Danger. Truth. Uncertainty

"Emily, be careful with Rodrigo," Naomy said seriously. It was that tone of gravity that Emily didn't like. "Candice really showed a bad future."

"It’s always a bad future," Emily complained. "But why did she show that? My dad has taken me out. He buys me clothes and even a cell phone. Mom hit me and locked me up."

Emily’s phone rang, and she answered almost immediately. Naomy listened. She could hardly understand what Rodrigo was saying, but from her friend's replies, they were going to meet again that day. He had obtained permission to be with his daughter during this period while Sandra and Nina were under investigation.

"Let's go to your house," Emily explained to her friend. "Dad is taking me to the Chapultepec Zoo today. We can go together. I can call Karla and Lucía."

Juan was listening to the conversation. Before his sister could say anything, he nodded. He drove them back home, and there, while they were getting ready to leave, Naomy saw Candice again.

"What now, Candice?" Naomy asked. She was in a hurry and couldn't find a way to stop her friend.

"They aren't going for a stroll," Candice said sadly. "If they leave the house, it’s possible they won't return. I know I shouldn't help. I’m not allowed to, but..."

"Just... don't worry" Naomy ienterrupted, looking at Candice. The spirit had a sorrowful gaze and looked as if she were about to cry. "I'll do so,mething its too late."

Candice’s image suddenly vanished. Naomy heard the bathroom door open and saw Emily stepping out. She looked good in her new clothes and seemed to have put extra effort into her hair.

"There’s nothing to worry about, Naomy," Emily said, seeing that her friend was truly troubled. "What could happen on a trip to the zoo?"

"Don't worry about’a thing, kid," Juan said, realizing that if he didn't intervene, there would be a fight. "I’ll go with you."

The door rang. It was Karla and Lucía, who were excited about going to the zoo. It was an outing they knew they would enjoy. While they waited, Juan made calls, sent messages, and prepared in his own way. He had investigated Rodrigo’s name as best he could. He even spoke with Norma—not to involve her, but so she would be on standby. The vacation was about to be ruined, and Emily would need help.

"Don't worry, Juan. I’ll be waiting," Norma said before hanging up.

A horn honked, and the group headed out. It was obvious that Rodrigo did not expect a group of four girls and an adult for the trip. He said nothing and began to drive. He seemed uncomfortable, but he made an effort to chat. Juan noticed they were not on the way to the zoo.

"Where are we goin’?" he asked Rodrigo.

"Ah..." the question caught Rodrigo by surprise. "To the airport. It's just... I have to close out some pending business... That's all."

Juan said nothing more. He didn't move, and to ensure nothing grave happened, he didn't take out his phone. Rodrigo detoured toward Terminal 1 of the airport and pulled into the parking lot. He apologized and stepped out of the car.

"I wonder how long he'll be," Emily said. She hadn't expected to be there. "Can you imagine if I'm traveling to Monterrey today or tomorrow? It would be a great trip."

Juan was sending messages: "We are at the airport. I don't think he's buying tickets to go anywhere. I’ll stay alert." Sent to Norma's phone.

Rodrigo returned with two other people. He looked nervous but kept insisting he was calm. He opened the door where Emily was sitting.

"Emi, dear," he told her. His voice was trembling as he invited her out. "Would you like to earn your own money? Yes? Well, guess what? Today we are going to Monterrey. There you will start your new life... with me. How does that sound?"

Emily, with doubt get ut of the car. She felt akward, nervous and with fear when the companions of he father were too near her. Juan signaled for his sister and Lucía to go get help. Both left the car and started walking. Juan held back Rodrigo’s companions as best he could, and only Naomy managed to escape.

"Damn it," one of them said. "Let's go now!"

Rodrigo took Emily by force. Juan was struck, and Karla just sat paralyzed in the car, praying. She closed her eyes and whispered a prayer. Karla felt herself being pulled out of the car. She shrieked, screamed, and begged for help.

"It’s your damn fault!" one of the men yelled at Rodrigo. "How could you bring so many people?"

"I didn't expect it," Rodrigo tried to explain while struggling with his daughter, who was trying to escape. "Look on the bright side, we have three girls."

"Idiot, we’re in trouble," his companion explained, the one holding Lucía. He pulled her with force while she screamed. "Now we have to change plans."

The scandal was so great that people obviously pointed them out, called for attention, and stopped them. Naomy arrived with help and explained, as best she could, what was happening. Juan had to give a statement and confessed what he knew thanks to his friend.

Attempted kidnapping and potential flight. Emily now found herself in a vulnerable position. She remembered Dita and her situation. Now they were on equal terms. Except she still had a mother and a grandmother who probably wanted her back. But she had said they had hurt her. She tried to explain it was only once—that she wanted to go home and wanted it all to end. She wanted to see her mom.

Rodrigo was a wanted criminal, especially in the state of Nuevo León. He recruited women of all ages and promised them jobs. Did he deliver? Yes. But often they were jobs outside the law—in some maquila operating near the border that forced employees to work without insurance, without contracts, and often they were people Emily’s age. It was easier that way.

When they reached a certain age, the women managed to earn a bit more money. With fake passports, they crossed the border to earn that extra cash. It was a fairly complex network, and Rodrigo was part of that organization. He saw his daughter as an opportunity to settle a pending debt. At twelve years old, she would have gone to Monterrey and then to Nuevo Laredo to work as a seamstress in one of those maquila. After that, who knows.

Emily was terrified. She had trusted him. She had been taken out of a deplorable situation where she was abandoned and alone. They had made her believe she was loved, and then the truth hit her. Karla also had to be calmed down. She began to doubt her faith, her beliefs, when she heard her parents talking.

"It's my fault for letting her be with Emily," the mother remarked that same day. "I've been too permissive with her and her friendships."

"You yourself told her that friendship is important," the father corrected. "I think we should start planning to move or change her school. By September, we’ll surely find an affordable Catholic school."

"Will I have to start working again?"

"If possible, yes," the father explained. "We’ll save and move. It’s for her own good."

Karla cried. She didn't want to be separated from her friends, from her life in that neighborhood in Ecatepec. She was more afraid of that change than of what might happen to her friend. She couldn't even call Lucía or Naomy for fear of being judged. She already knew what they would say to her.