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- 11/09/2020
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Salvation - 1. Chapter 1
Traveling one gets to see not only beautiful works of art, but you get to see all types of people. Depending on the country, you can see what is legal in one country and illegal in another country. In all of my travels, I learned that people would do anything to live or maximize their income, even at others’ expense.
My name is Carleton Jeffries, and by profession, I’m an international lawyer. Upon completing my law degree, I selected to stay an additional two years to study international law. As a result, many of my cases originate in the United Nations and from individuals who have come to know me through the UN.
I was sitting at an outdoor cafe having a late breakfast when I noticed several young boys hanging around a door across the street. I’d estimate their ages between 16 and 18. As I watched, I began to realize I was being watched as well. A young boy showed up with an older man. I watched as the other boys spoke to him. He turned to look at me. I knew they told him that I was watching them. The man spoke to the young boy who, after nodding, crossed the street. He approached me, sat down in the empty seat across from me. I didn’t say anything to him. From the reflection in the cafe’s window, I could see the other boys and the older man watching me. The young man who was sitting across from me kept looking at me. I continued to drink my coffee. I was curious to find out what the next step would be.
After about 15 minutes, the man began to cross the street. The young boy looked at me with panic in his eyes. He was afraid of something. Before the man reached us, I asked the boy if he wanted something to drink. He asked for a coffee. I signaled the waitress, ask for a refill for me, and order a cafe au lait for him. I gave him the menu and asked if he wanted something to eat. After looking at the menu, he pointed something to the waitress.
The waitress looked at me, and I nodded yes. Seeing this, the man retraced his steps back to the doorway. The waitress brought us our drinks and a sandwich for the boy. I asked her if there was a backdoor to the cafe. She said there was through the kitchen. “I’ll pay the bill inside if that’s okay.” She nodded yes and left me with the bill.
When the boy was finished with the sandwich, I told him I would pay the bill. Getting up, I spilled my coffee on purpose. I told the boy to go to the men’s room and clean up. He headed there. I followed to pay. I paid the bill knowing the group across the street could see me through the glass window.
After paying, I headed to the restrooms. When the boy came out, I took his hand and headed toward the kitchen. There I pointed out the back door. Entering the restaurant from the kitchen, I waited for about 10 minutes, went to the cashier, and decided to order a cab. I gave the man a large tip and told him if anyone asks, I wasn’t here. When the taxi arrived, the boy and I entered. I gave the cab driver the address of my hotel, and we were off. Arriving at my hotel, I gave the cab driver a large tip, “If anyone asks, you took us to the Wellington.” He smiled and took off.
Through all of this, the boy didn’t say anything. “Before we go further, I want you to know I’m not going to hurt you, nor are we going to have any sex. I have an offer for you, I can take you back to that corner, and that man or you can come with me, and I’ll make sure you never have to perform any sexual acts or be controlled by that man. The decision is yours.”
I’m not sure he believed me, for the first time he spoke, “If I go with you, I’ll not have to talk to strange men or go with them. I won’t have to listen to Daan?”
“That is right.
“Okay, but if you try and sell me, I’ll run away.”
“Okay, let’s go. I have some work to do to get you out of the country.” We went to my room. I sat at the desk and started to make a few phone calls.
“Can I take a shower?”
“Sure, I need the size of your clothing so I can order new clothes for you. Put your old clothes outside the door.”
There was a knock on my door, “Alex, come on in.”
“Where is your boy?”
“Taking a shower, I need some new clothes for him. I’ll call down and have someone go to the hotel shop and pick up an outfit for him. Then you can take his picture.”
