After leaving the adoption center, Altair's steps were heavier than usual, his mind replaying the misunderstanding with Min Dewey.
He decided he would legally adopt once he became an Awakened—having a job in the Association would make everything legitimate, and people would be more willing to accommodate him.
There were a lot of requirements and the only thing he was sure he could do was the job. So he'll think of it then. The first step was for him to move in the city to apply in the military so he can acquire points quickly.
He headed toward the registration area. The bustling crowd and chatter of people registering for relocation offered a brief reprieve.
He lined up, filled out the necessary forms, and was told his pickup date would be the day after tomorrow. He nodded politely to the officer handling his registration and was about to step outside when a voice called from behind.
"Excuse me, young man."
He turned to see a middle-aged soldier holding a paper, wearing a stern expression. The soldier kept glancing between Altair's face and the paper in his hand.
"Can you come with me for a moment?" the soldier said, tone clipped and professional. "There's something I have to ask you."
Altair, confused but composed, nodded. "Yes, of course. No problem, sir."
The camp wasn't far, they arrived a few minutes later. Once inside, he gestured toward a chair in front of a table, where an official was scribbling something down. The official looked up when he heard someone sit. The soldier who brought him leaned over and whispered something while showing the paper.
The officer then looked at Altair, then back at the sketch, and nodded.
"Ask those people to come," he instructed. The soldier nodded and exited the tent.
"I'm Officer Sancti," the man introduced. "There was a recent case of kidnapping, and you happen to resemble the suspect described." He showed him the drawing of a man—and indeed, the person depicted looked like him.
Altair frowned. Kidnapping? He immediately thought of Lero's aunt and uncle. Did they actually report him? But it was okay—they didn't have any evidence.
"The drawing does resemble me," Altair admitted, "but I've never kidnapped anyone, Officer."
The officer nodded. "Several civilians identified this person as being in the company of two children. One of them, a boy named Alvis, was caught stealing recently. There were witnesses that you were with him and his sister. I wonder if you're the man he spoke of."
Altair blinked, then schooled his features and feigned shock. So it was Verda and Alvis' parents?
"…If that's what you're referring to, then yes, it's true," he said calmly. "I found the girl alone in the forest in the west. She told me she was separated from her brother, so I went looking for him. I found him as he'd been caught stealing—and I was indeed with them after that incident."
The officer squinted slightly, jotting things down. "Where are they now?"
"I don't have an idea officer. After that, I returned to the tents set up outside with them. There were witnesses who saw me bring them back. Later, I left to get food. When I returned, they were gone. I didn't see them again. People nearby said a fellow villager took them, so I assumed they'd gone back with them. I was about to go look for them when the soldiers called me. I happened to pick up things on the way here, and they rewarded me for it. "
The officer flipped through his notes. "You said you were awarded?"
"Yes," Altair confirmed. "It was Captain Yumir who awarded me. That's when I lost track of the children."
Officer Sancti nodded and wrote it all down.
Just as the interview was wrapping up, the tent flap burst open.
It was the soldier who had brought him in, now accompanied by Alvis and Verda's parents—and a woman who had been in the same tent as them earlier, the one he'd asked when Verda and Alvis were missing.
Officer Sancti gestured to them to step forward.
The soldier reported, "Sir, these are the parents of the missing children. The woman here is the witness."
Officer Sancti nodded. "Is he the man you were referring to?" he asked the woman.
She squinted, unsure for a moment—Altair had changed into cleaner clothes—but eventually nodded.
"Yes, Officer. That's him," she confirmed.
Officer Sancti made a note. "He's already admitted to having been in contact with the children."
Alvis and Verda's parents turned to him. The woman immediately screamed.
"So, It's you. You kidnapped my children! Where are they? Give them back!"
Her husband placed a comforting hand on her back, but his eyes were hostile as he looked at Altair.
"Don't worry. Now that he's been caught, the soldiers will find our children. A man like him won't get away."
Altair almost rolled his eyes at their performance.
"I didn't kidnap anyone. I don't know where your children are."
"Liar!" the father shouted, jabbing a finger at him. "They were last seen with you. Now they're gone!"
"I already admitted they were with me," Altair replied flatly. "But someone from your village took them away. Ask her—" he gestured to the woman who'd been brought as a witness—"she saw me return alone. I even asked her about them."
Everyone turned to the woman. She looked awkward but nodded.
"That's true. But didn't you say you were going to look for them afterwards?"
"See?!" the man barked. "You liar! You must've taken them. They're just children—they wouldn't be able to run far!"
"And as I already said, Officer," Altair cut in, voice sharp, "I never got the chance to look for them. I was summoned by Captain Yumir. You can confirm that with him."
Officer Sancti turned to the nearby soldier. "Go and confirm this with the captain. Take the drawing with you."
"Yes, sir." The soldier saluted and left.
Sancti turned to the couple. "What other evidence do you have that this may have your children?"
The couple hesitated. Then the mother's eyes lit up.
"We have a witness!" she exclaimed. "Someone saw him. Officer, we have a witness who says he's a human trafficker!"
The husband nodded. "Yes, Officer. I'll go bring them here!"
Officer Sancti gave him a look, then nodded. "Go immediately."
The woman who had pointed Altair out asked to leave—as she still had children to care for—and Sancti permitted her to go.
Moments later, the soldier returned and confirmed that Captain Yumir had indeed spoken to Altair that day.
The wife glared daggers at him.
They waited for a quarter of an hour before more people arrived—her husband, Lero's aunt, and a child who later remembered to be Lero's cousin.
Altair nearly cursed under his breath. Of course. These two again.
Helda, Lero's aunt, immediately pushed her child forward and pointed at Altair.
"Is this the man who kidnapped your cousin? Tell us honestly, child. Don't be scared. The soldiers are here."
The child looked up at him and slowly nodded. "Yes. Mom, that's him."
Helda wailed dramatically. "It's indeed you! Officer, please help us. My nephew was kidnapped by him! My child would never lie! Oh, how will I face my brother and sister-in-law now? Oh my poor nephew, who lost his parents early, now he was even kidnapped, how scared he must be now. "
If Lero's parents knew what you did to him, they'd strike you down, Altair thought bitterly.
Officer Sancti looked at him, so he immediately responded angrily as if he was offended by the accusations. Anyway he knew that no one saw him, taking the children away.
"I don't know what they're talking about," he answered back. "What evidence do you have? A child's word isn't enough! How can we be sure that you didn't urge him to lie?"
"My child isn't lying! Give me my nephew back." Helda snapped.
Altair saw right through her. She was spinning a tale from fragments of truth.
"I've explained myself," Altair said coolly. "None of them have solid proof—just accusations."
Still, the weight of multiple voices couldn't be ignored. Officer Sancti sighed.
"You'll remain in custody while we investigate further. Until then, you'll be held in a temporary cell."
Altair nodded. "Fine. But I've done nothing wrong."
The crowd started to protest, but Sancti raised a hand to silence them.
"You have no sufficient evidence either. If you think it's him, bring proof."
That shut them up and they glared at him fiercely, which Altair ignored. Anyway, their words won't prove anything.
—
The cell was small but clean. A single bed, a narrow window, and silence. Altair sat on the edge of the bed, arms folded.
Some time later, a younger soldier approached, offering him a cup of water.
"Don't worry," he whispered. "They don't have anything solid. You'll be free when your departure date arrives."
Altair gave him a tight smile. "Thanks."
Left alone again, he leaned back against the wall, exhaling deeply.
So much trouble, he thought, dragging a hand down his face. But it's fine. They won't find the children.