As the helicopter lands, the little girl stirs. Whirring blades spin slower; Milly blinks in rhythm.
Heoh approaches. “It’s time.”
Hugging the girl close, Milly leans back.
“It’s OK.” He nods.
Milly tucks the blanket over the girl’s shoulders.
He reaches out. “Really.”
Helicopter blades come to rest. Dust settles. Milly lets go.
“Stay in the chopper,” Heoh says. “Stay alert.”
The Twins ready guns.
Heoh exits with the girl and extends his hand. She looks up. He smiles. She hesitates, then places her palm in his. Hand-in-hand, the pair amble across pavement, towards another group of people, standing by a van parked amongst vacant lots in an empty cul-de-sac. Their van door is open.
Halfway, the girl stumbles. Heoh catches her, lifts her up, and pats her back.
The girl stares over his shoulder.
Through the helicopter window, Milly’s face is visible, palm pressed against glass.
Heoh continues forward. He greets the other group.
One person hands the little girl a juice box. Another checks her ear with a machine. A third person clips off her teal bracelet and tucks it inside a shiny box. A fourth hands Heoh a money chip.
He inspects it, then nods. He sets down the girl and backs away.
They lift her into a car seat.
Heoh jogs back to the chopper, sitting next to Milly.
She squints with concern. “What is—”
“Good job everyone!” He flips a pad and presents a dollar figure. “Paid in full.”
“Oh my god!” Milly stamps her foot.
Heoh chuckles. “Not bad for a night’s work, right? But the Boss takes his cut, and then your share is halved, Milly — from your debt. I just want you to see we’re being upfront.”
“Always upfront.” Sarge nods at her.
“Who were those people?” She turns to Heoh.
“They work for their client. We work for ours.”
“Who’s our client?”
“Best not to ask those questions,” Sarge says.
Milly rubs her damp ballistic vest. “What will happen to her?”
“We’re not sure,” Heoh says. “I choose to think she’s going to a better place.”
Sarge leans forward. “Almost any place would be better than that place.”
The Twins nod.
Milly sighs, prolonged and deep, then asks, “Trip, did you mean 64K or sixty-four thousand frequencies?”
“How is someone good at math so bad with money?”
Everyone laughs.
Heoh reaches over. “Here, let me help you.” He plucks a few strands of the girl’s hair from Milly’s vest and face. He looks around; there’s no trash can. Heoh wads the hair into his pocket. “You did well tonight, all things considered, in unexpected circumstances.” He pats Milly’s back. “Sleep in. Come by my office tomorrow to get paid — whenever.”
Milly arrives home in the wee hours, snatches an old bagel from her freezer, and uses her smart toaster. The bagel emerges perfectly browned. She bites; her eyes roll back. “Carbs!” Hands shaking, she scarfs it down before crashing into bed.
[Author’s Note] This concludes what might be considered “Act One.” Thank you for being part of this experience.
Val, you have officially hooked me. Very interesting story with some intrigue mixed in. Need to know more of course and I will be watching for it. - Jim