Out of work for more than a year, Anne and Denise jumped at the chance to work as order fulfillment specialists at the ARgent Industries warehouse. On their first day on the job, they asked the manager as to their duties.

"Wait hear until you hear your name called, then run through that door where a dispatcher will tell you where to go," the manager said. That sounded simple enough. And within minutes, the call went out for "Anne." Anne dashed through the door. The wizened woman who was the dispatcher yelled, "Special order in Room 414." Anne did as she was told. But on entering Room 414, she found it empty. Worse, the door closed behind her, and the inner door had no handle or latch. Then she heard a rumble from above and, looking up, watched in amazement as a swirling ball of orange energy descended upon her. As it reached her, she passed out.

Awakening later, Anne found herself in a yellow shirt and shorts. A humongous woman lifted her easily and placed her onto what appeared to be a shopping cart seat. Another girl in blue shirt and shorts was seated next to her. "Denise?" Anne asked. The girl nodded, adding, "Anne?" Neither looked a day over 4-years-old.

The two then looked at tags that had been attached to their wrists. Anne's read, "Anne. To: Mr. & Mrs. Darby Sutter, Spirit Lake, Iowa." Denise's read, "Denise. To: Mr. & Mrs. Clarence Goodrich, Greenpoint, Ohio." The large woman began to push the cart toward the door. "Can still read? Don't worry. You'll forget within the hour. ARgent customers expect only the cutest and most perfect little girls to adopt into their families," the woman smiled.

Chilled, Anne leaned over to Denise, saying, "We weren't hired as employees, but as product -- special order, of course!"



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