Ariel and Axel walked out of the board room quietly.

The silent click of her heels against the tiled floor was the only sound that could be heard in the empty hallway.

‘Maybe I should call.’ Ariel thought to herself as she stared at the intricately designed business card in amusement.

"You're going to call? Axel asked her.

She was startled. How did he know what she was thinking about?

“I read minds as well.” He said, sparing her the trouble.

"It's not like that.” She replied quickly. “Why're you trying to explain, I don't care. You can die if you want.”

Her heart welled with anger, it dawned on her. Why was she explaining?

She had saved up all she wanted, she just needed extra cash to give Khan's aunt to sustain themselves after the surgery, and she could figure something out, she had no need to put up with him anymore.

“I quit!!.” She announced angrily. He paused on his stride, but he didn't turn back.

Axel could tell she was clearly pissed, and it made him smile.

"I'll refund the money for the months I've not worked. I'll make the payment monthly.” She announced angrily and walked off. But Axel didn't flinch, he stood, calm and composed like she had not said anything major.

By morning, Ariel was on her way to see Khan's aunt.

Ariel's heart swelled with pride, she had saved up enough money for Khan's surgery. Axel may be a jerk, but at least his company approved advance salaries after signing legal bindings. She walked into the familiar alley of cafe de la brunch, heart racing. She was hoping to see Khan's cute cheerful face. She smiled at the thought of him. She had bought some toys.

Excited, she swung the door open, the cafe was empty, save for the back of the woman who was cleaning counters.

She walked closer to Aunty Rain, who finally took notice of the ethereal lady in her restaurant.

“Hi, Ariel said sweetly. “I came to give this to you.” She extends a cheque to the dumbfounded aunty Rain.

“You can have it, it's for Khan's surgery.” She urged her sweetly.

Aunty Rain burst into tears.

“I'm so touched, thank you.” She sniffed. Ariel smiled in satisfaction.

“But Khan has already gotten a surgery, he has been discharged as well.”

“A kind stranger paid for it.”

Aunty Rain announced.

Ariel was surprised and elated all the same.

“Do you know this stranger?.”

“No, I don't. A car pulled up two months ago, and a man handed me a cheque.”

Ariel was puzzled, but she had no time to think. Just then, the excited six year old ran in.

He was clutching a life sized teddy bear.

Ariel was happy.

Khan's eyes lit in excitement upon seeing Ariel.

He leapt and ran to hug her, but his aunty Rain emerged from the counter and gripped his both shoulders with terror in her eyes.

“How many times have I asked you not to play outside or wander off on your own?.” Her eyes widened in fear as she looked at his terrified eyes.

Khan winced in pain.

“That's enough.” Ariel intervened, releasing the young boy from her grip.

Crying, Khan ran to the corner of the restaurant. Ariel looked at the barely composed aunty Rain in disappointment and went after him.

Khan sat on one of the tables at the far end of the cafe and bowed his head.

He was weeping profusely.

Seeing him cry broke Ariel's heart. She glared at the distraught aunty Rain standing across the cafe, she was considering taking Khan away from her.

Khan sniffed. “It's alright, she said. He nodded. “I got you sweets.”

She hands them over to him.

His face lights up with a smile. “Hope you like them.” He nods again.

Ariel sat beside him, close but not too close. “I’m sure your aunt has her reasons, Khan.

“She yelled so loud,” he mumbled, voice tight with hurt. “I just wanted to play with the other kids in the neighborhood.”

Ariel smiled gently, even though her heart tugged. “You know what? Wanting to play isn’t wrong. But you should listen to your aunty Rain.”

He sniffed, wiping his nose on his sleeve.

“I think your aunt forgot you’re just a boy who loves to play. I'm your friend you know, you can always play with me .”

She tilted her head and smiled at the little boy. “And I think maybe you both had a scary moment and need a little time to breathe.”

Khan looked up at her, his lashes still wet. “She gets mad a lot lately.” He cried.

“I'm sure she's just stressed.”

She looks at the absent minded aunty Rain as she hugs Khan.

Silence enveloped the restaurant as customers began to troop in and out. Ariel sat by the corner, keeping Khan company and helping his aunty Rain attend to guests. She hung around the little restaurant until the sun started rolling away from the sky. By the time they were done for the day, Khan had fallen asleep. He was resting on a table by the corner with his eyes closed.

“Thank you, for helping.” Miss Rain said awkwardly. She had managed to find her voice after scolding Khan earlier.

“I think you're too hard on him, he's just a child.” Ariel registered her displeasure instantly.

“I know, I get worried at times and I snap, I can't help it.”

“You have to.” Ariel chipped in.

“There have been deaths around the neighborhood lately, mysterious deaths that I can't explain.”

Rain complained in despair, biting her finger and pacing around her little cafe. Ariel was puzzled.

“What has that got to do with Khan?.” She was forced to ask.

“The deaths are planned, and the victims are unusual.”

“In what kind of way?.”

“There is a serial killer on the loose, and we think he targets children, not just children — immune compromised kids.”

“He leaves a mark on his victim's forehead. Over the past three months, seven kids have gone missing. His last victim was a little girl with down syndrome.”

Rain dropped the bombshell in fear. Ariel's jaw dropped in surprise.

What kind of psychopath would do that?