The Descent into Darkness

Bella quickly regained her composure and said, “The water level is rising. Our ship is likely sinking, and no one seems to be aware of it.”

Hearing Bella's words, Sam responded in disbelief, “Damn! How is that possible? Where are the security guards and the crew members? What are they doing…”

Bella immediately interrupted Sam, her voice cold, “Look over there. The security guards and crew members are lying unconscious. I don’t think our ship is sinking—it's being deliberately sunk, and very cleverly at that. No one had a clue until we arrived. If we hadn’t made it here, we would have drowned with the ship.”

The chilling realization hit Nikhil, Sam, and Bartika. The thought of drowning with the ship was enough to make their hearts freeze.

Bella quickly lifted Bartika into her arms, pulling her close to her chest. “Baby, close your eyes. Nothing is going to happen. We will be out of here in a little while.”

"Will we be with Daddy?" Bartika asked.

"Yes, with Daddy," Bella replied.

Hearing this, Bartika closed her eyes, behaving like a good child.

Bella took a deep breath. On the outside, she appeared calm, but her eyes reflected an unspoken fear.

Though Bella could have remained fearless if she were alone, her concern for her daughter and unborn child forced her to feel a deep, undeniable fear.

Regaining her composure, Bella said, “Nikhil, go check the control room. See if there’s anything we can do. Sam, go check how many helicopters are available on the ship and how many people can board them. In the meantime, I’ll inform everyone and try to contact outside help.”

“Okay, Sister Bella,” Sam and Nikhil immediately set off on their tasks.

Bella took out her phone and hurried towards the ballroom.

Unfortunately, there was no signal on Bella's phone, preventing her from contacting anyone for help or informing Kartik.

But Bella had anticipated such a situation. She quickly discarded the phone and hurried on towards the ballroom.

It was clear that if someone had sabotaged the ship so cunningly, they weren’t a fool. They had probably jammed the signals as well, ensuring no one could get help from the outside.

Bella reached the ballroom.

Inside, everyone seemed oblivious to the danger, lost in their own worlds.

Bella surveyed the room, then grabbed the microphone. “Attention, please, ladies and gentlemen. We are in great danger. Our ship is about to sink, but we still have hope for survival. Please remain calm and listen to me carefully.”

At the sound of Bella’s announcement, fear gripped everyone present. Their eyes widened with terror.

Bin quickly rushed to Bella, and she began to explain the situation.

By then, Nikhil and Sam had returned.

Nikhil, panting heavily, said, “Sister Bella, all the crew members and the captain are dead. The control room is flooding too. Their bodies are floating in the water. It seems they were poisoned because there are no marks of injury or wounds on them.”

Bella closed her eyes upon hearing Nikhil’s words. Whoever was behind this was incredibly cruel and devious. They had executed this plan with meticulous precision.

Sam quickly added, “Sister Bella, there are three helicopters available on the ship. Each can carry a maximum of sixty people, but their engines won’t start.”

Bella asked, “How many people are still alive?”

After a few moments of silence, someone replied, “There are forty-five people in the ballroom. We don't know about the rest.”

Upon hearing this, Bella handed Bartika to Nikhil and said, “Sam, go check if there are any survivors outside. Meanwhile, I’ll see if I can get the helicopters working. If we can start them, we can safely escape.”

Sam nodded and left with a few others to check for survivors.

Though the helicopter pilot was dead, Bella, Sam, Nikhil, and Bin knew how to operate the helicopters. They were their last hope.

Bella was an armament engineer. Along with weapons, she designed and developed fighter aircrafts, so fixing the helicopter didn’t take long.

Once the helicopters were ready, everyone quickly boarded. The ship was sinking fast, the water was rising rapidly, and the atmosphere was filled with an eerie fear and desolation.

Sam returned with the remaining survivors.

Bella turned and said, “Nikhil, you take Bartika—”

But as Bella spoke, she suddenly stopped. Nikhil and Bartika were no longer beside her.

Bella’s heart raced with dread. She shouted for Bin and Sam, asking about Nikhil and Bartika, but neither of them were in her helicopter, nor were they in the third one.

Bella’s anxiety grew as she searched for them, her eyes scanning the area. Finally, she spotted Nikhil, unconscious, lying in the corridor.

Just as Bella moved to wake him, a mocking voice reached her ears.

"Dearest sister, how are you? Did you miss me? Why would you? You came here to celebrate a party just two days after my death. Not bad, not bad. But now, I’m back to turn your celebration into mourning."

Bella froze upon hearing the voice. She turned towards its source, and her mouth dropped open in disbelief. “Emma! You… you’re alive?”

“Of course I’m alive, but now you won’t be. Neither will your precious daughter,” Emma’s voice rang coldly.

Bella’s face turned pale with shock and rage. She noticed that Emma had grabbed Bartika by the collar, dangling her over the water. Bartika was unconscious, and if Emma’s grip loosened even slightly, she would fall into the ocean.

Sweat beads formed on Bella’s forehead. For the first time, she feared Emma could indeed harm her daughter.

Bella opened her mouth to speak, but at that moment, a sharp pain shot through her head.

She touched her forehead, and her hand came away covered in blood. Someone had struck her with a metal rod.

Bella turned to look behind her, but as soon as she saw the person standing there, her eyes widened in horror.

“You…” Bella managed to say, but before she could finish, the person shoved her, sending her tumbling overboard.

As Bella fell into the water, Emma released Bartika’s collar, and the little girl plummeted with her.

Bella’s vision blurred. A tear escaped from the corner of her eye as she fell.

As she descended, she saw three faint figures—two traitors and her daughter—plummeting to their deaths with her, and she was powerless to stop it.

In a desperate attempt, Bella grabbed Bartika’s hand, but as they hit the water, Bella lost her grip, and Bartika slipped from her hand.

---

How did Emma survive?

Who is Emma’s accomplice?