Lost and Found

Chapter 27

The school bell rang signaling the end of the last class, he sighed heavily trying to think of a place he could go instead of home today, his mother had asked him to not come back till he get a call from her on the little cellular device he was given, he was the only one in his class having a mobile, they weren't allowed with one yet so he would make sure it was well hidden in the depth of his worn out bag as the device was useful for one of the days like today.

Getting out of the class along with his friends he slowly dragged himself out of the hallway, surely he can go to Sam's house but he don't want to answer all those numerous question his friend's mother ask since she saw that blue bruise on his forearm just above his wrist, though he always made sure that those horrendous bruises are hidden through those oversize t-shirts and pants but somehow Mrs. Frank saw it and now he felt ashamed in facing her, he was tired of making excuses, tired of lying.

As he got on the school bus and sat on his regular place he started thinking of the place he can go, aunt Julie's house was off limit he can't stand to be near his house and not be able to safe his mother from the misery, he cursed his father for not going to work today and ruining the only few hours of peace they get.

He chose the nearby park to spend his afternoon till he gets the call from his mother or come up with another place to spend the time of his hiding, so when the bus was two blocks away from his house he got out of it and silently started walking towards the park, hoping his mother calls him before it's too late.

Hours went by and he was still sitting in a corner of the park ignoring the curious glance from the people passing by, he sat there all alone doing his homework, busying himself in learning lessons or noticing the happy families with a sad smile but by the time sun set down he decided to pick his bag up and make his way back home , he ignored all the fears which have been engulfing his heart since last couple of hours , his father must haven't left that's why he didn't got the message but now as the darkness was increasing and fear along with hunger wasn't making it any easier to stay out he reluctantly made his way back home. Dragging himself he finally got to the lane where his house was, the porch was brightened up with the dim yellow light but what made him sigh in relief was that his father's car was nowhere to be seen.

"Why didn't mama call?" he asked himself and rushed towards his house, instead of taking the front door he followed his usual path of entering the house through the kitchen door so quietly getting there he pulled the door which was unlocked like usual he got inside though everything seemed normal but there was something extremely wrong, taking off his bag he quietly place it by the fridge while noticing his surrounding, there was a cold calmness and the entire house was drowned in silence on one hand his heart was drumming in chest telling him to run away but his mind was screaming to find his mother. He kept cursing himself under his breath for staying out, again his mother had caused herself a big problem because of him.

Taking a deep breath he went further inside not daring to make any noise, wiping his sweaty hands on his jeans he clenched them into a tight fist, he peaked into the lounge founding it completely deserted, maybe he was really gone. As he turned to his left a loud scream left his mouth, in front of him was his mother tied to a chair, her mouth was taped and her head was hanging low. He ran towards her and cupped her cold face with his small trembling hands she was unconscious but still he kept calling her while removing the tapes and untying the ropes.

"So you are back?" he turned to look at the person who was more like a monster, Wali's eyes were burning with unshed tears, "Where were you?" his father growled making him flinch.

"Where were you?" he yelled again but Wali's mouth was dry like desert sand and before he could wrap his mind around what is happening his father lunged forward grabbing his face and digging his fingers in his hollow cheeks, his jaw was aching but he was too shocked to answer. "Tell me where have you been?"