The Terror of The Boogey Man

The Beta Force

#2

The Terror of The Boogey Man

　

　

Chapter 1

　

　

Little Annie Brown knew there was something under her bed. She would tell her parents and they would check and find nothing. They would tell her it was just the heater humming against the wall making the floor vibrate. Minutes later she would call for them again saying there was something in the closet.  Just to humor her they would check to show she had nothing to be afraid of and saw nothing in there. They would give her a glass of milk for her to drink and then turned the lights off. She closed her eyes and was nearly asleep when she heard the floor creaking in the closet again. She did her best to ignore since her mommy and daddy had shown that she was safe…that was until the door creaked open. In all the years that her family had lived in their house the closet door never creaked! She saw a shadowy dark figure creep out of the closet with glowing red eyes. Annie tried to scream as dust was blown into her face and she fell asleep. The dark figure picked her up from her bed and took her into the closet with him.

“And this morning my parents called the police cause she was gone!” Rhonda Brown cried as she told Rodney in the lobby of his dorm which was called The Beta House. Like her sister she was African American and had the same type of curly black hair. Rodney was the new lead of security of USA High School of NYC since the previous lead was caught supplying drugs at a party a month ago. “The police said they had found nothing! No finger prints, no force of entry and the alarm to the house was still armed!”

“You said your parents called you this morning to your dorm first?” Rodney asked in wonder.

“Yeah for there have been times when she would sleep walk and find her way to my dorm.” She answered as she wiped the tears from her face. “Then they tell me she was missing and…she would never run away! She loved our family!”

“Did your parents tell you if she had said anything to them?” He asked as he took out his note pad and wrote down all the facts onto it.

“That the last few nights she had told them that there was something under bed, and then in the closet.” She told him.

“Anything else?”

“Not that I can think of…but I’m not sure what you could do that New York’s finest couldn’t do.” She said with doubt in her voice.

“I’m just going to spread the word around to some people I know and see if anything comes up.” He assured her.

“Well if anything thanks for listening Rod.” She thanked him as she stood up.

“Just hang in there ok, I’m sure a clue will pop some where.” He told her encouragingly.

“I hope so.” She agreed as she walked away.

Rodney left the lobby and went into the elevator and pressed the button that only he and the others knew about and would only respond to his DNA. It took him down to the underground headquarters of The Beta Force. The others were waiting for him to show up to their morning work out. When he showed himself they teased him. “About time you showed up. We were just about to send out a search party.” Techno told him with a Cheshire Cat grin.

“A search party is exactly what we need.” Rodney said as he activated his Bio-Suit to become The Green Defender.

“Come again?” Detector asked. Green Defender had them all sit down and told them what had happened to his friend Rhonda.

“Aren’t kidnappings normal in big cities like this?” Shellshock asked.

“Yes, but I did some checking.” Techno answered as she studied her tablet. 

“According to the research I just got done doing there’s been a total of 25 kidnappings in the last week.”

“Sounds like we have a Serial Kidnapper on our hands.” Green Defender declared, “Boy and girls this is the only case we have until it’s solved!”

　

Chapter 2

　

　

Annie woke up feeling a little drowsy. She knew she wasn’t in her room the cold hard floor proved that instantly and her feet were shackled to the wall. Now that she was able to see clearer she was able to see that she wasn’t the only one chained up, but also in a cage with 3 other kids in it with her. Around her were other kids her age, some younger, and some a little older no more than 12. She also saw that they had collars around their necks, and she felt around her neck and found she too had one. “Don’t try to take it off.” The boy across the room warned her.

“Why not?” She asked hoarsely from not having anything to drink.

“It’ll shock you.” He told her as he moved his low enough for her to see a burn mark on his neck.

“How long have you been here?” She asked them. Each of them held a number, the boy that had warned her showed he was 11, the girl next to her was 10 like her. And the other boy with them was 9. “I’m Annie.”

“Leonard.” Said the boy with the burnt neck.

“Sandra.” Answered the other girl.

“Donald.” The other boy told her.

“Who took us?” She asked.

