trouble

a black luxury car pulled up against a sidewalk, which rested next to a large darkened building, with vacated businesses and shops subtly surrounding the area.
The car was put on park, and the engine was cut off.

Four men exited the aforementioned building, dressed in identical suits, approaching the parked vehicle just as the driver opened his door and stepped out.

Colton sighed as he looked around him, half-blinded by the scolding hot sun, shaking his head gently as if somewhat disappointed.

"Is she inside?"
One man questioned.

Colton didn't bother to look.
"Yeah"

Another man then knelt down and peeked into the tinted window of the backseat.
The little girl sitting within stared back at him.

"Has she told you anything?"
Another man asked.

Colton shook his head.
"Not a thing. She's been silent the whole ride here."

He shut his door and walked around the hood to join the men on the other side.
"I don't think she's goin' to help us."

"Oh, she will."
One man answered certainly, looking down at the girl.
"They always do."

In the meantime, the girl had shut her eyes completely and began desperately muttering to herself, squeezing her hands into fists.

They all noticed this from the other side and looked down at her.
"What is she doing??"
"..praying."
Colton answered, lifelessly.

"Praying?"
The man repeated in confusion.

"Apparently...she gets her powers from God."

". . . . . . bring her in."

The one who spoke turned and hurried back to the building.
The others stayed behind, readying to take care of the girl sitting inside the car.

Colton sighed deeply and rolled his neck.
Before kneeling down and tapping on the window.

The girl's eyes flashed to him, but successfully hid her panic with a calm breath which relaxed her body. She moved her head to the door, and with a gentle click of the button, rolled down her window.

As soon as it was all the way down, Colton spoke.

"Hey, Ashley..we're here."

Her eyes moved to behind him and the other three men.
"Is that the place..?"

He didn't even blink,
"Yes"

She sat still and swallowed, her body too tense to move.
"..and those two..they're here, aren't they?"

Colton lifted his head to the other three and they looked back with surprise.
He returned his gaze to her.
"Yes, they are."

"....okay."

"We're going to take care of you, Ashley. Don't be scared."

"Oh, don't bother."

She opened the door and climbed out one limb at a time.
She stood up, dragging her backpack out behind her.

She took a long, deep breath, as her eyes lifted up at the building before her.
"..I know what you're going to do to me."