What It's Like to Lose a Mother

After visiting Mr Justin, Will decided to walk along the lonely street where they stayed.

He had gone over to Mr Justin's house to help him with some broken pipes he had at his yard.

Will would sometimes go over to help him do some chores or get him to tell him tales of his childhood.

He always had a lot to tell. He would tell him how he grew up as a mysterious child who always heard voices in the dark. How he became a circus worker because he could talk to animals. How he was able to tame a lion. How he was shot at by a gangster but managed to survive the bullet which was lodged in his skull just because he could "reduce" damage to himself.

Will knew very well that all these were fantasies, but it didn't quell his anticipation for each tales of epic deeds. It made him feel like there was another person who actually believed in fantasy.

He walked slowly with his hands in his pocket. He loved his mom, but he was not going to give up on holding onto that sliver of hope that he was special.

His mom would tell him that it was all wishful thinking. She even got a doctor to have a look at him. He knew, deep down, that he wasn't crazy. He was right. He was special.

Will turned to another sub street as he didn't plan on where to go.

Memories of what he saw that day flooded his mind. What he had seen that day, no one should know about it, unless they want to die a horrible death.

He was afraid but couldn't tell anyone, especially his mom. Just writing it down caused so much trouble and he didn't want to bring others into danger.

As he walked along the street, he could vaguely feel like someone was following him. He curved up his lips and kept walking forward. Whoever it was, they were just wasting their time.

He carefully walked to an isolated area and did a half turn. He didn't see anyone. He composed himself and called out.

"Come out now! I'm alone."

After a few seconds, a figure emerged from the shadows and walked towards him with a wide smile on his face.

This boy was too smart for his age.

"What do you need?" Will asked as the familiar figure inches closer.

"Aren't you afraid that you'd get beat up or killed by coming to this isolated place?"

"No. I'm sure I'm not worth the trouble. If you wanted to harm me, you know my house." Will said uninterestedly.

"I see."

"What do you need?" Will asked again.

"Information."

"Didn't you already make me your spy by letting me go the last time?" Will arched an eyebrow at him.

"I need you to help me. Give me all the information regarding the 'exorcist'" Bryan said with a more serious tone.

"I told you everything you needed to know." Will avoided eye contact.

"I want you to be my informant. If you notice anything strange, I need you to contact me." Bryan said as he adopted a stoic expression.

Seriously, it doesn't suit you...

Bryan mocked himself inwardly.

"What's in it for me?"

Bryan froze. He hadn't thought this through. This boy was really something.

"If you help me. I will owe you one favour. If your information is very invaluable, I'll owe you three favours." Bryan felt like slapping himself. How could his mouth betray him by making such a promise?

Then again, he was really desperate about solving this case.

Will's mind churned as he thought about what this man could help him with.

"Okay. Deal." Young Will finally accepted the offer.

"How can I contact you officer Derrick?"

"Here, it's a Nano communicator thing- I don't really know. But it should help you in transmitting information or call for help." Bryan handed him a tiny device. Will took it and looked at it carefully.

This might not be so bad after all.

"So, I thought you'd be grounded." Bryan said casually and threw the boy a look.

"No. My mom thinks I'm crazy." Will said exasperatedly. He wanted to vent his frustration, maybe saying it would help.

After telling Bryan about some few things, the detective looked at him and drew a deep breath before saying, "you should Cherish her."

"What?!"

"Only a few know what it's like to grow up without a mother figure. You don't know what it means and that's why you'd take it for granted." Bryan spoke slowly, his face reflecting a lot of pain.

Will nodded and asked, "did you lose your mom?"

"When I was a little above your age."

"She died?"

"That would have been painful. But it is more painful to lose a mother even before she dies." Bryan retreated and turned around to leave. He however added, "So, cherish every small moments with your mother. She is worried about you."

Will was stunned.

Losing your mom even before she died....

He now realised that he was beginning to lose his mother's trust and time, and was even taking her efforts, love, care and concern for granted.

He now understood what it was like to lose a mother. He felt guilty. She didn't fight for dad because her main priority was him.

She didn't stay in a luxurious environment because all the time she was thinking of him.

She brought a psychiatrist to him because she was afraid for him and was concerned. While he was out to prove that he was special. He now understood what it meant to have a mother.

"I'm sorry mom." He muttered softly as tears ran down his cheeks.