Mending the Mechanic's Heart

The Threat Lurks

The late afternoon sun cast a warm, golden hue over the pack house, filling the rooms with a sense of tranquility that Pon had come to cherish. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind of stress and fear, but now, with Bank seemingly out of the picture and Aon safe, life felt like it was finally returning to normal.

Pon stood in the kitchen, humming softly to himself as he prepared a tray of snacks for Aon and Toptan. The gentle clinking of glassware and the aroma of freshly cut fruit filled the air, creating a peaceful atmosphere that made him feel content.

Toptan and Aon were outside in the pool area, enjoying the last remnants of the warm afternoon. Pon could hear Aon's delighted giggles through the open window, and it brought a smile to his face. It was rare to see Aon so carefree, and Pon was grateful that they could finally provide him with a semblance of normalcy.

As Pon sliced the last of the apples, he called out to Toptan, "I'll be out with the snacks in just a minute!"

"Take your time!" Toptan called back from the pool area. He was kneeling beside Aon's playpen, making funny faces that had the baby in fits of laughter.

Everything felt perfect. Sailub and the rest of the pack were at the garage, finishing up some work, and Pon was looking forward to the quiet evening they would all share later. He carefully arranged the snacks on a tray, placing a small bowl of Aon's favorite crackers in the center, before wiping his hands on a towel.

The sharp ring of Toptan's phone interrupted the peaceful moment. Toptan, still by the playpen, hesitated for a moment before reaching into his pocket to answer. "Hello? Yes, this is Toptan."

As Toptan stepped away to take the call, his attention was momentarily diverted from Aon. It was just for a few seconds, but it was enough for the threat that had been lurking in the shadows to strike.

Pon, oblivious to the danger outside, continued with his preparations, feeling a deep sense of contentment that had been missing for so long. He was just about to carry the tray outside when a strange, uneasy feeling washed over him. His heart skipped a beat, and he paused, trying to shake off the sudden anxiety.

Meanwhile, outside, Aon's giggles had suddenly stopped. Toptan, still on the phone, didn't notice at first, but when he did, his heart dropped. He turned to see Aon, no longer playing in his playpen, but instead, squirming uncomfortably in the arms of a man who shouldn't have been there.

Bank.

The sight of Bank holding Aon sent a cold wave of fear through Toptan's body. He fumbled with the phone, barely managing to hang up as he took a step forward. "Bank! What are you doing here?" His voice trembled with a mix of shock and anger.

Bank smirked, his grip on Aon tightening as the child struggled, his small fists pounding against Bank's chest. "I'm just visiting my son. Isn't that allowed?"

Aon's discomfort was palpable. His face was scrunched up in fear, and tears were beginning to well in his wide, innocent eyes. He was clearly distressed, his little body squirming and pushing against Bank's hold. It was a stark contrast to how Aon behaved with Sailub—calm, happy, and content.

The sight was enough to make Toptan's blood run cold. He knew he had to act quickly, but fear held him in place for a moment too long. "Put him down, Bank. Now."

Bank ignored Toptan's command, instead focusing on Aon, who had begun to cry in earnest, tiny hands pushing weakly at the man who was supposed to protect him but was now the source of his fear. "Why is he crying? I'm his father. He should be happy to see me."

Inside the house, Pon's unease had grown to an unbearable level. Something was wrong—he could feel it in his bones. He abandoned the tray of snacks on the kitchen counter and rushed to the back door, his heart pounding in his chest.