Shame Of Maastricht: The Revelation of Misery by Marie N. Hallen (books to improve english .TXT) 📕

Nothing happened within the next two days. He received food from the three men but didn’t even talk to them and never asked any questions after they let him know Kate was notified.

Black Holes Devour Souls

Kate woke up and called Sterre and Luuk’s father, Stijn Van der Meer, as they planned to go and explore the area around Maastricht themselves. Kate left the house and found a white paper envelope on the porch which had been left there at night. She opened it with her trembling hands already having a clue about the identity of the addresser. There was a folded sheet of paper inside with just one line of printed text.

“Alive and waiting for the judgement. No redemption. No ransom.”

This piece of evidence didn’t tell her much but at least it was highlighted that Luuk would be fine. For a while. Kate decided to show this to Luuk’s parents to give them a piece of reconciliation. She saw Stijn pull up by a nearby house. He opened the window and waved at her. She waved back, got into the car and fastened the seat belt.

“Let’s pick Sterre first,” Kate asked as they set off.

“Where?”

“Batterijstraat, she will be waiting outside.”

“Nice, let’s go. Not so far away.”

“I received a message from them. From what I understand, he is alright, but they mentioned some judgement. I have no clue, really,” Kate showed Stijn the message from the kidnappers.

“May these assholes burn in hell forever. My son hasn’t done anything to pay for. I wish I could be in his place,” Stijn sighed sorrowfully and wiped a tear off his cheek.

“No one deserves to be treated like this,” Kate agreed. “But don’t you think it could be a mistake? Lightning never strikes the same place twice.”

Stijn only laughed but she could hear tears in his voice.

“I wish. But I don’t think so. They say no redemption and no ransom. They wouldn’t say this if they didn’t know there had been extortion the previous time. Just think about it - you could pay the last time to set him free, but now it won’t help.”

“Maybe you're right. And in case with the mistake it would be even worse. They would kill him eventually as an unwanted witness who ended up in a wrong place at a wrong time.”

“God forbid, Kate. I would pay them. I would even sell our house if they told me to. But I start having suspicions regarding another reason.”

“I never had any suspicions. Always thought I was attentive enough.”

“Luuk never had problems with alcohol or drugs. You know that he doesn’t even smoke. But are you sure that the medicines he takes are the only drugs in his possession?”

“Excuse me? I’m not sure if I got you right.”

“Has he contacted anyone this month? Or over the past six months? I mean someone who didn’t seem to be his friend or neighbor. Someone you don’t know. Or did he go out without letting you know? Or without you? Did you check his goods?”

“Did you mean drug dealers in disguise?”

“Kind of.”

“No, seriously. He stopped going out at all, like I said. That day we decided to go downtown. For the first time. And no one ever visited us. We called a repair person in January. This was the last time we called someone. Our life stands still.”

“Then I don’t know. I was almost sure he got in trouble because of drug dealers.”

“Impossible… What makes you think so? he is your son. Maybe I don’t know something?”

“Maybe it’s me who doesn’t know something, Kate. I can only assume that this conflict is not directly related to the drugs, but the people… He could meet someone and get into conflict. Luuk loves to make enemies. He is critical of almost everyone he knows. He loves to judge and criticize people directly, and if he has something on his mind, he will say it in your face directly. While being quite polite, he can still humiliate you, although in a delicate way. And while a stupid person doesn’t even realize this, a smart one will. But a smart one can also be vengeful. And revenge is a dish best served cold, you know. In fact he could even criticize someone on social media. You never checked his phone and messages, right?”

“No, although I’m aware that he will never stay aside when it comes to the argument in comments.”

“Maybe this time he could come across someone who could be more than just a troll. I’ve read his comments and arguments on political issues. So crazy about politics, just like me.”

“I know. I can’t even imagine what he could say to abuse a person to such extent. He does criticize many but he never humiliates anyone.”

“It’s just a suggestion. Maybe he didn’t even humiliate or abuse. He could just confront some… I don’t know… psycho? For whom even an innocent comment or message will be an abuse. Especially for people who live in their own world. And as for drugs… I read one story in the news last year. A guy got addicted to drugs, purchased heroin from several dealers. I don’t remember exactly, but he either stole someone’s fix causing this person to die from withdrawal syndrome and his friends killed him in revenge. Then there was another story. Some guy abused someone while high. The next day he couldn’t even remember what he said. Again, I don’t remember, but the thing is that he got murdered.”