“I did little one.” Came a voice in the darkness. "You may call me The Boogey Man.”  He came into the light and showed that he was wearing a black suit with a black scarf covering his face. He also had a scar on his forehead. Behind him was a cart with food and juice on small plates and glasses. “Time for breakfast.” He pressed a button on a remote control on his right arm showing that he was left handed and doors opened up. He went into the cage and placed a tray of food for all of them. “Now to you new ones don’t worry I’m a kidnapper not a murderer.” He joked darkly. “I have more brothers and sisters to join with you soon, and then you will have new families…and before any of you say “I want to go home”. Let me tell you something, 'Whom the Boogey Man takes never goes home.' Now that you’re all fed I shall leave.” He pressed another button on his remote and the doors shut. “And remember, I’ll be watching.” He laughed evilly as he left and a door shut.

“I want out of here.” Annie said as she took a bit of bacon. “And what did he mean other brothers and sisters?”

“It means that he has more kids to take away from their homes.” Leonard told her. “He’s been telling us that the last couple of days.”

“And each night he brings them in.” Sandra added.

“Then the only way we’ll get out of here is if the angels come and get us.” Donald said as he gulped down some of his juice.

“I’ve told you before Donald there’s no such things as angels.” Sandra told him.

“I believe you Donald.” Annie told him giving him a wink.

“You do?” All three of them asked.

“Of course, you mean you’ve never heard of The Christmas story?” Annie asked them and the shook their heads. “Then let me tell you.”

The Boogey Man stared into the monitor watching the children talk. He remembered what it was like to be a child once, innocent, naïve and all the other traits that children carried with them. He dismissed the thoughts out of his head, he had to remind himself that he had a job to do, a job that he and he alone could do. He looked at the list of names of those whom he had been watching every night. He could only take 5 or 6 pending on their size in his truck, so he had to pick carefully. He crossed out the names of whom he had already taken, and then circled the ones that was to come next. The door opened behind him, “I was wondering when you were going to show up.” He said as he turned around.

“Don’t talk to me like that.” The woman said as she closed the door. “Don’t forget your place.”

“I have work to do, and before that I need my sleep, it is the only way for my powers to be at their full capacity.” He reminded her.

“I know, and must I remind you that it was I who first taught you?” She scorned him, “That without me you wouldn’t be the man you are today.”

“No, there’s no need for that.” He told her softly.

“Good! Now go to bed, and I’ll wake you up when it’s time for you to get up.” She told him. “Good night my boy.”

“Good night, Mother-May-I.”

　

　

Chapter 3

　

　

As soon as the teens were out of school for the day they regrouped in their underground headquarters to decide their first move. “I checked with a friend of mine that works in the New York Daily.” Boom Box said as they sat down, “Turns out the kids that have been abducted thus far are ages from 9-12. The parents all said the same thing; kids would say there was something under the bed, and/or closet. Within two days of the kids complaining about it they’re gone the next morning.”

“Maybe the kidnapper has access to the alarm system?” Plantra suggested, “That way there would be no sign of force entry.”

“That would be the case if their arming system log hadn't showed that it had been armed since the time they had gone to bed.” Techno answered.

“But how can he get in undetected?” Jinx wondered.

“Maybe he has the ability to teleport?” Aquatrina brought up.

“That could very well be.” Detector agreed.

“It’s a start. I’ll go to Rhonda’s house.” Green Defender said as he got up, “She said she’s going to stay home with her parents during this crisis.” He grabbed a device out of the gadgets station where Techno put all of her finished gadgets. “If we are dealing with a teleporting kidnapper, than this will find residue traces of the energy that he releases.”

“Want me to go with you?” Techno asked.

“No thanks, I think it’s best I go by myself.” Green Defender told them.

“That means the rest of us will go out and patrol. No sleeping and being lazy this weekend team.” Boom Box told them and they departed.

Rodney walked up to Rhonda’s house wishing that he was coming here under better circumstances. The house was blue with white trim, and Christmas lights lit up with a manger scene in the front lawn. He knocked on the door, and Rhonda offered for him to come in. “I just wanted to check on see if there was any news yet?”

“Not yet.” She answered, “You wanna meet my parents?”

“Yeah that’d be great.” He said with a friendly smile. They went into the family room and she introduced him to her folks. “I wish I could meet you under better circumstances.”

