OBSESSED(Poohpavel)

CHAPTER 13 : TRAGIC PAST

In a large room with closed curtains to block out the sunlight, Tin and Naret lay intertwined, with Naret's head resting on Tin's chest. As Naret looked at Tin's face, still asleep, he couldn't help but feel anxious, fearing that when he woke up, Tin would be gone again. Suddenly, Tin stirred awake and gently planted a kiss on Naret's forehead. Naret, with his hand on Tin's chin, realized he wasn't usually this clingy, but losing Tin made him realize how much he cherished him.

As Naret glanced at the mark on Tin's chest, he couldn't help but wonder where it came from. He knew Tin didn't like talking about it, but he was surprised when Tin finally opened up, looking up at the ceiling before speaking.

When Tin, a male soldier, was in military uniform alongside Benjamin and other soldiers, they were gathered for a mission briefing by their senior officer. Tin joined the military camp on July 4, where he spent six months before catching the attention of the officials due to his exceptional skills, leading to his rapid promotion as a captain.

Assembling the best military soldiers and volunteers, they were sent to Dongo as peacemakers on January 1, 2000. It was there that they learned their respective positions as peacemakers. Tin and Benjamin, being key figures, were assigned to frontline duties, with Benjamin as the sub-leader of Team B, leveraging his expertise in handling bombs, while Tin led Team A, known for their strategic prowess and agility on the field.

As they arrived in Dongo at 3:00 AM, Tin and Benjamin swiftly boarded military vehicles, greeted by Captain Ajur, the military leader of Dongo. He briefed them on the state of the country, surrounded by a multitude of helicopters and aircraft in a vast open area where soldiers and volunteers from various nations disembarked from their vehicles, along with ten military vehicles and tanks sent by different countries.

Driving down a darkened road devoid of electricity, they passed by dilapidated houses and buildings, marked with signs of recent fires and trails of smoke still lingering in the air. They witnessed the harrowing sight of elderly and children sleeping on the streets, their eyes reflecting the trauma and fear they had endured. Yet, despite their ordeal, they showed respect and gratitude, applauding as the Peacemakers arrived.

The atmosphere was tense, with a palpable sense of urgency hanging in the air as Tin and Benjamin prepared themselves for the challenging task ahead.

As they reached the camp, Tin witnessed a chaotic scene with various police and military personnel being treated by medics in different tents. The campsite was a mess, scattered with debris, and filled with the cries of children and other victims of the bomb attack who sought refuge there. Among them was a distraught father cradling his lifeless child, while his wife lay motionless beside them, her body stained with blood.

Desperation filled the air as the father pleaded with anyone who would listen to revive his family, but it was futile. He recounted how he had ventured out to scavenge for food, only to return to find his loved ones brutally murdered in their hiding place. Falling to his knees in despair, the man's grief was palpable.

Driven by a surge of anger and determination, Tin approached the scene, witnessing the torture inflicted upon the innocent victims. The child's eyes reflected the horror of their ordeal, while the mother lay in agony, her body bearing the scars of the violence unleashed upon her.

With resolve burning in Tin's heart, a vow was made—to bring justice to those responsible for this senseless atrocity. With a firm grip, Tin lifted the child from the father's arms, offering reassurance that they would not be alone in their fight for justice. The father, overwhelmed by Tin's promise, found solace in knowing that someone would finally pay for the crimes committed against his family.

In that moment, amidst the chaos and despair, Tin became the beacon of hope for the grieving father, his unwavering determination igniting a spark of resilience in the face of tragedy.