Trafficked

My job as a lawyer involves a lot of practical application especially to solve realistic problems and fight for what's right. The problems people face usually have very obvious solutions while some others might need a lot of time and attention. But in the end, every problem has a solution, each and everything has a logical explanation. Or does it? Everything happens for a reason. But what if some things end without fulfilling their purpose.

A cold December night. I was walking home from the court; completely exhausted, but satisfied at the dismissal of a case that ended on good terms. I was all ready to just drop unto the bed. Just the thought of a nice nap provided so much content. When in the spur of the moment- ‘Bang!’ A noise came from the distance that jolted me out of my thoughts. Was that what I think it was? It couldn't have been… I began to run in the direction of the noise. The streets were desolate. The fear brought with apprehension about how this night came with an uncanny promise caused shivers to run down my spine. After scrutinising the street for about five minutes; I suddenly came to a halt when I saw a boy, significantly lean, probably in his mid adolescent years, running across the street. Eccentric in appearance, he looked terrifyingly uneasy. He was dressed in blue denims and a black jacket hoodie into which he put something. I couldn't ascertain the object as it wasn't in the range of my 20/20 vision. I intuited it to be a gun but I didn't have any proof to support it. I jumped into a corner the moment I saw him look around. He walked in the direction of an abandoned building. Edgy and unsettled, he stood there. Unexpectedly a presumably middle aged man walked out from the forsaken construction. “I've done what you've asked me to do. He's dead.” The boy declared in an austere tone. “Give me my money and I'll leave.” Saying that he gave a quick glance at his surroundings. “Not until you get me what I want.” The man responded. “If you don't get it to me by the end of this week you won't ever get to see your mother again.” The boy slowly stepped back in trepidation.

I perceived this to be some sort of joke. How can someone so young be involved in something so illicit. I was so certain that what I just witnessed had something to do with the gunshot. I contemplated over wether I should help him or not. Something told me I shouldn't do this. But if I didn't, this guilt would torment me for the rest of my life. I couldn't possibly let this boy endure such trauma. And my intuition told me that murder wasn't his motive entirely. 

Once the guy was out of sight I began to follow the boy. I could feel the blood surge into my head as I approached him. The moment I reached half a meters distance from him, I grabbed him by the neck, pulled the gun out from his pocket and aimed it at him. I then slowly put down the gun to show him I wasn't going to harm him. He took the chance and sprinted as fast as he could. I ran to catch him. He was quick. I yelled at him to stop, he didn't pay heed. “I want to help you.” I shouted while panting profusely. He came to a standstill. I proceeded slowly towards him with rampant worry. “I know you need it. What is your name.” I asked. “How does it matter anymore,” he snapped. “What do you mean?”I asked. “Just...Just leave me alone and let me do what I have to do. Don't involve yourself.” He sounded like he was on the verge of crying. “Please. Let me help you. I can. You know you have no escape from what you've just done. Just tell me why.” He now turned to face me. I could see the tears in his eyes. How he wished he had the strength to accept the situation without having to cry. “What have I done! I murdered a police officer!” He said while fighting his urge to burst out in tears. He then wiped his face with his sleeve and looked me straight in the eye. His stone cold expression gave out the fact that his past wasn't something anyone would want to experience. 

“Raul, My name’s Raul. My family isn't that rich. We're people with limited means as you can see from my appearance. My father was a ruthless drunkard. He was very abusive towards my mother. He considered her an asset of his tough luck. After he got fired from his job, he gone into gambling. With the obvious bad company he got into operating illegal drug logistics. My mother was scandalised on knowing this and she decided to run away with me. We then settled here to start anew but fate had other things in store for us. The man I just met works with my father. He had forcefully injected a narcotic called LSD into my mother and she is suffering from the side effects. I couldn't see her like this so I set out to do what they wanted me to. For her. They have the money we need for her rehabilitation and they aren't going to give it to me unless I get them the sedative they want which is being distributed by a guy working in a nearby factory. I didn't have any other alternative.” 

I shut my eyes in anguish. I tried to come to terms with what I just heard. This boy is just one of the many millions of children out there going through so much misery. And if I can't help them all I will try my best to assist him. The state he is in has pushed him into complete oblivion of morality. “You're not going to benefit from this. You seem like a nice man. I do not want you to get caught up in my mess.”he said “I'm a lawyer, Raul. It's my obligation to fight for what's right and I will do it to the best of my abilities. Eventually they will find out and you have a life ahead of you. Do you want to spend it in juvenile? I don't think so.”

“If you could get me out of this I will never be able to repay you for what you've done, sir.” He said with gleaming hope in his eyes. “Please do not address me as Sir, my name’s Miles." The boy smiled, and the amount of warmth that brought to me was immense.

I gave him shelter at my place for the night as the next morning we were going to begin his fight for justice. Despite everything being reasonably congenial, he couldn't sleep. This might just be another night that Raul would have to pass sleepless. After all, the poor kids' mother was taken hostage. I tried to grab a shut eye but it was just impossible to sleep trying to fathom what Raul might be going through.

I wake up to a nice bright sunny morning. This is going to be a good day for Raul. He will soon get what he has longed for. “Raul! Come on. It's time to file a lawsuit. This case will definitely be won by us. After all, you have the most skilled lawyer in Seattle fighting on your behalf.” He didn't respond so I looked around the house, I couldn't find him anywhere. That seemed strange. I called out to him a few more times but no response. Perplexed, I grabbed my phone and wallet and left the house. Did he run away? Why would he? He couldn't have been abducted as the burglar alarms I've installed have tight security. I rushed to the nearest police department to file a missing complaint. I might have hit my head somewhere causing me to forget some part of yesterday night as I couldn't make sense of what was going on. This has to have a rational explanation.

On getting there, I inquired of the discerning of any dubious drug activity. He nodded and directed me to Officer Paige. “Yes there had been some suspicious drug dealing that had taken place recently but there's nothing to worry about. The accused, namely the gang’s head and a few other men who have all been sentenced to 60 years treason for the abuse of narcotics and murder. This was kept undisclosed to the media as we didn't want to initiate any unwanted drama. After investigating further we found a dead woman overdosed on LSD. On testing her DNA samples we found out that she's the mother of a 15 year old suicide victim who was also-“ “Suicide?!” I asked in shock. “Yes, his name is Raul peters. Is he identified to be your relative or someone you might know?” "When did this take place?" I asked trembling. "About a week ago."

My legs had gone numb. I couldn't stand. Is this some sort of hoax? I found a chair to sit. I needed a minute to gather everything that just happened and reconcile myself to the fact that it just might have been some spectral coincidence. This seemed paranormal. A vision. A message. Raul.