Kalin sat on the bed, his small body still shivering from the cold and exhaustion. His hair was wet, his face blue from the cold, and his eyes filled with confusion and fear.
The military woman sat beside him, her gaze sharp yet full of care and concern. She did not speak yet, only watched him, ensuring he was breathing, still alive.
Kalin felt curious and tried to lift himself, but his body could not respond. He turned toward the window, rain pouring outside, as if crying with him, echoing every bit of pain he had endured these past days.
He whispered weakly, barely audible:
"Where… is Kala? Where is my sister?"
The woman smiled gently but did not answer directly. Calmly, she said:
"You are safe now, little one. But do not speak yet, your body needs rest."
His heart raced. He didn't know what had happened to Kala, if she was safe, or if the stranger who took her was still nearby.
There was no time to answer. She knew the best thing now was silence and rest, yet her eyes never left his face.
She extended a hand and gave him a warm blanket, carefully covering his soaked body.
"You will be okay. We will take care of you, don't worry."
Kalin looked at her with wide eyes, barely able to say thanks.
For the first time in days, he felt he was not alone, that someone cared for him.
As he tried to relax, he drifted into a dream. His dream was completely white, no boundaries, nothing but light and quiet. Yet in the dream, he saw a door open… the same door that had appeared moments before.
Each step he took toward the door made his little heart beat faster, as if something important awaited him, something that could change everything.
He awoke suddenly, but this time, he felt power flowing inside him. A small but different power. His eyes glowed faintly, the first spark of the hidden energy within him.
He asked himself inwardly:
"How did this happen? Where did this power come from? Am I weak… or strong?"
He realized the past days—the pain, fear, sorrow—were not meaningless. Something was boiling inside him, something mysterious that he would only understand in time.
The military woman noticed the glow in his eyes. She approached cautiously and said:
"Calm yourself, little one. This is no coincidence. You are special."
The pain and grief of the past days had not vanished, but he felt hope for the first time. The first sense of safety since falling in the rain, since losing control over everything around him.
Outside, the rain continued, yet he no longer felt cold. Something inside him had begun to change, a new strength, the feeling that he could protect himself, find his sister, survive any danger.
Suddenly, he heard a faint voice:
"Come on, we'll get you out of here. Don't worry, you're safe."
For the first time, Kalin felt comfort, though his little heart remained heavy with concern for Kala.
The military woman carefully lifted him and spoke to him softly about the place, about the people around, about his safety.
As he listened, he felt that something awaited him outside… a new adventure, new power, and new hope.
He was no longer alone.Kalin woke up slowly.
The white light was harsh, hurting his tired eyes. He tried to move his head, but his body felt heavy, as if it didn't belong to him. The smell of disinfectant filled the air, and the soft beeping of a machine followed his breathing.
A bed…
White curtains…
A high ceiling…
A hospital?
His eyes widened suddenly as he tried to sit up, gasping.
How… how did I get here?
Where… where is Kala?
He turned quickly and saw a young woman sitting beside him. She wore a dark military uniform, her hair neatly tied back. Her features were firm, but her eyes were not cold.
She noticed his awakening immediately.
"Easy. Don't try to get up too fast."
Her voice was calm and steady, but it did not ease his fear.
"Where is my sister?!"
His voice trembled, his eyes filling with panic.
"She was with me… she was here… where did she go?"
The woman paused for a moment, choosing her words carefully.
"When we found you, you were alone."
Then she leaned slightly closer and asked,
"Do you have a younger sister?"
Kalin's eyes widened even more, and he nodded quickly.
"Yes… yes, her name is Kala. She's small… she was always with me. Please, tell me where she is."
He pressed a hand to his chest, his heart pounding wildly.
The woman took a deep breath and said gently but firmly,
"Don't worry. We will look for her. I promise we will do everything we can to find her."
Then she offered a small smile.
"But first… tell me, what's your name?"
"I… my name is Kalin,"
he said hesitantly.
"I'm ten years old."
She raised her eyebrows slightly.
"Nice to meet you, Kalin. My name is Nitcha.
I'm a soldier… and a new investigator."
He looked at her in surprise.
"An investigator?"
She nodded.
"Yes. This world isn't as safe as it seems. Many bad things happen, and I try to do my job as best as I can."
Then she looked directly at him.
"And I will do everything I can to find your sister."
Something warm stirred inside Kalin's chest… something like hope.
"Thank you…"
he whispered.
"You saved my life. I was just trying to take care of myself and my sister… then I lost my parents because I left without them knowing. I don't know what they're doing now without me…"
He suddenly stopped.
His trembling hand reached into his pocket…
then the other one…
His eyes widened in shock.
"Where… where is the photo?!"
Nitcha leaned closer.
"What photo?"
Then she pointed to the small table beside the bed.
"Do you mean this one?"
Kalin turned quickly and saw the picture placed carefully there.
He breathed in relief, as if a heavy weight had been lifted from his heart, and held the photo with his small hands.
"Yes…"
He smiled sadly.
"This is Mrs. Anya. She was very kind… she helped me a lot. I still miss her."
Nitcha noticed the pain in his voice and said softly,
"It seems you don't have many belongings, do you?"
He shook his head.
She smiled reassuringly.
"Don't worry. From now on, you're under my care.
I will provide everything you need—food, clothes, a safe place—until you fully recover."
At that moment, nurses entered the room carrying a tray of food and warm drinks.
Nitcha looked at Kalin and said,
"Eat. You're safe here."
Kalin looked at the food… then at the photo in his hands… then at her.
For the first time in a long while,
he didn't feel completely alone.
But deep inside…
his heart was still calling out for Kala
She pressed a small button on the bedside panel. Nurses entered quietly, carrying warm blankets, food, and water. Kalin's stomach growled softly—he hadn't realized how hungry he was until now.
Monicha helped him sit up, giving him small sips of water. Her hands were careful, steady, and kind, never rushing, always patient. "Take it slow," she instructed. "You've endured so much, but your body needs time to recover."
As he drank, Kalin's mind drifted to the rainy streets, to the cold puddles, to the small, desperate face of Kala trying to wake him. Tears threatened his eyes again, but he blinked them back, focusing on the present.
"You… you carried me?" he asked softly, almost inaudible.
Monicha's gaze met his. "Yes. I couldn't leave you there. Not in the storm, not in the cold, not alone. You're brave, Kalin. But bravery isn't enough if you don't have someone to help you when the world is against you."
Kalin's small hands gripped the blanket. "Thank you… for finding me… and for not letting anything happen to me…"
Monicha nodded, her expression serious now. "You've already faced too much. But this is only the beginning. You're stronger than you realize, and the journey ahead… it's dangerous. I need you to trust me, and I'll guide you through it. Step by step."
Kalin felt a flicker of hope, tiny but real. For the first time in days, he felt the heavy weight of despair lift just slightly.
"Rest now," Monicha whispered, patting his hand. "Tomorrow, we will make a plan. Tomorrow, we begin finding your sister."
And as Kalin lay back, clutching the photo of Anya, he allowed himself a small, weary smile. Perhaps… maybe, just maybe, things could get better.