Maverick (Blank)
Chapter 22: Kaelan (9)
[Who was that earlier? Davea?]
Joe approached the two of them. "Can you repeat that name from earlier?"
The boss was stunned; he was about 187 cm tall. His legs went weak, and then his index finger pointed toward his underling. "Him, his name is Duck. He's the one who knows." The underling instantly panicked.
Joe stared sharply at Duck. "Who?" Duck swallowed his saliva. "E... Elon Halan... Davea."
The boss was even more stunned. (He said the wrong name.)
Joe raised his right eyebrow. He took his phone from his jeans pocket, and the ringtone sounded. The call was already connected to someone.
"Hello, Mr. Dos."
A heavy voice answered Joe's greeting.
[Yes?]
"I've been searching for several people named Leonardo in Chean B City, but there's no Leonardo we're looking for. The last one was even just a child."
[That's good. That means it's almost over, right?]
"But there's something a bit interesting."
[Hm? What?]
"I found another Davea here." The voice paused for a moment. Silence enveloped the atmosphere.
[That's impossible. Leonardo doesn't have a child.]
"Should I look for him?"
[You need to return quickly. Underring will be in trouble if you're outside for too long.]
"Okay, I'll be there the day after tomorrow. We'll discuss it later. Right now, I still need to search for a few other Leonardos."
[Yes, finish quickly. There are things we need to submit.]
The call ended. Joe looked back at Duck. "Hey, what's the person you mentioned like?"
Joe's gaze made Duck's legs tremble. With a stuttering voice, he answered, "H-his face is handsome... still young... quite tall, about 175 cm, I think..."
The muscular man raised his eyebrow again and thought for a moment, shifting his gaze downward. (Right, there's no info about this person.)
A few seconds passed, and the man spoke again. "Hey, are you the owner of this guy?" Joe asked the Boss.
"Me?" His hands went limp. Joe approached. "Yes, I'm asking how much for this guy?"
The Boss was startled. "Are you serious?" Duck broke into a cold sweat. "Huh...?" The Boss raised both hands as if holding something back. "Wait, I don't sell people."
Joe stared for a moment and continued his words. "I'm not bargaining with you. I don't need your refusal either."
The Boss stepped back. "Wait, I have another underling who might suit you. I can give a price—"
A punch struck the Boss's stomach. "Ugh...!"
The Boss fell to the ground while clutching his stomach tightly. Joe took the Boss's wallet and threw all the paper bills he carried onto the Boss's face.
Joe grabbed the back of Duck's collar and dragged him. "Boss, help me, Boss!" Joe punched his face, and Duck lost consciousness. He continued dragging him forcefully.
The Boss remained silent, his eyes moving aimlessly. He sighed and then began picking up the thrown bills one by one.
"One, two, three, four..." The Boss's eyes widened. "$2100!" He stared at Duck being dragged away. "Tch, just doing as he pleases."
The Boss stood up, his stomach still hurting. He left the place, even though his heart felt guilty, but there was also anger enveloping him. "Damn, stupid underling. You're the one who shouted; handle it yourself."
The light from the crescent moon now illuminated the night that had returned to silence. The previously thick clouds had left the moon alone. Time continued to turn until morning arrived.
---
The next day, Blank was in the park at 10:00 AM. He was typing a message to someone.
[To Officer]
[I might visit Lucky today. It's been a week since I met him. Is everything okay there?]
[From Officer]
[Everything is safe, Mr. Kaelan. Lucky is an active child. You can meet him anytime. If you want to come with me, you can come to the station.]
Blank sat on a park bench near a fountain emitting clear, slightly bluish water streams toward the clear sky. Roses and lavender scented the park atmosphere.
The park was quite crowded but calming to his heart. The wind blew, making the leaves sway rhythmically. Even though his mind was currently chaotic. (Phew... Will my life go back to normal?)
Blank closed his eyes while leaning on the park bench made of teak wood, which still had its natural woody scent. But Blank felt something he needed and opened his eyes again. "I'm thirsty."
His eyes looked left and right, and at that moment, Blank found two children selling drinks.
Blank waved his hand. "Hey, kids, are you selling drinks?"
The two children looked toward Blank. But to his surprise, Blank saw that one of them had met him before. The two children approached. One tilted his head.
"Big brother, are you the big brother from the hospital back then?"
His face indeed looked innocent. No bandages, but there was a stitched scar on his forehead. Blank remembered his name. "Alexander?"
The little boy who met Blank at the hospital during the Rohan incident. "You're selling drinks?"
Alexander smiled. "Yes, big brother, I'm selling drinks now."
Blank chuckled softly, but out of pride. "Haha, you're struggling, huh."
Alexander looked at Blank's face, and then shortly after, Alexander immediately opened the box containing cold drinks with some ice cubes inside as a cooler to keep the drinks fresh.
"Big brother looks tired. I brought plain water with a bit of ions, like the one you once gave me." Alexander extended his hand.
Blank raised the corners of his lips until his teeth showed, accompanied by a small laugh. "Haha, Alexander, how did you know?"
