Setting them free

"Young Miss, we've arrived."

The voice faded as a gentle nudge touched Ava's skin. She yawned to form a big O unrestrained and realized that she did it in front of Ariana's giggling face.

"Young Miss, how are you feeling? Do you still feel sluggish or uncomfortable somewhere?" Ariana stopped musing over Ava's cute face and showed concern. She watched the girl stared at her as if reading what she was thinking. After some time, Ava finally shook her head indicating that she was fine.

"This is Glory Institution?" Ava asked as soon as Henry stopped near the security guardhouse. A man in a white uniform approached their car and started to interrogate him. He looked fierce compared to the calm Henry who answered every question earnestly.

Henry showed him a blue card, something that had the Glory Institution gold stamped on it. Seeing the card, the man finally relaxed.

"Please park your car in that area. There is a transportation and a guide waiting for Miss Ava there. I'm sorry but the two of you can't enter since you're both not her guardians," the man explained. He was polite and no longer showing the fierce looked he had earlier.

Henry thanked the man before driving the jeep to the area mentioned earlier.

"This is indeed that institution. Reputed for its strict rules!" Ariana complained. Her hand was holding Ava's hand and sometimes she would rub it to give her some warmth.

"There's nothing we can do. We have no letter to show that we're Young Miss Ava's guardians," Henry explained after he secured a parking area next to a black car that had the institution logo.

He unbuckled his seat belt and turned around to face Ava who was sitting at the backseat. Ariana was doing her hair and helping her put on a small coat at the same time. Henry sighed as they were not able to prepare a complete set of clothing to the Young Miss due to the urgency of coming back to save her.

He then said, "Young Miss, I'm sorry but we can only accompany you till here. But don't worry, this institution is rank one among all institutions. They have the best staff and protect their students well. The security is also tight. No one will be able to find you here. And your stuff, I believe some of it had been transferred here beforehand by Grandmaster,"

That was when they heard a knock on the mirror. Henry smiled at Ava before pushing the button that allowed the mirror to slide down.

"Is Ava Willow here?" A woman in her thirties, with the professionalism shown through her attire and the way she conducted herself flashed a smile after asking for Ava.

"I'm here," Ava answered from the backseat and motioned Ariana to open the door. They all came out of the car. Henry and Ariana were standing to Ava's every side.

"Good afternoon, I'm Miss Jackeline, the teacher-in-charge of Miss Ava's settlement to Glory Institution," Jackeline introduced herself. Her eyes were already aiming at Ava for she knew that the little girl was her future student.

"Good day Miss Jackeline. This is Ava," Henry introduced Ava to the teacher. His hand rested on Ava's slim shoulder.

"I see, how do you do?" Jackeline went down to her knees to greet Ava. She met her eyes' level and tried to communicate her sincerity. Seeing the little girl finally popped up a little smile, Jackeline was satisfied.

"Miss Jackeline, do you mind if I have a private chat with them?" Ava asked. She didn't want to waste any more time and knew that it was time to say goodbye to her two saviors.

"Sure. I'll be waiting in the car," Jackeline smiled before leaving the three of them alone. However, she couldn't hide the questioning look in her face after seeing the state Ava was in. The girl was too skinny!

"Sister Ariana, Brother Henry," Ava called their name. She paused and watched them waiting for her to continue speaking. There was also hope in their eyes. A hope for something they probably thought was impossible.

"Thank you for saving me. Now you are free from your debt to my Grandfather," she said with a knowing smile on her face. Both Henry and Ariana were shocked after hearing what she had to say.

"That... how," Henry stuttered. He stroked his hair nervously. Ariana was also having a complicated look on her face.

"Young Miss, we...about that matter. It's not that important. Our purpose is to protect you and we are sincere," she tried to explain as she was scared that Ava would misunderstand their intention.

However, what Ava was saying was the truth. Both Henry and Ariana were here only because they have debts with Willow Sr.

"I'm not suspecting any of you and I know that you are sincere. I said so because the two of you needed them. Besides, that was the condition given by my grandpa, isn't it? That you need to hear it from me," Ava smiled and watched as the two faces calmed down before became horrified and shocked.

"But how did you know about this?! Still, I'm thankful," Ariana mumbled and stared at Henry who was also gaped in shock. Then, as if being showered with understanding, they both heaved a sigh of relief.

"Young Miss, thank you!" they exclaimed. Ariana was already crying.

Ava could only smile and stared at the two who were now hugging each other. 'Grandpa, you gambled too much!' she thought.

The truth, Ava didn't know anything about Ariana and Henry but due to her ability to mind-reading, she knew what they needed the most. Both of them were convicted with a serious case of slandering money from her grandpa. And due to her grandpa's compassion, he gave them a second chance with the condition to set them free only when Ava declared them to be free.

The whole plot was prearranged by her grandfather, something that was tied to the fate of the people related to it. If Zen didn't go back to his home, then, her uncle and his family would never come to the residence. Her grandpa wouldn't die and neither would Ava being left alone in the forest.

Then, all of this wouldn't happen. Henry and Ariana's freedom probably would never occur.

Still, it did happen. And Ava was the key. If her kidnapper decided to kill her, then, this wouldn't happen. If the GPS wasn't activated? yes...if. There were lots of ifs.

But fate was on their sides even though it was cruel to them.

"Young Miss Ava. Thank you! But we have decided from a long time ago that we will serve you no matter what the task is. That's why, if you have any requests or instructions, please don't hesitate to contact us. Here is our contact and home address," Henry checked the inside of his pocket and took out a worn-out paper. Ariana gave him a pen and he wrote their details on that piece of paper.

"Are you sure? I will really ask for your help in the future and based on things right now, it will never be easy," Ava spoke as her eyes seemed to decline the piece of paper given by Henry.

"Young Miss Ava, we are siblings who had work with many dark organizations. We will be really helpful to you," Ariana convinced. Besides, she was now treating Ava as her little sister.

"Then, I'll accept this." Ava finally took the paper and put them inside the pocket of the coat she was wearing.

"Thank you," the siblings spoke in unison after they saw her kept the piece of paper inside her pocket.

Ava smiled at them before turning around towards the car that was waiting for her. "We'll see each other again," she said with her back against them.

The moment Ava entered the car, the driver started the engine and set off towards the entrance. From the rearview mirror, Ava could see the two people who had been with her the whole day were waving their hands. She curled her lips before engaging in a conversation with Jackeline.