The pain

I found myself very tired once again, and it was not the first time it had happened to me. Strangely, both times I felt this extreme exhaustion was connected to the cases I was working on. The first time, happened when I was deeply absorbed in reading about these puzzling cases, especially the one from the 1960s. This time, it was different. It hit me when I had vivid visions related to the cases. This recurring fatigue raised questions: were these two incidents linked somehow? It felt like they were, but I was just thinking to myself, pondering in my own mind.

As more information came to light, my confusion deepened. I wasn't sure if this was a good thing or a bad thing. The strange words that had been said to me continued to echo in my mind: "Missing survivors." Those words felt like parts of a puzzle, and I was determined to solve it. The mysteries surrounding the cases I was investigating only seemed to grow, and I felt a strong urge to unravel the mystery they presented.

Suddenly, I became aware that I had been lost in thought, and a vague memory of fainting twice in front of someone resurfaced. Now, I found myself alone with my thoughts, engaging in an internal conversation. I wondered if she was still nearby, perhaps waiting for me to wake up to ensure I was okay. But I couldn't be certain. I needed to stop overthinking and just wake up. It was time to shake off the grogginess and face the reality of the cases and the mysteries that awaited me.

With a deliberate effort, I tried to open my eyes, and it worked. I returned to the real world, and there she was, sitting in a chair beside me. It occurred to me that she must have stayed by my side the entire night. Her peaceful expression was a rare sight, and I didn't want to disturb her well-deserved rest. So, I decided to go back to sleep, letting her have her peaceful moment. I don't know why I felt blessed to be by her side. Her presence brought a sense of comfort and security that I couldn't fully explain, but I cherished it as a rare and beautiful connection in the midst of all the chaos and mysteries in our lives.

The following morning, when I woke up, she was gone. I initially thought she had left, but then I realized she had probably gone to get some coffee for us so we could sit down and talk. I understood that she had placed her trust in me, and it was my responsibility to listen to her and make her feel heard.

She handed me one of the cups of coffee and sat down next to me. Her presence was both calming and mysterious, I felt that we were on the verge of discovering something that could change everything. The air was filled with anticipation and intrigue as we shared our thoughts and embarked on a journey to untangle the web of mysteries that had intertwined our lives.

As we sipped our coffee and started our conversation, I couldn't shake the feeling that something profound was happening. The cases, the unexplained fatigue, the vivid visions, and now this mysterious person who had entered my life - they all seemed to be connected in an inexplicable way. I felt a growing curiosity, not only to satisfy my own desire for answers but also to unveil the truth that kept eluding us at every turn. I was in a loop of thoughts that I pestered myself with and noticing it she asked.

"Are you okay? How are you feeling now?" she inquired, her concern evident.

"Thank you, I am feeling better, and I am sorry that you had to see me faint twice," I replied, a sense of gratitude in my voice.

"Why did you faint, though?" she pressed gently, her eyes fixed on mine.

"Exhaustion... fatigue they say... I over-stressed myself is what they say... I guess I am in no position to argue because that is true. Last time when this happened..."

"There was a last time?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Oh yes," I began, "I was up looking and linking cases from different timelines, and I had to work on my case simultaneously, so I exhausted my body more than I thought."

"Why?" she inquired.

"Curiosity... zeal to learn more... you should have seen my mother, she would freak out if she knew about this."

"Really? How is she like?" Taeri inquired, her interest in my family evident.

"Oh, you will see. She will be here soon... and I am sure you will love her, and she will love you."

Taeri contemplated this for a moment, and then she said, "Mmmhmm... Since you are feeling okay, I think it is best for me to leave."

"But you wanted to talk about the missing survivors?" I reminded her.

"Later! Focus on getting better, and let me know if I can be of any help," she said as she stood up, showing genuine concern for my well-being.

Over the following days, she visited me without fail. During her visits, we chatted about our interests and the things we liked and disliked, getting to know each other better. The day I was well enough to converse freely, she came to my room. Wanting her to feel at ease, I offered her some coffee and snacks. She sat on the couch, clutching a cozy throw pillow, and patiently waited for me to settle in.

Our conversation flowed effortlessly, as though we had known each other for years. She shared her experiences, her passion for solving mysteries, and her personal goals. I, in turn, revealed more about my family, my life's journey, and my determination to uncover the truth behind these perplexing cases. As we conversed, the boundary between colleague and friend seemed to blur, and I was grateful for her unwavering support during my illness.

I realized that the bond between us had grown stronger through shared laughter, stories, and dreams. It was a connection that extended beyond the realm of work, a friendship that had blossomed in the midst of mysteries and uncertainties. Our shared purpose and determination to uncover the truth created a unique camaraderie that made every conversation with Taeri a moment to cherish.

As I made myself comfortable, she began to open up about what had happened to them. It was evident that this was a topic of great importance, and I listened attentively as she started sharing the enigmatic and unsettling details. Her story held secrets, mysteries, and perhaps the key to understanding the peculiar cases that had been haunting me. The room was filled with anticipation as her words unfolded, and I couldn't help but feel that we were on the brink of discovering something extraordinary.

