I was walking home from office as usual and I happen to see a shoe lying on the side of the road. Normally, I would've ignored it and moved on, but this shoe captured my attention. It was green in color and had something written on it or so I thought. I know I am not supposed to pick up lost objects from the road and my every instinct was telling me not to but I had to see what was about the shoe that was so appealing. I picked it up and saw that there was blood on it. The shoe looked like a 10 year old boys’ size. And the odd part was that the other shoe was nowhere in sight. What had happened here? Had there been a fight? Had someone been beaten here? Was someone, maybe a boy, been kidnapped? I asked some passersby but he also didn't know anything. I decided to go to the local police station and inquire about the incident. As I reached there, I saw that there was a lot of commotion there. “It was horrible what happened and it shouldn't happen to anyone.” Said a man standing at the door “It was terrible, how can someone do that?” said a large woman. I finally managed to reach the inspector in charge of the case and asked him- “Sir, could you please tell me what happened tonight. “Are you related to the victim? Are you a friend?” asked the inspector. “No, I was just passing by and I found one bloody shoe by the side of the road. So would like to know what happened there.” I said. “Mister, if we entertain every person who comes by to inquire how will, we do our job. It’s better that you leave now and read about it in the newspapers tomorrow.” Said the inspector I left the police station a little disappointed. On the way I kept thinking what to do, but came up with no answers. I couldn’t sleep that night. I kept tossing and turning in my bed. I was very restless. The next day I got up and decided to do something about it. I went to the police station again and found that there were reporters and many a people outside the main gate. I heard them talking about the incident. They were saying- “The boy is only 16 years old.” Another one said “some people have just bad luck or you can say just bad timing.” “If he had only come there 5 minutes late, this would not have happened to him. After all, he’s only a child.” Said a reporter I asked the reporter exactly what had happened and he said “A boy was beaten up really badly by some crooks just because they wanted his money and belongings and the boy tried to put up a fight.” “Oh, that’s really terrible. How is the boy now?” I asked. “He’s in a really bad shape; the doctors are saying he has a very slim chance of survival.” Said the reporter Meanwhile, I kept thinking about my neighbor Mrs. Red, whose son had run away from home a few months ago and she was really worried about him because she was not able to contact him. His cell phone was switched off and she had no other number where she could contact him. I had spoken to her in the morning and she was quite upset. I kept thinking about the possibility of her son being the same boy who was beat up last night. “Can you tell me where is the boy being treated? I asked the reporter. “He’s at the city hospital.” Said the reporter I went there but they wouldn't tell me anything. They would give information to family members only. “Ma’am, I am his brother, I’m really worried, I've been looking for him since yesterday. Please tell me where he is?” I told the receptionist. “He’s in room 2216.” Said the receptionist When I went in, I saw that in fact it was him, Mrs. Red’s son, James. He was half awake but he recognized me and asked me- “where is my mom, I want to see her. I was coming home when all this happened.” He said. “Jamie, I will call her. Don’t worry I will get her here.” I told him. Mrs. Red came as soon as I called her. She was worried sick about him. “Mom, I was coming home to see you, I wanted to tell you that I love you and you were right. I want to come home” cried James as he saw his mom. “I love you too son, I was so worried about you, we will go home as soon as you recover. I am going to take very good care of you.” Said Mrs. Red cuddling James in her arms The doctors also said that James has a better chance now seeing his mother he should recover fast. I decided it was time for me to go. I was happy that because of me (and my curiosity i might add) a son and a mother were reunited. I knew I was connected to it somehow. That’s why that bloody shoe had caught my attention. It is true what they say- Everything happens for a reason.
- tomandjerry05