Chapter 3
Aanya sat quietly at her study desk, her pen gliding across the pages of her diary. The faint sound of the clock ticking filled the otherwise silent room.
Her words flowed freely, raw and unfiltered, as she recounted the strange and terrifying events of the day.
Aanya Joshi
(writing) Today was... strange. The knife, the message, the shadows—it's too much. I can't shake off this feeling. Who is behind this? And why me? My life feels like it's spiraling into chaos, and I don't know how to stop it.
She paused, her hand trembling slightly. Finally, with a sigh, she closed the diary and placed it back on the desk. She turned off the small lamp, leaving the room dimly lit by the moonlight streaming through the curtains.
Aanya walked to her bed and sat down, her thoughts still swirling. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't forget the fear that had gripped her earlier.
Her gaze drifted toward the small drawer by her bedside. With shaky hands, she opened it and pulled out a slightly crumpled photo. The picture showed a boy, smiling warmly at the camera.
Aanya Joshi
(softly) Where are you, champ?
She traced her fingers over the boy’s face in the photo, her voice breaking as tears welled up in her eyes.
Aanya Joshi
I miss you so much... I'm all alone, and my life is such a mess. You promised, didn’t you? You promised to find me.
Her voice cracked, and a tear rolled down her cheek.
Aanya Joshi
You said you’d always come back to me. That you’d protect me, no matter what.
Her grip on the photo tightened as she whispered through her tears.
Aanya Joshi
I’m getting threats, Someone wants to scare me, or maybe even worse... And you’re not here. But I don’t care about that anymore. If I’m meant to die, so be it.
She sniffled, wiping her tears with the back of her hand.
Aanya Joshi
I just want to see if you’ll keep your promise, Champ. Will you come back to me? Will you save me like you always did?
Her heart ached as she hugged the photo tightly against her chest. She curled up on the bed, the weight of her emotions finally exhausting her.
Aditya Dash
(panting, desperate) Hey! Someone, help me! I’m about to be discovered by the enemy! I don’t have much time left!.
Rhea Kapoor
(smirking, sarcastic) Then just die, Aditya! Why drag us into your mess?
Before Rhea could finish her sentence, Ahaan turned sharply, his eyes cold and unforgiving as he raised a gun—pointing it directly at her.
Rhea Kapoor
(breath hitched) Ahaan, no! What are you doing?!
Panic laced her voice, but his expression didn’t waver.
Rhea Kapoor
(screaming) Help! Someone help me!
A mocking, sinister laugh echoed through the space.
Aditya Dash
(mocking, amused) Hahaha! Look who's begging for help now—the same person who told me to die! Oh, Rhea, my dear friend... now *you* die.
Just as Aditya reveled in his moment of twisted victory, a shadow emerged from the darkness. A sharp click echoed—a gun being cocked.
Vihaan Malhotra
(smirking, voice smooth as silk) Maybe you should worry about yourself first, Aditya.
Meanwhile, cutting through the tension, Ahaan’s voice rang out—playful, yet laced with authority.
Ahaan Avasthi
(teasing, almost amused) Darling, did you find the last one?
From the opposite side of the room, Aarya's voice responded—sharp, cold, and merciless
Aarya Singh
Foremost, I'm not your darling. Second, don't worry about veer---I'm much closer to my prey than you think.
Just then, Veer lunged at Aarya from behind, but she reacted swiftly. With a quick spin, she pointed her gun at his chest.
Aarya Singh
(Smirking) Oh, my sweetheart, forget about winning. You will always be a loser.
Veer gritted his teeth and tried to grab the gun from her, but before he could get close, Aarya delivered a sharp kick to his knee. Veer stumbled, falling to his knees as she pressed the barrel of the gun to his forehead.
Aarya Singh
Sweetheart, you should've learned by now---you can't mess with your mommy.
Veer, his face twisted with irritation and disgust, snapped back.
Veer Sharma
Stop this nonsense! I've had enough of this game.
He stood up, brushing himself off, his anger barely contained.
Ahaan's laughter rang out again.
Ahaan Avasthi
(laughing)Aww, my poor baby. Come to daddy.
Veer shot Ahaan a furious glare.
Veer Sharma
Get lost, Ahaan.
With that, Veer stormed out of the game room, leaving the others behind.
