Limitless

Chapter 38: Home...

This chapter was tough to write. No, I'm not suffering from writer's block again. But...well...let's just say that you guys might need tissues 😭

You'll see what I mean.

Enjoy the chapter.

"Detective, it's Momota. I'm calling to ask if there is any progress about our grandson."

Kaito's grandmother barely held her tears back as she just about heard her husband on the phone. He had been calling the police department weekly, sometimes twice a week. She had a feeling about how the conversation will end. Kaito had been missing since he had left that morning to go to school. After waiting for him to come home from school half an hour after it ended, they immediately called the school. They hoped that he got detention or something like that, but when the administrators said that he hadn't been in all day, they called the police. No one had seen Kaito all day. At first the elders thought that the boys that caused trouble the night before had something to do with it, but that was proven to not be the case.

"You don't understand. He'd never run away from us."

The stinging in the old woman's eyes started to make itself known. Since there was no evidence of foul play, the police assumed that Kaito might have run away from home. For a short time, they actually interrogated the elders, suspecting that they might have something to do with Kaito's disappearance. Both of them were furious at such accusations, but complied, knowing that it would be best to do that. They wouldn't do anything to harm the only family that they have left. Once the police knew that, they backed off, continuing with the investigation.

"Why do you think that my wife and I reported him missing then?! So you can find him!"

There was no evidence that suggested that Kaito was kidnapped, but there was none that suggested that Kaito ran away either. It was like he had dropped off the face of the earth. The news covered the case for two weeks at least, but that soon faded away. Kaito was just another kid that went missing. He wasn't special to society, so he was a huge priority to everyone else. Kaito's grandparents refused to give up. They left out a lantern every night so that Kaito could come home, so that he could find his house. They asked anyone who would listen if they had seen their grandson. No one could give them the answer that they are still hoping for.

"Fine then!" Kaito's grandfather shouted, his hand clenching around the phone so tight that it threatened to break. His face was scarlet red with rage. "But if I find out that my boy is dead, I'll sue you for shoddy police work! Good night!" The old man slammed the phone down, almost injuring himself in the process. Kaito's grandmother took a deep breath to try to focus on what she was doing. She was sat at the dining table. The couple had typed up a missing person's poster with all of Kaito's details. They just needed a good enough photograph of him to stick onto it and they can photocopy the poster at the library in the morning. Kaito's grandmother had to stop as she looked at all the photos that they had of Kaito. She reminisced all the good memories and the laughter that was there. Before Kaito had trouble at school, he would always do anything to make his grandparents smile, hiding the pain that he had after losing his parents. The house just feels so empty without him. Their lives feel so empty without him.

And it was painful.

"Anything?" Kaito's grandmother asked, her voice heavy with depression.

"Nothing! They're useless!" Kaiot grandfather scowled as he sat down next to his wife. "They keep saying that he might as well have been a runaway or abducted and taken overseas!" Those words cut like a knife. Kaito!s grandmother couldn't hold herself back any longer as she let out heart shattering sobs. Seeing this, and knowing that he was partially responsible for it, her husband wrapped his arms around her.

"We'll find him. I swear that I won't give up, even in death." Kaito's grandfather vowed, his voice suddenly strong and determined.

"I know. I promise the same." Kaito's grandmother said as best she could despite her sobs threatening to choke her. It has been tough on both of them. They barely ate, causing them to lose weight quite easily. They hardly slept peacefully without the thought of something horrible happening to Kaito. This felt worse from when they lost their son and daughter-in-law, Kaito's parents. They don't want to think of the worst case scenario. They don't want to think that the one person that kept them going was gone forever.

The sound of knocking suddenly interrupted the bleak atmosphere. It came from the front door. The elderly couple didn't know if they should answer it. It might be bad news. But at the same time, what if it was good news? With a small flame of hope, Kaito's grandfather slowly got up. He composed himself as he shuffled to the door. He opened it hesitantly. He was met with fourteen young people. All of them seemed to be at different ages. Some of them had their heads shaved, but all look exhausted and emotionally drained. Two stood at the front, a boy with a hat and a girl with long brown hair. A boy that could be mistaken to be a giant stood at the back. The giant was carrying...something? The only problem was that the elder couldn't see what it was. What were these kids doing out at this time? It was quite late. They should all be home and safe. Something that the elder wished that Kaito was getting right now.

"Yes?" The elder asked as he barely heard his wife standing not too far behind him.

"Is this the Momota residence?" The boy with the hat asked, his voice seeming to be strained.

"Yes. Can I help you?" Kaito's grandfather answered, looking at all of these strange people carefully.

"Sir...we...we're friends of Kaito-" the girl with the brown hair started, seeming to be hesitant.

"Kaito?! Where is he?! Is he safe?!" Kaito's grandmother cried out, running to the door like she had never done before. The elders didn't know these strangers but if they knew something about Kaito-anything-that was all that they needed. The boy and girl at the front shared a depressed glance as all of the teenagers shuffled uncomfortably on their feet. They hesitantly parted a little to show the giant more clearly. And what he was holding in his arms. No. Not what. Who.

"Kaito? Kaito!" Kaito's grandmother cried out, her tears coming back to trailing down her face.

"Kaito!" Kaito's grandfather exclaimed as they both rushed towards their grandson. The giant gently placed Kaito down on the ground. He was wrapped up in a blanket. He looked so different. His head had been shaved, just like some of the others. The elders almost didn't recognise him without his spiked up, purple hair. And they could instantly see that something was terribly wrong with Kaito. He was just laying there. He wasn't reacting to his family kneeling beside him. He was awake. He was breathing. But as the elders looked into his eyes, they could see how dull and lifeless they seemed. He was like he was awake, but not awake at the same time.

"Oh my boy! My precious boy!" Kaito's grandmother wailed, clutching Kaito tightly to her. She held him so tight that he might as well have been a lifeline for her. Kaito was so limp that he might as well have been a rag doll. He still wasn't moving or responding to his family. Kaito's grandfather looked up at all of the teenagers standing around the family. They all looked depressed, some were close to crying. They knew something. There was more to this than the elders knew. Looking at each teenager with determination and anger, the old man had only one thing to say:

"What the hell happened to him?!"

If anyone needs tissues, I've got plenty! Please take as many as you need 😭