Free Among the Shrouded by Amalie Jahn Page A

compared to the pay you would make for the same job here in the Ukraine.  Great questions.  Anyone else?” Henry asked.
    The girl seated beside her spoke up.  “What type of jobs will we be given?”
    “Depending on what you fill out on your questionnaire, we will try to match you to a job that meets your specific qualifications and training.  So to that end, it will depend on you.  If you have a business backgroun d, you may be working for a Fortune 500 company.  If you have a science background, you may be working in pharmacuticals.”
    “Where will we be living in the United States?” asked a girl who was seated at the far corner of the room.
    “Again, that will depend on the job you are assigned.  We have apartments set up for you in many cities around the country.”
    The room fell silent.  Each of the students looked carefully at one another, suddenly aware they were actually each other’s competition for the few coveted positions.
    “Well, if th ose are all the questions you have for now, let’s move to the questionnaire portion of the evening.  As soon as you have finished, you are welcome to speak with each other and get to know one another a little better.  Who knows, perhaps you may be roommates sometime soon!” Henry said.
    The two men passed out questionnaires and pens to each of the students.  She quickly filled hers out.  Most of the questions revolved around her educational background and skill set.  There were a few personal questions which inquired about her family and the jobs each of her family members held.  She was required to submit her tax identification number.  She assumed they would be looking into her financial need.  The final question asked what her goals were with regard to the income she would be making in the United States.  She listed two: become a physician and assist in paying for her sisters’ educations.  She felt no one in the room would have more noble goals. 
    As the rest of the students were finishing their sheets, the girl beside her introduced herself as Lera.  “Can you believe this opportunity?”
    “No.  These men must be angels,” she replied.  “I wonder how many of us will be selected?”
    “I don’t know.  I wish they could take us all.”
    “Me too.  I wish they would take my sisters.  All three of us could use the money.”
    “Are they in college too?”
    “No,” she explained, “they will graduate from secondary this year and start university in the fall.  But only if our family can afford to send them.”
    “You have two sisters graduating at the same time?”
    “They’ re twins.”
    “Who are twins?” asked Henry as he approached the girls and joined in on their conversation.
    “My sisters,” she replied.
    “Oh, and are they as beautiful as you?” he asked. 
    She found herself blushing again.  Unaccustomed to the forwardness of the American men, she was unsure how to respond.
    “My sisters,” she began, “will be starting university in the fall and they would benefit greatly from this opportunity.  Probably even more than I.”
    “I see,” said Henry, pausing briefly to think.  “Here’s what we can do.  Why don’t you fill out questionnaires for your sisters as well and we will keep them in our files.  When they are ready, we will consider them for our program.  How does that sound?”
    “That sounds wonderful!” she exclaimed, excited by the overwhelming effect her abilities were having on the investors.  Her heart soared with the newfound possibility her sisters might benefit from the program in their own right thanks to the power of her gift.
    “Fabulous,” said Henry.  “Let me find you a couple more questionnaires.”
    He walked over to the far corner of the room where he and Patrick began having an intimate discussion.  Both men glanced over their shoulders at her while she tried to avoid making eye contact with either of them.  After a few moments, Henry returned, handing her several