“The feeling is mutual.” Mrs. Brown agreed softly.

“Rhonda said that you work in the security department at your school.” Her father started to say, “Are you planning on following a career in law enforcement?”

“I was actually thinking of becoming a Private Investigator.” He answered as he sat down on the sofa with Rhonda.

“My dad was a police officer for years. He worked in the Special Victims Unit.” Rhonda explained.

“That was until the last case put me in this chair.” He said as a solemn look came over his face. “Was hunting down a kidnapping ring…got too close. Trust me son, it’s honor for one to serve whether military or police, fire, EMT. But there are times it comes at a cost. Just a hint of wisdom.”

“I appreciate it.” He nodded, “Would you mind if I looked at Annie’s room. Maybe a fresh set of eyes is what you need.”

“Though I feel that you wouldn’t find anything, but it couldn’t hurt…and thank you.” Mr. Brown said with small smile.

“Yes, thank you.” Mrs. Brown repeated, “It’s nice to see that there are still decent young men out there.”

Rodney nodded in thanks and Rhonda showed him upstairs, and into Annie’s bedroom. He took the device out of his coat pocket, that looked like a flash light, got down onto floor and shown the light underneath the bed. The light was red, and it showed blue residue on the floor. He got up, and then looked into the closet with device and again showed blue residue. “Great, just great.” He moaned.

“What is it?” Rhonda asked.

“Nothing, I didn’t find anything.” he told her, “Could you please give me a minute I gotta make a phone call.”

“Sure, sure, I’ll be right down the hall.” She told him as she left.

He took out his communicator and said, “Green Defender to Beta Force we’re dealing with exactly what we thought.”

“Well someone who can teleport would make the best kidnapper.” Boom Box said.

“True, which is why I want Techno to head back to base and do some search parameters.” Green Defender said, “Key words, teleportation, kidnapping, and boogey man.”

“Boogey Man?” Techno asked.

“Yes, we might be dealing with someone who is mimicking after the myth based off a mythical creature that would kidnap children in their sleep…hold on a minute.” He paused as he looked upon Annie’s bed, and saw some powder on the bed. “That’s no type of powder I’ve ever seen before.” He pulled a small tube out of his coat, and scraped some into it. “There was some powder on the bed. I’m gonna take this to the lab at Dr. Strong Bear’s lab and see what we can find out about it. Green Defender out.” He put the tube into his coat after he had sealed it. He also put away the Tracer device and his communicator, opened the door and there stood Rhonda!

“Did I just hear you say ‘Green Defender’?” She asked him. “As in you're the Green Defender?”

“Yes, that’s exactly what you just heard.” He told her honestly.

“She wasn’t the only one.” Mr. Brown rolled up into the room with gun in hand. “You’re not going anywhere until you explain some things.”

“There’s no need for the gun sir.” Rodney told him, “I’m only here to help. I’ll be more than happy to explain, if you promise to put the gun down.”

“Very well, but if I don’t like what I hear…I’ll kill you where you stand.” Mr. Brown promised and they went back into the family room.

　

　

　

Chapter 4

　

　

Rodney sat down and started from the beginning. He told them how he had been selected along with others to be sacrificed, but then was rescued by The Alpha Squad. Then he told them him and the others being asked to be the new Beta Force, and now that Rhonda was looking for help that he and the others wanted to help. “So you want to help us huh?” Mr. Brown asked doubtfully, “Tell me one bit of information that the police couldn’t find.”

“Very well.” He grabbed the Tracer and asked them to follow back into the bedroom. He asked Rhonda and her mom to look underneath one side of the bed while he took the other. He shown the light once again and there was blue residue. “What you’re seeing is residue of energy that is left after someone has teleported. And if you would now look into the closet, you’ll see the same thing.” He showed them, and they all saw it. “This is how the kidnapper was able to get in and out of here without you even knowing it.”

“So Annie was telling the truth.” Mr. Brown said, “There was something in the closet and all.”

“But if that’s so why would he spend that much time to kidnap Annie?” Mrs. Brown asked.

“He was scoping out the scene.” Mr. Brown answered, “Waiting for the perfect moment.”

“That would be the most logical answer.” Rodney agreed. “I also found this powder on her bed.” he pointed it to them.