“I see. But we are already there. I can see Sterre.” Kate waved to Sterre who was standing at the entrance to the supermarket and she joined them in a second.

“Hello everyone! Where are we going?” Sterre asked.

“We need to drive back home and then follow the trail.” Kate explained and Stijn turned the car around.

They drove back and soon were driving at full speed down the lane.

“I don’t know what we will be looking for. There are just fields. No pathways.” Stijn said.

“I suggest that we drive to the nearest place which has buildings. Or suspicious buildings.” Kate replied and looked outside. “We need to drive at least a few more kilometers.”

They got out of the car when the fields were over and left the car. Kate saw a few buildings which resembled greenhouses or warehouses.

“Let’s just go straight, just to check.”

“How do you think we can realize if this place has to do something with abducted people?” Stijn asked.

“I would just take a look and then we see. Better to get a little bit closer.”      

They walked across the field and checked the area around the buildings. There was no one around, only a truck a few hundred meters away. Sterre explored the entrance and peeped inside.

“Nothing. I can see a lot of empty wooden boxes though.”

“I doubt we can find something here,” Stijn sighed. “Let’s drive another couple of kilometers.”

“Guys, I don’t know why, but I’m thinking about Zonneberg. It’s not far away. I know there is some industrial area, some industrial facility, a small one. I remember we went on an excursion to those caves but there was also that thing.”

“Is there a factory?”

“I don’t know what exactly this is, but looks like a small plant.”

“Ok, it’s in our way, and seems to be really close. We can try our luck. There are dozens if not hundreds of places like this, but we have to start somewhere,” Stijn agreed and they walked back to the car.

They arrived at place in fifteen minutes and inspected the industrial site and the adjacent sector. This place also did not show any signs of human presence and the plant, the purpose of which remained unknown, didn’t seem to operate although there were several separate buildings. There was no opportunity to enter the territory as the area was restricted and the barbed wire clearly testified to this.

“If they keep him there, the abductors might belong to the employees of this facility.” Kate suggested.

“There is no way to get inside. Let’s go back.”

They returned home disappointed. As Stijn drove away, Kate invited Sterre to her house and the latter one seemed to be glad to pay her a visit.

“I don’t want to sound offensive,” Sterre said as they were sitting in the living room, “But does it seem to me that his father doesn’t really care about his son? Or does he really trust the police?”

“I don’t know, to be honest. It was my idea to drive around and at least take a closer look at all the places you can see if you drive down that lane. As you noticed, there are hundreds and we can’t even access any. I don’t know what we are looking for, I must confess. I feel like I walk with my eyes closed. It could be all in vain.”

“We can also check the forest areas. Just to make sure there are no hidden uninhabited houses. But I think we should drive a bit further.”

“I’m sure it’s useless. I’m just doing it because I can’t just sit still and wait for some feedback from the police or these clowns. At least I know he is safe for now. But they want to punish him for something. And Stijn thinks he could do even more drugs and thus confront someone who could get to know in this drug addict community. Someone really dangerous and powerful.”

“Wow, what a theory. I never tried any. But who would kidnap him? Unless he robbed some serious dealer. So stupid. Do you think he could?”

“No. I never tried to overestimate him, but this is not the case.”

“Goddamn. Can you say he is a good person in general?”

“He is. But I suspect this has nothing to do with drugs and depression.”

Sterre put her cup on the tale and moved closer to Kate. She looked at her in some completely different way than before.

“Dear, why do you care so much? I mean, you are trying to do something beyond your range of possibilities and capacities. Is it worth it?” she asked.

“Because I love him. He is too precious a person to lose. He is a part of my life, a better half of me. But what makes you ask it?”

“Got it. But to be honest, if I were you, I don’t think I would put so much effort in trying to find him. Again, I’m not sure I expressed it in a wrong way, but what you're doing is admirable and even his parents don’t seem to have such a strong attitude and desire to find their son.”

“Wouldn’t you do the same to the person you love?” Kate wondered.

“I think I would. But not for everyone. There is only one person I would follow and try to fight for.” Sterre smiled.

“Really? Who? Though I don’t know anyone from your environment.”

“Just look in the mirror then,” Sterre laughed and moved even closer. Kate saw her eyes were burning. “This is you. You are the only person I love. Maybe I would die for you. I want to