows and smiled “A challenge, I see…” he nodded his head for her to follow him “This room belongs to Jessi, a young girl who turned into an orphan when her parents were killed in a fire.” He moved on to the one across from Timmy’s “This is Jacky’s room, he was left on the doorstep of the orphanage when he was a mere 2 months old.” Darren was about to continue when he turned and saw Erin had stopped and her eyes were dazed away “Miss Yeung…” he began.

Erin snapped back to reality “How could you remember all that?” she was not only shocked she was impressed, but she would never tell him that.

Darren laughed “Is that all? I told you…I have a good memory. A photographic memory to be exact.” He glanced at his rolex watch “I would love to stand here and chat but I just came by to check on the mail. I’m glad I came back to catch that show…” Erin winced at the memory of Brad and Naja. She watched Darren leave before letting out a sigh “I thought he’d never leave.”

“Erin, way to keep it cool. Everyone, meeting tonight at 9pm sharp. Don’t be late…that means you Brad.” Dennis teased.

Mia rolled her eyes “Sure, you can tease him but I can’t.”

Chapter 11

Around 8pm that same night, Erin decided to come early to speak to Dennis in private, she had discovered something but did not want to share it with everyone just yet. When she came there, she found Andrew and Reina already there. They appeared to be arguing from where Erin stood.

It was Andrew that saw Erin first as he quickly warned Reina and the two were now smiling at her “You guys are a little early.” Erin said casually.

Was Reina blushing? She looked at Erin with a shyness that she’s never seen before “Erin…I was going to ask you that.” She tried changing the subject.

Andrew on the other side was a bit cooler “Yeah…why are you so early?”

Erin shrugged “I had nothing to do, so I figured I come by early and do some more training. How about you two?”

Reina turned away while Andrew smiled “Nothing special.”

Erin looked at the two with suspicion “Are you two dating?”

Reina was about to open her mouth when Andrew answered for her “Yes…so you caught us…but please don’t tell the others yet. Reina’s a little shy.”

Erin smiled “I won’t. But I’m surprise she would chose you.” She gave Reina a wink of the eye.

“Hey, what’s that suppose to mean?” Andrew proclaimed with his hands on his hips.

“It’s whatever you want it to mean.” Erin teased. She saw that Reina’s head was still bowed with shyness as she began backing away “Well, I’ll leave you two love birds alone.”

After Erin was gone, Reina spun around to Andrew “Why did you tell her that?”

“Because it’s the truth.” Andrew insisted with a knowing grin “You like me and I like you, why should we hide it?”

“You know exactly why…” Reina grumbled “I would never live to hear the end of it if Mia found out.”

“But she won’t.” Andrew assured her. His eyes suddenly darted back and forth as if he knew someone was looking “Come on, let’s go talk somewhere else. It feels like there are eyeballs looking at us.” He reached out naturally and took her hand. Reina didn’t pull back as she let him lead her to a nearby café shop where they sat and continued their conversation.

***************

That night, everyone arrived on time while Mia strolled in about five minutes late with a box of carry out food. Dennis tapped his watch warning her about her tardiness. She only rolled her eyes and took a seat as she began opening her box and took a spoonful of rice and shoved it in her mouth. She didn’t notice that everyone was staring at her until she looked up. The food was balled up in her left cheek as she swallowed a bit and grumbled “What?”

Dennis raised an eyebrow at the girl “You know there is no food allowed during a meeting.”

Mia nodded “I know, but I’m so hungry, I didn’t even have time to eat earlier.”

He shook his head “Fine, it’s okay this time. But don’t make it a habit.” The group chuckled together while Mia continued to stuff her face. Dennis turned to everyone and cleared his throat “First off, I want to say how proud I am at how Erin and Brad worked together today. I won’t mention about the extra details but Brad, at least I’ll know who to count on for distraction.”

“Yeah…stick your tongue down her throat, that’ll shut her up.” Mia snorted with a mouthful of food.

Brad tilted his head at her “I didn’t want to do it, but I didn’t know what else to do.”

“You could have knocked her unconscious or said anything else. You didn’t have to kiss her.” Mia shook her head at him "If that's all you needed, I would have been able to provide you some good reliable lips." her eyes darted over to Erin but Brad did not catch that.

“Mia, that’s enough.” Dennis scolded “I’m sure Brad was not taking advantage of the situation, he just wanted to help Erin go free.” He turned to Erin who was quiet as can be “Erin, what did you discover?”

Erin looked up with dazed eyes and she quickly shook her head “I’m sorry Dennis, I wasn’t listening.”

