Back at the precinct the captain was issuing out commands after he heard the boy was found. "Donald, see if you can get any useful information from that boy, he is still not responding try to get a close relative to talk to him",
"But captain, the boy is already awake but it seems he is in a state of shock and the only person that the kid responded to was the girl the Hound brought in"
"Then tell Solomon to bring her in we he may be the only lead that we have so far"
"Yes captain"
That was one of the conversations in the precinct. The captain was starting to believe that there was something supernatural about these events after all one of his officers said that he had looked at that very place and couldn't find anything. Another logical theory would be that the boy was staged there by someone, and that would make a lot of sense if there were other factors that were included in this story. For one, this boy is one of the family that went missing, that could not be found anywhere 20 minutes after the accident and to make matters worse there was no sign that there was an accident, no tire marks, no asphalt, no shattered glass, nothing. The same location that led them to have 33 cold cases, because there were no leads what-so-ever.
"If things continue like this, we may have to call a priest, or an exorcist or any of those religious people. Cause this case is now getting out of my jurisdiction…." The captain new that this was just wishful thinking and they had to get to the bottom of this, and they were running out time, resources and apparently coffee. And the higher ups were running out of patience.
........
The following day, Solomon made his way to the captain's office after he was summoned. After the first knock he walked in and what he saw wasn't pleasant. The usually well-groomed cap [1]] had a stub growing from, well… every part of his face, not literally but close. His eyes were droopy and red his lips patched and he had a cup of coffee that he was sure had run cold but from the looks of it the cap was still drinking it for some reason. He broke out of his daze when he heard the captain saying, "I promise to pay you whatever you want if you agree to take my position…... uuuhhhhh …" he screamed "I just want to go home and snuggle with my wife even for a second, I could take her nagging over this. I miss my family is that too much to ask…" the captain went on and on. If one of the families of the missing people saw him like this, they may think that he is a slacker. On the contrary the captain was one of the most hardworking people that he knew, from his appearance one could tell that he hardly slept.
"I don't think I could handle the pressure. Well, I pretty sure you heard the briefing about the case so what's the way forward'?" asked Solomon responding the to his captain's tantrums and at the same time going straight to the point.
The captain pouted then after a while he decided to get down to business. It was weird to Solomon that the guy could do that with his size. And not only that but this man already had grandkids and yet he still acted like a little princess.
"Okay firstly this case getting a little creepy. But we got to do what we got to do. Firstly, I need you to talk to the kid get some info no matter what. I have sent some officers to go and question all the survivors and those with missing families at this point any additional info will do. Lastly, we are reopening the missing person case about Chipo. If possible, we need the cctv footage of any of the places that has the route from her work place leading to the route that leads to the death area..." he was cut off by Solomon who was confused "Death area?"
"Yeah, the place where people are dying" to actually think that the captain said that with a straight face." also I need a thorough investigation of Chipo's workmates and it has to be conducted by you…Oh and tomorrow you and me are driving past that place at night. That's all for now."
After the briefing with the captain, he went to the hospital to check on the kid. It turns out that the kid had just woke up and Chido was there and this time with Charles. They were conversing with the Tom kid and he seemed a little bit responsive than the previous day when he walked in the atmosphere instantly changed, he couldn't help but feel bad. He felt like the grim reaper of some sort. He started feeling awkward all of a sudden.
This awkward feeling only took a few seconds its not like he was not used to this atmosphere, he had been an officer detective at that for a very long time, so he walked in and greeted everyone. And after that he had noticed that when he walked in the kid had gotten a little tense so if he wanted to get information, he needed to keep these guys around and he seemed more comfortable with the Charles character.
"Hie little guy I am detective Solomon from the local police station. How are you doing today."
Tom looked a little nervous before responding and Charles moved a little closer to him with out saying anything and it seemed to help a little bit. "I am better now. Thank you, sir." Tom responded in a timid voice but it cracked a little. Solomon also discovered that he was faring better than he had imagined. Also, the boy did not seem to be that badly injured too. The doctor had also told him that he had no major wounds, considering that he where he was found it was weird the kid did not have a fever or anything like that. The major damage he had suffered was psychological.
"Tom, do you think you can answer some questions for me…. preferably alone?" after saying alone the kid tensed again. Solomon convinced him that it was okay if he did not want that. "No, I want to talk, but could they be around I'm scared and I don't want to be alone" Solomon was confused but did not dwell on it.
"Okay. We have sent some of our officers to get your family members okay." The boy just nodded. Solomon continued "can you tell me what happened at the bridge if you can still remember. And how did you come out?"
Instantly the boy went still and did not say anything. Solomon was confused and he could see that Chido also. The only who reacted fast was Charles who started rubbing his back in circles and Solomon was grateful to the kid. He did not push further and waited for him to calm down.
"I don't know what happened when dad was driving. We…we were all happy we…we were singing …...everyo-one was happy…. but …. bbbb…. but dad drove into a swamp….an….and…" the kid could barely form a sentence and Solomon knew that it was too early for questioning the kid but he really needed answers.
"Calm down don't force yourself". Tom just nodded and he composed himself and continued "the next thing I remember was drowning and someone grabbed me out of the water. I did not get to see her face because it was dark and the water smelled bad and was itchy in my eyes, but I know it was my mom because I heard her say 'I will be back love hold on'. She dove back in the water and she never came back"
Solomon could tell that even though the kid had stopped stuttering it was difficult for him. "Do you remember anything after that. Tom eyes were filled with horror and fear and a lot more that Solomon could not recognize but all he knew is that it even terrified him too. And it was not for naught cause what he said left the whole room in silence...