Revenge By Law's
ARTICLE 20

Fifteen years ago

“Not even his parents came to pick up?” ask Bripda Reynold to his partner.

“Not yet. Does he have no parents?”

“The school said it had. It's just, he wrote down the wrong address in the school data. When asked, he was just mumbling.”

“Sial once the fate of the boy. Had his parents come, maybe he wouldn't have had to be held until this long.”

“But the commander said that the boy could be free today. Looks like he'll be out of rutan.” soon

“Today? It's only been three days. Not twenty days at most? Should have left it alone until his wounds healed. Danger if his parents see and sue us.” Bripda Reynold objected to the decision.

“Maybe the commander saw the present condition, that his parents did not care about him. The longer he's here, the more troublesome it will be. A maximum of twenty days if he undergoes investigation, while the case will not go to court. If there is an inspection, we will get.”

Bripda Reynold nodded in agreement. He examined Abi's biodata obtained from the school. Occasionally he stroked his left cheek that was being plastered because he felt pain.

“How about your wound? Not healed yet?”

“It's good. But chances are the former won't disappear.”

The discussion of his wound reminded him of what happened a week ago. All because of his success and his team in uncovering a drug transaction. At that time they managed to catch the leader of one of the famous drug gangs in the city. Instead of getting awards, they were sprayed by superiors. In the end, the criminal was released without any punishment.

His misadventures didn't get there. A few days later, exactly a week ago, the criminal's men caught him. He was tortured, even to the point of having to receive a burn on his left cheek.

From then on, he began to realize that justice was just a mirage. The police who strive to uphold justice are the dumbest cops because there is no justice in the world. Hence, he decided to become a smarter cop and stopped pursuing justice. He should put his personal interests and safety first. Especially to get a job as a police officer, he and his parents have sacrificed many things.

Therefore, when ordered by his superiors to torture a student without the need to investigate the truth to satisfy the wishes of one of the influential people in this city, he immediately agreed. Moreover, he also needed to vent his anger over the incident a week ago.

* * *

A guard handed over some of Abi's belongings that were kept before he was thrown into a holding cell. Just some useless things like a bag containing textbooks and stationery, school clothes that have been covered in blood and boots.

Abi took all of his belongings and did not ponder the question of the warden's pleasantries who was concerned about his condition. After which, he walked out the rutan with shaky steps. He still felt pain in some parts of his body.

“He's been there since the beginning you were detained,” said the warden who opened the gate for him. “Looks like he never got out of that place. I never even saw him eat or drink.”

Abi stared for a while and left in a limp step without passing the woman. The warden was confused to see his attitude. It was obvious that the woman was his mother.

Memories of the past suddenly approached him. He remembers his first day in Elementary School, his mother accompanying him to school. From home, they left with joy. Abi told me how enthusiastic he was on his first day of school. He already had an idea of what would happen and what he would do in school. The mother who saw the streak of happiness on her son's face also felt happy.

Although the journey was quite far, they filled every second with joy so that the distance and time they traveled felt close. Abi thought it was the happiest moment of his life.

Until finally the streak of happiness on the face of the mother suddenly disappeared when they passed a man who also delivered his child. Abi still remembered how pale his mother's face was at that time, as well as the man's face. Finally Abi realized that he had seen the man come to the cafe and had a close conversation with his mother.

Unknowingly, Abi said to his mother and was heard by the man, “Not that om who often comes to our cafe, yes, Ma?”

That day was the first and last day the mother took him walking together outside New Batavia. Even from then on their relationship started to cool until everyone thought Abi hated her mother.

Abi knew what her mother was thinking, even at a very young age. He knew the reason the mother sent him away from New Batavia, even though there was an SD nearby, so that no one would know what his mother's job was.

Others just know his mother never took his report at every end of every quarter and semester, but only Abi knows that she has been waiting at home enthusiastically to see the results of Abi's studies for several months, even with Abi's favorite dishes.

Others only know his mother did not come to school when he won the provincial-level smart race so he was canceled sent to the capital to take part in the national-level race, but only Abi knows that it is he who does not want to leave because Regina, a member of their intelligent team reserve, is eager to enter the race. Abi himself asked his mother not to come to fulfill the call of the school.

Abi knows her mother is always present nearby when there are school events, such as farewell and graduation events. It was just that the mother did not dare to approach him and only looked at him from a distance. Abi knew that her mother did not want the incident on the first day she entered school to happen again. Moreover, Abi getting bigger, it would be more embarrassing if anyone realized who his mother really is.

And he also believes that his mother was waiting around the police station while he was being tortured in the interrogation room.

“Home home, anyway? Already eaten?” ask her mother when she gets home. His eyes were wide when he saw Abi's battered face. But he pretends not to care.

“Already. These few days I was staying at a friend's house and while playing in his garden, I fell,” Abi said. He knew his mother knew everything. But he felt he had to lie.

“Oh, so. Yes, you rest a few days and do not need to go to school first.”

The mother just left. Although her expression was flat, Abi could see relief on her mother's face. Yes, since the events on the first day Abi entered the Elementary School, their relationship is further and more unconsciously they have more difficulty showing their concern for each other. But their love never faded.