“The boy.” Dennis frowned, it was unlike her to be so out of it.

“Oh right…” she nodded “Timmy seems to know a lot more than I gave him credit for. He seems to be really scared of Darren….” Her eyes traveled to Andrew “You saw it.”

Andrew nodded hastily “Yeah…I was there.”

“I think there’s more to this orphanage than meets the eye.” Erin concluded “Luckily, Timmy trusts me enough to tell me.”

“I found it more bizarre that Darren would know what all the kids names were.” Andrew ruffled his brows. “It’s kinda creepy if you ask me.”

Mia wrinkled her brows “Actually, I was very impressed. All this time we thought he was some rich, spoiled brat that tortures people for fun. But maybe deep down somewhere, he’s a really nice guy.”

“Yeah, maybe in hell.” Reina retorted and everyone turned to her “It’s really bizarre, I agree with Andrew. There’s really no reason why he would even bother to remember each kid’s name or their background unless he was trying to keep their identities hidden. Maybe it’s all made up. We don’t know this.”

Mia nodded “Exactly! We don’t know…so maybe we shouldn’t jump to conclusions.” She turned to Erin “What do you think?” she wanted to hear her opinion.

Erin was thoughtful “I was a bit impressed…but I do find it strange why he would remember the kids information.”

“What was inside that room?” Dennis asked.

“File drawers on all three walls. They were placed alphabetically and it appears to have all the orphans’ personal files in the past 20 years that the orphanage was built. My name was in there too.” She said with emphasis.

Reina leaned her arms on the table as she looked at Erin thoughtfully “What else did you find? It makes no sense why he would be so cautious of the room if all it was were files.”

“My thought exactly.” Erin pointed out “It’s still a mystery to us all.”

Brad was quiet up until then “Maybe we should go check it out.” He turned to Dennis “Do we have permission to go tonight?”

Dennis leaned back on his swivel chair as he crossed his arms “That’s a good idea. Maybe we will find something else. Why don’t you guys go change and get your headpieces ready. I’ll meet you guys back here before you take off.”

“How are were going to get inside?” Mia asked suddenly.

Erin smiled “Why, the key of course.” She pulled it out from her pocket “I already made a copy.”

In 15 minutes, the group met up again before they all left. The five were dressed in black suits with black gloves. The girls’ hair were tied up and they all wore the same dark glasses which hid most of their face. They were also night vision lenses so they could see in the dark yet they would not be recognizable if someone they knew were to see them.

“Everyone be careful and make sure you watch out for each other.” Dennis warned “I don’t have to remind you to use your code names.”

“But you just did.” Mia pointed out making the other four laugh.

“We’ve really got to do something about that mouth of yours.” Dennis shook his head with a laugh.

***********

The five took one car to the orphanage, each got out cautiously as they blended into the night. Erin got to the door while the other four turned to the streets to watch out for people. The door gave way when the key unlocked it “Come on.” She whispered.

“Capricorn, we’re in.” Brad advised.

“Good, now you guys split up, Erin and Brad, I want you two to head to the East Wing. Mia and Reina, you two head to the West Wing and stand guard for Naja, since she lives there with the kids. We can’t have her ruining our plans again. Andrew, I want you to stand guard at the door.”

“Yes Sir…” the group replied as they split up.

Brad and Erin rushed down the hallway with silent steps “How are we going to get in?” Brad asked.

Erin smiled as she pulled Timmy’s chain out of her pocket “I took it during the distraction today.” He nodded as she unlocked the door. They quickly pushed the door open and went inside. Brad closed the heavy door behind them, just in case someone were to come.

Brad instantly saw something different “Was this wall that close?” he pointed to the one opposite of the door.

Erin frowned as she measured the place with her footsteps “No…it seems to be pushed out.” The two walked up to the wall and noticed there was a secret passage visibly open.

“Capricorn, we found something…a passage way. Shall we continue?” Brad asked.

“Yes, go ahead. Be careful and watch out for Erin.” Dennis advised.

The two exchanged nods as they continued on, she pressed on her white flashlight and they noticed it was a stairwell leading down into the ground. The stone walls curved until they hit the bottom of the floor. Another passageway led to a maze. Erin looked up at Brad “Just like the practice maze.” She said softly.

“Follow me.” He nodded as he began the maze. After a while, they had finally hit the center. When they came upon a wall with two directions, the two turned to each other “Which side should I take?”

Erin was not sure as she shook her head, when she shown the light on the ground, she saw some tiny footsteps leading to the left “Right.” She said with her gut instincts. Brad frowned and Erin smiled “It’s too easy.”

