(Chapter - 18)

  [Tori Probaho (3)]

  Tori's face completely drains. His mother now gets pissed off. Composed but angry, she talks to the boy.

  Mrs. Nishira : Hey kid. Don’t you have manners? How dare you talk about us like-

  Mr. Tabir : Nishira…

  Calling her name in a calm voice, Tori's dad places his hand on her shoulder before she can speak any further. Tori's mom pauses, looking at him with devastated, helpless eyes. Dad steps forward and apologizes to the people gently and sincerely, saying it's a misunderstanding. The family is left speechless, and Tori is in utter shock and heartbreak. As the collapse of the dam has nothing to do with him or his family. The wicked boy keeps smirking with malice at Tori as their eyes meet.

  “Dad stopped mom from arguing or defending anymore. He simply chose to accept everything and put an end to that mess. That day… Dad had to lower his head and apologise for things he didn’t even commit, the false accusations on our whole family. The citizens demanded that we leave the place at any cost and get out of their sight. I don’t know why my family chose silence that day. But all the humiliation to our family was caused by just one small mistake of mine… Trusting the boy blindly, who was then smiling at me with mockery… We got home and started packing our stuff. I didn’t have the courage to look at dad anymore. I felt so pathetic and useless. A burden who calls for trouble…”

  At night, Tori tells Nodi about everything while sobbing on the bed. Nodi comforts him.

  Tori : And that's… That's how he betrayed me and framed our family… *Sob* It's all my fault…

  Nodi : No, it's natural to tell another power wielding person about your powers. He chose to betray you. It’s not your fault Tori…

  Tori : *Sob* B-But, sis… Dad doesn’t know. He'll hate me.

  Nodi : Hey, dad loves you and trusts you. He will believe you if you explain everything. So tell him… Ok?

  Tori : Ok… I will.

  Nodi hugs Tori warmly, letting him feel a sense of emotional safety.

  “The next day we departed for another city. Other people were moving for a shelter as well, because of the damage due to massive flooding. So the street was really crowded — we could barely walk properly. Then within the crowd, a pair of hands grabbed me and blocked my mouth before I could scream. My eyes were also blindfolded afterwards, I started to feel numb and I realized I was being kidnapped before I passed out. I don’t know whether the other people saw me that time or simply chose to ignore me… Just because I was the boy from the power-wielding family.”

  “When I woke up, a day had already passed. I was in a forest with 3 unknown men wrapped in dusty brown cloaks. They seemed like normal people but they had sharp knives with them.”

  Tori is sitting against a tree, with his blue backpack still on. The three men are sitting a bit far from him, sipping water with wicked laughter.

  Man1 : I never thought I'd be able to get my hands on this kid. Hahah!

  Man2 : When will he wake up? He's been sleeping since yesterday.

  Tori : *Yesterday? A day has passed!?*

  Man3 : Let him have his last sleep of peace. When he wakes up, we'll get rid of him anyway.

  Tori : *!!!*

  The words and the view of knives send chills down Tori's spine. He turns pale. Not moving right away, he calmly sits pretending to be passed out still.

  “After mustering up the courage, I suddenly stood up and ran fast for my life. Of course they were chasing after me. Minutes later, I reached a small river that ends in a very high waterfall. While crossing over the stones in the river, they caught up to me.”

  As Tori runs over the rocks, one of the men grabs the backpack. Panicking, Tori takes off the bag and continues to run.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  Man1 : That little!

  Man2 : Hey stop! Do you think you can outrun us?

  Man3 : Nobody can save you from us, you punk!

  Tori : *No! Please! Someone save me!*

  While hurrying to cross the stones over the river, his feet slip and he falls all the way down the waterfall.

  Tori : *Ahh… I slipped!*

  The men stare at him falling down, with no concern or emotion. They just shrug their shoulders — meaning they really don’t care whether Tori lives or dies. Tori watches their faces full of mockery moving further away as he gets closer to the water surface below. A loud splash of him falling hard into the water reaches the men's ears. Tori hits his head on a rock underneath the water. He remains in the water to look at the men.

  Man1 : Ah, he fell. What now?

  Man2 : What else? Let's just go back. You think a small kid like him survived the fall? Haha.

  Man3 : We were gonna kill him anyway. Good for him that he died an instant, probably painless death.

  Man2 : Yeah, our work is done. Let's return!

