“ Then how do you propose we keep her a secret to the General , without any of us getting into seriously deep trouble ? Because I don ’ t know about you but I would prefer to not be shot for treason !”
“ Hold on , hold on . What ’ s going on ?” Maya asked deeply confused .
Henry took a deep breath hanging his head “ The army is capturing all the citizens of shanghai for slaves .” He explained .
“ That ’ s horrible !” Maya exclaimed shocked and horrified . “ Have they got to the children yet ?” Maya asked suddenly in a panic .
“ Unfortunately yes the children are all lined up waiting for the adults .” Maya ’ s face turned to what was a mixture of horrified and panicked .
“ Oh no oh no oh no !” She started saying to herself .
“ What ’ s the matter ?” Henry asked now panicked himself .
“ I ’ m so sorry I didn ’ t tell you earlier .” Maya said ashamed “ You ’ re a father , of the most beautiful girl in the world .”
“ What ! Really !” A huge smile spread across his face .
“ Her name is Eleanor .”
“ That ’ s amazing ! What a beautiful name .” Henry said bursting with pride and happiness . Then his face fell . “ If my daughter is out there I have to save her and the rest of the children .”
“ Very heroic but , how are you supposed to do that ?” Jimmy asked . Henry thought .
“ I think I may have an idea .” He said smiling
“ Well !” Maya prompted .
“ Maya you are my prisoner do what I say and this will work . Look scared and struggle a bit .” Henry ordered
“ Ok ...”
“ Jimmy you obviously have been helping me . You take this arm and I ’ ll take the other .” They led Maya out together and met with the other Soldiers .
They followed the General to a large space of open land where there was already lines of children chained together . Tears streaming down their petrified faces . Their breaths were quick and sharp . Henry and Jimmy chained Maya to the woman behind her . He gave her a reassuring look trying to calm her . The other mothers were looking rapidly around for their beloved children making sure they were ok . At the front of the terrified crowd was another man he was powerful and strong everyone seemed to cower away from him . He was obviously high ranking and people respected him . He didn ’ t need words to order his men . All he did was start walking and automatically the rest followed . They were led onto a huge boat with massive sails and equipment . The prisoners were led down into the cockpit of the boat . There were rows and rows of cellars . They were inhumanly dirty but still the prisoners were crammed in by the hundreds . There was barely enough room to breathe . Children and adults were separated to different ends of the cockpit . The trip was long and hard . Many people weren ’ t used to the rocking of the boat and new diseases spread quickly , soon the cellars were filled with the stench of sick and cadavers . But finally the gruelling trip was over and everyone was chained together again and led off the boat .