Brad eventually nodded “You’re right.” The two walked to the right wall and they were taken around a full circle and then to another three way direction “Where now?” he was depending on her instincts.
“Split up?” she offered.

He shook his head “No…we can’t take the chance of losing each other. Let’s take the middle.” Brad instinctively reached for her hand as she let him take her. The walls were turning more narrow until it led to a small door only about 5 feet tall “Where do you suppose this leads to?”

“The harbor…” Erin smiled, she could smell the fishy waters and plus Timmy’s words rang a bell in her head. She reached down and tried the door but it wouldn’t budge.

“Try the key.” Brad suggested.

She nodded and placed the necklace in the keyhole, to her surprise it unlocked as the two opened the door. It led to a stairwell once again “Oh crap, she’s awake!!” Mia’s warning voice spoke through the ear pieces.

Brad and Erin paused when they could hear Reina and Mia racing for the door “Shit, Darren’s car!” This time it was Andrew that was in trouble “We can’t take the front door.” He warned when the girls met up with him.

“Where to?” Reina said while panting to keep her breath.

Dennis frowned “Take the east back exit. The alarm over there was cut off by Brad. Don’t let him see you guys.”

Erin and Brad turned to each other, it was out of their hands now. They could not help their friends, they weren’t even sure if they could return to the maze and still get out. Up the stairs was a small wooden door on the ceiling, it was like a basement. Brad pushed at the door roughly and it eventually gave way, he peeked his head up and notice not a single person was there, only the gentle crashing of the waves.

He quickly got out and pulled Erin after him. She spun herself in circles to pin point their exact locations “The beach?” Brad nodded as he closed the trap door and hid it with sand. “It’s deserted.” She pointed to a sign that said ‘no trespassing’.

“I wonder who owns this land.” Brad asked out loud.

Erin shook her head “We should get back.” She was about to turn and leave when Brad’s hand clasped over her wrist as he pulled her back.

“Erin…do you see that?” he pointed into the dark waters.

She squinted her eyes to concentrate on where he was pointing “What is that?” she saw something floating closer.

When he realized what it was, he turned to her solemnly “It’s a kid. Capricorn, we found a kid….he could be dead.”

“It could be a trap.” Dennis's expertise told him to be careful.

Erin found a few giant rocks nearby as she pointed to it. Brad nodded as the two hid behind it. After five minutes, the kid’s body floated onto shore. It was a boy, they could tell from his short hair. The two continued to look and when it seems no one would come to claim the body, Brad took matters into his own hands. He and Erin walked out as they approached the kid. “Timmy!” Erin gasped.

“Capricorn, it’s the kid earlier today.” Brad said through his speaker.

Erin pulled him into her arms “Timmy.” She shook at him but he was unconscious, she tested the vein on his neck and there was still a slow heart beat “He’s still alive.” She turned to Brad.

“Bring him back.” Dennis said.

Brad picked the kid up with ease as they looked for the quickest exit to the streets. Erin was on alert as she looked around for anybody that might have saw them. But the harbor was completely deserted. The three walked along the road until they caught a taxi on a night shift. They made it back to headquarters safely.

Chapter 12

They placed the kid in a special room which even if the place was torn down, no one would know that he was there. It was Dennis’s idea to keep him safe being that he was the only contact left that would know what was going on in the orphanage. The six of them would be the only ones that know how to get to the special room. Brad and Erin were the only ones that made it back so far.

“Where are the others?” Erin asked after the three were in the room with Timmy. They had called for their special doctor, who not many of them have seen a lot.

“They’re on their way back.” Dennis crossed his arms as his brows knit together while he looked at the kid “I wonder how he came loose.”

Brad nodded thoughtfully “I guess he’s the only that knows now.”

Erin sat beside the bed next to Timmy as she watched his every move “How could someone be so cruel?” she muttered.

“Darren is not as simple as he appears…” Brad commented darkly.

Suddenly Dennis looked up at the two “They’re back. Come on.” He pulled out his ear piece and led the group outside.

“We’re going to leave him alone?” Erin asked like a worried mother.

Dennis smiled “It’s okay, there’s an intercom in the conference room connecting to this room. He’ll be fine.” He waved for her to follow along.

When they reached the conference room, Mia instantly looked up from where she stood “How is he?” she heard briefly from Dennis’s news.

“Still unconscious, Dr. Wong is coming soon.” Dennis paced the room with his hands clasped behind his back “He’ll be alright.” The group paused when there was a loud beep on the intercom, Dennis clicked on the door button “What’s your sign?”

