The torture

I sent a text to Taeri, apologizing for the earlier confusion, and she was kind enough to forgive me easily. She also agreed to share her story later that evening. To ensure she felt comfortable, I wanted us to meet somewhere away from the camp, with fewer people and less prying eyes. So, I made a reservation at a nearby restaurant known for its privacy. They didn't allow more than 30 people at once, and I was fortunate to secure a booking. This way, we could have a quiet and uninterrupted conversation, allowing Taeri to open up about her experiences and insights without any distractions.

I made sure to freshen up properly, put on my best clothes, combed my hair for the first time in a while, and even wore my most expensive perfume, hoping to match the ambiance of the restaurant – or perhaps, to impress her a little. As I waited for her at the entrance, I didn't expect her to put in as much effort as I did. But when she arrived, I was taken aback.

Taeri wore a stunning sequin red dress, long elegant earrings, and red pointed heels. Her long, loose hair framed her like a halo, and she looked like an angel. The way she carried herself with confidence and grace added to her allure. She even mentioned that she was "vibing with the restaurant," which made me smile.

It was clear that she had made an effort to match the tone I had set, and I couldn't help but feel a bit flattered. Her presence was captivating, and we both shared a moment of silent appreciation for each other's preparation. It was as if we were two individuals coming together, ready to face the mysteries that lay ahead, but also enjoying this brief respite from our daily routines.

We took a cab to the restaurant, and from the moment we entered, we were captivated by its ambiance. The place was bathed in warm orange and yellow lighting, creating an inviting and intimate atmosphere. Wooden cabinets provided a sense of privacy, effectively separating each table and allowing us to converse freely. The overall decor was a delightful blend of rustic and modern, featuring numerous potted plants, captivating artworks adorning the walls, and plush seating. The staff's friendly and attentive demeanor further enhanced our dining experience.

While the food was absolutely delicious, our main purpose for being there was not for the cuisine. As we progressed from our main course to dessert, that's when Taeri began to open up. Until then, we had been speaking casually, enjoying the moment and savoring each bite of our meal. The transition from small talk to sharing her story was a natural one, as the restaurant's comforting atmosphere and our growing rapport put us at ease. With each passing moment, it became clear that this evening held the promise of unraveling the secrets and mysteries that had been haunting both of us.

As Taeri began to share her story, her words carried the weight of the difficult journey she had been through. Her soft but earnest tone conveyed the depth of the challenges she had faced. It was a heavy conversation, and the warmth of the restaurant's ambiance provided a contrasting backdrop to the darkness of her experiences.

Listening to her story, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. On one hand, I was grateful that she trusted me enough to open up and share the painful chapters of her life. On the other hand, I couldn't fathom the cruelty of the world that had led her to such a distressing place. But as she spoke, it was clear that she was strong and resilient, despite the hardships she had endured. Her determination and courage were inspiring, and it was evident that she had an unwavering spirit. In the face of adversity, she not only survived but also retained her humanity and empathy.

The restaurant, with its comforting atmosphere, provided a safe space for Taeri to share her story, and I was thankful for the opportunity to listen and learn from her. The evening felt like a turning point, a moment where our paths converged for a reason, and the mysteries we were entangled in were slowly beginning to unravel.

She said

"Remember about the choices I told you about the other day?"

I simply nodded my head.

"Like I said I was given three types of choices and I had to choose three different options"

"Was it like?"

"Yeah selecting our own torture..."

I was too stunned to speak.

"The first choice options were left or right. I had to choose either left or right"

"What did you choose?"

"I said right, and they pushed me into a room and I can still remember the exact horrifics of that room."

she took a sip of water before continuing...

"It was a big butcher room, the entire room contained animals that were killed and hanged, at first it felt like any other butcher shop except this looked a lot like a factory. All I had to do was, walk across the room, reach the end, and at the end, there would be a table and inside the drawer would be a key, I need to get it and open the door and wait for my next choice."

"And something tells me that it isn't as easy as it sounded right?"

"Absolutely not, like I said, at first I thought it was an ordinary butcher factory, as I moved forward the terror got real, the visuals in front of me disturbed me, they would have scarred me for the rest of my life if I didn't have chosen my major in criminology. I knew what I would be witnessing in the future with a career in this. At first, I saw the remains of the animals lying on the ground in a pool of blood. Trust me the smell in there made my stomach churn and I lost my appetite till the day you rescued us. As I went on moving forward, I could hear the screams of those poor animals while butchering, they played it constantly, and it made me dizzy...but I knew the only way to get out of all this was to get to the end and open the other door. It made me sick, I did not know what was awaiting me in that other room, but all I knew was I couldn't stay in that room. I kept moving forward and I noticed that few animals were killed and they just threw their body parts here and there. I tried hard not to look at them and moved forward. I reached the end of the room and saw the table. As I opened the drawer, it was completely filled with blood. I had to put my hand inside of it and find the key. Eventually, I found the key opened the door and another person was waiting for me."

"I know it's hard to comprehend, and I don't expect you to fully understand. But I wanted to share my story with you because I believe there's a connection between what I've been through and the mysteries you're trying to solve. I've carried this burden for a long time, and it's time to bring it into the light. Perhaps together, we can uncover the truth and find those who are still missing. I hope you're willing to continue this journey with me, no matter how challenging it may become. Should I continue?"