Alexander looked at Blank seriously. "Your under-eye circles are a bit thick, big brother. You're tired, right? This drink can make you strong again."
Blank was startled. That was a sentence he himself had once said to Alexander.
[Drink this, and you will become strong.]
Blank's shoulders trembled, and then a hearty laugh escaped his mouth. Blank wiped his eyes. "You can tell fortunes, huh? In that case, I'll buy one bottle."
Alexander handed him the bottle. "Thank you, Brother Kaelan."
Blank gave $5 for the drink. Even though the actual price wasn't even $2. Alexander scratched his head. "Brother, this is too much. It doesn't cost $2."
Blank patted his hair. "It's okay. Take it." Alexander's eyes sparkled. "Thank you!"
Alexander held up the money with his mouth open. His eyes couldn't leave the money he held.
But Blank's attention was diverted. He saw Alexander's friend, who was silent and only played with his small fingers while lowering his head. "Alexander."
Alexander stopped moving. "Yes, what is it, brother?" Blank pointed. "Is that your friend?"
Alexander immediately ran and hugged his friend. "This is my best friend! His name is Souza!" Blank held his cheek with his palm. (These kids...)
Blank approached them and crouched a bit to be at their height, placing both hands on their heads while ruffling their hair. "You guys are amazing. Big brother is sure you'll be successful in the future."
Blank made Alexander and Souza fall silent with blushing cheeks. Alexander jumped. "Of course!"
Alexander was so optimistic and fiery, as was Souza behind him. He finally spoke, even though his words were halting. "I-I... me too."
Blank smiled until his eyes closed.
Alexander approached Blank. "Brother, we'll continue selling, okay."
Blank looked at them with a sincere smile. Even though Blank knew Alexander had no parents now, he was happy to see Alexander struggling. "Stay enthusiastic, you two."
"Thank you, brother."
The two children waved their hands and then left him. Blank sat back down and took a sip.
Blank looked at his watch, which he had just bought today. "Hmm... I guess I'll visit Lucky first."
Blank stood up and left the green-filled park. He walked. Step by step, he passed buildings with alleys on every side. (Phew... Alleys make me a little worried.) Blank walked straight, following the rectangular concrete sidewalk arranged neatly. However...
Clang.
Blank stopped. The sound of cans falling was heard from an alley in broad daylight. His gaze turned toward the source of the sound. (Maybe a cat.)
Blank ignored it and continued walking forward. But his steps halted.
"Cough... cough..."
That was a coughing sound from inside the alley. Even though Blank was a bit paranoid, he realized that voice wasn't from an adult man; it sounded like a child in pain.
Blank immediately ran into the alley and found yet another child, around the same age as many children he had encountered, lying on the ground. (Really?)
His face was injured as if from a fight, his cheeks bruised with blue hands. Anxious, Blank then carried the half-conscious child to the nearest public health center.
(Oh dear, why is there always something in the alleys of this city?) Blank ran and searched for the health center location.
After running for 5 minutes, he found the health center. He stepped in and approached the receptionist. "Miss, can you help this child?" The receptionist contacted a nurse.
When the nurse arrived, the child was immediately given first aid. Blank would be the temporary guardian to cover the medical costs. (I don't understand why there are always children in alleys like that.)
The child was given a room to rest. Blank followed until inside the room. His gaze lingered on the now-bandaged boy. (So pitiful.)
Blank went outside to the hospital bench in front of the room. Its texture was hard, made of metal, with a cold air enveloping his body. The antiseptic scent passed through his sense of smell again.
Blank opened his phone. He pressed the news page. His eyes widened completely when he saw the news that several people with the same name had been killed.
[Axel Leonardo]
[Leonardo Harvazin]
[Juerge Leonardo]
These three people were found dead in unexpected places, such as under a bridge, in an alley, and near a prostitution spot.
Blank read it clearly. His hands trembled violently, and his eyes reddened. (Bastards!)
His head ached, and he bowed. His right hand held his temple and scratched it.
(What the hell is this, damn it!) Blank shook his head, both hands pressing against his face.
Not long after, the nurse came out of the room. "Mr. Kaelan, the child is awake."
Blank was startled. "Ah, yes... Thank you, nurse."
He straightened his body and strengthened his steps. Blank slapped his cheeks and tried to put on a happy expression with a smile, even though his heart was in chaos.
Blank entered. The child was already leaning back and looking at him. The corners of his lips were forced upward, and his eyes squinted. "I brought apples and bananas for you on the table. Eat them."
The child clenched his hands. He bit his lip and lowered his head. "Th-thank you... brother..."
Blank smiled and finally sat beside his bed. "You're amazing, recovering and waking up so quickly. Are you a magician?" Blank's effort to calm him.
Blank took an apple and gave it to him. The child smiled and accepted it, eating heartily. Blank sighed in relief. A minute passed as he watched until the apple was almost finished. Blank called out again.
"Can big brother know your name?"
The child finished his bite of apple and swallowed. Although hesitant earlier, the child now trusted Blank. He introduced himself, making Blank freeze instantly.
[My name is... Leonardo Corona]