The Scary Past ep-5

Ravi Sharma (Inspector)

*firmly* So, what’s our next move?

Raina Mehra (fl)

*Standing up* Ravi, issue an alert to all patrol teams. I want every corner of this city watched tonight. High-risk areas, isolated spots, everything. If something happens tomorrow, we’ll be ready.

Ravi Sharma (Inspector)

*nodding* On it.

Kavya and Ravi quickly start organizing tasks. Raina walks over to the window, staring at the glowing city skyline as night sets in. Her reflection on the glass looks sharp, but the faint flicker of hesitation in her eyes doesn’t go unnoticed by herself.

City Control Room – Midnight

Ravi sits in front of a panel of monitors showing live feeds from various patrol units across the city. Officers report in regularly. Kavya stands behind him, arms crossed tightly over her chest, her face tense.

police officer

*On radio* Sector 7 clear. No unusual activity.

Ravi Sharma (Inspector)

Copy that. Stay sharp.

Kavya leans closer to Ravi, her voice low.

Kavya Deshmukh (fl's jr)

What if nothing happens tonight, Ravi? What if we’re just overthinking all this?

Ravi Sharma (Inspector)

*Without looking at her* Then we’ll sleep better tomorrow. But if something does happen… we’ll regret not being prepared.

Kavya sighs and steps back, her phone buzzing with live updates from field teams.

Raina’s Apartment – Night

Raina sits on her couch, a glass of whiskey in hand. The faint glow from her floor lamp casts long shadows across the room. Her phone sits on the coffee table, vibrating with updates every few minutes. She takes a slow sip, her eyes fixed on the swirling amber liquid in her glass.

The ticking of the wall clock grows louder, each second echoing in her ears.

Raina Mehra (fl)

*Whispers to herself* Why fire? Why the 19th? What am I not seeing?

Her phone buzzes again. A message from Ravi

Ravi Sharma (Inspector)

*message * All teams in position. No unusual activity so far.

Raina leans back, closing her eyes. But instead of rest, the faint smell of smoke fills her senses. The sound of crackling fire creeps into her ears

Voice

*Faint, distorted* Raina…

Her eyes snap open, and she sits upright, clutching the glass so tightly it nearly shatters. The room feels colder, darker, suffocating.

Raina Mehra (fl)

*whispers* Not now… not tonight.

She gulps down the remaining whiskey and places the glass on the table with trembling fingers. After a moment of silence, she picks up her phone and calls Ravi.

Ravi Sharma (Inspector)

*On phone* Ma’am? Everything okay?

Raina Mehra (fl)

*Steady voice* Double the surveillance in the southern sectors. I don’t want even a rat moving unnoticed.

Ravi Sharma (Inspector)

Copy that, ma’am.

She ends the call and sinks back into the couch. Outside her window, the city remains eerily quiet, as if holding its breath.

CBI Headquarters – Surveillance Room – Early Morning, 5:00 AM

The digital clock on the wall flashes 5:00 AM. The surveillance room is bathed in the cold glow of multiple monitors showing live feeds from patrol units across the city. Empty streets, flickering streetlights, and the faint hum of static fill the air. Ravi is slouched in a chair, rubbing his tired eyes, while Kavya leans against the wall, her arms crossed and her expression sharp.

Kavya lets out an exaggerated sigh and tosses her tablet onto the table.

Kavya Deshmukh (fl's jr)

*frustrated* Five in the morning, Ravi. Five hours of staring at screens, listening to reports, and nothing. Not a single suspicious movement, no smoke, no alarms.

Ravi Sharma (Inspector)

*Leaning back in his chair, yawning* And that’s a good thing, Kavya. No one died tonight. Isn’t that what we wanted?