The Child Disappears
815 Words
Part 8 — “The Kidnapping Plan”
The hospital night felt endless.
White walls.
Silent hallways.
The smell of medicines everywhere.
But inside Deepak’s heart…
Peace no longer existed.
Selina was resting safely now.
Garima sat beside her mother quietly.
And Deepak stood near the window looking outside into the dark rainy city.
Something felt wrong.
Very wrong.
As if danger had not ended yet.
As if the real nightmare was only beginning.
---
Meanwhile…
Inside an abandoned warehouse outside the city…
Rohan sat alone in darkness.
A small yellow bulb flickered above him.
Rainwater dripped slowly from the broken roof.
And spread across the cold floor.
Several photographs were scattered around him.
Deepak.
Garima.
Selina.
And the little girl.
Rohan stared at the child’s photo silently for several seconds.
Then slowly whispered—
> “A person breaks fastest… When the thing they love most disappears.”
His eyes slowly became emotionless.
The pain inside him had now turned into obsession.
And obsession destroys humanity.
---
The next morning…
Deepak brought everyone back home safely.
But the atmosphere inside the house had completely changed.
Fear lived in every corner now.
Garima stayed close to Deepak constantly.
The little girl refused to sleep alone anymore.
And Selina silently prayed every few hours.
Deepak finally made a decision.
> “I’m filing a police complaint today.”
Garima immediately nodded.
> “Please do. I don’t want to live like this anymore.”
Deepak gently held her hand.
> “I’ll end this.”
But some battles…
Become worse after they officially begin.
---
At the police station…
Deepak explained everything carefully.
The threats.
The attack.
The broken friendship.
The officer listened seriously.
Then said—
> “We’ll increase patrols near your house.”
“But until we catch him… Be extremely careful.”
Deepak nodded.
But inside him…
He knew Rohan personally.
And that knowledge scared him more than anything.
Because Rohan was intelligent.
Patient.
And dangerously unpredictable.
---
That evening…
For the first time in days…
Things finally looked peaceful again.
Garima cooked dinner.
The little girl laughed while watching cartoons.
Selina smiled seeing everyone together.
And Deepak slowly relaxed too.
Maybe…
Just maybe…
The worst was finally over.
Then suddenly—
The doorbell rang.
Everyone froze.
Complete silence filled the room instantly.
Deepak carefully walked toward the door.
His heartbeat became heavy again.
He slowly opened it—
And found nobody there.
Only a small gift box placed outside.
Garima nervously whispered—
> “What is it?”
Deepak carefully picked it up.
No name.
No message.
Just a red ribbon tied around the box.
Fear slowly spread through the house again.
Deepak opened it carefully.
And instantly froze.
Inside the box…
Was the little girl’s school ID card.
Garima’s face turned completely pale.
Selina covered her mouth in shock.
The little girl looked confused.
> “Papa? That’s mine…”
Deepak’s hands started trembling violently.
Because the school bag was still upstairs.
Which meant—
Someone had gone near his daughter.
Very near.
Then suddenly—
Deepak’s phone rang.
Unknown number.
Everyone already knew who it was.
Deepak answered slowly.
Rohan’s calm voice echoed from the speaker.
> “Now you finally understand fear.”
Deepak shouted angrily—
> “DON’T YOU DARE TOUCH MY DAUGHTER!”
Rohan laughed softly.
> “Protect her carefully.”
“Because next time… I won’t leave only a school card behind.”
The call disconnected.
Garima immediately hugged the little girl tightly.
Tears filled her eyes again.
Deepak looked completely shattered now.
Not scared for himself.
Not scared for his reputation.
Only scared as a father.
And a father’s fear…
Is the most dangerous thing in the world.
---
Late at night…
Deepak secretly sat alone in the living room.
Unable to sleep.
Unable to think clearly.
Then suddenly—
Garima quietly sat beside him.
Neither spoke for a while.
Then softly she asked—
> “What if he really tries to take her?”
Deepak closed his eyes painfully.
Because that exact thought had already been destroying him inside.
Garima held his trembling hand.
> “We’ll fight together.”
Deepak looked at her silently.
Then slowly whispered—
> “I already lost peace once in life.”
“I can’t lose my family too.”
A tear escaped his eyes.
And seeing Deepak cry for the first time…
Broke Garima’s heart completely.
She immediately hugged him tightly.
Because strong men cry silently…
Until love finally gives them permission to break.
---
But far away…
Rohan already watched Deepak’s house from inside his car.
His eyes stopped on the little girl playing near the window upstairs.
Then slowly…
A dark smile appeared on his face.
Because his next move…
Had already been decided.
---
To Be Continued…
Part 9 — “The Child Disappears”
Story by: lalit
- Writer
