“HUUUUH? WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY “THIS IS A COMMON OCCURANCE”!!???THE HELL WITH THAT? ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME…TWO KIDS ARE MISSING AS WE SPEAK RIGHT NOW” standing up Gerald, slammed the table.

Gerald’s image of a policeman was betrayed as he glared at the seemingly lax cop in front of him, the cop was leaning back on his chair, with his arms supporting his chin and his belly protruding off his tight uniform.

The cop sighed, “Watch your manners, I’ll let you off this one time kid since you look new around here, but misbehave one more time and I’ll throw you in there” pointed the cop at the cell behind him.

Gerald lowered his tone, not because he was afraid of the cops threat but because he doesn’t want to worry the people close to him, and he’d rather spend his time looking for Jonathan and Anica than spending it in a cell packed with criminals.

“Listen to me sir, two kids are missing as we converse right now, I need your help”

“Your repeating yourself kid, so are you a relative?” asked the cop, now reaching a piece of a paper.

“No, B-“

Returning the piece of paper and dropping the pen “Then forget about it” the policeman interrupted, “if the parent or guardian didn’t even file a report, why bother? I’m sure they’d be home a day or two”

“Are you for real? I just told you they’d been missing for days now. Those kids have dreams if they’re in danger… if they’re in dang-“ Gerald felt his throat tightening.

“If they’re in danger, So what?” scoffed the cop.

Gerald felt his blood rush to his head; he hated fighting because fighting with his skinny body always resulted in him getting one-sidedly beaten up; it was much better if he didn't fight back because it resulted in less beating, but now, clenching his fist, gritting his teeth, and determined to find the kids, he threw his fist.

The cop nonchalantly caught Gerald’s fist and held it tightly, “Violence would do you nothing good, mark my words kid, the children at the slum are nothing but scums in the making, 5 years from now those children that you are so proud of would be a bunch of degenerates, drug addicts, snatchers, name it they’re the trash of society, But if you insist you could write a report and leave it here” said the cop, pushing Gerald’s fist back.

Gerald kept quiet. The cop wasn’t right nor wrong it was his biased opinion, Just like the cop Gerald had his opinion, he decided to pave in the silver lining of respecting one’s opinion, avoiding conflict, plus he could feel his consciousness fading. So he decided to quickly write the report but before he could sign it, he found himself staring at his mother’s picture hanged on the room.

“Just as I thought, fuck I’m losing my shit” Gerald sighed as he close his eyes,

Gerald had no time to worry about himself. Sure he felt odd that he finds himself home without a single memory of it, but it was the least if his worries. He was exhausted and was not in an immediate danger unlike the kids.

-

Watching the kid leave, Linda a policewoman picked up the report Gerald had written, “Sir weren’t you too harsh on him?”

“Harsh? With that attitude, He should be glad I didn’t throw him in there, Now back to work newbie” ordered the fat policeman.

Linda sighed, pausing to read what the child had written. Everything was the same as any other missing child report, except for one thing that gave Linda goosebumps.

-

August 3, 2009

“Kuya Gerald do you think I can become like Ate Liah?” asked the fidgeting Anica. Anica had always wanted to be like Liah, thus she wanted to be a teacher, and like her ate Liah she is motivated to help others.

“Well, it would be best if you could be yourself, but if you wanted to be like her, I'm sure you can; in fact, I think you're already halfway there,” Gerald replied, recalling a time when he passed by Anica's house and saw her enthusiastically teaching her younger siblings.

Anica giggled and held Gerald’s hand tightly.

Wiping his tears, Gerald fitted his shoes and quickly left the house. Gerald walked mindlessly to the usual teaching spot, preoccupied with what to do next. His heart was breaking as he stared at the now-empty lot where children used to play, sing, and chant. Their innocent smiles as they greet him, as well as their naughtiness, constant teasing, and the seemingly endless days of joy, all come to a halt.

“We can’t find Justin and Gela.” Said the sobbing Liah, late for the daily class, She and Sam went to look for them but just like the other kids they were nowhere to be found.

“And when I thought things couldn’t get any more worse” said Gerald gritting his teeth, but the sudden outburst of anger slowly turned into emptiness and self hate, he realized how helpless he is, he did everything he could even so there was no chance of finding the kids, the cops wont even help, running out of options, Gerald felt exhausted his tears started to flow,

“What should I do now, Liah?” hopeless as it seemed, Gerald found himself leaning on Liah.

“For now, lets go pray at the church” replied Liah, holding Sam and Gerald’s hand.

-

Gerald who had never went or attended a church, had no idea what to do or what a prayer even does, instead he watched Liah and Sam kneeling and clasping their hand murmuring. He stared at the crying, crucified statue.

Gerald gasped, ‘Did it smile? Haha I really am losing my mind’

“Uhm Gerald, shall we go?” asked Liah, puzzled as to why Gerald was smiling wryly.

Gerald nodded, lost in thought as they made their way to the church exit.

“But go where? The police won’t even hel-“ he paused, staring at a familiar face, he creased his eyebrows.

“Sup kid, I’ve read the report, care to cooperate?” said the fat cop, accompanied by a policewoman.

Stupefied, Gerald looked back at the crying statue.