The faint glow of a bedside lamp barely lit the shadows of a fancy bedroom, its rich decor hidden under a heavy sense of sadness. The air was thick with the metallic scent of fresh blood mixed with a faint trace of expensive cologne, now stale and lingering. A teenage boy, Arvind, lay sprawled across his king-sized bed, tears streaking down his pale face. His left wrist had deep cuts, with dark red blood seeping onto the once-pristine white sheets and dripping onto the cold, polished wooden floor. A dark trail of blood stretched from the bed to the door, standing out starkly against the glossy surface, adding to the room's haunting stillness. Due to the dim, oppressive lighting and the shadows cast by the dark theme of the scene, his face and hair were obscured, making it difficult to get a clear look at his features.
Nearby, an iPad lay discarded on the floor, its screen cracked with faint smudges of blood staining the glass. The device emitted a faint, fading voice recording:
iPad (Voice Recording): "...Take care, Arvind. I hope you will fulfill my last wish."
As the message ended, the screen flickered and went dark, plunging the room into an oppressive silence. The only sound was Arvind's ragged breathing. After a brief pause, he stirred, his body trembling as he struggled to sit up. The effects of blood loss were swift—his vision blurred, the world around him fading at the edges. His limbs felt like lead, but sheer will pushed him forward.
Staggering unsteadily, he moved toward the door, each step a battle against the darkness creeping into his consciousness. His knees buckled, and he collapsed with a dull thud, his body sprawled across the cold, unforgiving floor.
Fleeting memories flashed before his dimming eyes—fragments of warmth amidst the cold. A girl on a hill bathed in golden sunset light, her laughter mingling with the breeze. The tender touch of her hand. A stolen kiss beneath a sky scattered with stars, a fleeting moment of perfection in his otherwise fractured world.
Summoning the last reserves of his strength, Arvind crawled, dragging himself inch by painful inch toward the door. His trembling fingers gripped the door handle, slick with his own blood. But just as he managed to twist it slightly, an agonizing wave of pain surged through him, and his body gave out. He collapsed, unconscious, his blood pooling around him.
Minutes later, the silence was shattered. A maid entered the room, her casual footsteps halting abruptly as her eyes took in the horrifying scene. A gasp escaped her lips, quickly morphing into a scream that echoed through the vast corridors of the mansion.
Rahul, Arvind's father, rushed in moments later. His face, usually a mask of stoic authority, crumbled at the sight of his son lying motionless in a pool of blood. He froze, his breath hitching, as the reality of the situation sank in—the fragile life of his only child slipping away before his very eyes.
Three Days Later
In the bustling main hall of the hospital, the sterile smell of disinfectant mixed with the faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee from a nearby vending machine. Rahul walked briskly beside a doctor, his face etched with anxiety, his steps restless.
Rahul: "Doctor, how is he doing now?"
The doctor offered a small, reassuring smile.
Doctor: "Don't worry, sir. He was in critical condition when you brought him here, but he's improving. A few more days of rest, and he'll be back to normal."
Relief washed over Rahul's face, softening his tense features.
Rahul: "So, can I see him now?"
Doctor: "Not yet, sir. Let him rest for today. I'll make sure you can meet him tomorrow."
They reached Arvind's ward. The doctor entered first while Rahul waited anxiously outside, pacing the corridor.
Inside the Ward
Doctor: "Why didn't you inform me about this sooner?!"
The sudden sharpness in the doctor's voice startled Rahul, prompting him to rush in. His eyes quickly took in the scene: the doctor was scolding a nurse, who stood with an apologetic expression, wringing her hands nervously.
Nurse: "Sir, I just arrived. When I didn't see him on the bed, I thought he might be in the washroom. When I checked, he was nowhere to be found."
Panic surged through Rahul's chest as he turned to the doctor, his voice trembling.
Rahul: "Doctor, what's happening here? Where is Arvind?"
The doctor, now visibly anxious, explained Arvind's sudden disappearance, his words doing little to ease Rahul's growing fear.
Rahul: "Where would he go at a time like this?"
His question hung heavily in the sterile air, unanswered, as the room filled with a sense of dread and urgency.
Meanwhile
In an elegant café adorned with soft, warm lighting and the faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the scent of pastries, a striking teenage girl with purple hair sat by the window. Dressed in a soft pink frock and a stylish hat, she absentmindedly traced the rim of her coffee cup while gazing out at the bustling cityscape beyond, her eyes reflecting a mix of anticipation and curiosity.
Approaching her was a casually dressed boy with tousled brown hair and deep blue eyes, his expression clouded with sadness and frustration. His footsteps were hesitant, as though he'd rather be anywhere but here.
The Boy: "Why did you call me here, Aisha?"
Aisha didn't respond immediately. Instead, she gently pushed a steaming cup of coffee toward him, her fingers brushing the edge of the cup as if to offer silent comfort.
The Boy: "Are you serious? You called me all the way from the hospital just to have coffee together?"
Aisha: "Relax, Vineeth. I understand how difficult these past few days have been for you. Take a break. Now, tell me, how is he doing?"
Vineeth sighed, his tense shoulders easing slightly as he took a sip from the cup.
Vineeth: "He's out of danger, and his recovery is progressing well."
Aisha's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she leaned in slightly.
Aisha: "So about your friend, why did he try to harm himself?"
Vineeth's face hardened, his jaw clenching as he shot her a cold, dismissive look that spoke louder than words—this was not her business.
Aisha: "Come on! Don't give me that look; I just want to know what happened."
Vineeth: "It's better if you don't know about it, and..."
Before he could finish, his phone buzzed sharply, cutting through the tension. He glanced at the screen, his brows furrowing at the sight of an unknown number. Without hesitation, he answered the call, his voice low and cautious.
Vineeth: "Hello?"
Rahul's frantic voice crackled through the receiver.
Rahul: "Vineeth, is Arvind with you?"
Vineeth straightened in his seat, concern flashing across his face.
Vineeth: "No, uncle. Why? What happened?"
Rahul's words spilled out in a rush, his voice filled with panic.
Rahul: "He's missing from the hospital. We don't know where he went. Please, Vineeth, if you know anything or if he contacts you, let me know immediately. And if you can, start looking for him. We need to find him before something happens."
Vineeth's heart raced as he processed the information. After a few moments of deep thought, both Vineeth and Rahul spoke simultaneously, their voices filled with sudden realization:
Vineeth & Rahul: "He might have gone to that tree."
Meanwhile
Arvind stepped down from a dusty tow truck, his movements sluggish. He was wearing a green hospital apron, his left hand wrapped in a blood-stained bandage. His lean frame hinted at days of not eating properly, his cheeks hollow, adding to his frail appearance. His black hair was unkempt, strands falling into his crimson red eyes that glimmered with an unsettling intensity. The driver, a middle-aged man with a concerned expression, glanced at him.
Driver: "Are you sure this is where you wanted to go, kid?"
Arvind nodded slowly, offering a faint, exhausted smile.
Arvind: "Yes. Thank you for the ride."
The driver hesitated for a moment, then gave a small nod before driving off. Arvind turned away, his figure small against the vast, empty landscape. He started walking, each step deliberate, his fragile form moving with a quiet determination.
After walking for a few minutes, his eyes darted around, scanning his surroundings. A gentle breeze brushed against his face, carrying with it the earthy scent of impending rain. He stopped abruptly, his heart skipping a beat as he turned his head slightly. Thunder rumbled in the distance, and within moments, rain began to fall, cold droplets soaking through his thin hospital gown.
With a sad smile curling at the corners of his lips, Arvind whispered softly to himself,
"Found you."