Well, it was time to have a meeting with Carrie about joining the team. Even though we unanimously voted in favor of having her join, because she is under 18, we need to get her parents permission for her to join. It is one of our rules, but one that is going to cause us some problems this time. We have never actually come across something like this before, since we have never had someone this young join our team.

So, we were in the library, Baldwin, Rock, Annelie, Galyna, Sky and myself, plus Muffin. Muffin’s job was to sit with Carrie to help keep her from being too nervous. “We have not been able to find out anything about you after the age of 13,” I said, “that is unusual for us. Annelie can normally find out everything about a person right up to the present.

Plus, because of your age, we need to get your parents permission to let you join.” “Oh,” she said, putting her head down and looking at Muffin, “guess that means I will not be able to join after all. How long before I have to move out?” “No one said you had to move out Carrie,” said Sky, “is there a problem with getting permission from your parents?”

“Yeah, it will never happen,” she said through tears, “my mom died when I was 13, that was my last year of school. Dad would not let me go back to school, he said I needed to take mom’s place and look after him and my 2 older brothers. They moved me into the basement, which was dark, dirty and full of bugs. There was only an old laundry sink for me to wash at, and a toilet.

They put my bed down there and kept me locked up except when it was time to make meals for them. I ate in the basement after washing their dishes. They would beat me and do other stuff…how much do I have to tell?” “Nothing more about that,” I said. “When I was 15 dad kicked me out, he said my cooking was getting worse and I was not keeping the house clean enough for his guests.

He also wanted to sell me on the street, but I said no, I am not doing that. He got real mad that time and beat me again. He was into drug deals and black market guns and other things. He worked for a gang called the Red Stars, but he never seemed to have much money. I knew where he always kept some cash, so when he told me to leave, I took that when he wasn’t watching and took a bus to Los Angeles and lived on the streets until Brandish found me just after I turned 16.

But dad will never give permission for me to do anything that might be good for me. He would never even let me have any friends. That is why I am so happy here, I have friends.” “We need to pay a visit to this guy Steve,” said Rock, “he needs to be taught some manners on how to treat women and young girls.” “I agree with you Rock,” I said, “what do you think Mr. B?” “Go get him,” he said, “but do not take chances, all of you go, you may have to deal with that gang too.”

“Carrie, you will always have lots of friends here,” I said, “never worry about that.” “The other girls, will they find out about all this?” she asked. “Only if you tell them,” I said, “but we will not, that is a rule we have too.” Just then Crystal came to the door. “The Major is here to see you Steve,” she said. “Bring him in,” I said. He comes in and Carrie gets up to leave.

“Major, this is Carrie,” I said. “Nice to meet you sir,” she said, “Aasta and I have become such great friends.” “Just call me Major like everyone else,” he said smiling, “sir makes me feel old. Aasta has told me about you and how you really have become wonderful friends, I am really glad to hear it.” After Carrie leaves I close the library doors.

“From what I hear, Carrie is a very nice girl,” he said. “Yes, she is,” I replied, “amazing considering what her family life has been. Know anything about a gang in the US called the Red Stars?” “Yes, they have been growing quite a bit the last couple of years,” he said, “even more now that Carnival is out of the way.”

“Carrie’s dad and 2 brothers are with them,” I said and showed Major a pic of them. “I have met this guy,” he said of the dad, “never liked him, not a man that can be trusted, but not dangerous, a coward more than anything. He brings guns and drugs in for the gang to sell. Spends all his money gambling. I imagine he is in debt big time by now.”

To Be Continued.

©2023 Steve McLeod.