Chereads / BEYOND THE PATH / Chapter 21 - The mess that Left

Chapter 21 - The mess that Left

It's all a matter of perspective as to when circumstances take a different turn.

Meanwhile, the other officers assigned to locate the missing woman continue their search diligently.

But soon, they are going to discover that every member of her family has inexplicably vanished, leaving no trace.

At that point, the search operation slows down and eventually comes to a halt.

During my last visit to this place, someone takes away my wallet and gun, which might still be lying there, waiting to be found.

It's a matter of the perspective being the last person to visit them, circumstances are bound to change.

Even though I inform Amit about my intention to check on them, the situation remains unpredictable.

The mess lies in the whereabouts of my wallet and gun, which are currently somewhere within that house.

In the midst of the chaotic events that are unfolding, I completely forget about them.

However, it is crucial that I retrieve them before these guys arrive at the door to initiate their search operation.

"Hey Amit, where are you at the moment?"

"Nitin instructs us to speak with the son of the missing woman, as he reports yesterday."

"And when are you guys heading there?"

"We are on our way."

"Damn!"

"Did you say something?"

"Oh, all right then. I'll join you shortly," I respond, trying to mask the urgency in my voice.

As I came to realize the importance of reaching there swiftly and retrieving my stuff before they have a chance to set foot inside.

It seems like an eternity since I experience a peaceful day, constantly tortured by unforeseen troubles.

Nevertheless, I have come to accept this noisy existence as an inevitable part of my life's journey.

Before succumbing to unconsciousness, I distinctly recall having my wallet and gun securely tucked away in my pocket.

The sheer blackness of that cursed house fills me with a sense of dread.

The laborious task of scrubbing every nook and cranny in search of the whereabouts of my stuff looms ahead, a time-consuming setout that can stretch on for hours.

Today is such a beautiful day, the clear sky and gentle wind feel like touching my soul.

These kids are back on their playground, and I can see pure happiness radiating from their faces.

I wish my childhood were like this, filled with innocence and blissful ignorance of the world's cruel and dark realities that can transform even the most innocent person into a monster.

Finally, I reach the destination, a bit late, I guess not. They have arrived long before me.

Through the window, I spot Amit inside the house, frantically searching for the missing ones. Oblivious to the truth, he has no idea what has befallen them.

They are all trapped in the depths of ignorance, while I hold the key to their enlightenment.

However, I have chosen not to unlock that door.

As I cautiously advance, each step forward echoes the pounding of my heart, a constant reminder of the ticking time.

Its rhythm resonates in my ears, amplifying the intensity of the moment.

I count four people, including Amit and the others, tirelessly scouring every corner of the house.

From the atmosphere and their expressions, I can sense that they are already aware of the unsettling truth: the two brothers they are searching for are no longer present, most likely gone.

However, there is one comforting fact: they haven't stumbled upon any evidence or traces of my presence in the house.

This is a positive sign for me, but it also serves as a warning to evacuate my stuff quickly as possible.

"You came here yesterday, didn't you, Sir?"

"Yeah, you're right. I speak to the guy who comes to file the report,"

"It's strange. Nobody seems to be here. Where could they have gone?"

Amit is kind of in a state of confusion about the sudden despaiarence of these guys like this, yesterday they were in a panic about finding their mother and now they are gone.

"I'm not sure. The person I speak to doesn't mention anything different. He just repeats what is in the report,"

"Perhaps they go to their relatives' place to seek some answers," I suggest, trying to steer their thoughts in a specific direction.

I want to ensure that everyone focuses on my theory, preventing them from forming alternative conclusions.

It is crucial to keep their minds aligned with my perspective.

As I observe the house, certain aspects catch my attention, leaving me in awe. Everything inside is meticulously arranged, following a systematic order.

The cleanliness of this place is truly remarkable, and the fragrance in the air adds to its pleasant atmosphere.

It appears that the mother and their sons dedicate considerable effort to keeping the entire house clean daily.

There are four officers, each exploring a different area of the house. Here I stand in the middle of the hallway, the very spot where I lose consciousness yesterday.

The department confirms that they are not there at any relatives' homes, and these officers are searching the locality, but the local residents reported that they haven't seen them since two days ago.

This situation raises questions about their strange behavior.

Wait a moment! Why do I find my phone in my hand? How does it end up here?

The last memory I have is burying those dead bodies on my own, and afterward, when I reach my car, I discover my phone lying on the seat.

It's strange because when I carry it with me in the house and keep it in my pocket the entire time.

What does this mean? Could Rudra somehow manage to retrieve my belongings before I do and place them in my car?

It's a possibility to consider, especially since I haven't checked my car's drawer since yesterday.

Perhaps I should thoroughly examine the drawer in my car. I am certain that the remaining items are there.

However, just as I am about to head towards the door, one of the officers from the back of the house calls out to us.

It seems he has discovered something. "Sir, come over here!"

At that moment, my legs freeze, and my heart seems to skip a beat.

A storm of questions and anxieties flood my mind, leaving me confused and uncertain.

Should I proceed towards my car or answer the call that just came?

"Arun sir, please come here! We've discovered something," Amit's voice calls out.

Oh, great! Amit is calling for me. Should I respond or not? Ignoring his call for too long would only raise suspicions about my actions.

I make my way slowly toward the scene, filled with curiosity about what they could have possibly discovered.

All four officers stand together in the backyard, their attention fixated on something on the ground.

"Over here, Sir!" one of them calls out.

As I approach, my anxiety begins to subside. There seems to be nothing out of the ordinary.

"What do we have here?" I inquire, trying to make sense of the situation.

"Take a closer look at this specific area," one of the officers urges me.

Puzzled, I inspect the area, but everything seems normal to me.

"What's wrong with it? It looks fine," I remark.

"Take a closer look and observe your surroundings," the officer insists.

I kneel, getting closer to the ground, and run my fingers through the soil.

It feels damp, wet to the touch. However, as I cast my eyes across the surrounding area, a sense of dread washes over me.

Unlike the dry land around it, this particular area stands out starkly. There is moisture present, a distinct difference that cannot be ignored.

The most plausible explanation begins to take shape in our minds.

It seems evident that someone is purposefully digging up this specific spot

And then, whoever the guy who is digging proceeds to cover the disturbed soil with the moisture-rich earth obtained during the excavation.

It seems that everyone else is arriving at a similar conclusion as I am.

Instead of voicing my thoughts, I choose to remain silent and let them decide whether they want to proceed with digging or not.

After a lengthy discussion, they finally resolve: "Yes, let's dig and uncover what lies hidden beneath."

Amit brings the three shovels, and I stand there, observing them as they begin to dig.

My mind races with thoughts about what could be concealed within that mysterious spot.

The anticipation grows as time passes, and the air becomes heavy with a sense of nearing revelation.

Each shovelful of the earth brings us closer to uncovering the secrets hidden beneath as if we are on the cusp of discovering a truth that shakes us to our very core.

The buried object emerges with every layer of soil brushed away, casting an eerie glow that dances across our faces.

Gasps fill the air, our eyes widen in disbelief as the shocking truth is laid bare before us.

I don't know why but I am getting this feeling that we are going to discover some fresh dead bodies in a very few moments.