Echoes of Anya Chapter 5: The Hidden Room

𝘼𝙣𝙞𝙠𝙖/ 𝘼𝙣𝙮𝙖

(Follows Ishaan down the winding staircase, her phone’s flashlight casting eerie shadows on the walls.)

𝘼𝙣𝙞𝙠𝙖/ 𝘼𝙣𝙮𝙖

(Inner monologue) Where is he taking me? What is he going to show me?

𝘼𝙣𝙞𝙠𝙖/ 𝘼𝙣𝙮𝙖

(They reach the bottom of the stairs, emerging into a damp and musty basement. The air is thick with the smell of mildew and decay.)

𝙄𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙖𝙣

(Leads her through a maze of crumbling walls and forgotten machinery, his footsteps echoing in the silence.)

𝘼𝙣𝙞𝙠𝙖/ 𝘼𝙣𝙮𝙖

(Notices a faint light emanating from a crack in one of the walls. She points towards it.) What’s that?

𝙄𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙖𝙣

(A knowing smile touches his lips.) The truth.

𝙄𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙖𝙣

(He approaches the wall and presses against a loose brick. A section of the wall swings inward, revealing a hidden doorway.)

𝘼𝙣𝙞𝙠𝙖/ 𝘼𝙣𝙮𝙖

(Gasps. She follows Ishaan through the doorway, entering a small, dimly lit room.)

(The room is sparsely furnished, with a single wooden table and a few chairs. But what catches her attention is the wall opposite the entrance. It’s covered in photographs, newspaper clippings, and handwritten notes, all connected by a web of red string.)

𝘼𝙣𝙞𝙠𝙖/ 𝘼𝙣𝙮𝙖

What is this place?

𝙄𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙖𝙣

This is where the truth unravels.

𝘼𝙣𝙞𝙠𝙖/ 𝘼𝙣𝙮𝙖

(Approaches the wall, her eyes scanning the chaotic display. She recognizes Veer’s face in several of the photographs, alongside other people she’s never seen before.)

𝘼𝙣𝙞𝙠𝙖/ 𝘼𝙣𝙮𝙖

Who are these people?

𝙄𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙖𝙣

They’re all connected to Veer. To his past. To his crimes.

𝘼𝙣𝙞𝙠𝙖/ 𝘼𝙣𝙮𝙖

Crimes? What crimes?

𝙄𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙖𝙣

(Points to a newspaper clipping about a missing person.) This woman. She was Veer’s business partner. She disappeared without a trace.

𝘼𝙣𝙞𝙠𝙖/ 𝘼𝙣𝙮𝙖

(Reads another clipping about a suspicious fire that destroyed a rival company’s warehouse.) And this?

𝙄𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙖𝙣

Veer’s handiwork. He eliminates anyone who threatens his power.

𝘼𝙣𝙞𝙠𝙖/ 𝘼𝙣𝙮𝙖

(Her eyes widen in horror. She looks at Ishaan, her voice trembling.) He’s a monster.

𝙄𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙖𝙣

He’s worse than you think, Anika. He’s been playing this game for a long time.

𝘼𝙣𝙞𝙠𝙖/ 𝘼𝙣𝙮𝙖

(Notices a photograph of herself, taken from a distance. She’s with Rohan, laughing and carefree.) Why am I in this?

𝙄𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙖𝙣

Because you’re a threat to him. You remember.

𝘼𝙣𝙞𝙠𝙖/ 𝘼𝙣𝙮𝙖

But how does he know? I haven’t told anyone.

𝙄𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙖𝙣

He has eyes everywhere, Anika. He’s been watching you since you were reborn.

𝘼𝙣𝙞𝙠𝙖/ 𝘼𝙣𝙮𝙖

(Feels a chill run down her spine. She’s being watched. Controlled.)

𝙄𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙖𝙣

He’s waiting for the right moment to strike. To silence you for good.

𝘼𝙣𝙞𝙠𝙖/ 𝘼𝙣𝙮𝙖

(Her voice filled with anger and determination.) I won’t let him.

𝙄𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙖𝙣

Then you need to fight back, Anika. You need to expose him for what he is.

𝘼𝙣𝙞𝙠𝙖/ 𝘼𝙣𝙮𝙖

But how? I’m just one person.

𝙄𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙖𝙣

You’re not alone, Anika. There are others who want to see him fall.

𝙄𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙖𝙣

(Points to a photograph of a woman with fiery red hair and a defiant expression.) This woman. She’s a journalist. She’s been investigating Veer for years.

𝘼𝙣𝙞𝙠𝙖/ 𝘼𝙣𝙮𝙖

(Reads the name scrawled beneath the photo.) Riya.

𝙄𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙖𝙣

She can help you, Anika. She has the evidence you need.

𝘼𝙣𝙞𝙠𝙖/ 𝘼𝙣𝙮𝙖

(Looks at Ishaan, her eyes filled with a newfound hope.) I’ll find her.

𝙄𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙖𝙣

(Nods. He points to a small, antique box on the table.) Take this. It will help you on your journey.

𝘼𝙣𝙞𝙠𝙖/ 𝘼𝙣𝙮𝙖

(Opens the box. Inside, she finds a beautiful silver locket, engraved with a delicate floral pattern.)

𝙄𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙖𝙣

It belonged to Anya.

𝘼𝙣𝙞𝙠𝙖/ 𝘼𝙣𝙮𝙖

(Closes the box, her fingers tracing the intricate design. She feels a strange connection to the locket, as if it’s a part of her.)

𝙄𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙖𝙣

It’s time, Anika. Time to reclaim your past. Time to seek your revenge.