Epilogue

Anshul looked up at Dr. Arpachshad and Inspector Garjan to whom he had just told his story and the dream about the forest.

“Ah, I see. You must have had some very fond memories of going to a forest, so your mind went back to those memories to help you cope with this incident. But your horrible experiences here were too much and they overpowered those fond memories of yours. Your dream became a nightmare comprised of your good and bad days.” Dr. Arpachshad told him with a slight smile.

“I am sorry for your loss. These kids must have been friends, no, more possibly, like family to you. I’m sorry we couldn’t come earlier. We had been searching for this gang for a long time. Your parents registered you as ‘Missing’ so we called them as soon as we saw learnt your name from the other kids. And don’t worry; we’ll make sure that all these kids find their way back to their families or a place where they can live happily.”

Suddenly, the inspector’s phone rang and he answered it, “Yes, oh? Yes, please do.”

He turned to Anshul and said with a gentle smile, “Look leftwards, I’m sure this will bring a smile onto your face again.”

Anshul looked leftwards and almost cried out. Tears appeared in his eyes again but not because of sadness. They were tears of joy, of relief, and of the realization that he had escaped from hell even though he knew that he would carry these experiences forevermore in his heart.

His parents stood in the alleyway and his mother was crying as she said, “My child, my son! Come here!”

His father stood beside her, the expression on his face speaking volumes about how worried he had been. He spoke, “Come here, my boy. My brave, brave boy.”

Forgetting everything, Anshul ran towards his parents. Tears fell as he ran, the pain in his leg ignored, because the moment he saw his parents he knew that this ordeal was finished, he knew...he was going home.