"..And Breaking news: Yet again a child has disappeared from the city. Citizens are claiming that the child was last seen near the lake of Volis. The police has began its investigation and will soon notify the updates. Till then, stay
tuned with our channel, the city news"
Stella was watching the TV news.
"Oh Goddess! What's happening?" Stella sounded worried.
"Near the lake" Arya murmured.
" Why don't the police just keep some forces on duty all the time? God these people!" Stella said.
*Buzz*
Stella's phone ringing.
" Hello, Oh Mrs. Aguilera! Is this your new number. Oh! I will save it as Mr. Augilera then. Yes, I just saw the news… Really?... Oh really?... That's actually good. I will surely join. Alright… okay." Stella hung up.
"Arya, the priest has announced a gathering this evening in regards to this recent incident. Mrs. Aguilera just informed me. She is coming there with Maya and wanted me to attend too, with you! " Stella told Arya.
"Will the priest discuss anything about the lake? All these incidents has definitely got something to do with the lake! " Arya responded.
"Son, tomorrow it's your wedding, the house is decorated and now this is a golden chance of seeking the blessings from his Holiness before your new journey" Stella said while patting tapping Arya's back.
"You're not serious about the incident? You're not interested, are you? You forgot how Jay.. " Arya suddenly stopped.
"Don't you think it's disgusting on your part to think about your ex beloved? Don't drag his death into everything. Besides, as for your question, I do not find any connection between the two happenings." Stella rebuked Arya.
"You must come and this is my order! " Stella told Arya. As evening arrived, they left for the gathering together, Arya though unwilling, didn't disobey his mother. They reached the venue band witnessed a large crowd with the priest sitted on a raised platform. Stella quickly spotted Mrs. Aguilera. They went closer to them. Mrs. Aguilera seemed pleased to see Arya and his mom. Maya noticed Arya. "This guy?" She murmured.
Mrs. Augilera whispered something to Maya's ears to which her eyebrows arose. Stella was observing Maya. She was pleased to witness how wonderful her daughter in law was smelling and looking, just like fresh fragrant flowers. Maya was shocked to know that it was the same guy, with whom her marriage was fixed.
The event began. The priest chanted a prayer to which everyone closed their eyes.
"Please do not keep any gap between yourselves. Sit closer as I pray the goddess" The priest told everyone. Hearing this, everybody sat closer to each other. Arya was looking at the sky. "Will it change it's color? " He asked himself.
"Now, I would request my devotee, who also happens to be the police in charge of the concerned incident to narrate his findings, in front of the gathering." The priest said inviting the police. This clearly indicated that even the police force were devoted to his preachings in the city.
"I, I Aron Troy, the police in charge of the recent lost case of a 10 year old pay my homage to his holiness for giving me this opportunity to reveal my findings" The police began. "Every year, 5 kids are getting lost from the city. This has begun 9 years ago. It is amusing to see that there are no clues or traces of the missing kids, from any of these years." He continued.
"Say something about the lake, come on! " Arya murmured. He clenched his fist in tension. Maya took a note of all these.
"The police force is disturbed to witness such a pattern in missing incidents and are fully committed to find out the reason or the culprit, if any" The police ended his revelations.
"Shaa! Nothing about the lake? " Arya was seemingly perturbed.
"The culprit doesn't have any shape" The priest glared. His eyes were closed and his voice vibrated as such that everyone's heart would skip a beat. "The culprit is very much in the city and there is, certainly, a culprit who is the very reason behind such incidents" The priest continued.
Maya was observing the priest as he spoke. His red attire and hair which crossed his shoulders were intimidating. His face was dusky and eyes were gentle and still. Rosary beads around his neck, wrists and ankles gave him a mystic look.
After the priests declaration, the gathering ended. The crowd was worried with the prediction. The priest left after sprin kling holy water over the crowd. Stella was thrilled to take his blessings for her son. She hurriedly took Arya along with her to get his hands over Arya's head.
"His holiness, his holiness" She called aloud. The priest turned around to the voice. "His holiness, kindly bless my child, he is about to get married."
The priest's eyes fell upon Arya and as soon as it did, his eyes enlarged. "Your face seems to be familiar boy" The priest remarked. Arya patiently observed the reaction of the priest. He knew the reason. " Where?!.. " The priest couldn't remember.
"I stole your book. Yes, I was the one! " Arya interrupted.