Genesis CREATION

John Doe

John Doe shook with nerves his eyes glued to the flashing name of the detective he had hired as it lit up the screen of the temporary mobile phone he had acquired for this specific purpose, he had introduced himself as an unknown man wishing to maintain his anonymity for the safety of all involved.

Running a hand through his sandy blonde waves that sat slightly longer than his normally impeccable slicked back style he took a deep breath mentally preparing himself for potential life altering information, he had waited over twenty-five years for this moment now was not the time to be apprehensive.

The detective was brisk and straight to the point, he didn’t know the man John doe personally nor did he care for the minor details what he did care for was the very generous pay packet that had come with the job even if it did leave him slightly curious as to the identity of the obvious wealthy client. He had made his own assumptions regarding the type of man the client was based on the very small amount of information that he had been given and acquired in his search leaving him more than happy to take the money based off those assumptions.

They had found him after years of searching, one after the other detectives had come and gone either with no information at all or wanting to ask to many questions for what ever reason they had previously not been able to help with his search until now. The child he had so easily walked away from had been found a child he had no rights to know or care for that he had secretly yearned for all these years.

Hope swelled within his chest, he would finally step out from the shadows and air his dirty laundry to the world even if it did cause heartbreak to those nearest and dearest to him the secret of his long-lost child was not one, he wished to harbour alone any longer.

Images flashed through the John Doe’s mind he conjured up picture after picture of what his son may look like, imagining that there would be similarities in appearance to his other children, his heart stung with feelings of grief and guilt for letting the boy go consuming him.

The detective gave a cough to clear his throat reminiscent to that of an avid smoker he spoke with a gravelly tone between puffs of his cigarette.

“There was a crash about four years after the date you gave me, pretty nasty head on collision with oncoming traffic no survivors”.

The detective continued to paint a picture of a peaceful Sunday drive through the hills, a perfect family mother father daughter and adopted son turned disastrous. He offered to send over photos of the incident he had collected from the coroner’s report, but the man John Doe declined swiftly.

He shook his head unsure why when the man on the other end of the line couldn’t see him. “No, that won’t be necessary thankyou” without another word he cancelled the call the detective had already been paid there was no need to continue the conversation.

“FUCK” He screamed in anger his fist curling tightly around the mobile phone until it had begun to crack under the pressure. He hung his head low slumped down in his chair continuously banging his head against the edge of the walnut desk. He loved his family he really did but he couldn’t help mourning his loss a deep-rooted regret for the child and life he had given up all those years ago flooding out of him in waves an emotional rollercoaster of rage anguish and torment.

His mind began to wander filtering through his distant memories to the deepest darkest parts of himself that he had locked away firmly within his head and his heart years ago until he found himself staring at the ghosts of his past.

Somewhere in the desert a long fucking time ago...

Three unidentifiable vehicles uniform in size shape and build sat stationed in the ever-expansive desert emanating an air of suspicion.

For an outsider observing the situation it might seem as though he was engaging in a clandestine exchange akin to bartering his child, a child whom he had never laid eyes upon or held, a trade for a new existence one that neither of them truly desired.

Exerting every ounce of his willpower, he resisted the urge to seize the infant and flee fully aware that such an act would likely lead to their demise either immediately or in the future.

He observed the crimson indicator fixed on the concealed silhouette positioned opposite him, fully aware that a sniper could eliminate either of them without a whisper of noise.

A new vehicle rolled into the scene, glistening and silver reminiscent of a good cop bad cop espionage flick. A nondescript man emerged from the car utterly ordinary in every aspect clad in an all-black suit and dark shades he advanced towards the modest assembly.

Summoning his bravery, he swiftly found his voice. “May I have the privilege of holding the child, just for a moment?” he inquired. The unassuming stranger interjected “I’m sorry but that might not be advisable sir”, positioning himself between the man and the person cradling the baby extending his arms to gently receive the infant into his own embrace.

His gaze remained fixed on the figure in black, his anguish gripping his heart knowing he lacked the right to embrace the child who was his own flesh and blood. His eyes tracked the man as he moved away from the person whom he had taken the child and as he approached the other waiting individual.

“Please” he pleaded, straining to hear her sobs beneath the concealed hood of her robe. His heart shattered, far more than he had ever imagined possible overwhelmed by a pain he believed he couldn’t endure. He watched her diminutive figure slowly move away, heading towards the awaiting vehicle destined to take her far from him, their son and the potential for a life that could have been a mix of both daunting and incredible experiences for them all.

“Here” a timid woman’s voice emanated from the person who was now cradling the child. “Just one last time for a farewell” the gentle voice whispered, and their arms tentatively extended towards him.

Before he could reach for the child, the man in the black suit intervened once more, conveying a cautionary message with a subtle nod in the direction of the concealed sniper threat lurking in the mountains. He acknowledged this warning with a nod of his own, opting to take a small step closer to the two figures. He extended his arm lightly brushing the tips of his fingers against the child’s hand, which had escaped from the tightly wrapped swaddle. The baby’s skin felt incredibly soft and warm a sensation he had never experienced.

Tears welled up in his eyes, trickling down his cheeks leaving small glistening trails on the ground reminiscent of rain drops as he made his way back to the car, he had initially arrived in.

He cast a glance behind him observing the man in black guiding the woman who had taken his child.

They moved first towards the third vehicle and then back to the other car which had patiently been awaiting the conclusion of the exchange.

With a side long glance, he once again looked for HER, though he couldn’t discern her silhouette through the tinted windows he sensed her anguish deeply because he was experiencing the same pain in the very core of his being.

At the same moment all the vehicles departed from the scene the distant wail of a baby’s cry fading into an echoing memory as they raced away in opposite directions, leaving behind a swirling trail of dust like smoke.

Before he could even begin to grieve the profound loss, he had endured his mobile phone chimed to life ringing from deep within his jacket pocket.

He retrieved the phone from his pocket swiping to accept the call. “Yes, hello sir, no that’s not a problem at all. I’ll be there” he managed to say clearing his throat to hide any emotions he held within.

“wouldn’t miss it for anything” he quipped, attempting to keep the conversation light and carefree, all the while counting the seconds until it concluded.

“Your daughter, that’s fantastic news. I’m sure you and your wife are over the moon about the engagement” He added stealing a glance out the window behind him. The once red desert dust had transformed into thick tar paved roads, in that very moment he knew there was no turning back.

“My wife will certainly be delighted to attend. Alright, thankyou sir. I’ll see you tomorrow” he said with a sigh, a breath he hadn’t even realized he had been holding. With the swipe of a digital button, he figuratively closed the door to a forbidden chapter of his life and ventured into a new one, one he hadn’t initially wanted to embrace but was now determined to carry forward, even if it meant sacrificing his heart and soul for the greater purpose.