(In the car)
The ride was silent. Anita's son, now dressed in fresh jeans, a crisp shirt, and sneakers, stared out the window. His small hands fidgeted with his seatbelt as his heart pounded like a drum.
"Who were those people?" he finally asked, his voice small and tentative.
Anita's eyes stayed fixed on the road, a faint tension lingering across her features.
"Are we there yet?" he asked again, his words rough but clear.
"No, honey," she said, forcing a calm smile. She didn't say more, and he didn't push. He returned his gaze to the passing scenery, lightly touching the bandage on his forehead. It itched, but he resisted; scratching might hurt.
"Remember," Anita said, her voice firm, "when we get there, stay close and behave. You don't want me running around looking for you, do you?"
Barnabas nodded, but his eyes widened as they approached the majestic building ahead. Bold letters on its facade spelled out CP Law Firm.
"Mummy! Look!" he exclaimed, pointing excitedly.
"Hmm," she murmured, unimpressed. She cared little for the architecture. Her focus was on the parking space directly ahead. She steered the car in, parked, and stepped out, hand in hand with her son. His eyes darted across the nearly empty lot, spotting a few scattered figures.
"Let's go see Daddy," she said, guiding him toward the entrance.
They barely took a few steps before two guards blocked their path.
"Sorry, ma'am. We have to scan you and your son before entering," the taller one said, his voice low and imposing.
"What?" Anita said, startled. Last time she had been here, no one stopped her.
"Why the sudden change?" she muttered, frowning at the men. Despite her irritation, she complied, letting the guards scan both her and Barnabas. The machine beeped sharply, startling the boy. He pressed against his mother instinctively.
"Check him," the first guard ordered.
"No! Don't touch my son!" Anita shouted, stepping in front of him.
"He might be hiding something," the guard said calmly.
"Something? He's just a boy! What could he possibly be hiding?" she demanded, eyes narrowing.
"A knife," he replied bluntly.
Anita froze, disbelief and anger flooding her. "A kid hiding a knife? What kind of mother do you think I am?"
"Mrs., please calm down. We're just doing our jobs," the guard said.
"I'm doing mine, too," she shot back, her gaze sharp. "And I forbid anyone near my son."
"Mrs., we just need to check—there's no need to make a scene," the guard persisted, irritation creeping into his tone.
"And if I refuse? Will you use force?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"If you want to enter, your son must be checked. That's the rule," he said, signaling the other guard forward.
The second guard grabbed Barnabas roughly by the arm, pulling him toward the scanning area. Anita tried to intervene but was pushed aside. She hit the hard floor with a loud thud.
"Ah!" she screamed, clutching her stomach.
"Mummy!" Barnabas cried, yanking his arm free and rushing to her side, panic in his eyes.
"What's wrong with her?" someone whispered nearby.
"She seems to be in pain," another replied.
"Maybe she's faking it," a third murmured—until the blood came into view.
"She's bleeding! Call an ambulance!" a bystander shouted.
The first guard panicked and stepped forward, but before he could act, a strong figure lifted Anita effortlessly.
"Move!" the man barked.
"Where are you taking my mother?!" Barnabas demanded, gripping the nearest guard.
"It's all because of this little brat. If she had cooperated like everyone else, none of this would have happened," the guard muttered bitterly.
"Hospital!" Barnabas shouted. The man moved quickly, Barnabas close behind, eyes wide with fear.
Back at the hospital
Moses sighed, his bandaged arm throbbing, but his mind was elsewhere. Three hours had passed, and Leo remained motionless. His lips, already pale, seemed to drain further of color, fueling Moses's anxiety.
"Who could have done this?" he wondered aloud.
"Boss!" Precious approached, her eyes red and swollen from crying.
"How are you feeling?" Moses asked gently. She nodded.
"A bit dizzy, but okay. And you?" she replied, nodding toward his arm. Moses chuckled lightly.
"Good, at least," he said, eyes flicking back to Leo, lying still as the monitors beeped steadily.
"What did the officers ask you?" he pressed.
"They asked if I had seen the attackers' faces, heard their voices, or knew why they attacked," she murmured. Her throat felt sore from speaking.
"And what did you say?" he demanded.
"I did as you instructed. I didn't say a word," she said, confused. "They could help catch the criminals if we gave them evidence."
"The attack wasn't an accident," Moses said logically.
"Of course not," she murmured.
"I'm fairly certain it was international. It was meant to make headlines," he continued. Precious frowned, confused.
"I don't understand," she admitted.
"You don't need to. Just remember: stay away from the police for now. We can't trust them until we're sure," Moses said.
Precious nodded, deciding to follow his orders despite her lack of understanding.
"You should go home and rest. You look tired," he suggested.
"I can't. If I go home, my aunt will find out and tell my dad. That would only make things worse. I'll stay with Leo's mother instead," she explained, glancing at the pale, haggard woman sleeping on the small couch.
Moses nodded, understanding.
"You should head home. Your wife must be worried," he said, concern flickering across his face.
As he turned to leave, someone waved at him from the door.
"Paul!"
Moses frowned. Why had another police officer shown up when his men were already questioning witnesses?
"Excuse me," he muttered, stepping toward Paul. Paul hesitated, then followed.
"What is it, Paul?" Moses asked, voice sharp.
"I came to check if my favorite person is still standing," Paul said, casually glancing at Leo. Moses quickly blocked his view.
"Let's talk somewhere else," Moses suggested, leading the way. Paul followed silently.
"What's your reason for coming?" Moses asked.
"My team complained that you weren't letting the witness speak freely," Paul said.
"Well, it's not helping the investigation. We need the statement," he continued.
"Call it selfish, but I'm protecting my coworkers' safety—including Precious," Moses replied.
Paul bristled, wanting to argue, but the crowded hospital ward made it impossible.
"Look, I don't care if you see yourself as an invisible god. But I promise you one thing," Paul said.
"And what's that?" Moses asked, narrowing his eyes.
"That I don't care," Paul said, flashing a bold, defiant smile.
😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁
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