There Is No Way To Return

It is impossible to return in normal life if you already entered in the Darker world.

There Is No Way Of Return
Bodhisattwa Parekh

Zack sat at the edge of the desk, staring down at the screen of his new laptop. In the dim light, he, Zack, could just make out the figures of his younger siblings, Lily and Max, playing in the corner with their worn-out toys. They needed him, and every day he felt the burden of their expectations pressing down on him.

It had been years since the deaths of his parents. His mother had passed away when he was just six, leaving him confused and scared. Then, when he was fifteen, his father had died, too, forcing Zack to become the man of the house. At that moment, he had promised to do whatever it took to protect his siblings. But delivering food or finding a regular job was not enough in a world where survival depended on quick cash and swift legs.



Zack glanced out the small window, noting the hovering drones patrolling his neighbourhood. The gang that controlled the area had its eyes everywhere. Any mistake could be fatal. He took a deep breath and turned back to his laptop to check the listings. His phone buzzed on the table next to him, vibrating with a message from Tom, his only reliable partner in crime.

"Ready for tonight?" The code is changing. Be careful. Let’s make this quick.

Zack’s heart raced. Smuggling had become his way of life, but each mission pushed him further into a dark world that promised no way back. He typed a quick response, assuring Tom he would be there.



“Zack! Can you help us?” Lily’s voice was innocent and desperate. She held up a broken toy, her big blue eyes pleading.

With a soft sigh, Zack stood up, putting the laptop aside. “Sure, Lil. Let me see what I can do.”

After squeezing glue onto her toy, he tried to ignore the stir in his gut, the nagging voice that questioned his choices.



Once, they only needed food, clothes, and sometimes, even a little fun. But now they've sufficient money due to his, Zack's, smuggling job. The money he made from smuggling provided that luxury. He knew he was in too deep, but there was no way of turning back now. The gang will kill him. So, …



“Zack?” Max piped up, his little face peeking through the doorway. “Are we having dinner soon?”

“Just a bit longer, buddy,” Zack said, ruffling the boy’s hair. It hurt him to lie, but he couldn’t let them know the truth. How does he earn money?

Zack was leaving for an important job soon, and the dread of what that involved hung heavy in the air.



Hours passed, and the sun dipped below the horizon. Time had turned against him, and he hurried to get ready for the night ahead. As he fashioned himself to look inconspicuous, a faded jacket and sturdy boots, he gave both siblings a quick hug.

“I’ll be back soon”, he promised.

“Don’t take too long!” Max shouted, his tiny hands waving goodbye.



Outside, Zack’s heart thudded nervously as he walked towards the meeting point. The streets were dimly lit, and the cold wind stung his skin. He caught sight of Tom standing by the corner of an alley, looking uneasy.

“Hey, Zack”, Tom greeted, his eyes darting around nervously, “Are you ready for this?”

Zack nodded his head, though uncertainty pooled in his stomach, “Let’s do it.””

They moved quietly through the shadows, their adrenaline pumping. Surveillance drones loomed overhead, their bright lights scanning for anything suspicious. Turning right, they entered an abandoned warehouse, the place they often used for their discussions.



Inside, the air was thick and dumpy. The small, dimly lit space was cluttered with crates. A couple of gang members were already waiting there, their faces hidden under hoods. Zack felt a chill run down his spine, but he shook it off.



“Let’s get this done quickly,” Zack said, keeping his voice steady.

Tom nodded, going to check the goods while Zack engaged with his contacts. The exchange began, and they tasted the thrill of danger. But as the deal wrapped up, Zack noticed something peculiar. The gang members were acting nervous, their eyes were twinkling towards the door as if someone might come crashing at any moment.

“Something’s wrong”, Tom whispered, the tension thick in the air, “I don’t like this."

“I know, just stay calm,” Zack hissed back as he tried to tighten his mouth.



Suddenly, the door flew open, and a group of officers stormed inside, shouts filling the room. Panic erupted, and Zack’s instincts kicked in. He turned to Tom, ready to make a run for it. But he tripped over a crate, crashing to the ground.



“No! Go!” Tom shouted, but Zack was frozen. The fear of losing everything landed sharply at his heart.



At that moment of hesitation, the weight of his responsibilities crashed over him. He thought of Lily in the kitchen, waiting for him, and Max, who relied on him so much. Zack pushed himself up, pain shooting through his leg as he sprinted towards the exit but felt the heat of the attempt behind him.



Outside, he didn’t look back. He didn't want to see what had happened to Tom. He ran, the city streets transforming into a blur, every step echoing disappointment. Each breath struggled to clear the haze in his mind, but the reality crashed back down: there was no way to return to a normal life after this.



When he reached home, the living room was dark. Panic raised its ugly head. He rushed towards his siblings’ room. They looked up at him with wide eyes.



“Zack!” Lily exclaimed, but her joy quickly turned to worry. “Where were you?”



“Just...out,” he managed, choking back the anxiety spilling from his heart.



As he tucked them in bed, he paused. Their innocent smiles were a stark contrast to the chaos outside. At that moment, he realized he was trapped, not just by the gang, but by the choices that had led him here.



Zack sat on the edge of their bed, anguish knotting his insides. There was no road back to who he once was, to the life he could have had. He knew then, as he watched his siblings drift to sleep, that he was stuck on a dark path.

There was no way to return.
Words: 1059