  Man1 : What about his bag? Should we take it?

  Man3 : C'mon! We're not some pickpockets who'd even rob a kid's useless bag! What we were here for is over. So leave that garbage here & go.

  They leave and drop the bag on the grass beside the river. As Tori sees them leaving, he swims back up through the waterfall using his powers.

  “I went back again through the waterfall after they were gone. They left the bag behind intact. It was obvious they were after my life, for reasons I still don't know. I picked the bag up and started running across the stones, crossed the river and entered another forest, desperately shouting so someone could find me until I ran out of breath, drained of energy. I stumbled, fell… But only rested for a bit before running again, along with the sun that’s determined to move to the west. It was slowly getting dark and I was terrified.”

  Little Tori runs desperately through the forest. He looks tired and worn out, almost staggering his feet. His breath becomes short as well as his steps. His pace slows down.

  “I was crying helplessly and praying that a miracle would happen and I'd be saved. My injured body was unable to run anymore. The dark sky felt like it was the end for me.”

  He runs through the forest for his life. Tears in his eyes, not even looking back.

  Tori : Mom! Dad…! Huff… Sis! Hah…!

  He cries as he keeps calling out for help. A scared little kid, whose steps are faltering as he runs for safety.

  Tori : Is anyone here?? Please! Help me!!

  “Until, I found myself near some bushes that led out to the street of this city. It was probably the wind forest I had entered that led me there… The night street had never looked so beautiful and safe before, like a tiny spark of hope for me. I just kept staring at the pretty lights of the city, thanking god for that sudden miracle.”

  Tori, all covered in dirt and bruises, completely disheveled while carrying his backpack, has his eyes focused on the night city view. His blue hair fluttered and his blue eyes reflected an unknown hope. Then a man walking on the street sees him and approaches.

  “Then… A man passing by the street saw me and came up to me. He offered me help — aid and food. I was so hungry, injured, lost and homeless. His kind words enlightened the tiny spark of hope more. I was so happy, grateful and relieved that I could not hold back my tears. He offered me shelter and clothes as well. And that man was none other than… Our foster dad, Mr. Miraz Muzaif, who had taken me in that day and has raised me till now like his own son…”

  Little Tori is sitting on the bed. Miraz treats his cuts, gives him new clothes and food. Tori has no smile but a reassured face that — he's safe here. He grabs onto his backpack and hugs it tightly. He tells Miraz everything that happened. Miraz pats and brushes Tori's head and lets him know that from today, he's his family.

  “I studied at home and also learned about people with supernatural powers. I started to practice using my powers and controlling it. Somehow dad had a lot of knowledge about this and he always helped me.”

  Little Tori, all groomed up in good clothing, sits on the table and explores through the books with a cheerful, focused face. His eyes shine in wonder.

  “We’d cook food and eat together. I'd also help dad to take care of the huge garden. I used my powers too, as he directed me. I would study and explore books and stuff while dad was at his work. I discovered a lot of things that would amaze me as a child.”

  Tori walks around the garden and listens to the birds chirping. As he steps into the backyard, he sees the Ariya flower plant, with few of its flowers in bloom. It looks so pretty that it leaves him in awe. He runs inside the house, brings a book about different kinds of plants and flowers, finds out the name ‘Ariya Flower’ and primary details real quick. His eyes show his inner joy.

  “After dad was home, we would discuss the things I did or learned in those days. And whenever I missed my family to the point I'd cry, he would comfort me. He'd give me his warmth when I was freezing in the coldness of losing my family… He never looked down on me because I cried or was too soft-hearted. He was always empathetic, saying he knows exactly what I’m feeling.”

  Tori wipes his tears as Miraz consoles him.

  Miraz : Tori Probaho… You aren't weak. In fact, you’re one of the strongest kids I’ve ever met!

  Tori : …Really?

  Miraz : Yes. So, never think low of yourself. Your self-confidence is what will take you forward in life.

  Tori : O-Okay…

  Miraz : Remember? We're both family now. We are not alone anymore. Right?

  Tori : Yes!

  Miraz : Great, little prince of water.

  Tori : Haha!

  Miraz warmly hugs Tori. His gentle, fatherly gaze hovers on him. He hid his own pain behind those gazes — for he knows what losing a family feels like.

  “I was the first kid whom dad took in. And from then on, I became his family… That's the story of how I separated from my family and ended up in Miraz Monjil…”

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