Chereads / The Fan(GL) / Chapter 38 - Bright and the mysterious man

Chapter 38 - Bright and the mysterious man

Detectives Push and Bright creased their brows upon seeing the CCTV footage they got from the accident at Blew on the High Way.

A man wearing a cap got out of the truck that hit Blew's car.

After dismounting, he took the gun from his back and approached the dying Blew. But it suddenly stopped, and he quickly turned around, sensing someone's presence behind him. Detective Push and Bright observed as another figure emerged from the shadows, causing the man with the gun to hesitate. The unexpected arrival seemed to have disrupted his initial plan, leaving them wondering about the connection between these two individuals and their motives.

But where the man in the shadow came from is a mystery. The detectives exchanged puzzled glances, realizing that they were missing a crucial piece of the puzzle. As they cautiously approached the mysterious figure, their minds raced with questions about how this person fit into the unfolding drama. Determined to uncover the truth, they knew that unraveling the mystery of the shadowy stranger would be key to solving the case at hand.

But to their dismay, they couldn't find footage that captured the man; even Bright and his colleague, the police, who were there at the scene, never noticed such a stranger who seemed to frighten the killer.

''So, what do you think the detective Push thinks? " Their colleague, a police officer, who called them to see this footage, asked for their opinion.

Bright was just quiet and let detective Push ponder the question for a moment.

Finally, Detective Push broke the silence and said, "It's possible that the killer knew how to avoid being caught on camera. We need to dig deeper into his background and connections to understand why he was able to go unnoticed."

''For now, I want you all to be alert and investigate every possible lead or connection related to the killer," Detective Push continued. "We should also analyze the footage from nearby surveillance cameras to see if we can identify any suspicious individuals or vehicles in the area during the time of the crime."

And discussions on this case continue, and everyone inside who is part of the investigating team of the homicide department is determined to find any possible leads or connections that may have been overlooked. They are also considering reaching out to other law enforcement agencies for assistance and collaborating with forensic experts to gather more evidence. Everyone is working tirelessly to gather as much information as possible. The detective also emphasized the importance of reaching out to local residents and businesses for any potential witnesses or additional evidence that could aid in solving the case. Everyone was busy that day inside that room with their tasks for the investigation.

While Bright decided to take a break and lit a cigarete at the back of the building. Detective Push noticed Bright's strange behavior. But decided not to interrupt him and instead observed from a distance, curious about what he might be up to. Push knew that sometimes valuable clues could be discovered by simply observing people in their natural state.

Bright leaned on the wall and released smoke from his mouth.

''I can't believe you're back," he uttered.

''What really are you? ''

''I am what I told you before . Do you believe me now? '' A man who is now standing beside Bright wearing a white polo and a white shirt with black lining responded to him.

''When did you get here? '' Bright was shocked to see the man beside him. The man chuckled softly and replied, "I've been here the whole time, just blending into the background. You never noticed." Bright's eyes widened in realization as he realized that this mysterious man had been observing him all along.

Bright looked left and right, and when he noticed no one was around, he dragged the man into an alley, and when they arrived there, he abruptly pushed the man off the wall.

The man didn't fight back when Bright threw punches at his chest. And later on, Bright got tired, and the man remained standing. Bright leaned on the man's chest, and the man slowly wrapped his arms around Bright's body. There, Bright's tears finally gave in and fell like a torrential downpour. The man held Bright tightly, offering a rare moment of solace amidst the chaos. As Bright's tears soaked the man's shirt, a sense of understanding passed between them, transcending words and actions. It was in that vulnerable embrace that Bright found longing comfort and a glimmer of hope for redemption.

''I saw you drown in that water, Bright finally said. The man's grip tightened, and his eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and empathy. "I know," he whispered softly, his voice trembling with emotion. "But you're not alone anymore. I'm here now.''

It was a bright and sunny day when two high school boys, aged around 16, decided to ride a bike to one of the famous caves in Thailand.

The two still have bruises from fighting with Bright's former football teammates at his former school.Just earlier, that's why the two decided to skip school and drive on the highway on the way to the cave. They were seeking solace and adventure, hoping that the scenic beauty of the cave would help them forget their troubles, if only for a little while. As they rode along the highway, the wind blowing through their hair, they couldn't help but feel a sense of freedom and liberation.

