Beyond the Badge

Chapter 4

For a moment, everything stopped around Nanon, he lost his ability to react. Ohm held his hand and tried to make him speak. Nanon looked at him with a blank stare.

"Nanon, hey..." Ohm got no response from him.

"We can ask your relatives. Yeah give me their numbers or we can visit-"

"Inspector Pawat," Nanon spoke finally. Although it sounded a little cold to Ohm, he was relieved.

"Yeah Nanon, I think your mother is at your relatives' place. Tell me where she can be. Let's go there,"

"Let's go back."

"Go back? Go back to where? What are you saying, Nanon? We need to find-"

"Go back to the city, your city," he answered looking bland.

"You mean Bangkok! Oh no no, Nanon. We can't go back, we have to get your house back. And need to find your mother."

"You've done enough for me, now just do another favour. Take me back."

"Nanon, don't argue with me. We're not going back till we find your mother. You belong here and you will spend the rest of your life here, in your house with your mother." Ohm told him firmly.

"I belong to nowhere, now. Do you understand Inspector Pawat? Don't be scared, I am not going to stay at your home, I won't be a burden to you. Just take me back to the city and I will find a place for myself."

"Nanon I didn't-"

Nanon wai'd to his neighbour and went to the car. Without uttering a word Ohm followed him. Although Ohm tried to reason with him, Nanon's mind was made up. With a heavy heart, Ohm reluctantly agreed.

They started their journey. Nanon's eyes gazed blankly at the city skyline as Ohm drove them back. The shock of losing his home and mother had left him numb. Ohm tried to reassure him, "We'll find your mother, Nanon. I promise."

But Nanon just shook his head, his eyes welling up with tears.

As Ohm was about to enter the city he got a call from his senior officer Inspector Aof. After hearing everything from Ohm he ordered him to come to the police station with Nanon instead of going back to his house.

"So you're saying that Nanon will stay with you instead of any government rescue centre, huh?" Ohm's superior asked as he sat in front of him.

"Yeah, in that way Nanon will be able to live in a healthier environment." Ohm reasoned.

Officer Aof disapproved of Ohm keeping Nanon with him. "He's a witness and a victim, Ohm. He needs to be in a safe place."

Ohm argued, "But, Sir, I can't just leave him in a rescue home. He's been through too much already."

"Ohm, I think you're being sentimental and it's so unlike you. You need to understand we can't involve sentiments while performing our duty." Ohm's superior insisted, "Take Nanon to the rescue home. It's the best place for him."

"Don't we need to know where the victim feels safe before we decide for him?" Ohm was ready to fight against his seniors for the boy whom he had met a few days ago.

"Are you out of your mind? After that, you will tell me to go to the criminals and ask if they want to be punished. If you want to argue with me I have to hand this case over to another inspector. Don't make me utter a single word further and do as I told you to do."

Ohm lowered his head and started to move when he heard his senior. "I don't know what's wrong with you, you have never been so unprofessional. What's your problem when the victim wants to stay at the rescue home."