Chereads / BEYOND THE PATH / Chapter 32 - Trapped

Chapter 32 - Trapped

All three of them immediately snapped to attention, a wave of dread washing over them. It was as if they held their breaths, moving only with the leader's permission. The world seemed suspended, and the air was thick with foreboding, making every moment feel heavy and difficult to grasp.

The woman struggled to stand steady, barely managing to hold herself up. Meanwhile, the other two maintained a facade of complete compliance, as if everything was in line with their boss's desires, unwilling to take any action without his say.

In the midst of it all, Arun trembled with pain, desperately seeking a moment's relief. His entire life flashed before his eyes, from the very beginning until now. The agony tightened its unrelenting hold on him, making every breath a battle.

The nervous system lay utterly torn apart, leaving him gasping for air with great difficulty. Without immediate medical intervention, it was merely a matter of minutes before his last breath would be drawn. Strangely, though, it seemed this person didn't truly intend to end his life. The precision and timing of the shot indicated a deliberate restraint, the bullet grazing the side of his neck rather than striking with fatal force. It was a chilling testament to the skill of the mysterious man who had abruptly appeared, transforming the entire scenario in an instant.

Two young figures approached Arun, their steps marked by the blood that now stained the ground beneath them and the area around. With one of them gripping Arun's shoulder and the other taking hold of his leg, they lifted him with determined effort. Together, they carried him towards a second car, where a female accomplice stood.

She seemed to be waiting, her silence heavy with unspoken emotions. Though she hadn't uttered a word, her downcast expression and the edge of sorrow in her demeanor made it evident that she might not have willingly chosen to be here. Despite the weight of her feelings, she somehow held herself together, teetering on the brink of tears but managing to maintain her composure.

In her early twenties, she exuded an air of youthful inexperience, her eyes revealing her lack of exposure to such harrowing scenes. Her stomach churned, the urge to vomit nearly overpowering her restraint. She wasn't attempting to feign composure—her struggle was evident.

As her gaze settled on Arun, an inexplicable sensation washed over her. Despite the circumstances and her newfound responsibility, she found herself harboring a genuine sympathy for him. Swiftly overcoming her momentary hesitation, she retrieved her bag from the rear of the car. With a sense of purpose, she gathered all the essential tools and materials necessary to proceed with the task at hand.

"Jiya! We need him alive! Do you understand?" The second man's voice trembled as he spoke, revealing his own fear and lack of confidence.

"I've got it, Shri! Can you give me a hand here?" Jiya responded, her tone drastically changed, she sound focused and determined.

"Sure, tell me what to do."

Beside the second car, Arun lay on the ground in a vulnerable state. The manner in which Jiya conducted herself showcased the expertise of a seasoned surgeon who had dedicated years to honing her medical proficiency.

In the midst of an unfamiliar and remote setting, armed only with the tools at her disposal, she skillfully managed to stem the flow of blood and administer crucial fluids to alleviate his pain. Her actions were a testament to the capabilities earned only through the years of experience.

Amidst this urgent scene, the leader and his first associate remained veiled in secrecy, their true identities concealed. Rather than utilizing personal names, the designation 'Boss' was the sole way they were addressed. While Jiya and Shri worked relentlessly to save Arun, this shadowy leader and his associate, known only as 'Boss', grappled with the impending fate of Rudra. Their stance was both resolute and uncertain, highlighting the complexity of their impending decisions.

"What should we do with this boss?"

A deep manly heavy voice with his unknown intention, utters his testimony about Rudra, "Oh I know him, I met him once when he was just about five year old. He is quite intelligent like literally his problem solving skill are great, that's the reason they sent him to take "AAKHET" (means Prey, addressing to Arun).

"Should we kill him?" The way he's saying presents a thought in mind that it's quite normal for them to kill anyone who doesn't agree with their agenda.

Taking a deep breathe, leader walked little bit more toward Rudra and staring directly in his eyes, "It doesn't matter anymore, don't need to waste our Shakti on him"

"Such a loyal, servant we should award him don't we boss!" Sarcastically he is teasing Rudra for his duty, although there's a deeper thought process behind his statement.