''Woah, we are free! The teenage boy at the back shouted, which made Bright, who is driving the bike, smile, happy that he had finally seen the boy this happy.

And then Bright started struggling going up the mountain, so the boy at the back decided to push the bike to help Bright. Despite the physical exertion, the boy's determination to assist his friend brought them even closer together, strengthening their bond and creating lasting memories of their adventurous journey. They are both laughing, so it makes it harder for them to go uphill , but their laughter also serves as a source of motivation and encouragement. With each push, their laughter grows louder, fueling their determination to conquer the mountain together. Despite the challenge, they continue to push forward, knowing that their shared joy and camaraderie will make the uphill battle worth it in the end.

While they were driving uphill. The rain suddenly poured down, drenching them and making the road slippery. However, they refuse to let the rain dampen their spirits, finding solace in the fact that they are facing this unexpected obstacle together. They grip the steering wheel tighter and navigate through the challenging conditions, relying on their trust in each other to safely reach their destination.

And there they saw the cave, but before they went to the Buddha in the shed, they kneeled down and offered a silent prayer for guidance and protection.

Bright chained his bike outside the cave, and they finally got their things and got in the cave. As they entered the cave, a sense of awe washed over them. The dimly lit interior revealed intricate stalactites hanging from the ceiling, creating a mystical atmosphere. They took a moment to absorb the beauty around them before proceeding further into the depths of the cave, eager to uncover the secrets it held. Bright took his shirt, which made the other boy look away. Bright noticed the uneasiness towards the other, and he smirked. He knew that the other boy was uncomfortable with his confident demeanor, but he couldn't help but enjoy the power it gave him. So, an idea came to his mind: as the other boy was turning his back on him, he approached him and wrapped his arms around him. He felt how the boy was tense towards his touch, but Bright didn't let go. Instead, he whispered in the other boy's ear, "Don't be afraid; I won't bite." The tension slowly dissipated as the other boy realized Bright's intentions were not malicious. They stood there for a moment, embracing in the darkness of the cave, both curious about what lay ahead.

The boy smiled and closed his eyes, feeling the moment. He had never experienced such warmth and acceptance before. It was a rare moment of vulnerability and connection that he knew he would cherish forever.

Bright found himself smiling too at that intimate moment; it was supposed to be a joke, but he found himself comfortable with the position, wrapping his arms around his friend. While they were standing there, the boy suddenly looked up and said, "Look at how beautiful they are; they are like stars in the sky." He said this while pointing to the stalactites above them with a smile.Bright couldn't help but be captivated by his friend's childlike wonder and infectious enthusiasm. As they stood there, gazing up at the mesmerizing stalactites, a sense of awe and appreciation washed over Bright. In that moment, he realized that their friendship was built on more than just laughter and jokes; it was rooted in shared moments of genuine connection and profound understanding.

''Yeah, you're right, it's beautiful, '' Bright said, and he faced his friend, but his friend also did the same thing. They are both shocked at how close their faces are, and Bright didn't budge but instead looked at his friend in seriousness without the hint of annoyance or disgust as to how they almost breathed into each other's mouths, while on the other hand, the boy has been swallowing in nervousness and being the first one to look away.

''See, I told you you'd like it, said the boy in almost a whisper, looking down.

And they heard laughter from afar, and the boy quickly pulled away from Bright when he saw the group of high schoolers like them laughing at what they were doing with the camera they were holding.

''What a site, hahaha! Come on, guys! I didn't know this place was so disgusting, Says the boy holding the camera, who seems to be the leader of the group. And spit on the ground before they all left the cave with their bicycles; some even kicked Bright's bicycle, and some teased them with the middle finger.

Bright attempted to follow them out of anger, but the boy with him held his wrist. Bright's face flushed with anger as he watched the group of high schoolers disrespect and mock them. He clenched his fists, ready to confront them, but the boy beside him calmly intervened, urging him to let it go.

He faced the boy, and he saw the tired look on its face as it looked at him. '' Let's just go home, bright, said his friend.

Bright nodded, got his shirt, wore it, and they finally walked out of the cave.

