Chapter Text
Kang grins to himself as he turns around, scholarship pin in his hand. He can feel Sailom frozen behind him as he walks away. He should hurry up and leave. He knows he is no longer welcome at this school. Honestly it took Sailom long enough to realize.
That is the last Kang sees of Sailom. A month passes and not much has changed. Kong is still in the hospital but the doctors say everything is looking good for him to wake up soon. Kang visits a few times a week. Mostly he’s there to visit his grandmother who stays over at the hospital more often than not.
Kang’s life pretty much reverts to how it was before he got involved with Sailom. The only difference is now Max and Nawa don’t seem interested in tormenting their fellow students anymore. Hell, they still have lunch with Guy and Auto most days. Kang hasn’t talked to them since Sailom dropped out and would like to keep it this way. He usually ends up eating alone in the library.
Guy and Auto have become more reserved since Sailom left. Kang sometimes overhears their hushed conversations before class starts. They are clearly very worried about Sailom. Kang has gathered that Sailom had to forfeit his house to cover his debt while he focuses on Saifah’s legal fees.
Kang scoffs at the thought. Saifah already admitted to shooting his father. Why Sailom would waste his time is beyond Kang. But it just goes to prove Sailom is as low and pathetic as his killer brother.
Another week passes and it is clear to everyone that Guy and Auto seem to be growing increasingly distressed. Apparently Max and Nawa have asked them about it (why they thought Kang would care about this he doesn’t know) but haven’t gotten a clear answer. Max just says they seem frustrated.
It’s an unsuspecting Monday when Guy and Auto approach him. Kang was slow to pack his bag at the end of the day and when he looked up, the two were nervously standing before him.
“What the hell do you want?”
Auto flinches and glances at Guy for reassurance. He hesitantly steps forward.
“We were wondering if you could help us with something…” He trails off and looks at Kang, gauging his reaction.
Kang tries to keep a neutral, borderline unimpressed face.
“With?”
“Well… with Sailom.”
Kang lets out a dismissive scoff. “And why would I help Sailom?”
“Because he’s missing.” Guy cuts in. “He’s been missing for three weeks and the police won’t take us seriously. But if they were to hear it from someone like you, they might listen.”
Kang focuses on his first statement. Sailom is missing. Something in Kang’s chest contracts and his throat feels tight. But he shouldn’t care. He doesn’t care.
Guy continues, “He had to give up his house but he promised us he would keep his phone so we could check in. But then it started saying his number didn’t exist. We went to one of his jobs and the manager said Sailom hadn’t been in for an entire week. No one has heard from him. No one knows where he is.”
Auto takes over, “We went to the police but they keep saying he will probably turn up and that kids run away all the time. But Sailom would tell us. He always kept us updated. He wouldn’t just disappear.”
“But if you go to the police,” Guy finishes, “they may take it more seriously.”
Kang doesn’t care about Sailom. His brother shot his father. There is no reason to care about Sailom. But Kang removed him from his life on his terms. Sailom isn’t here because that’s how Kang wants it. Disappearing like this almost seems like cheating.
After a few moments of letting Guy and Auto sit in the uncomfortable silence, Kang finally speaks.
“Fine. I’ll go with you to the police.”