“The police said it was glitter.” Rhonda told him.

“So they just dismissed it without checking?” Rodney asked.

“Yeah, that’s our tax dollars at work now these days.” Mr. Brown said sarcastically.

“Are you folks satisfied that I’m here to help?” Rodney asked them, and they nodded. “I promise you me and the rest of The Beta Force will do everything we can to find your daughter.”

“Thank you, and sorry for pulling the gun on you.” Mr. Brown told him.

“Understandable given the circumstances.” Rodney assured him, “I’ll be in touch, I need to get back to base.” He said opening up the window, and flew out.

“That’s an amazing boy you’ve found yourself a friend in Rhonda.” Her mom told her.

“Yes, mom, up until now, I had no idea how amazing he was.”

Green Defender returned to The Beta House HQ and met up with Techno. He gave her the analysis that Dr. Strong-Bear was able to produce. “It’s sleeping powder.” Green Defender told her, “To be sure the kids don’t scream before they’re taken.”

“This guy is smart.” Green Defender nodded, “Any luck on the search?”

“Yeah, not very much though. This guy is new from the information that I’ve gathered.” Techno explained, “He does go by the name of The Boogey Man. He’s never been caught and also he works in time intervals.”

“Meaning?” Green Defender asked.

“He works as a professional kidnapper offering his services to kidnap people for ransom.” She told him plainly, “Once the money is paid off, he goes back into hiding…”

“And comes back when money is getting low. Smart very, smart of him.” Green Defender finished.

“But here’s the strangest thing, he’s never kidnapped this many at one time.” Techno added.

“Then that means…we need a list of names of all the kids that have been kidnapped thus far.” Green Defender instructed, “I have a hunch, there’s a form of connection here, we just need to find it.”

　

　

　

　 Chapter 5

　

　

He knew he was dreaming, he knew what he was dreaming was the past. But that’s what he needed, he needed to remember the hatred of the other kids at the orphanage all those years ago. Watching the lucky ones get picked to be with families, as he looked through the windows praying his turn would come...but his turn never came. But his life changed when he realized that he could move from place to place with but a thought. He first started pick-pocketing people and when they chased after him he would disappear. This lasted for months, and soon he would be old enough to be on his own, and have the cash to be on his own for the rest of his life. That was until that fateful night…when he came back and found the orphanage in flames. The American Riots had started because the United States government had joined in with The New United Nations. People burned it down just for sport, for their homes had been taken away so they had to be sure that kids had no place to live either. All the kids had made it safely out, but all that he had collected was now gone. A young woman walked up to him and held him in her arms, “Don’t worry young one, they will pay some day, so swears Mother-May-I.” When he heard her voice from all those years ago he awoke, it was time to get back to work.

Annie told the stories of The Bible to the kids not only in her cell, but the surrounding cells. Then those who couldn’t hear were told by those who could hear it. Annie first told them of The Christ Child being born in a barn, and that angels had told simple shepherd’s and how a star had led three men from a far away land to see Him. Then she went on how He escaped with his family to Egypt because the king wanted him dead. For hours she kept telling them of life of Jesus, she was at the part of him being baptized when lunch was served. After they ate she started up again, and continued telling them of the story of Jesus.

Mother-May-I had fed the children their lunch and went back to the monitoring room. When they looked at her with those eyes of hope, she remembered when she first became a Social Worker to help kids who had no home. That was until they burned down the home of which she had lived all those years ago, long before The Boogey Man. She had found him standing there with the rest of the children staring at the home they had lost. She saw something special in him and took him in as her own, and later found out about his secret. She knew then how she would get back at the system that had promised to help children but then when it came to the need to rebuild the orphanage they put up office buildings instead. She with the help of her “son” they would kidnap kids that were placed into homes that weren’t all that well to do, and sell them to rich people that wanted to have children to be their heirs…or slaves.

Boogey Man came into the room and stared at the list, “I see they have been behaving themselves.” 

“Yes, one of the girls that you had brought here last night is telling them stories out of an old book.” She spat. “But it is keeping them occupied, so I’m not going to complain.”

“Two more nights, and then we will be rid of them.” He reminded her. “Then our benefactors will have their presents just in time for Christmas.”

