Izzy woke up well before the transport trucks arrived. All of the children in all 20 cages were  sleeping peacefully. She stood up and stretched her arms toward the skylights.

With her hands still raised she spoke to the invisible King. "King Rophe, You're as dependable as the sunrise. You've proven yourself to us again and again. Okay looking at our present circumstances it may not seem like it... But faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see right? I'm for sure certain about you. The way you look out for us misfits—wow! Since you're everywhere... Please watch over Bell and Grandfather for me would ya? Your amazing love for these little ones astounds me! My own love for them is even more miraculous!" Izzy's new motherly instincts surprised her.  "I trust you."

Onyx opened her wrinkly eyelids. She gently placed the small blind child in the crook of the wolf-boy's arm. She stood up with ease. Usually, after sleeping on a cold concrete floor, her arthritis would be so severe she'd cry out in pain. As a test she bent down to touch her toes. Not only did she reach them but her back didn't crack and creek. With a spring in her step she joined Izzy.

"I trust you too invisible King." She reached her arms up and took Izzy's hand in hers.

They lowered their arms. Izzy looked into Onyx's deep black eyes. Since the workers left on the harsh fluorescent lights she could easily see her new friend. "Onyx, you look... younger."

Onyx smiled a toothless grin, "I do?"

Izzy answered, "Yes! How're you feeling?

Onyx thoughtfully replied, "I feel... different."

Curious Izzy pressed further. "Good different or bad different?"

"Good different! Put your ear to my chest." Izzy did. Onyx breathed in and out. "What do you hear?"

"Nothing Onyx. I don't hear anything!"

"Izzy, usually my chest rattles so badly and I spit up a ton of mucus in the morning. It's so embarrassing."

Izzy asked, "What's your pain level? 1 outta 10?"

"Izzy my pain level is only a 2."

Izzy gently hugged her fragile friend. Onyx hugged her back with gusto.

"My bones don't hurt, my lungs are clear. The only thing that's bugging me are my gums."

"Lemme see." She told Onyx, "Open up your mouth."

Shyly Onyx said, "Please no... It's humiliating."

Izzy coaxed, "Come on girl, we're family now."

Onyx nodded. Slowly and painfully she opened her mouth.

Izzy exclaimed, "Onyx!"

Onyx covered her mouth. "My breath reeks right?"

"No Onyx!" Izzy moved Onyx's hand away then peered into her mouth once again. "I know why your gums hurt girl!"

Onyx looked ashamed. "My gums are rotting?" She hung her little head."

"No your gums are sore because new teeth are growing!" Izzy grabbed her friend's hands. Jumping up and down she added, "And your black hair is growing!"

Onyx jumped higher than Izzy! "I have black hair?" Squeeeeeeeeal!

Both girls held hands as they jumped about, waking their cage-mates.

Mars asked, "What's going on?"

Onyx shrieked, "I have teeth and hair!"

The blind little Asian boy held up fistfuls of his hair. "Dan hab hair!"

Izzy looked at Mars and asked, "Dan huh?"

Mars confessed, "I gave the little guy a name. He didn't have one. I hope that's okay."

Izzy and Onyx dog-piled onto the wolf-boy which led to a full on group hug.

When the other Tunnel Kids noticed the hug-fest happening in Izzy's cage they formed hug piles of their own—until all of the prisoners in all 20 caged, huddled together.

Izzy said, "Trust in the King!"

Her cage-mates echoed, "Trust in the King!"

Soon the entire warehouse of children were shouting, "Trust in the king! TRUST IN THE KING!" Then it erupted into full on happy dance! The praise party lasted over an hour.

Led in with joy and gladness, they enter the palace of the king. ~ Psalms‬ ‭45:15‬ ‭

Mohan and Babul entered the warehouse.

Mohan asked, "What the h—?"

Babul sniffed. "What's that f—ing smell?"

Mohan replied, "I don't smell sh—t!"

"Exactly!" Babul remarked. "It doesn't have the usual stench of vomit and rotting meat."

The dastardly duo went unnoticed by the happy  children. Bubbles of laughter floated to up toward the skylights. The children circled up and held hands and appendages. They danced before the King.

Circle left! Circle right! Into the center!  Jump up high!  We're in a prison but we are free. Everyone dance with glee!

Mohan and Babul were stunned. Usually the place had all the appeal of a Nazi concentration camp. Not today—today it resembled a Vacation Bible School on overdrive.

Mohan interrupted the giggles. He shouted, "Enough! Settle down!"

Babul flicked the fluorescent lights on and off.

Mohan bellowed, "Sit down or I'll get out the black hoses!"

All of the children, except Izzy, fell silent and sat down quickly. Crisscross apple sauce.

With boldness Izzy climbed to the top of her cage. She chastised the men. "We must obey the King and not you." Every child, who could, joined their new sister. Bravely they agreed in one voice, WE MUST OBEY THE KING AND NOT YOU!"

Mohan and Babul looked at one another. Both men were astounded.

Babul asked Mohan, "Will the hoses reach up there?"

Mohan looked annoyed. "We don't have time for this. Get them down Babul!"

"Get them down? All 200 of them? How?"

Mohan removed an angry looking black taser  hooked to his belt. "This should do it." He held up the weapon crossed to Izzy's cage and yelled, "Clear!" Touching the charged taser to the chain link fence he discharged 50,000 volts. Children dropped like flies.

The children in cages 2-20 jumped down and scrambled to the center of their cages.  After the shocking display they huddled together and prayed silently.

Izzy came to. She stumbled about the cage checking on the other stunned children. Everyone slowly woke up. Everyone but Onyx.  Izzy patted her cheek. "Onyx wake up." She laid her ear on her chest. "She's not breathing!"

In her spirit Izzy heard the Invisible King's voice.
She's not dead she's only sleeping. Tell the girl to rise!

Izzy took Onyx by the hand and with authority ordered, "Onyx rise up!"

Immediately Onyx stood to her feet looking even younger than before.

-End of Chapter 30-

Author's note: With the King all things are possible! Press on! Though the darkness may last for the night joy comes in the morning.

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