After that day, the boy hadn't shown up to Bright anymore, and Bright has been bullied by almost the whole school as someone posted their picture on the bulletin board of the whole school. Bright felt a sense of loneliness and betrayal, wondering why his friend had abandoned him in his time of need. The constant bullying took a toll on his confidence, and he struggled to find solace amidst the harsh judgment of his peers.

But he didn't regret standing up for his friend, as he knew deep down that he had done the right thing. Despite the pain and isolation, Bright remained determined to stay true to himself and never let the bullies break his spirit. He knew that one day he would find his friend and reunite with him, and they would be able to support each other through their shared experiences. Bright held onto the hope that their friendship would be stronger than the cruelty they faced, and he vowed to keep searching until he found his friend and brought back the bond they once had.

And the day comes when Bright's Parents find out about the trouble Bright has been through fighting with those boys. As the school had sent them letters about Bright's involvement in the fights, they were worried about their son's well-being. Concerned for his safety, they decided to have a serious conversation with Bright's parents about the importance of avoiding violence and finding healthier ways to resolve conflicts. They wanted to ensure that Bright understood the consequences of his actions and encouraged him to seek help from trusted adults if he ever found himself in similar situations again.

But Bright's dad, who saw the letters, called Bright into his office and threw those letters in his face. Bright Dad's reaction made Bright more mad at his parents, as they are always gone on business trips. He looked at his dad with anger and clenched fists. His mom entered the room. The woman looked at him with a worried face.

Bright couldn't take it and left the room .

His mom called, but he did stop and go to the garage and drive his bike. As Bright pedaled away, he felt a mix of frustration and confusion. His vision is blurred because of his tears. He couldn't understand why his parents were always prioritizing work over spending time with him. As he rode through the streets, he couldn't help but wonder if they even cared about him at all. The wind on his face provided a temporary distraction from his overwhelming emotions.

And then he saw the group that had been making his life hell near the creek having fun. This might sound crazy, but he is not in his right mind at the moment, and he decided to make it worse by stopping by and throwing them stones.

''What the hell, you piece of shit? the group, and they start chasing him. Bright started pedaling, but the group was gaining on him quickly. Panic surged through his veins as he desperately searched for an escape route. With each passing second, his heart pounded louder in his ears, fueling his determination to outrun them.

But to his dismay, they caught his bike and kicked him, which caused him to stumble and roll on the slanting ground near the creek. His shirt got so dirty that the dust was visible as the group ran down into him. Bright coughed because the dust filled his lungs, making it difficult to breathe. He struggled to regain his footing, his body aching from the impact. As he looked up, he saw the group closing in on him, their menacing expressions sending shivers down his spine. And there they beat him badly.

And a strong wind blew, and the gust of wind stopped the group from attacking Bright. The sudden gust of wind caught the group off guard, causing them to lose their balance and stumble backward. They covered their eyes from the dust, while Bright had no strength and just stayed lying on the ground. As Bright lay on the ground, he felt a mix of relief and confusion. He couldn't understand how the wind had come to his rescue, but he was grateful for the unexpected intervention. With his body battered and bruised, he mustered the strength to slowly get up, unsure of what would happen next. Confused by what had just happened to the group that beat him, seeing them unable to move but their eyes saying something else—it's like they're seeing something that's preventing them from moving—he followed their eyes and saw the boy that had been missing for days.

And his eyes went wide at what he witnessed.

The ringtone of Bright's phone brought them back to their senses. But Bright didn't bother to answer and remained looking for answers in the man's eyes who was in front of him.

''Bright? What are you doing there? We have to go. The filming site, where Freen is, is far from here. Hurry up, Detective Push demanded.

Bright was startled to see Detective Push standing at the corner of the alley, where he had dragged the mysterious man with him. He faces the man again; he is already gone.

''Bright , what are you standing there for? '' Bright was puzzled for a while, wondering if detective Push had seen the man who was with him just now, but it seems like the detective didn't notice the man at all.

Detective Push looked puzzled, waiting for an answer.

''Nothing, just wanting some fresh air.'' He just simply said that and walked towards Detective Push, and they left the place. As they walked away, Bright couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. He wondered if the mysterious man had somehow disappeared without a trace. Detective Push, on the other hand, seemed focused on their next lead and didn't seem bothered by Bright's odd behavior.