Swiveling his gaze towards his associate, he advanced with his imposing stature, his sizable form casting a presence that demanded attention. Placing his substantial hand on the associate's shoulder, he posed the question "Daman! You know, what happened when a loyal servant fails to do the given task?"

"What! What happen boss?"

"They had to take their own life, in order to prove their loyalty to their King's courtesy"

"Just curious to ask, Boss! Why don't we just finish him here?"

"Well you seem so desperate, huh. You know him I think you know him"

"No just for our safety boss!"

"No! No! No! You don', you know, tell me what did he did to you. Did he fucked you up or"

"Nothing Boss fine, you are right I get it"

"You should! Look at him just more carefully he's already been trapped in his own realm, Ashur already got him, and he's finished. I feel bad for this Kid"

Arun had received treatment, and now his body was submerge in a swath of cotton fabric, meticulously wrapped from head to toe. Amidst this covering, an intriguing anomaly caught the eye – a vivid and almost jarring element within his being. At his neck, a somber yet vivid light, shimmering in a pale shade of blue, flickered incessantly,

Leaving Rudra to his own devices, the pair retraced their steps and positioned themselves in the center of the road. The leader's voice surged with authority as he sought the rapt attention of his comrades.

"Attention, my fellow companions," he proclaimed, his tone commanding. "Your task here is concluded. You're free to return home."

"Understood, Boss," they chorused, their agreement evident in their eager nods. As if in response to some unspoken cue, all three closed their eyes in unison. In an instant, a brilliant surge of light enveloped them, and they vanished into thin air, Arun in tow. However, their leader remained, a heightened sense of awareness emanating from him.

He scanned his surroundings with his dark, penetrating gaze, his every instinct on high alert. Slowly, his breathing steadied, only to abruptly halt as an unusual sensation brushed against his senses – the feeling that he wasn't alone. Ignoring his feeling, he continue to walk toward Rudra, with a sharp knife in his hand, gnereated from his own Shakti. It's sharp and quite lethal. It's made of blood, blood of his or unknown.

He's intention was to finish Rudra and move on for the final, but previously he dropped the idea of killing him but suddenly he felt like he should do him a courtesy in order to release him from the intense suffering and endless pain.

Where Rudra still there freezes, his body been like since he was the beginning he entered in his own realm to encounter someone, who's been challenging him in inside his deep consciousness. He is fighting, the newly fresh wound on his body showing the evidence of his intense fighting.

As he approached at him holding his newly made weapon, he felt something again, a presence of someone familiar, it's was close to him. He turned his head back and looked all around, but found one. Even though in deep inside he had already figured out who's here.

With a mixture of amusement and familiarity, the leader issued his next directive, addressing the concealed individual around him. "Come out! Fellow No need to hide from me! I know you are here Tenzin. It's been a long time we haven't met didn't we?" His tone shifted, becoming warmer and more familiar, indicating a history between the two. It was as if a veil of recognition had settled over his voice.

This revelation hinted at a deeper connection, a reunion of sorts after a considerable period of time apart. The leader's excitement to encounter Tenzin was palpable, their shared history evoking a sense of anticipation. Despite his eagerness, the silence persisted, with no response from Tenzin. The leader continued to stand his ground, his gaze scanning the surroundings, waiting for Tenzin to reveal himself.

"Common! Just come out, can't you just show me some respect, isn't I deserved that little bit from you?"

He had this utterly insane smile on his face, showing how desperately he want to meet Tenzin, where there's a sudden change in atmosphere still noticeable. The wind blowing with all the speed and birds chippering all around, suddenly calm composure place had turned into a havoc, and this was distracting for him.

"You wanna Play, Tenzin! It's been a while oh I think you forgot but no need to worry, here I am presenting and this time you'll not have your brain in your body to remember anything at all, ha ha ha…."

"Son of Bitch!"

He turned his head toward Rudra, He's gone. And Tenzin was there all along just waiting for the right moment to escape with Rudra.