By the time I met up with Eva and James, I was physically and emotionally wrung out. Physically because I’d only slept for a few hours in the past day. Emotionally because I’d just witnessed Shauna’s reunion with her brother and then the cheering and crying and celebrations as the others were woken up and told of their new status as free people. Shauna and I were hugged and thanked and hugged some more. The phone conversations to loved ones was especially heart wrenching. Watching trained battle-hardened soldiers break down as they talked to their wives, children and mothers left me in tears on several occasions.
Everyone was full of questions and Shauna and I answered them as best we could. However, most of what we had to say was ‘Roger did it’, ‘He didn’t say how’, and ‘I have no clue’. After the questions, everyone took showers and changed into their new clothes, while Shauna and I prepared some food.
When the last bite had been eaten, Samuel brought up a practical matter.
“Shauna, I’ve got to check back in with my base and let them know the situation. I’m sure the others here will have to make similar calls. It’s going to raise a major shit storm. We’re going to be in debriefings for the next month and we don’t even know how we got out of there. As much as they’ll appreciate you getting us out of there, they’re going to be coming to you for some answers. We haven’t talked about it between ourselves, but if you need us to, then I’m sure that we’d all agree to leave you out of it completely.”
I answered for Shauna. “That’s a real nice sentiment, Samuel, but not necessary. Shauna told me what would happen if Roger managed to get you out of there and we’re prepared for it. You need to be completely truthful in what you report. All of you. If they try badgering us, we’ll be telling them to suck it. We’re civilians and we’re not in their chain of command. We’ve already spoken to our lawyers and they’re ready to get them to back off, if it’s necessary. Besides, Roger told me that if they give us too much grief, he won’t ever help them out again if they come asking.”
That last statement drew some nods and I finished with, “We also have one more thing to offer them, if they leave us alone. Roger liberated a copy of the prison hard drive and videos. There’s proof that they were holding children as hostages in that prison and I’m sure that the state department will have field day with that information.”
At this the German diplomat laughed out loud. “If I could have a copy of that as well, Abby, my government would be most appreciative.”
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“I’ll see to it.”, Shauna replied.
The group talked some more about their experiences in the prison, Samuel questioned Shauna about why she wasn’t in the army anymore, and everyone wanted to know where they were and what Hannah’s Home was. This last led to me sharing my story of how my mother was taken and how I’d set up the charity in honor of her.
“The property is like a retreat. We’re not fully set up yet, but when we are the people that stay here will have a safe and calm place where they can get the help they need to put back the pieces of their lives. I don’t think that many of you will have the option to, but I’m officially inviting any of you that want to stay here for awhile and get your bearings. You don’t need to decide right now. Think about it and let me or Shauna know. If you go back to your lives and feel the stress start to build and need a break, you’ll still be welcome. Right now though, Sister Clara is waiting to give you a check-up and make sure that you’re all healthy, so please follow Shauna to the clinic.”
I’d already scanned all of them and made sure that nothing was seriously wrong with them. Sister Clara would make sure though and she’d be able to tell them how to deal with their malnutrition. The group trooped out after Shauna to get poked and prodded. I took up the rear of the group and soon found myself next to Travis McKinley. He was the oil executive and Shelley was his niece and assistant. They’d been assured safety by a minister in the government while they were working on a deal in Venezuela, but the minister had run afoul of Maduro and their safety had disappeared. They were under house arrest for over a year before being brought to the prison. That was two years ago. His company had insurance to deal with these situations, but the Venezuelan government decided to make an example of him and hold him up to the public as the face of the imperialists who were trying to steal the wealth of the Venezuelan people.
“Abby, I just want to thank you again. It was bad enough that I was stuck in that hellhole, but to have Shelley there as well was killing me. I’m her godfather and ever since my brother and his wife were killed in a car accident five years ago, I’ve been looking after her. I shouldn’t have brought her with me on this trip. I don’t even remember how she talked me into it. Anyways, Shelley had a real tough time over there. I worried for her and I tried to keep her spirits up, only it got harder every day and she started slipping away from me. I think that this place might be good for her. I’ll need to go back home and see my wife and kids, but Shelley needs your kind of help. If she decides to stay, I’d like to cover all the costs for her time here and I’m hoping that my family and I could come visit her.”
“Travis, if Shelley wants to stay, she can. There isn’t anything to pay for because people like Shelley are the reason that we’re here. She wasn’t abducted to be sold into slavery, but she was abducted and imprisoned. We’ll help her all that we can. You and your family are welcome to come visit her anytime. If she stays here, she’ll keep the room she’s in and your family can stay with her when you visit.”
With tears in his eyes, Travis shook my hand and thanked me as we sped up to catch up to the others.