Chapter 3 — The Man Who Stole a Child
The reunion lasted less than a minute.
Police sirens suddenly echoed down the street.
A patrol car stopped beside the alley.
An elderly homeless man stepped forward, raising both hands.
"Don't be afraid," he said.
"I was the one who called."
The officers approached carefully.
The old man pointed toward Noah.
"I found him five years ago behind the bus station."
Everyone turned.
"He couldn't remember his full name."
"He only cried for his mother."
The woman held Noah tighter.
"What happened to him?"
The old man lowered his eyes.
"He was being used."
The alley fell silent.
"A begging ring."
"They drugged children... moved them from city to city... and kept every dollar people gave them."
The officer's expression hardened.
"We've been investigating them for years."
The old man continued.
"One night, the gang abandoned him after he got sick."
"I couldn't feed him much..."
"...but I promised I'd never abandon him again."
The woman walked toward the old man.
Without saying a word...
She hugged him.
"Thank you."
He wiped away a tear.
"I only did what every child deserves."
Hours later...
DNA results returned.
99.9999% match.
The homeless boy wasn't just someone who looked like her son.
He was Noah.
He had finally come home.
But one question still remained.
May you like
Who had taken him...
...and why?
