Bab 9: CHAPTER 9 - Wings of the unknown
A family rushed out of their car, panic written all over their faces, and hurried into the police station. The group included a young couple—a man and his wife—and an elderly man, the husband's father. At the station's desk, they pleaded desperately with the officers.
"Please, sir, help me find my child!" the man begged, his voice trembling with urgency, barely holding back tears. "He's only one year old. Please, I'm begging you!" His despair was evident, and his words were almost breaking as he spoke.
The man's wife, her face streaked with tears, cried out, "They… they came in a black van and took my baby! Please, I'll do anything—just bring my child back!" Her voice cracked with pain, her heart unable to bear the thought of being separated from her son.
The elderly man, sharp despite his age, leaned forward, his anger palpable. "Don't just sit there! Do something before those bastards get away with my grandson! If you don't act now, I'll make sure every one of you loses your job!" he thundered, attempting to intimidate the officers into action.
The officer at the desk raised his hand, motioning for silence. "I understand your situation," he said firmly. "Please, calm down for a moment and tell me—where did you last see them? We'll start from there."
The young officer, Samradh, spoke in a calm yet concerned tone, his expression confused but sympathetic, overwhelmed by the family's pleas and threats.
"In the local market, in front of the clothing center," Anu, the mother, replied between sobs.
Aditya, the father, placed a reassuring hand on her head. "Believe in God," he said gently. "Nothing bad will happen to our child."
Samradh exchanged a glance with the elderly man, whose stern face softened briefly into one of pleading. "Please, find our kid," the grandfather whispered hoarsely.
Taking a deep breath, Samradh stood up and assured them, "Leave it to me. I promise I'll find your child and bring those monsters to justice."
---
Later that night…
A van rumbled along a dark, forested road. Inside were three men.
The driver, Jimmy, grinned maliciously. "Hey, can we sell his organs or something?" he suggested.
"Shut up, Jimmy," snapped Akib, seated beside him. "We're not doing anything to him. Keeping him alive is more valuable."
Jimmy frowned. "How's that, Akib?"
Akib smirked. "His grandfather was the head of DRDO, and his father works at the National Bank. We can ransom him for money and sensitive information. Once we have it, we can sell the data to foreign spy agencies like the CIA—or even terrorists. We'll make a fortune."
In the back of the van, Riyan tried to quiet the crying baby. "I can't wait to get my hands on that money. Drive faster, Jimmy!" he called out, his voice laced with anticipation.
But Akib suddenly felt a chill as cold air swept through the van. He looked up, startled. "Jimmy… the roof. What happened to the roof?"
Jimmy glanced up, then back at Akib. "What the—?"
Akib turned to check on the baby. "Riyan, is the baby—" His words were cut short by a scream as he saw Riyan's lifeless body—his head no longer attached.
"Jimmy! What's going on?!" Akib yelled, panic setting in.
Before Jimmy could respond, he saw it—a massive, humanoid figure with the body of a man but the head and wings of a bird. It hovered above the van, blocking the moonlight. In terror, Jimmy lost control of the vehicle, crashing into a tree.
Crawling out of the wreckage, Jimmy looked up, his body trembling in pain. The dark figure was still there, its black feathers glistening under the faint moonlight. And then, it vanished into the night.
---
At the family's home…
The doorbell rang. The grandmother, weary and tearful, rushed to the door, hoping for news. "Did you find—?" she began, but her voice caught in her throat.
Standing at the door was the same dark figure, its birdlike form imposing and otherworldly. It held the baby gently in its clawed hands. "Take him," it rasped, its voice deep and otherworldly.
Trembling, the grandmother reached out. As soon as she took the baby, the figure vanished into thin air.
---
Morning…
The alarm buzzed. A hand emerged from beneath a blanket to shut it off. A young boy, Vikram, sat up groggily, rubbing his eyes.
"Vikram! Hurry up, or you'll be late for college!" Anu called from the kitchen.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone