Chapter 14: The Mysterious Legacy, The Path to Choose, and Clues in the Online World
The last faint stars of dawn still twinkled in the sky as Amorn, dressed in the plainest clothes she could find, stepped out of the grounds of Wat Pa Santitham as quietly as possible. In her arms was the small, still-sleeping form of Ar-Chin. The crucial leather bag, containing the boy's legacy and secrets, was slung securely crossbody over her shoulder. A sandalwood rosary from Luang Pu Saeng was worn around her neck, like a final protective amulet.
The past several days at the forest temple had been like a period of physical and mental recuperation. Amorn had received immeasurable kindness from Luang Pu Saeng and the other monks. But she knew well that this was only a temporary refuge. The real danger still awaited outside, and Ar-Chin's future now depended on her decisions and actions.
Luang Pu's teachings still echoed in her ears: "Be mindful... be wise... and be compassionate." And his warning that Ar-Chin was no ordinary child further made Amorn realize the immense burden she carried.
The luxurious smartphone belonging to Ar-Chin's real parents, which she had decided to bring after fully charging its battery from the temple's solar panel, became her crucial tool for receiving news from the outside world. Its screen flashed intermittently with notifications from news apps and social media. Although the internet signal in this remote area was spotty, it was enough for her to get an overview of the still-tense national situation. The military government remained in absolute control, inter-provincial travel was restricted by strict checkpoints, and rumors about the "hunt for newborns" or "cursed infants," though somewhat overshadowed by other news, continued to create fear in various Line groups and underground web forums.
Amorn knew she could rely on no one but herself, and the assets in that bag were the only tools that would help her and Ar-Chin survive and reach Chiang Mai safely. After walking through the forest until she reached a secondary road with some passing traffic, Amorn began to look for a way to continue her journey.
She decided she would no longer risk hitchhiking or relying on strangers. It was too dangerous and uncertain. With a sum of money she had discreetly withdrawn from an ATM in a small district town not far from the temple (using the card and PIN Ar-Chin's parents had left, and conducting the transaction with utmost caution), Amorn hired an old pickup truck whose driver was an elderly man, simple-looking and not overly concerned with national news. She hired him to drive her directly to Lampang province, claiming to be a widow who had recently lost her husband and was taking her child to live with relatives there, and that she would ask to be dropped off before reaching the main city to avoid any trouble.
Having money made the journey more comfortable and private. Amorn could choose to stop when needed and could buy baby formula, diapers, and essential food for Ar-Chin and herself without difficulty. She bought a new phone SIM card for security and began using the banking app on the phone Ar-Chin's parents had left to "scan to pay" for small items, carefully avoiding the use of large amounts of cash that might attract attention.
Nevertheless, the real challenge of this journey was the "eyes" of the people and the suspicion prevalent in society. When she had to stop at roadside restaurants or ask strangers for directions, the fact that she was an ordinary-looking young woman who seemed to have money to spend quite freely (despite trying her best to blend in), traveling with an infant during such abnormal times, naturally made many look at her with questioning and distrustful eyes. Sometimes, she was the subject of whispered gossip or was stared at as if she were an oddity, forcing her to quickly take Ar-Chin and leave those places.
Traveling through Lampang province became a significant test. When the pickup truck driver she had hired stopped to refuel at a large gas station near a main highway, Amorn saw a large billboard advertising the "Thai Elephant Conservation Center, Lampang" and shops selling local handicrafts and souvenirs, including the unique Rooster brand bowls. She looked at these sights with mixed feelings—admiration for their beauty and anxiety about the dangers that might be lurking nearby.
It was at that gas station that she overheard another group of truck drivers talking about a "special checkpoint" that had been set up with strict controls at the Khun Tan Tunnel, a major railway and road route heading towards Chiang Mai. They recounted that every vehicle was being thoroughly searched, especially those carrying young children, and that heavily armed soldiers were stationed there in large numbers. This news made Amorn's heart sink!
She glanced at Ar-Chin, who was sleeping soundly in her arms, tiny beads of sweat on his hairline. Amorn made a swift decision. She paid the same pickup truck driver a significant extra sum to take a detour using secondary routes—smaller roads winding through villages and valleys instead. Even though it would mean adding almost a whole day to their travel time and passing through more remote and potentially dangerous areas, she was willing to do it for Ar-Chin's safety.
This leg of the journey was fraught with tension and obstacles. Ar-Chin began to act more like a typical infant; he had moments of crying fitfully for milk or needing a diaper change at inconvenient times, requiring Amorn to give him close attention. Many times, she had to endure unfriendly stares from villagers when she needed to ask for small favors, like hot water for his milk or to use a restroom.
Amorn's health, which had somewhat improved, began to deteriorate again from the arduous journey, insufficient rest, and inadequate food. Her cough became more frequent, and sometimes she felt chills even when the air wasn't cold. But every time she looked at Ar-Chin's small face staring up at her with wide, clear eyes, or gurgling as if trying to talk to her, her physical and mental exhaustion seemed to lessen somewhat. She knew this child was her everything now, and she would do whatever it took to protect him.
The closer they traveled to Chiang Mai province, the faster Amorn's heart beat. The hope of meeting Aunt Orn, her only remaining relative, and the anxiety about how her aunt would react to her arrival with Ar-Chin, churned within her, creating a confusing turmoil of emotions.