Dark In the Dawn

Ring!! Ring!! The shrill sound of the school teacher's phone interrupted the stillness of the classroom. She answered it swiftly. "Hello?" she said, her tone brisk and professional.

"Mom, you forgot to add Jinno's lunch," the teacher said, recognizing the voice of Jinno's mother on the other end.

"Find him something to eat," replied Jinno's mom, her voice slightly frazzled. "I'm at work and can't leave right now." With that, she hung up, leaving the teacher holding the phone and Jinno without his lunch.

The teacher dropped her phone back onto her desk and looked at Jinno, who was standing in front of her, his eyes wide and imploring. His stomach growled softly, a reminder of his hunger. She felt a pang of sympathy for the boy and knew she had to find a solution quickly.

Half an hour later....

Jinno ran on the field after a butterfly he had been staring at from his window the whole time. The butterfly, with its vibrant orange and black wings, fluttered gracefully in the summer air, catching the boy's attention and sparking his curiosity. He couldn't resist the urge to follow it, hoping to get a closer look.

He chased it through the playground, his sneakers kicking up small clouds of dust as he ran. The butterfly danced and weaved, leading him past the swings and slides, towards the school gate. The security guard, usually vigilant, was dozing off in his chair, his hat pulled low over his eyes as he enjoyed his afternoon nap.

The boy slowed his pace as he approached the gate, glancing nervously at the sleeping guard. Holding his breath, he tiptoed quietly, each step carefully placed to avoid making any noise. His heart pounded in his chest, but he couldn't take his eyes off the butterfly, which had paused momentarily on a nearby flower.

With one last cautious glance at the guard, he slipped through the gate and out of the school compound. The thrill of his successful escape and the continued pursuit of the enchanting butterfly filled him with excitement and a sense of adventure.

He saw a silver painted van parked right outside his school, its polished surface gleaming under the afternoon sun. On the other side of the road that stretched in front of the school compound, a man stood holding an open jar, from which more butterflies were fluttering out, their colorful wings catching the light as they dispersed into the air.

The boy's curiosity drew him closer, his eyes widening in wonder at the sight of so many butterflies. As he approached the man, he noticed the stranger's smile—a smile that seemed warm at first glance but soon revealed a hint of something sinister. The man's eyes, glinting with a peculiar light, watched the boy intently, and his smile widened, revealing an unsettling intent.

The boy hesitated, a shiver of apprehension running down his spine, but the allure of the butterflies kept him rooted to the spot, torn between his fascination and a growing sense of unease.

The school teacher managed to put all the other children to sleep for their afternoon nap and then turned her attention back to Jinno. To her shock, he was nowhere to be seen. Panic surged through her as she began searching the classroom, calling out his name. She looked through every corner, behind every piece of furniture, and even checked the playground outside, but Jinno was missing.

Ring!!

Miss Rozi, Jinno's mother, picked up the phone, ready to scold the teacher once more for disturbing her peace. But instead of the teacher's voice, she heard a man's voice on the other end.

"Hello, Miss Rozi. I'm calling about your son, Jinno," the voice said, sending a chill down her spine.

It was a kidnapper. The man with the jar of butterflies stood on the other side of the phone, his voice calm and cold. Jinno, surrounded by men, was too scared to move, his eyes wide with fear.

"I have your child," the kidnapper began, his tone menacing. "He looks scared and hungry. If you want him back, you will pay me—"

"KEEP HIM," interrupted Miss Rozi, her voice cutting through his demands with unexpected sharpness.

The kidnapper was taken aback, momentarily stunned into silence. Jinno's mother's words echoed in the silence, the tension palpable as everyone awaited the kidnapper's reaction.

"Excuse me?" asked the man, turning back to stare at the boy in confusion. Jinno's wide eyes mirrored his own surprise.

"His name is Jinno, right? Your Mrs. Rozi?" he asked, seeking to assure himself of who he had held captive.

"Yes, that's correct," Miss Rozi replied with a calm voice. "And you heard me. Keep him." With that, she hung up.

The kidnapper stood there, stunned by her response. He took off his mask, revealing a bewildered expression. After a moment of contemplation, he ordered his men to let go of the boy. Jinno, still trembling, looked up at the kidnapper, unsure of what to do next.

"Go home, kid," the kidnapper said with a sigh, waving Jinno away. "You're more trouble than you're worth."

Mrs. Rozi dropped her phone and immediately called the school teacher on another line.

"I lost him, ma'am. I can't find your son!" the teacher said, her voice trembling with fear.

"He is home with me. I will be taking him to another school from now on, thank you," Mrs. Rozi replied calmly before hanging up quickly.

The call ended before the teacher could respond. She sighed in relief, grateful that Jinno was safe, even though she felt a twinge of regret at how things had unfolded.

"Drop him home," the kidnapper ordered his men.

They carried Jinno into the van and drove off, heading to the address provided. As they drove, Mrs. Rozi sunk her face into her palms in shame, breathing slowly and trying to collect herself.

The van eventually pulled up to a house according to the address they had. They watched as Jinno walked up to the door and knocked. When the door opened, a woman answered, but it wasn't his mom. Jinno, confused and scared, ran back to the van to report the situation.

Realizing the boy was lost, the men decided to take him back to their hideout. They reported the incident to their boss.

The kidnapper, puffing on a cigar, stared right into Jinno's eyes. His expression was unreadable as he tried to figure out what to do next with the boy who had inadvertently caused so much trouble.