“Not only will they have their gifts but we’ll have ours…a nice fat bonus.” She laughed evilly as she twirled her fingers in her fading golden hair.

“Yes, and then we can go back into hiding for a long time.” He said pleasingly.

“Well when they are so willing to pay us $20,000 a head, how can we not live for a good while without the law on our heels.” She agreed.

“Time for me to leave.” Boogey Man told her as he put his scarf around his face with only his eyes, and forehead showing. “Mother-May-I leave to go to work?”

“Yes you may my dear one.” She said as she kissed his forehead, “Make Mother-May-I proud.”

“Always to please you.” He bowed and teleported out of the room.

　

　

　

　

                         Chapter 6

　

　

Night time was falling upon the city of New York. The Beta Force met together to brainstorm on what to do next. “So this is what we know of our kidnapper.” Boom Box started the meeting as team leader, “He goes by the name of The Boogey Man, and he’s been around for the past ten years now. A name wasn’t added to his M.O. until about two years ago. Since he started he has been kidnapping kids from well off families and selling them on the black market. There has been speculation of who buys the kids but without positive proof the cases had been put up onto the shelf. The kids that he kidnaps are kids that have already been adopted…”

“Wait come again?” Green Defender asked.

“The victims…they were kids that were adopted.” Boom Box repeated.

“So those are his main targets, not those with birth parents.” Jinx added.

“But where does that leave us?” Shellshock asked.

“I checked all of the names of kids he’s taken so far, it would appear he’s gotten more brave.” Techno mentioned.

“What do you mean?” Detector asked.

“Other kids he’s kidnapped are kids of cops, all from the…” Techno swallowed.

“From whom?” Asked Micro.

“Special Victims Unit.” She finished.

“Techno cross check the names of all the kids whom haven’t been taken that fit’s his targets of norm.” Green Defender told her.

“On it.” She assured him.

“Everyone suit up, and spread the city. As soon as Techno contacts you head to the nearest address. And let us hope that leads us straight to Boogey Man.” Boom Box instructed.

“I’m going back to Rhonda’s, I believe her dad can help us out on this.” Green Defender told him, and Boom Box nodded and he was gone in a flash.

 

 

Chapter 7

　

　

Green Defender sped to her house and went right into there without knocking. 

“Sorry for me barging in like this but I really need your help Mr. Brown.”

“How can I?” He asked as he offered him a seat.

“Annie, did you adopt her?” Green Defender asked him.

“Yes, yes we did.” He said calmly, “She was just four years old when I was on my last case. I was shot in the back after I put her in my arms, taking her away out of the place. The kidnapper had fled but left his partner behind, a woman, the kids called her, ‘Mother-May-I.’ She was the one that shot me in the back, was just about to take the kid when…he came for her…The Boogey Man…it’s all coming back to me.”

“So they were behind the kidnapping ring you were trying to stop.” Green Defender deduced.

“Yes, and they swore they would get back at me, and now they have.” He then looked to his wife, “I knew after I came home after getting out of the hospital we should’ve moved, but there wasn’t any place that an ex-cop could go. I had to stay in NYC until my contract with PD was supposed to be done and it was the only way I could receive my pension.”

“The Boogey Man is kidnapping kids not only those whom have been adopted but those of your old unit.” Green Defender told him. “But the information you gave will help us. Now I need to get back to the streets…” Green Defender said as he got up.

“One more thing.” Mr. Brown stopped him, “They tend to be use abandoned warehouses.”

“Thanks, I’ll be sure we use the information to best of our abilities.” He told them, and left.

“Dad tomorrow’s Christmas Eve, do you think they’ll find them all?” Rhonda asked.

“I’ll pray until I can’t pray no more.” He told her, as they put their hands together, and prayed that God would deliver.

　

　

　

Chapter 8

　

　

Christmas Eve morning was a long time coming to The Beta Force. They had spent all night patrolling the areas. Each time that Techno had found a name the closest to them would go, but by the time they would get there the kid would be gone. They returned to The Beta House to regroup and rest. After getting three hours of sleep they met together to plan a strategy out. “This Boogey Man is slippery like an eel.” Jinx complained.

“Here’s the bad news.” Techno started to say, “Somehow he was able to get the rest of them that were on the list.”