Suddenly, an announcement echoed through the warehouse speakers.
Announcement : Congratulations, team inferno! You have defeated Team Shadow in today's battle!
Cheers erupted from Team Inferno as they exited the game room, adrenaline still surging through their veins. Vihaan stayed behind, leaning casually against the wall, watching the others with a faint smile.
His phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out to find an email from an unknown sender. The subject line read: "The Phoenix Directive."
Vihaan smirked just as Ahaan approached him, curiosity gleaming in his eyes.
Ahaan Avasthi
(grinning) Got another mission, huh?
Vihaan Malhotra
(smirking) Maybe. Let’s just say… the game’s far from over.
Later that night – Aanya’s room
Aanya lay in deep sleep when a loud knock at the door startled her awake. Her heart pounded as she sat up, disoriented.
Aanya Joshi
(murmuring) Who could it be at this hour?
The knocking grew louder. More insistent.
She stiffened, fear creeping up her spine as she recalled the day's terrifying events. Her eyes darted toward the bedside drawer where she kept her pepper spray. Swallowing hard, she grabbed it and cautiously approached the door.
Aanya Joshi
(whispering to herself) Stay calm. It could be nothing… or it could be something.
Her fingers hesitated over the doorknob. Taking a deep breath, she cracked the door open, ready to defend herself.
To her surprise, it was her roommate, Gia, standing there—cheeks flushed, posture unsteady.
Aanya Joshi
(relieved) Gia?! God, you scared me half to death!
Gia Verma
(giggling drunkenly) Oops, my bad! Didn’t mean to give you a heart attack, babe.
Aanya Joshi
(sternly) How many times have I told you not to drink so much? What if something happened to you? Do you even realize how dangerous it is out there?
Gia Verma
(playfully) Okay, my lord! I promise I won’t do it again. Happy?
Aanya rolled her eyes and stepped aside to let her in. Gia stumbled toward the sofa and flopped down with a dramatic sigh. She fumbled in her pocket, then pulled out a folded piece of paper, holding it up.
Gia Verma
Oh, right! Almost forgot. Some guy gave me this to give to you.
Aanya Joshi
(confused) What? Who gave this to you?
Gia Verma
(shrugging) Some guy… Didn’t get a good look. He was wearing a cap and a mask. Kinda mysterious, don’t you think?
Aanya's breath hitched. A shiver ran down her spine.
With trembling hands, she took the note and unfolded it.
She recognized the handwriting.
Gia’s words sent a shiver down Aanya’s spine. She took the note with trembling hands and unfolded it.
Her eyes widened as she read the familiar handwriting.
Note: Dumpling, don’t miss me too much. We’ll meet soon. Yours, always, Bubba.
Aanya’s breath caught in her throat. Tears welled up, spilling down her cheeks as she softly whispered,
Aanya Joshi
(voice breaking) Champ…? Is it really you?
She turned to Gia, urgency making her voice tremble.
Aanya Joshi
(desperate) Gia! Did you see anything else? Anything at all that could help me find him?
Gia let out a dramatic yawn, rubbing her eyes lazily.
Gia Verma
(sleepy, teasing) Ugh, you’re such a buzzkill, Aanya. Let me think…
Her eyelids drooped as she fought to stay awake.
Aanya Joshi
(pleading) Please, Gia. This is important!
Gia mumbled incoherently, her head swaying.
Gia Verma
(murmuring) Mmm… He had… something… uh…
Before she could finish, her head lolled to the side, and she fell asleep mid-sentence.
Aanya Joshi
(frustrated) Gia! Wake up! What did you see?
But Gia was out cold. Aanya sighed, shaking her head. She carefully helped her to her room, tucking her under a blanket. As she stood by Gia’s bedside, she whispered softly,
Aanya Joshi
(grateful, softly smiling) Thank you, Gia. You’ve given me hope.
Back in her room, Aanya sat on her bed, clutching the note tightly. For the first time in what felt like forever, a small spark of hope ignited within her. She wiped her tears, determination flickering in her eyes.
Aanya Joshi
(to herself, determined) champ… You’re out there. I know it. And I’ll find you, no matter what it takes.
She carefully placed the note in her diary, right next to the photo of the boy she had been longing to see again. Then, with a deep breath, she closed the diary.
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