"When he first left me in the tunnel...(she takes a heavy breath) as I told you he was taken away...and I was locked in a room for a day or two. You know it was really hard for us to know the time or if it's even day or night."

she looked at me, and I assured her that I was listening.

Taeri's voice quivered as she recounted her horrifying experience. "At first, I wanted to shout, cry, and scream, but I couldn't speak a word. I felt betrayed, lost, and scared. So, I waited for him, hoping he would come, but he did not. They did not give me any food; they only used to bring me water, which was always muddy... I eventually gave up hope of survival. Maybe two or three days passed, and I heard screams. They dragged us all out of our rooms. That's when I realized they had kidnapped many like me, including kids."

Her story painted a picture of captivity and despair, leaving me both horrified and saddened. I could hardly imagine the trauma she had endured during those days. Her courage in facing these memories and sharing them with me was a testament to her strength. As she continued to recount her experiences, I listened intently, determined to offer her support and comfort as she relived those painful moments.

At this point, she was shivering. I immediately woke up rushed into the bedroom took out a blanket and offered her, and I took her mug and refilled hot coffee into it. She asked me if could use the rest room and she freshened up a bit.

"Taeri, just so you know...if you ever feel uncomfortable sharing the details you can always stop. we can talk some other time" I said.

After a nod and a request for a bit of diversion, we decided to watch a movie together. We spent quite some time scrolling through options, and before we knew it, four hours had flown by. We laughed at our indecision, realizing how silly we'd been. I suggested that she stay for dinner, and she readily agreed. I decided to prepare some Indian dishes, and she mentioned that she had never tried Indian food before. She enjoyed the meal, and we bid each other goodbye for the day.

As the days passed and I continued to regain my strength, our collaboration deepened, fueled by a mutual curiosity to solve the mysteries that surrounded us. The cases from the past and the mysterious note had woven a complex web of questions, but I felt more confident in our ability to untangle them together. Each day brought us closer to understanding the secrets that had eluded us, and I couldn't help but feel that destiny had a hand in bringing us together for this extraordinary journey.

The following morning, while I was out jogging, I spotted her going for a walk. I joined her, and after our morning routine, we headed to a nearby café for some coffee. The coffee tasted better, but Taeri, who worked as a barista, wasn't satisfied. She argued that it lacked presentation and soul. We exchanged phone numbers before heading back to our camp. Once I reached home, I tidied up a bit and took a quick nap. For the first time in days, I didn't experience any unsettling visions, and it brought me immense relief.

When I woke up, there was a message from Taeri, asking me to meet her at the park at 5:00 P.M. She mentioned she was ready to share the rest of her story. At the park, we searched for a quiet spot away from the crowds. She felt more comfortable with fewer people around, and eventually, we found a bench where we could sit and talk.

As Taeri continued her harrowing tale, my heart sank with each passing word. She described the conditions of their captivity, the cruelty they endured, and the sight of innocent children suffering. Her words painted a grim picture of the abuse and brutality that had become their daily reality.

"So, I realized it wasn't just me, there were people, including kids. They would provide food for the kids, which was the only relief we had. Children weren't allowed to play; they were locked up in the rooms. As for us, they would take us all into a room, especially the kitchen, and would release water with great force. At first, we didn't realize it, but they used to leave soapy water so that we wouldn't have the grip to catch things to hold on. We would end up with bad cuts and bruises all over our bodies. I have seen people dying in front of me."

The brutality of their captors was almost beyond comprehension. I couldn't help but admire Taeri's strength in surviving such a nightmare. Her story was a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and it deepened my admiration for her even further. As she shared these painful memories, I felt a growing determination to uncover the truth behind her abduction and the other unsolved cases that had haunted my thoughts for so long.

She starts to shiver again and I offer my coat to her. To give her a break, we took a stroll in the park, had an ice cream, and settled back again.

"We would be given choices that felt very simple like left or right, right or wrong, it or they, etc... it is indeed a simple terminology, ain't it?" she looks at me asking the question.

"mmhmm" I replied

"They were types of torture, I was given three and I chose three, all they said was if I passed all the three tests, they would evaluate me on the fourth and leave me, (she takes a pause), you know what we should continue this some other day please."

"Sure, like I said, if you are uncomfortable it can wait."

As I went back to my room, I encountered a vision. The recurring visions were becoming more confusing, each one tugging at my emotions and curiosity. This time, it was a sad scene of a child yearning for their father's return, a simple yet heart-wrenching moment. As I awoke from the vision, I couldn't shake the feeling that these glimpses into other people's lives were somehow connected to the unsolved cases I was working on. The child's longing for their absent father left a deep impression on me, and I couldn't help but wonder who this child was and how their story related to the mysteries I was trying to unravel. It made me miss my father even more. I could relate to the boy in the dream. I was certain they had a hidden meaning. It was as if these visions were puzzle pieces, waiting to be put together to reveal a bigger picture, and I was determined to find the missing links that would connect them all.