The next day, Arsh couldn't wake up until noon. The events of the previous day had exhausted him, and using siuni repeatedly had pushed his body to its limits. When he woke up hungry, the first thing he did was go to the kitchen. He found Juan there, sitting with his feet up on the dining table, reading a newspaper. When Arsh walked in, Juan glanced at him from the corner of his eye and started reading the news aloud.
"An incident occurred at the Royal Hotel in Thage City. The famous lawyer and Chief Advisor to Senator Hill was present when the incident occurred. He helped the children and assisted in reuniting them with their families... The manager of the Royal Hotel, Mr. Bennes, was arrested for aiding and abetting kidnapping. This incident brought renewed attention to questions surrounding the abolished slavery laws and human trafficking. These acts, although universally condemned as inhumane in Symran, are still practiced in remote areas of the country..."
Arsh came up to Juan and looked at the open page of the newspaper. The photo printed on the page was the one taken at Arsh's request last night. The children were lined up in three rows. Behind them, in contrast to the miserable and frightened children in the photo, stood Matthew Tiffany in his neat suit and confident stance.
"Matthew Tiffany is good at this. He prevented any news about you from being released. And look at the news and the photo. He is such a politician. But I'm sure the General's men are already investigating you. Anyway, they won't be able to find anything, just don't go out alone."
Matthew Tiffany had indeed helped him far more than he expected. Along with his own men, he had assisted Arsh in getting out of the hotel area, and, just as Arsh wanted, he had spread the news in the papers. Not only in the local newspaper, but also in those distributed across all of Symran and its colonies. Everything seemed okay.
When he came home late that night, everyone was waiting for him. They had a little surprise. There was an unconscious man in the pantry. His glasses were broken and hanging crookedly on his face. Last night, after the others dealt with the men, Juan had kidnapped Paul Smith.
Arsh had completely forgotten about him.
Also Juan told him about Matthew Tiffany who he apparently knew and found trustworthy. So he believed there would be no problem.
Arsh was curious about what would happen next. They had found the information they wanted and captured the man they were looking for. He had a lot of questions, but Juan simply told him while yawning, "Rest is for the morning. I am so sleepy."
Now it was time to talk. But before Arsh could even start talking, Juan was the first one to ask a question.
"Now it's my turn to help. Did you find out where the men you were looking for went?"
"Yes. Hals."
"Hals, huh? Hmm… Tirsit isn't far. It's a forty-minute train ride. They might have gone there to avoid drawing attention. That's good. I'll send you to Tirsit in a few days. I've sent a message to our headquarters. They will send men here to take Paul Smith. It is impossible to initiate proceedings against him while the General is here. They will cover it up somehow. So when they arrive I want you to go with them. They will arrive here in four days at most. You should also get ready to leave."
"I am ready."
"Please…" Juan finally pulled his legs down from the dining table and stood up as he said this.
"You are not ready, before you go buy some new clothes. You can't go Tirsit with these native clothes and say goodbye to your country. You can't know when will you be able to return."
"I won't return."
"You will decide it later. I am talking as someone experienced. I know you don't have anyone dear to you here anymore, but you will miss speaking your own language, your foods, the smell in the air, small traditions and habits of your people even you didn't realize them before leave. You will miss them all. So take a good look before leaving."
Arsh didn't answer for a while. He didn't even think about these kinds of things. If there was no one he loved, could he still call this place home? But maybe a home and homeland was something different in a way also connected. He didn't know.
"Okay."
While they kept talking, the others came into the kitchen, and they made Arsh prepare breakfast.
"Everyone here cooks food that tastes like garbage. Please do us a favor; Juan and Ray said your soup was delicious." Flora said, smiling.
It was a peaceful meal. They talked and laughed about many things, and Arsh joined the conversation from time to time. Everyone was happy, knowing they were one step closer to their goal.
And as for the man in the pantry… Arsh wasn't sure whether they had forgotten to give him food or if they had skipped it on purpose.
….
A man in the glasshouse was trimming the flowers carefully. There was a nice fragrance in the air, and it was humid. It was a peaceful moment.
A young boy hurried into the glasshouse and walked up to the man who was trimming the flowers. Beneath the rolled-up sleeves of his white shirt, a large scar was visible. It looked like someone had deliberately carved into his skin, but now, its original shape barely recognizable, it resembled a burn.
He was holding a piece of paper.
"Sir, there is some news from Juan. He says he is in Thage and wants support to take the criminal back. They've found who is behind it."
"Who?"
"The General... They captured Paul Smith and he told you to look at the news from the colonies."
"Good job. Tell Bera and Herman to get ready and bring me the newspapers."
"And there is something else, but I didn't quite understand it." He was looking at the paper in his hands.
"What is it?"
"He said he found a treasure in the desert. He will send that to you as well."
…
After breakfast, Arsh went to Nesame's house. He wanted to be sure about the children's situation and thank him for his help and say he was leaving. While he was going, he saw a bakery. There were different cookies in the showcase. He went inside and bought a box of cookies. They were expensive.
When he came to Nesame's house, there was something different about it. This time, instead of a woman's crying, he heard the laughter of a child.
He pushed the gate that opened onto the small garden. Nesame saw him from the window and came out immediately.
"Arsh, welcome to my home."
"I see everything is okay, right? I saw the newspaper and photo of your child, so I want to make sure he is okay."
"Thank you, come inside, meet my boy."
Sefir was in his mother's arms, smiling happily. Last night, fear was in those innocent eyes.
Sefir's mother also greeted Arsh. "Sorry, I wasn't in my right mind last night. Nesame told me about you. I am sorry for your loss."
"It's okay. Your child was in danger. It's only natural." After greetings, Arsh gave Sefir the box of cookies.
"Why did you bring these? These are expensive."
"It's okay. Children like sweet things. He should eat them and be happy."
They sat for a while and drank tea. Sefir's mother told him to stay for dinner, but he wanted to leave the family to themselves.
Nesame came to see him off.
"Brother Nesame, I guess this is our last meeting. Thank you for everything."
"You're leaving? Did you find them?"
"Yes, I found them."
"Will you come back?"
"I'm not sure… maybe someday."
"Arsh… may your path be clear. May the sun and the stars be your light and your guide. May Arianna bless you and watch over you. And if you ever wish to return, you will always find a home here. Don't feel lost."
Arsh nodded and slowly walked out the door.