CHAPTER - 22 Benjamin calls the grim reaper

Benjamin lifted his phone and dialed a number.

“Who are you calling?” Mike asked him.

“The grim reaper,” Benjamin replied and walked away.

In a few minutes, he came with someone who was dressed in complete black. Even his face was not visible outside. Mike looked at Benjamin and asked, “Who is he?”

“I told you earlier! He is GR!” Benjamin muttered and glared at his foolish son.

Mike did not understand his abbreviation but at the same time, he did not ask him. As he noticed the person in black squatted next to the wall and spoke to someone invisible.

After a few minutes, Mike saw him take something out of thin air and give it to the invisible shadow next to him. The whistle disappeared once it was placed in the shadow's hand. The grim reaper walked near Benjamin and whispered something in his ears. The whole time, the black-clothed person did not look at Mike even once and then left without looking back.

“Dad, why did he not look at me even once and behave like I do not exist at all?” Mike asked Benjamin.

“They can only see the shadows whom they have to capture. When it’s your time to go then they will look at you. Right now, we need to leave. Some rangers are monitoring this area. We cannot let them capture us. Come on, let’s get out of here first.” Benjamin pulled his son’s hand and walked out of that place.

“But, dad…” Mike hesitated. 

‘If only I could see the shadow and ask about what happened that night. We could know who was responsible for Dina’s situation,’ He thought.

“Listen, I think we might be in bigger trouble. Dina had already started to see shadows and souls that are roaming freely on this land. She even advised one of the shadows. She suggested that the shadow could attach herself to her one-sided lover and be with him forever. 

This is not good. Do you understand what would happen if those Controllers find out? They would hunt us down. We better stay quiet and follow Dina for now. I am sure she will bring us to the person who made her pregnant. Not any normal human being can do that. He must be a powerful sage,” Benjamin said and took a deep breath.

“She always said that she could see some unnatural beings from childhood. Emma and Kara had taken her to visit several psychiatrists but no luck. It looks like she was not lying to me. And those ghosts she described to me really existed.” Mike shivered and held his father’s hands tightly.

Benjamin removed his hands from his son’s grip and looked at him in disdain. He could not understand how they could give birth to such an innocent soul.

…

Back at Grace residency in another part of the world, Mason walked into their bedroom. Grace was busy doing something on her laptop. He looked at her once and hesitated. He did not know how to start the topic. He took a deep breath and tried to control his racing heart.

“Grace, we need to talk,” Mason finally opened his mouth and spoke.

“Is Tina back from her vacation?” Grace asked without looking at him.

From her tone, he could clearly feel the scornfulness and contempt. He was ready to face her wrath but he could not let his elder daughter suffer in his wife’s hands.

“About Tina…” Mason stopped and looked at Grace with pleading eyes.

“What about her? Did she say she would not marry the man I chose?” She asked once again not looking at him.

“No…” He replied.

“I knew it! She is my daughter and she would listen to me always. I know what is best for my daughter and she understands that. Unlike few people in this house,” She mocking said and continued her work.

“Grace, look at me for once. We need to talk about something very important.” Mason said and pulled the laptop away from her hands.

“Mason, what is the meaning of this? Can’t you see I am doing something important? First of all, I didn’t say anything when you came and disturbed my work. Now, how dare you act like a hooligan,” She shouted and pulled her laptop back from his hands.

“Are you really not going to listen to what I am saying?” He inquired.

“When did I say, I am not going to listen to you. I was listening and replying to you until now, didn’t I?” She asked and glared at him.

“Yes, but your concentration is not fully with me. I don’t understand why you have to fix this marriage so urgently?” He asked her.

“We already discussed this. If you want me to say it again, then listen. There is no one better than Adrian in this world who could be my son-in-law. When such an opportunity comes to us, then we should grab it. It’s highly impossible to meet him even with our status. But he came down and invited me. Then he asked for our daughter’s hand. Do you know how much your business can improve with him as our back up? He is the most powerful person in this whole world. You should be happy that he is ready to even consider our daughter first,” Grace said and walked out of the room.

“Grace, stop right there! I don’t care if he is the most powerful person but he is not suitable for my daughter. Unless my daughter says otherwise,” Mason declared.

“So, call her! Let us talk to her and ask if she is ok with this marriage. If she says otherwise, then I will call off this marriage,” Grace announced.

Mason didn’t know what he should do now. Till now, they did not inform Grace about Tina’s disappearance. They were doing their best to search for her. But it seems difficult and not even a single clue was found yet.

“What? Why are you not giving my daughter a call? Did someone kidnap her and you hid it from me?” Grace asked him while looking straight into his eyes.

“No…I mean ye..” Before he could say ‘yes, we lost her’ Grace’s angry voice stopped him from talking anymore.

“If no, then where is she? Are you hiding her from me? I have never seen anyone so irresponsible. I don’t know what you do, I want to see my daughter tomorrow. If not you do know what I am capable of doing,” She warned him and went back to the bedroom. 

She slammed the door on his face and locked it from inside. Mason wanted to go behind her and tell the truth. But something stopped him and he couldn’t take a step forward.

Mason moved away from the door and took his phone out of his pocket. He dialed Millie’s phone number.

“Hello,” Millie said in her half-asleep state.

“Mom, it’s me,” Mason said.

“What happened? Did you speak to your wife? What did she say?” She asked.

“No, I couldn’t! She did not let me speak. I don’t know what I should do now,” He replied.

“I knew it! Pass the phone to her. I will talk to her,” She said.

“No, she went inside our bedroom and locked the door,” Mason said with his head held down.

“What? And you let her do that? When are you going to grow up and teach her some manners?” Millie asked angrily.

Mason didn’t know how to respond to that. Grace is a grown woman and how could he teach her manners at this age.

“Sigh. Fine, let it be. For now, I will try to bring Dina home. Then we will think of our next steps as we thought. It’s too late here and I am going to sleep now. Tomorrow, I am planning to visit Kara’s house and will talk to them. Let’s see how it goes,” Millie said.

“Ok, mom. Good night.” Mason said. 

“Good night,” Millie said and disconnected the call.

Millie laid on the bed and thought about Tina. It was difficult to believe that someone could take Tina away so easily in such a heavy security area. She felt like something was definitely wrong with her disappearance. 

‘Where could Tina be? Did she leave on her own or something bad happened to her? Wherever you are Tina, please come back soon. We are unable to manage your mother without you. And we found your twin sister, Dina. She looked exactly like you. You would love her when you meet her. Please send our Tina back to us, Please,’ Millie cried while holding her blanket.

Mason sat next to the door and looked at his phone. Tina’s smiling face was displayed on the screen. His heart ached and teardrops rolled down his cheeks. He messaged his friends and the officers who handle her missing case, to check if there were any updates on missing Tina. But everyone replied, ‘No’. He held his head and leaned against the wall.