“What was the total?” Boom Box asked.

“Ten…the main reason, most of them lived in the same area.” Techno answered.

“Okay let’s retract a bit, his normal count is five.” Green Defender began, “IQ2 bring up a map of all of the victims.” Within seconds the map of NYC showed up onto the screen with red blips showing where the victims lived. “When he first started out he would only take five, mainly because of the distances.”

“Which means he can only teleport short distances and can only carry so many.” Shellshock deduced.

“Exactly and since these last ten lived so close together he didn’t have to expend so much energy.” Aquatrina finished.

“Then the only question is, is where did he take them?” Plantra asked.

“I can answer that.” Micros’ voice came through the intercom.

“Micro! Are you playing in the com system again?” Techno complained.

“No, and don’t shout! Look I was able to locate the last of the kids just in time to see him load them up in an old ice cream truck. I jumped into it, but when I landed I hit my head against something and was knocked out.”

“We’ll lock onto your communicator and…” Boom Box stared to say.

“Wait there’s more.” Micro interrupted, “The Boogey Man isn’t working alone, I’ve spent the last few minutes doing some recon, he’s working with a woman who calls herself Mother-May-I. Plus I overheard her talking on a cell phone, their buyers are planning on showing up tonight to buy the kids from them.”

“Good work Micro, what time will those people be showing up?” Green Defender asked him.

“8:00pm.” Micro answered.

“You stay there, and if there’s any changes let us know.” Boom Box told him.

“Will do boss man, Micro out.”

“I’m going to let Rhonda and her family know what’s going down.” Green Defender told the others. “Plus I think it’s possible if Mr. Brown is able to convince his old unit to help him.  And if they are able to, then we don’t have to worry about all those buyers escaping.”

“Good idea, and by the time you get back we should have a plan of attack.” Boom Box told him.

“See you in a bit.” Green Defender told him and flew away.

About twenty minutes later Rodney walked into Rhonda’s home. “We found the kids!” He said as they let him.

“Where are they? Are they safe?” Mrs. Brown asked.

“They’re in abandoned warehouse in the Bronx.” He answered.

“Then why are you here and not saving them?” Mr. Brown asked with irritation in his voice.

“For one reason we have a guy with them right now, and don’t worry they won’t see him unless he returns to his normal size. Secondly the buyers are showing up tonight.”

“Then I apologize for my outburst. And I see where you’re going with this, you’re going to arrest them all tonight.” Mr. Brown said.

“Yes, but I need your help.” Rodney told him, “Contact your old unit, and tell them you have information on where the kids are, and to wait for our signal.”

“Why don’t you tell them yourself?” Mrs. Brown asked.

“Because they won’t listen to me. I’m a wanted person as The Green Defender.” Rodney told her.

“I’ll call my old partner, and will tell him what you told me, but here’s my question who’s behind all of this?”

“A man who calls himself The Boogey Man, and woman who goes by the name of Mother-May-I.” When he said that he saw Mr. Brown cringe in his chair. “It’s the same ring whom you tried to break up those years ago.”

“Then I’m going with you.” He said as he headed towards his gun cabinet.

“Wait! Dad you can’t be serious!” Rhonda protested.

“Yes I am. If there’s anything that I regret was stop being a cop. The other was that I was never able to bring in those two. And if there’s one thing I’ve tried to teach you girls is that once you start something finish it, otherwise you’ll regret if for the rest of your life.”

“You’re right dad.” Rhonda admitted.

“I’m ready when you are.” Mr. Brown told Rodney as he activated his Bio-Suit.

“Then let’s go.” Green Defender grabbed a hold of the handles of the wheel chair and they were off.

Hours later The Beta Force met together one last time to plan out their strategy. “Okay everyone here’s the plan.” Boom Box started, “We’re going to sneak into the ware house at 7:45pm. As soon as all the buyers are inside, and from the information that Green Defender was able to get from Mr. Brown the buyers will most likely take their time finding the child they want. While they are doing that Techno will be sealing off all of the exits with a special foam that will keep them from opening the doors. There will only be one exit, which Shellshock and Detector will be guarding. The rest of us will place ourselves in positions to apprehend as many as we can. Now here’s the catcher we need to catch the buy being done on tape. So Techno will have to place a camera where the video recorder can record it from the roof tops, and Micron will be taping it on audio so that way the police will have their evidence. Then once that is done, Techno will send up signal flare from the roof tops to let the police know that we’re ready for them to storm the place. Now our job is to make sure no one leaves the place until all of the buyers have been arrested. Now as far as The Boogey Man is concerned we want him to teleport as much as he can in short distances. This way once he has expended his energy we’ll just need to stun him.”