“Virgo.” A soft feminine voice answered.

Dennis nodded to Mia “Let her in.”

“How do you know that’s her?” Mia asked while preparing to stand up.

“Because I know.” He said firmly.

She nodded with a laugh “If you say so.” When she returned, Dr. Wong was behind her. She was a young woman in her late twenties, the doctor greeted everyone with a smile.

“So where’s the patient?” she asked readily.

“Brad, can you take her, please?” Dennis requested.

Mia spun side to side on her swivel chair while she gave Brad a sarcastic look “Don’t do anything stupid…like kiss her or something.”

Brad frowned while Dr. Wong looked confused “Excuse me?” she asked.

Mia raised her brows as the girl “That comment wasn’t for you…he knows what I mean.”

“Mia…” Erin’s warning tone broke her teasing mood.

“Yes, mother…” Mia chuckled.

When Brad returned Dennis got down to business “Now tell us what you two saw in that room?”

Erin turned to Brad and nodded, indicating for him to tell the story “Well, we found a passage way, it looked to have been left open. Maybe on purpose, I’m not sure. But it led us to the stairwell which circled down underground. Then there was a maze, it took us a while but we found the way out which was another stairwell up into the harbor. I was a bit confused how the orphanage could lead to a harbor. But it wasn’t just the shipping harbor, it was a deserted one.”

“Deserted?” Reina asked with curiosity “Did it have blocked out fences?”

Erin nodded “How did you know?”

“My dad use to work in that harbor, but when it shut down everyone was laid off. I remember vaguely playing by the bridge and this man would always shoo me away.” Her eyes were distant as she thought about her childhood.

“Who was the man?” Dennis asked.

Reina furrowed her brows with concentration “I heard my dad call him Chiu Gor.”

“Chiu Ga Keung.” Dennis said flatly.

“Yes!” Reina nodded “Is he who I think he is?”

Dennis nodded “Yes…Darren’s father.” The five turned to Mia.

She rolled her eyes “Would you guys stop doing that? I don’t know anything, Darren is very secretive about his childhood. All I know is it was a bad one and he doesn’t share that part of his life with ANYONE.”

“Well, I guess we’re going to have to change that huh?” Dennis smiled at Mia.

“Do you mean I get to join the mission?” She asked in shock.

Dennis nodded “Yes and no. I don’t want you to ask him anything, but I want you to set up for Erin and he to talk to each other. You two can put your heads together.”

Suddenly Erin stood up “I disagree.”

“Why?” Dennis frowned.

“Because, one; I don’t like the guy and he knows it, there’s no way he would want to tell me his deep dark secrets as a child. Two; I am not capable of keeping my patience with the guy. Three; he’s a jerk.” She said bluntly not caring that Mia’s feelings might be hurt.

Mia shook her head at Erin “He’s only a jerk at the beginning, once you get use to him, he’s actually…”

“Very nice…” Andrew rolled his eyes “We know, you say it so many times.”

Mia raised an eyebrow at him “What? Are you jealous? Because I like him and not you?” she pointed out with a teasing tone in her voice.

“Yeah….that’s the reason why.” Andrew said without much emphasis.

Erin was secretly smiling to herself when Mia caught that “What’s so funny? Got a joke for us don’t you? Come on…let’s share.” She pushed Erin’s button, trying to get her upset, she was tired of the crush not being out in the open. Frankly, the secret was eating her alive.

“No.” Erin said coolly “I was just thinking about your joke.”

“Are you that slow?” Mia retorted.

Erin shrugged carelessly “Yeah…I guess I am.” She could see Reina at the corner of her eyes thanking her with a smile.

“You’re no fun!” Mia cried as she sat down with a thump almost spinning her chair out of place causing the group to stifle their laughter.

Their light humor was quickly taken over by an urgent voice from the intercom “Dennis, come in her, quick!”

Dennis looked up at everyone as he nodded for them to follow. When they reached the door, he made everyone turn their heads except for Brad so he could put in the secret code number to get into the room, which looked like a wall. There wasn’t even a door knob. When they walked inside, they were not prepare to see what was before their eyes “Looks like we found out what he’s smuggling.” Reina commented.

Inside the life jacket tied around Timmy were bags of cocaine in carefully wrapped bags “How did you find that?” Dennis asked as he observed the substance.

“The back side had a hole and the powder was leaking so I took a whiff and indeed it was drugs.” Dr. Wong explained.

“How is he?” Erin was more worried for the health of the kid.

