Chasing Shadows

Found You

Small whimpers came from a boy who was barely conscious. The night was dark, but the moon cast a soft silver light over the city. In the middle of this haunting beauty, a tense scene played out in a rundown warehouse, a sharp contrast to the peaceful surroundings. Inside, a young boy sat tied to a chair, his small body covered in bruises and his spirit shaken. He had been held captive for three long days, trapped in a nightmare that seemed never-ending.

Suddenly, he felt the chains around his wrists loosen. A familiar voice whispered softly from behind him, urging him to stay quiet. As he was freed from his bonds, he turned around slowly, his heart racing. Standing in front of him was the man who had come to rescue him.

"Uncle Pete?" he whispered, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and pain. Relief washed over him, but it was hard to shake off the fear that had taken hold for so long. Uncle Pete knelt down, looking him in the eyes, and gave him a reassuring nod.

"Shh, Prapai," Pete replied softly, placing a reassuring hand on the boy's shoulder. He quickly lifted Prapai and tucked him into a shadowy corner, making sure he was hidden and safe. Just then, another figure stepped out of the darkness—Vegas. Together, they moved with purpose, ready to confront the kidnappers who had caused so much fear.

In a flurry of punches and kicks, the two operatives fought fiercely, taking down the guards with practiced ease. Each movement was precise, and the sharp crack of bones echoed through the empty warehouse, a clear sign of the intensity of the fight. Somchai, the leader of the kidnappers, panicked and fired his gun wildly, but his shots went off target, missing both Vegas and Pete.

Prapai's small whimpers broke through the chaos, and Vegas quickly aimed his Glock at Somchai's knees, while Pete prepared to take him down. A sharp slit across his neck with his favorite blue pocket knife always did the work. The red blood highlighting the initials 'VP' engraved on it, a birthday gift from his Vegas of course. The final trigger pull finished Somchai, Vegas smiling a little more than usual as he stared at the shot man.

Prapai watched with wide eyes, his heart pounding. He recognized these men; they were the angel and the devil from his uncle Tankhun's stories. They had to be.

"My favorite angel is the cute boy I lost to the devil," Tankhun spoke in a dramatic tone as he and Prapai had their weekly sleepover. "Is the angel a devil now, Uncle?" Prapai asked innocently as Tankhun's lips wobbled for a second, getting lost in the memories of his Pete.

"He always was different from the rest of us. He understood me silently when your father was annoyed. He always played my games the best. Maybe that's why he saw the good in the devil that we failed to see. He had the cutest dimples like you. Ofcourse, my nephew is still the cutest," Tankhun said as he picked up Prapai, settling him on his lap before continuing, "He was my favorite in this mansion. Don't tell that to your papa."

"You know angel?" Cool. I want to meet angel too," Prapai asked, showing his puppy eye gaze which he had learnt from his dear papa of course.

"The angel flew away a few years ago, Prai. He is angry with us for now."

Seeing the dejected look on his Prai's face, he couldn't help but give him some false hope, "I'm sure you will meet them one day. The devil will be with the angel but he will treat you well. They will meet you very soon." Maybe it wasn't just Prapai, he was trying to convince at that time.

Within moments, the warehouse fell silent, the only sound the distant crash of waves against the shore. Pete turned to Prapai, kneeling down to check him for injuries. He examined the boy's small frame, noting the bruises that marred his skin. "We need to get you out of here, buddy," he said, his voice filled with urgency as he scanned the dimly lit space for any remaining threats.