Men In Black?

HAZEL -

From my vantage, I could sense that something seems out of order. I wish to halt that man from taking her away but it could just be her father. My family always made it clear to stay out of people's businesses on the streets. So I just watch as they exit the gymnasium.

"Arielle!?"

Within a few seconds, the two girls Katie and Bev rush out of their cubicle. They look around frantically. "Arielle!

"Where are you?!"

Uh oh, My suspicions proved right! Bev approaches me. "Hey excuse me? Have you seen a little red-haired girl about seven years old, this height with a black frock?" Her voice trembling and her eyes wild with concern.

"Oh my God, Rachael will kill me," Katie shouts over as she worriedly scans the crowd. "Where the hell is that brat?!"

"I saw that little girl! A man dressed in a black suit with shades was taking her away through those exits." I point quickly toward the exits and without a second thought -start rushing toward them hurriedly along with the two girls in tow.

"Oh my God, why did she leave with a total stranger ?!" I hear Bev yell furiously. "Katie didn't your sister teach her kids any better?! "

I provide a guilty glance back at the girls as I divulge. "He was restraining her, she was trying to free herself! I assumed he could have been her dad or something."

"Oh no, no, no!" Katie informs, dread lacing her voice. "She doesn't live with her dad !" When we exit out, we rapidly scan the parking lot, the clusters of people forming around and the ones strolling along.

Sunlight was almost disappearing as the evening sky expands over above us. It would be difficult to find Arielle if it got any darker.

"We need to split up, ask around!" I order firmly. "There is no time for standing and thinking!" The two girls nod quickly in agreement and hasten off in separate directions just as I do. Some few minutes pass as I receive only answers in negative from people walking along. How could anyone not have noticed a screaming child and a creepy guy that looks like he belongs on the movie set of Men In Black?

I spot a family having a picnic. They are reclining on one of the benches where the shrubbery begins and leads on to the start of a wooded trail. They could have been sitting here for a long so I dare to ask them.

"Oh yeah, there was this dude dressed like some agent, he was chasing after a little red-haired girl that way!" A kid around in his late teens, points toward the trail of trees leading deeper into the park. "He was calling after her, saying something like come back to your father! So we didn't think to stop him."

"Thanks, that's all I need !" I nod in gratitude and hasten in that direction. The clusters of people are left behind. Soon as I rush deeper into the park, there is barely anyone else here. I am left surrounded by trees and bushes, with only the sound of birds chirping. I stand still and listen carefully, for a few seconds I hear nothing but nature until there it was- a faint yelling of a male voice. It is barely audible but I start trekking toward it.

As I approach closer, I hear perfectly well and spot the hard-to-miss black suit of the man in all this greenery. I'm grateful for the dapples of sunlight that poured forth enough to reveal him standing before a very gnarly ancient tree. Tip-toeing closer, I notice something black stuck in the branches. I discover that it is Arielle in her black frock. She's perched up on the branches, her tiny black slipper-clad feet swinging back and forth.

I hastily conceal myself behind the trunk of another tree.

"Come on down Arielle! Be a good girl." The man goads.

"No! I want my mummy!" Arielle screams. She draws out one of her tiny fists from her dress pocket, then tosses the contents at the man's head. "I don't want your stupid lollies'n sweets!!"

The man brings up his arms in defense from the hard candies targeting his head. I hear him curse angrily under his breath before he retreats a few steps. He proceeds to slip out his phone and then immediately starts conversing with someone.

"Boss she's giving me trouble." He lifts his hand up to nervously scratch at his head. His suit blazer flaps back by the breeze briefly. Just as it does, I notice a gun holstered at his belt. My eyes widen in a mixture of fear and shock. A realization hits me, this is no ordinary man. I sense a queasy feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach. I'm not sure anymore if it is a good idea to be here alone without any police presence.

"Put her on the phone? Uh, can't do that boss." The man shifts the phone to his other ear before nervously adding. "cause she's sitting on a tree branch...far out of my reach."

Suddenly, he distances the phone away from his ears. He cringes at the obvious yells of chastisement bursting forth from the other end of the line. "She bit me, boss, what did you expect me to do then? I mean you clearly said not to restrain her with too much force." He tries expounding. "Uh, affirmative boss."

The call ends abruptly, he directs his attention to her. "Well Arielle you leave me no choice, I guess I'll just have to climb up there and get you myself." The man takes off his shades and pockets them. He studies the branches, trying to figure out which one to maneuver him to the top. Arielle slips off one of her shoes and tosses it at his head. He yelps. "Ouch! You lil bitch-I mean sweety don't do that!"

"I want my mummy nowwww!" She wails. My mind percolates with apprehension as I frantically look around myself again. I have to think of something quickly in order to keep this dangerous man away from Arielle. I survey my surroundings, searching for any people around. Much to my dismay, we three were the only ones this far out. But then an idea dawns on me. I am still carrying my shopping bag of full of clothes. I rummage through it and get ahold of a can of hair spray sample that Mister Cortes had provided.

I peer back at the man. He is reaching up for a branch. I tip-toe out from behind the tree trunk, the hair sprays in my hand concealing it behind my back. Beads of sweat roll down at my temples. I desire to snatch off the face veil but I knew better. Whoever this guy is, I don't need him to see my face. Inhaling deeply and trying to brush aside the fear clawing at my mind, I start taking steps forward in to their direction.

"I said get me, my mummy, now!" Arielle tosses her other shoe at the man's head before suddenly getting distracted by my presence behind him. Her eyes widen.

I hastily place a finger on my lips, gesturing for her to keep quiet. She immediately clamps her tiny hand over her mouth.

Ufff ! could she have been any more obvious?!

Luckily for me, the man doesn't notice as he focuses on grasping at a branch.

"Hey, mister!" I manage to say, albeit in a shaky tone.

I was close enough to him. I place my finger on the nozzle of the spray bottle, ready to brandish it as soon as he turns around..Which briskly he does. He reaches for his gun as soon as his surprised gaze meets mine. But not before I spray him right in the eyes. He lets out a yell as his hands defensively swat up to his eyes.

"Arielle, quick jump into my arms," I order, reaching out for her.

"I want my mummy!" she shook her head as tears trail down her red cheeks.

"I'll take you to your mummy, Your aunt Katie, she's worried for you! You must trust me!" I fearfully glance back and forth between her and the man. He is continuously rubbing his eyes. I swiftly form another idea to coax this kid.

"I'm princess jasmine!" I construe weakly. "Trust me!"

"How?" She queries, bottom lip trembling. A spark of curiosity shines in her eyes.

"Only princesses come to the rescue!" I divulge pleadingly, hoping she'd accept that excuse enough. She hiccups a sob and stares at me for a split second before jumping forward. I catch her victoriously. Hoisting her over to my back, I sprint forward away from the man.

"Get the fūck back here !!" He roars monstrously. "Or I'll fūcking shoot!!"

I freeze in dread as I glance back. He was still rubbing at his eyes instead of reaching for his gun. This relieves my fear and I continue running.