Shadow

👶A child's cry😭

Troy! At the school! What! That means Hin is there too!

'Let's go.' I picked up my phone and walked towards the door.

'Tay! Change your hospital gown first!' Off tugged at my shirt before I could reach the door.

'No time! Are you coming or not?' To hell with proprieties! I am going to see my Hin, doesn't matter even if I am wearing a sack!

'Fine let's go!' Both Leo and Off followed me hurriedly.

We were about to exit the floor when the doctor came running looking completely bewildered.

'Mr. Tawan! Where are you going? You need rest!'

I wasn't in a mood to answer him so ignored him and left. Off shouted instead of me,

'I'll bring him back later. Sorry doctor.'

'New is there too right?' Leo asked when we got in the car and Off took the driver seat.

'I don't know. They only mentioned Troy.' Off was doubtful.

'Of course Hin is there! Just stop talking and drive fast. We need to get there quickly.' I was feeling annoyed by these two. I want to meet them ASAP.

They finally shut up and I called Hin's number. No sound.....maybe it's switched off.....or battery ran out.....

15 long minutes has passed and finally we reached the school main gate.

The school hour has started and there were many students walking around the complex. After we told them the details at the gate the security guard brought us straight to the principal's office.

'Hello Mr Vihokratana. Hello Mr Jumpool.' The principal welcomed us.

'Hello ma'am.' Off greeted politely but I wasn't paying attention to them. My eyes were searching for my Hin and Boo.

'Where are they? Are they alright?' I asked impatiently.

'They? Mr Vihokratana....... There's only this child, Troy. He came alone.'

Huh! My heart stopped beating for a second.

'Alone? How's that possible?' I couldn't comprehend. It is impossible for Hin to leave Troy alone! Something is terribly wrong!

'Please sit down. We need to talk.'

'Where's he?' I mumbled unconsciously. If he is alone then where's Hin?

'He is sleeping. He has a mild fever. Our resident doctor gave him some medicine. He will be okay. But before you meet him I need to talk to you. Please cooperate sir.'

'Fever? Is he going to be alright?' My head was in a mess.

'Sir...'

'Let me see him first. I want to see him with my own eyes.' I rudely demanded.

The lady sighed and gestured towards a door.

I opened the curtain and saw a small body resting on the sofa covered by a quilt. I felt like crying.

'We need to talk.' This time the lady was a bit stern.

Off pulled me by my arm and we both sat down beside Leo.

'Sir.....Is there any problem at home? I mean in these type of cases, we usually inform the police first but because I know senior Vihokratana for a long time I contacted you first. This is a special case from the beginning. We gave admission to him without even seeing him just because of senior Vihokratana's request. Now this happened......'

'Ma'am please. Tell us the details.' Off urged before I got more impatient.

'This morning when our school buses returned with students one of our bus driver came to me with a child. He said a man urged him to take the boy with him to the school safely and handed him over to me and let me call his parent Tawan Vihokratana.'

'A man? Who is he? Is it Earth? What did he look like?' I started questioning her like a crazy person.

'Tay....calm down.' Off patted my shoulder.

'I called you but it was switched off so I called Mr Jumpool because he was the one who contacted me about the admission process first. Please tell me what's going on. This is a clear case of child abuse.'

'No, this is a case of kidnapping. Seven days ago Troy and his father both got kidnapped. Now that he is here that means his father is still in danger.' Off solemnly replied.

'Oh my god! Then.....'

'Call the driver. I want to talk to him directly.' That basterd Earth is definitely behind all this. Maybe he wanted to send me a warning through Boo.....maybe Hin requested him to send Boo to me in exchange of staying forever with him...... NO! Don't think nonsense!

'Sure sure.' The shocked principal picked up the phone and a moment later a uniformed driver came in.

'Tell them about the incident in details.'

'Hello sir, this morning when I was waiting for a student near national art gallery a man came running with a crying child. He forced the child into the bus and told me to hand him over to the principal and call his father. He said the father name is Tawan Vihokratana. I was so shocked that could not respond in time. When I came back to my senses the man was gone. The child was shivering and crying......I....I was so confused that forget to chase him. I quickly came back to the school and handed him over to the principal madam.'

'That man......that man....' I was having trouble to squeeze out a few words....that basterd Earth did this?

'I don't know him sir.'

'Is this him?' Off quickly pulled out his mobile and showed him Earth's picture which he took when we were investigating him secretly.

'No.'

'Then.... Is this him?' This time Off showed him a picture of Hin.

I was looking at the driver with  unblinking eyes because Hin was with Troy but didn't accompany him........ This is the most absurd scenario.

'Umm....No.'

I don't know if I should feel relieved or afraid.........

What the fuck is going on!

Who is this mysterious person!

And what's his relation with Boo!

And the most pressing question......where is Hin!

'Teddy?' A sudden call from behind pulled me out from my treacherous thoughts.

I turned my head in lightning speed and saw Boo was standing near the door. His shirt was the same which he wore the day he went to visit the zoo. It was dirty and torn.

'Boo! Sweetheart!' I got up from my seat and ran towards him.

'Teddyyy! Ahhhh! Ahhhhh!' He started to wail.

'I am here....I am here.....you are safe......you are safe......' I bent down and picked up in my arms. He hugged me tightly but he has no strength.

'Teddyy.......Papa has gone crazy!'