"Kring..."
The silent school is now filled with pupils rushing forth to get to the gate. It's 11:30 and the kids are very eager to take their lunch at home.
"I'll go with you Mark", James said as we were packing our bags.
"Ok. Lets go, " I replied excitedly.
James and I were best friends and neighbors. He was my classmate since the first grade.
"I'm so,hungry. Lets walk faster," James said as we leave the school gate.
"Me too. Ok. Lets go," I replied excitedly.
"You know what, I feel sad that by the end of the school year we will be separating ways. Mama said she wants me to study in a private school."
"But we will see each other on weekends."
"High school would be different."
"But there would not be any difference at all, James. You will still remain my bestfriend."
He grinned at what I said. His face is full of light. Those boyish satisfied smile made me also smile.
Peep... peep...
"Hey, boys! Do you want to eat chocolates?" a grinning man looks out of the window of a white van.
"Sorry sir, but mama said we must not accept things from strangers", James replied.
"No, I'm not stranger. We can be friends. I will give you many candies and chocolates."
"But, Sir..."
"Come on. There are many kids here inside the van. I will give you chocolates", the man insisted.
"It's ok, James. After all, he will just give us chocolates."
But James face alarmed. He gripped my hand tightly as we entered the van.
"Come inside, boys ", the man said.
The door of the van slid and there in front of our eyes we're school children taped in the mouth and handcuffed.
"Run. Mark, run!", James shouted at me.
I run as fast as I could. When I looked behind my back, I saw James being dragged by the stranger. The van followed me while I ran across the highway. I was exhausted but I kept on running until they did not follow me. I was pale and sweating when I got home.
************************************
It was four years since the incident but I still have no news about James. It was believed that the internal organs of the kids, who were kidnapped, including James, were sold to the medical group due to high demand. I am here on this part of the street where the incident happened.
"I am sorry, James. Things have turned out differently. I'm sorry."