　

　

“Now there’s also the woman known as Mother-May-I. She’s the leader of the Kidnapping Ring. Now if she somehow escapes then that’s okay, they’ll be a surprise waiting for her.” Green Defender added.

“But what if any of the buyers are able to get out of the warehouse?” Plantra asked.

“I see where you’re going with that question.” Boom Box told her, “While they’re in there, Shellshock will take care of their cars…all but one.”

“Yeah I’m going to have a lot of fun doing that.” Shellshock said rubbing his hands together.

“And while the police are also working arresting everyone, Jinx and Micron will get the kids to safety.” Boom Box finished.

“What do I get to do?” Time-Out asked.

“When they’re getting the kids out of there, you can use your ability to give them some extra time getting the kids out…but only in that area.” Boom Box instructed.

“I’ll do my best.” She assured him.

“Okay team, it’s time for us to go.” Boom Box told them as he got up from the table.

“Beta Force, it’s action time!” They all said together as they headed out.

　

　

　

　

　

                         Chapter 9

　

　

The Beta Force got into position as Techno had radioed in that she had sealed all the exits but the one, and that the video recorder was set. Micro said he would be ready as soon as the buyers arrived. Everyone else placed themselves and used their invisibility belts to ensure stealth. “Micro are the kids okay?” Green Defender asked.

“Yeah, should I let them know that helps on the way?” He asked.

“Yes, find the one named Annie, she’s one that we can trust.” Green Defender told him.

“I know who she is, she’s been keeping the kids’ hope with telling them about the life of Jesus.” Micro acknowledged. “Talk about your child like faith huh?” He then went into the cage where Annie was, and upped his size enough for her to see him. “Annie, down here!”

“Are you an angel?” Annie whispered.

“No, but thanks for the compliment. My name is Micro I’m with The Beta Force.” 

“Are you here to help us?” Sandra asked.

“Yes, but we have to wait until a certain time. And when that happens we’ll get you to safety. Now I’m going to shrink down and place myself into your ear. All you have to do is barely whisper and I’ll hear ya okay?”

“Okay.” Annie said as she saw him shrink down.

The cars started to pile in and the buyers went inside. Once the last one went in, Shellshock came out of his hiding place and started crunching their cars. Boom Box and the others watched as the buyers came in and Mother-May-I brought the children out of their cages, with Boogey-Man at the guard. “Can you believe all who has showed up here?” Techno broke in on their communicators, “The mayor and his wife, a couple of celebrities, people you wouldn’t think would be involved in this.”

“Evil comes in all forms and shapes.” Boom Box commented.

“Welcome everyone.” Mother-May-I greeted them, “Now as you can see all of these children are of fine quality. Be sure you take your time and see which one you would like to buy.”

Minutes passed that felt like hours to the kids and The Beta Force, and finally The Mayor was the one to make the first buy. “Time-Out you’re up.” Boom Box told her. Time-Out deactivated her belt and used her ability to freeze time, allowing only the members of The Beta Force and kids to move freely. Time-Out pleaded the kids to follow her as Micro returned to normal size to prove that all was safe. They led them to where Jinx was and she had made a doorway by using her ability to change matter of the wall to paper. Time-Out signaled that there was only thirty seconds left, and they got all of the kids out of there. When time returned to normal the buyers and kidnappers noticed that the kids were all gone.

“What kind of trickery is this?” The Mayor demanded.

“I was just about to ask you the same thing.” Mother-May-I told him.

