Child of Fire

Zee

Saint couldn't keep still during the drive to the police station. He jiggled his leg, twisted his body around looking left and right, and kept turning on his phone to check for messages. He didn't notice that Zee would hold and squeeze his hand whenever the light goes red at an intersection. 

Logically, Saint knows that worrying is entirely useless. His mother would often quote her favorite line from a book entitled, Clippings from My Notebook -- "Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength." His grandfather had also put great emphasis on self-control and self-discipline while he was training Saint. But these teachings to stop worry, to be calm and to all seem like a kite that broke free from his grasp. While he was running to catch the metaphorical string, he finally felt Zee's hand on his. Zee's kind eyes were steady and comforting. And just like that, Saint caught the string.

When they arrived at the police station, Zee offered to wait for Saint but Saint declined and said it was going to be alright. Saint appreciated the fact that Zee didn't insist and didn't ask too many questions.

He straightened his spine and braced himself as he walked up to the information desk and asked for Lt. Amdee. He was asked to sit and wait as the police officer pushed buttons on the intercom. Soon enough, Lt. Amdee appeared and gestured for him to follow her. She looked tired and defeated. The feeling of worry bubbled up again in the surface.

Saint saw Poon across the noisy room filled with police officers, criminals and complainants. The boy was sitting in front of a table in the corner of the room, head down and shoulders slumped like he'd given up.  As Saint drew close, he was startled to see one of Poon's hands tied to the chair with a rope. He couldn't help but shoot a betrayed look at Lt. Amdee's direction.

"I had no choice. He kept trying to get away and I fear he'd end up hurting himself more if we didn't restrain him," she explained under her breath.

When the distance between them was only a couple of meters, Saint's heart was aching. Poon's body and clothes were even dirtier than the last time he saw him. His slippers had holes and his feet had blisters. His hair had grown longer and was grimy. 

"Poon?" Saint said softly as he crouched down in front of his young friend.

Poon slowly lifted his head and Saint had to stifle a gasp upon seeing his swollen right eye. Poon stared at Saint without speaking before lowering his head down once more.

"What happened?" Saint asked both Poon and Lt. Amdee.

"He got caught stealing a lady's purse," Lt. Amdee replied. "The lady's husband got angry and hit him."

Saint closed his eyes briefly and tried not to lose hope. "What's going to happen to him?"

"Since he's over 7 years old and has committed a criminal offense, he'll have to take criminal responsibility. But since he's under 14 years old, he's not liable to punishment. There will be a court hearing on his case to bring in his parents. In the meantime, he'll be turned over to child welfare services until the hearing date is scheduled," Lt. Amdee explained.

Saint grimaced. That means Poon's going to a government-run detention center. These centers have been criticized for their negative approach in looking after children. They are no known for having a warm and loving environment. Instead, these centers are notorious for rigid control enforced by strict rules, discipline and punishment.

"Is there any way to put him in one of the privately-run centers instead?" Saint asked.

"It's up to Child Welfare Services," Lt. Amdee replied.

Saint transferred his attention to the quiet boy. "Poon, I'll see what I can do, okay?"

Saint stood up and excused himself by indicating to Lt. Amdee that he would go out to make a call.