She smiled warmly “He’s fine. You seem very worried, do you know this kid?”

Erin nodded “You can say that. His mother was killed a few weeks back and I was present.”

Dr. Wong nodded with understanding “You grew attached to the kid.” She turned back to Timmy when he began to stir “Timmy, are you okay?” she asked trying to wake him up.

The boy opened his eyes as they stared up and around to each of the faces looking at him, suddenly he moved back and began to whimper with fear “Bad man….” His eyes were pointing to Andrew.

Erin glanced at Andrew, who’s face hardened “It’s okay Timmy.” She rushed to his side and the boy quickly recognized her as he wrapped his arms around her neck. His body was trembling.

Dennis turned to Andrew “Why is he so scared of you?”

Andrew was at lost for words while Reina jumped in to help him “Maybe Timmy saw Andrew with Darren that last time, so he thinks the two are the same?”

Mia nodded “That kinda makes sense. There’s no reason why he would be so afraid of Andrew.”

Dennis eventually made everyone leave except for Erin, Dr. Wong was led out of the place by Brad. It took Erin a little while, but she eventually got the kid to sleep as she rejoined the group in the meeting room “Sleeping?” Dennis asked shortly.

Erin nodded “He’s so terrified, whatever happened in the waters, he doesn’t even want to repeat. Must have been a horrible incident.”

Andrew punched his fist onto the table “What a jerk! Even a little kid he couldn’t let go.”

Mia sighed “It’s so unlike him. He loves the kids at he orphanage, when we were dating, that’s all he would talk about. It was one of the reasons why I fell for him.” She shook her head in confusion “It doesn’t make any sense.”

Reina smiled sympathetically at her friend “Sometimes, love makes a person blind.”

Erin nodded in agreement “You were blind for so many months.”

Dennis nodded to the girls “We all have different opinions, but until Darren is proven guilty, I don’t want you guys to let your judgment give him an unfair chance. Mia and Erin, I want you two to start thinking. We don’t have much time.”

“Yes Sir.” Erin said.

“Coolio!” Mia cried with extra perkiness.

The group turned to her strangely “What the heck was that?” Andrew asked.

She laughed “My new word, is there something wrong with it?”

He shook his head “No…not if you’re blond haired blue eye and live in California. Have you been watching those stupid American surfing movies again?”

Mia wrinkled her nose at him “Don’t think you’re so smart, I got it from a friend…”

“Your imaginary friend?” Brad asked causing the group to burst out with laughter.

She pouted at him “Better to have an invisible friend to be invisible in the brain. So handsome yet so naïve…tsk tsk tsk…what a shame.” She rolled her eyes dramatically and suddenly felt a pain from a kick coming from Erin. Mia cried in pain as she stood up “Okay, that’s enough. Would you stop kicking me!! What did I say?!”

Erin looked up at her with wide eyes “You’re dropping more hints than bees on honey!!”

“Just because you don’t have the guts to tell….” Mia let her words fade as she realized they were arguing in the middle of the meeting. She slowly sat down while Erin’s face turned a bright red.

“What’s going on?” Andrew asked with suspicion.

Brad turned to Dennis “Mia’s been really strange lately, have you noticed?”

Dennis tapped his chin thoughtfully “What is it Mia? I know you can’t keep a secret, why don’t you just tell us?”

Reina smiled and decided to help her friend out “It’s nothing, Mia’s just upset that Erin took her shirt without asking that other night.”

The guys turned to Mia and she let out a sigh while her eyes rolled upwards “Yeah…I guess.”

“Girl problems.” Dennis nodded with understanding “Glad I don’t have that problem anymore.” He laughed when the girls threw him daggers with their eyes “Let’s call this a night.”

“How about Timmy?” Erin asked.

“I’ll stay and watch him.” Dennis offered.

Reina shook her head “That’s not fair, you’re the only one with the family. You should go home and rest, I’ll stay back.” She offered.

Dennis smiled “Thanks Reina…glad someone was kind enough to offer.” He emphasized.

“I was going to!” Mia retorted “But she just beat me to it…kiss butt.” She stuck her tongue out at Reina.

Erin was concerned “He might be scared because he doesn’t know you, why don’t I stay back?”

Andrew smiled “You’re not his real mother you know. Just let Reina stay. Go home and rest, you have a long day tomorrow.”

Dennis nodded in agreement “He’s right, Erin. You need energy to deal with your favorite person.” And so it was decided that Reina would stay. Erin was still concerned for the boy but she felt he would be safe with any of them.

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