"If you are comfortable" I said

"He gave me the options this or that…and to be honest at this point I was hopeless…I didn't know what to expect…I was already trembling, my hands and legs were shivering and my right hand was covered in blood. I was stinking bad, he didn't even let me wash my hands. I had no other choice than to choose, I chose this and he sent me into a hallway. It was dark, but I could still see things, I guess it was an old infirmary…He told me not to look back and just go ahead. I did as I was told, I kept going and there was a door in front of me, at this point, the entire hallway was filled with stretchers…he told me to enter the room and stay there until the door opened again, I went in and it was pitch black, I couldn't see a thing, it was ice cold, I thought I'd be freezing to death, as I kept moving, I could feel the metals around…I had to touch the surroundings to find a place for me to sit and wait. I found a stretcher and I decided to sit under it, supporting my spine to the stretcher. I was sitting there in the dark, all alone, coldness creeping into my body slowly, I slowly started turning numb, I couldn't feel any of my senses. I think several hours later, the door opened right before I was about to pass out. I had no energy left in me, but I knew that I had to make out of it, I somehow got up and hugged myself because of the cold and went ahead. They let me go back to my room and told me that I passed two out of three rooms and that they would be calling me again soon. I had to shower, my clothes stunk and I hadn't any extra…he came by and gave me clothes, but he looked helpless…he lost life in him as if he had already given up…he was guilty, frustrated yet helpless. He kept apologizing whenever he saw me, he left as soon as he gave me the clothes. I took a shower and changed into them. I was so tired and dizzy that I immediately fell asleep and I have no clue how many hours I had slept."

The peaceful setting of the park provided a much-needed change from the heavy conversation. We indulged in our desserts in silence, savoring the sweet tastes while the serenity of the park enveloped us. The stars above started to twinkle as the night deepened, and the lake's surface reflected the moon's gentle glow.

Sitting side by side, there was an unspoken understanding between us. We had shared something deep and strong, something that connected us in a way that went beyond words. At that moment, the mysteries we were trying to unravel felt more pressing, and Taeri's story added layers of complexity to our quest.

As we finished our desserts, I looked at Taeri and smiled, a silent acknowledgment of the bond we were forming. We both knew that the path ahead was uncertain, but we were determined to face it together, drawing strength from the moments of connection and quiet reflection that we found amidst the chaos of our investigations. And then I asked

"What was the third choice?"

"It was me or the other, I didn't know what to expect at this point, I just had this hunch that they would kill either of us, and I remembered my mother and how she lived. She always lived for others, if she didn't I would still be an orphan is what I thought. I know if I don't make out of this, there would be people feeling bad for me, but no one would actually waiting for me, hugging me and telling me that everything is okay now. So I had to choose the other, I wanted them to at least see their family. They sent me into another room and I saw a rod hanging above my head.

A countdown started and I closed my eyes anticipating my death. But the rod fell right next to me. They told me that I was free to go. They even showed me the path outside."

"Did you believe them when they said you're free?"

"I don't know, but if that was true I promised myself to get help and rescue them…as if someone heard my prayers you guys came that day and you know the rest"

I nodded my head and silence fell across again. I remembered what Aman asked me for and mustered up the courage to ask her…

"I know now how much you went through and it is very wrong of me to ask you this but can you tell everything you told me to the department or our team? We can help you all, trust us we want justice as well, that's what we are for, we want to find the missing survivors too…"

" Sure, if that helps the victims I am ready to do it, it is the least I can do for them. I know another person who was with me at the time and is currently in the camp and I am sure he would be willing to help too"

"Sure, the more the merrier".

We found a hotdog stand nearby, we went and ate delicious hotdogs and returned back to the camp. Before parting our ways I said…

"I am sorry you had to go through all of these and I am sorry if I gave you an impression of not listening to you, it's just that I didn't know how to respond, I promise you that I will do everything in my power to catch them"

She nods her head understandingly with a smile.

"And if you want to complete your studies you know you still can, you would make a great detective."

"Yeah, I will think about it thank you "

"Night taeri"

"Night night tarun"

After the emotional evening with Taeri and the weight of her story, I returned to my room. Thoughts of what she had been through kept surfacing in my mind, and it made my blood boil every time I was reminded of her suffering. 

To ease my mind, I took a long, hot shower, allowing the warm water to wash away those distressing thoughts. After the shower, I climbed into bed, feeling emotionally drained.

As I drifted off to sleep, I found myself dreaming of my father and it brought me a deep sense of comfort. Even though he had passed away years ago, his presence in my dream felt incredibly real. We reminisced about the times we spent together, our laughter, and the countless sandcastles we had built on that very beach. I could almost feel the warmth of the sun on my skin and the gentle ocean breeze in my hair.

As we continued to talk, my father's words were filled with wisdom and encouragement. He told me that I had grown into a strong and capable individual, just as he had always believed I would. He shared stories of his own challenges and experiences, offering guidance and support in a way that only a father could.

In the dream, I found myself opening up to him about my recent experiences, the mysteries I was trying to solve, and the emotional toll it was taking on me. He listened with empathy and understanding, assuring me that I had the strength to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

The dream felt like a precious gift, a reminder that even in the face of adversity and uncertainty, I carried the values and resilience instilled in me by my father. His unwavering support and love provided me with the inner strength to keep moving forward, even when faced with the darkest of mysteries.

As our conversation drew to a close, my father placed his hand on my shoulder, just as he had done in countless memories from my childhood. His final words before I woke up still resonate with me: "No matter how difficult the path, remember that you are never alone. I am always with you, guiding and protecting you. Keep searching for the truth, my son, and never lose hope."

Waking up from that dream, I felt an overwhelming sense of warmth and reassurance. The weight of the disturbing cases, the visions, and the darkness that had been haunting me seemed a bit lighter. I was reminded of the enduring bond I shared with my father and the importance of honoring his memory by continuing to seek justice and truth.

With newfound determination and a heart full of gratitude for the dream, I knew that I would face the challenges ahead with courage. My conversations with Taeri and the dreams of my father had reshaped my perspective, propelling me forward in my quest to unravel the mysteries that had entangled my life and the lives of countless others.