“The trick is on all of you!” Boom Box told them as they all became visible. “Beta Force go!” And with his loud voice he knocked over some of the buyers.  As they got up they tried to find an exit but they were all sealed. Techno fired up the signal and the police immediately stormed the place. The Beta Force used their Stun Bolts to stun the buyers so the police could arrest them. Aquatrina formed a wave of water to prevent some of the buyers from going out of the only exit. Plantra had some entangled within some vines. Detector kept track of who was all left from using his abilities of sight and sound, and relaying it to the others.

The Boogey Man went after the kids to try to get some of them back, and found himself facing Micro, Jinx, and Time-Out. “Give me back those kids!” He demanded.

“Forget it you creep!” Time-Out told him, “The only thing we’ll give you is a beat down that you should’ve gotten as a kid.”

“You know nothing of my childhood! Nothing!” He cried he went to grab one of the kids and teleported out…but he couldn’t. “What gives?” He asked in desperation. The kid stomped him on his foot, and Micro punched him in the face and knocked him out.

“That was easier than we thought!” Jinx said as she took off his scarf and turned it into ropes and tied him up.

The Beta Force and the NYPD was able to arrest all of the buyers, but Mother-May-I had some how was able to escape. She ran out of the warehouse thanks to an unknown escape hatch that wasn’t in the buildings plans. She saw that all of the cars had been destroyed and then saw the ice cream truck that Boogey-Man had used for his kidnappings. She climbed into it, and took out her set of keys to start the car…when a gun was pressed to her head. “Been a long time Mother-May-I. And I’ve waited years for this.” A voice came from behind her.

“Officer Daniel Brown.” She said in an even tone, “It’s been a long time.”

“Too long! Because of you I’ve been stuck in a wheel chair all these last few years but now…” He cocked the gun. “I can at least be sure to get what I’ve always wanted.”

“Are you going to kill me?”

“No…as much as that would satisfy me, but it won’t give me back my legs.” he told her as he handed her a pair of hand cuffs. “I’d rather see justice be served.”

“Looks like you got me.” She said, and was about to turn around to shoot him with a gun that was hidden under her shirt sleeve, when she was shot down by a stun bolt.

“Looks like I got here in time.” Green Defender told him.

“More ways than one son.” Mr. Brown assured him.

The police put all of the buyers into vans to be processed at the nearest police department. The kids were put into ambulances to be taken to hospitals where their families would be waiting for them. The Beta Force knew their work was done and left. When they returned to The Beta House there was a message from Rhonda saying for all of them to come to her families’ house for Christmas Dinner.

“Well how about that?” Boom Box queried.

“Looks like we have a place to eat.” Jinx said with a big smile.

“Hey better than what I had planned.” Green Defender said.

“Oh and what was that?” Time-Out asked.

“Spam.” He said with a grin.

“Okay that is just disgusting.” Techno said as she went to her lab.

“I’ll think a nice juicy ham is a lot better than Spam my friend.” Boom Box told him.

“Agreed, but right now I need to catch up on some sleep.” Plantra yawned, and they all agreed it was bed time.

　

　

　

　

Chapter 10

　

　

The teens went to The Browns’ residence and had a fantastic Christmas dinner. They talked about their adventures thus far as a team, and Mr. Brown told them of the details they had missed out on after they had left. “The kids were all returned to their families. The buyers were been arrested for trafficking, as well as the kidnappers. The Mayor, or ex-Mayor I should say has resigned which was foreseeable.”

“What I don’t understand was how come Boogey-Man couldn’t teleport?” Candy asked.

“I have a theory about that.” Carrie answered, “When you used your ability to freeze time you must’ve shorted out his ability to teleport.”

“Sounds like a very sound theory.” Janie said while she took a gulp of food.

“But I want to know something, is he like us?” Eve asked.

“Yes, I had Carrie run a DNA test.” Adam told her.

“Well I've learned some interesting news.” Mrs. Brown brought up setting down a dish of deviled eggs.

“I’ve been offered a position back in my old squad as a pro-filer.” Mr. Brown announced.

“That’s wonderful news!” Rhonda cheered and gave her dad a hug.

“I start after New Years’. I now do believe in miracles, and it’s thanks to you 

The Beta Force.” He then lifted his glass, “A toast to a new job, new friends, and something else…”

“More kids know about the true meaning of Christmas thanks to a brave little girl.” Max nodded towards Annie.

“Here, here!” They all cheered together and continued along their merry way.