A few days after the news of James, things for me turned in a different light.

I welcomed being there.

I had found Nicole after her class and hugged her for at least 5 minutes. Apologizing for my behavior.

I had pushed her away for my own selfish needs and she was just a child that didn't understand why I had done that.

However, things were better.

**

Today the three of us were going shopping.

Nicole and I had convinced Hika we wanted art supplies for projects.

I had mainly wanted to get my hands on supplies, so I could create a few pieces, but crafting things for Nicole and I would be great too.

After I got my sweater and sneakers on I made my way down the stairs and froze once I got to the last step.

Six men stood at the front door, along with Nicole and Hika. Two were dressed in suits and the rest in casual clothing, and they were all chatting amongst themselves.

"Hika, what's going on?" He looks over at me and smiles.

"Come over here little one, we need go over a few thing before we head out."

I walk over hesitantly. "I'm confused, who are all these guys?" I asked in a low voice.

He smiles and chuckles at my awkwardness.

"Listen up!" HIka says in a firm loud tone that makes me jump.

"These two are your top priorities." He points and Nicole and I.

"Those of you that are casual dressed are meant to blend with the surrounding. You're eyes should always be on your target. Never lose sight. THE MOMENT ANYTHING OR ANYONE INTERFERES WITH YOUR TARGET, YOU ARE TO IMMEDIATELY ENGAGE! UNDERSTOOD!?" Hika yells out.

"YES BOSS!" They respond in unison.

The men all exit along with Nicole but Hika held me back.

"Take this phone and little pocket knife. My number is programmed on speed dial one. Zeke is on spped dial 2. Your location is on and We both with be tracking you, just in case, you're broken off from the group. These men are for yours and my daughter's safety as well as my comfort. I wont let anything happen to you little one."

Hika leans down and kisses me lightly on the lips. I put the phone in my sweater and the knife in my back pocket.

We got in the first, of three, cars and headed off.

****

We pull into the parking lot of the local mall. It's not very big, but it's big enough. They we're working on an extention of the mall so some parts of it were under construction

"Oooooh Nicolas! Look at that store. Can we go?" I notice she's spotted a store for plushies and trinkets.

I look over at Hika as he gives me a slight nod.

"Sure! Let's go hun." I laugh as we head in.

We were four stores in already, luckily the men that came with us carried our bags.

Nicole sure loved to shop. Surprisingly being with her, I grew a love for it too.

As we headed to our main attraction, The Art store, Hika sat at the bench right outside the store with Zeke.

 He picked up his phone and dialed one of the men.

"Follow them in, be hidden." He told the man on the phone. He looked over at us.

"I know you both are going to go nuts in this store, so take my card. Zeke and I are going to grab lunch for us.

The men are there with you. Nicole, no slime, we don't want an incident like last time."

"How was I supposed to know it would get stuck in my hair like that. It was glittery and I wanted to wear it." She whines.

I let out a laugh before tugging her into the store.

I let her shop for a few aisles. Both of us throwing random gems, glues, glitter, stencils, in the cart.

Then we reached the paint and canvas supplies.

Nicole held onto the cart as I looked over the paints and brushes.

"What kind of picture should we work on tom-"

I froze as hand went over my mouth. Nicole went to let out a scream and another man grabbed her.

I kicked and fought as best I could as we both were dragged out the emergency exit.

The guy that had me was big but I couldn't see Nicole and the other guy.

I knew they were right behind us though cause I could hear her muffled screams.

We were brought to an empty part of the mall that was under contruction.

 The guy that held me threw my to the ground and I landed hard on my side.

I whipped my head around to see where Nicole was and if she was ok.

Our eyes met, and a fear I had never felt ever in my life consumed me.

"James, please just let her go!"