Chereads / BEYOND THE PATH / Chapter 34 - The Trails

Chapter 34 - The Trails

The air grew tense, as if it had frozen in anticipation. Nitin's heart raced, its pounding rhythm echoing in his ears. He glanced around, noticing the shifting shadows and the eerie silence that had settled like a heavy shroud. A gust of wind sent a shiver down his spine, and his instincts went on high alert.

A sound piercing through the thin air, all of them are shouting at Nitin "Sir! Get away from their"

In back, a low rumble reached his ears, gradually growing louder. He followed the sound, his gaze fixing on the car swaying precariously atop that tree. The branches are not able to sustain such amount of weight.

Time appeared to dilate as Nitin's mind raced, his thoughts converging into laser-focused precision.

In the ensuing moments, his body felt gripped by an unaccountable paralysis, as if an unseen force had cast a hypnotic spell upon him.

Despite the clamorous cacophony of warnings and shouts from their companions vibrating around him, his ears seemed as though muffled, deaf to the outside world.

In stark contrast, Amit sprang into action, seizing the dwindling seconds without a hint of wasteful hesitation.

He propelled himself forward with an urgency bordering on desperation, hurtling through space with an almost superhuman velocity.

A feat of split-second calculation and raw instinct led him to leap onto Nitin, forcibly propelling him, a delicate distance away. Yet, this effort alone fell agonizingly short, as the unpredictable trajectory of the coming down car defied easy prediction.

In a gesture born of sheer determination, Amit's palm met Nitin's cheek in a resounding slap, leaving behind a vivid flush of crimson.

This impactful strike served as an abrupt restorative, yanking Nitin from his immobilized state back into a realm of heightened awareness.

With his senses now firing on all cylinders, Nitin bore witness to the approaching's peril hurtling toward them. Reacting with newfound clarity, he mustered every iota of strength to respond.

"What happened? You alright, sir?" The concern in Amit's voice was palpable as he rushed to Nitin's side.

"Yes, yes, I... I'm okay," Nitin's voice trembled, a tremor betraying the shock that held him captive. It was as if an electric current of disbelief ran through him.

Amit's reassuring presence was a stabilizing force, helping Nitin to regain a semblance of composure amidst the loud aftermath. However, the ordeal hadn't left them in one piece, evident in the minor injuries they both bore.

Pressing forward despite the physical and emotional turbulence, Nitin's determination burned bright. "Did we uncover anything significant here?" he inquired, a sense of urgency underlying his words.

He recognized the crucial importance of any potential evidence that could shed light on the perplexing cases before them.

Amit's response was measured and sobering. "We discovered traces of blood in the surrounding woodland, but beyond that, there was nothing conspicuous. The blood could belong to a single individual, or perhaps more than two."

"Very well," Nitin nodded, his mind already churning with possibilities. "Collect a sample of the blood and retrieve both vehicles. Let's see what we had find here?"

The entire area had been locked down tightly, preventing any movement within a radius of a hundred meters.

The police were actively patrolling the region, receiving backup from various other departments to manage the crisis in Devnagar.

The city was now under constant surveillance, with a watchful eye maintained around the clock.

Security cameras had been installed all over, overseeing every nook and cranny. Specialized teams were deployed across residential zones, assigned the task of keeping a close watch on the activities of the residents.

However, a pressing question loomed: how much longer could this level of vigilance be sustained? This was a concern that occupied Nitin's thoughts. Regardless of how robust the security measures were, they would remain incomplete until they wouldn't find killer.

After nearly an hour and a half, they returned to the department. Nitin led the way through the main hall, Amit trailing behind him.

Despite the passage of time, their search had yielded no significant breakthrough—no crucial pieces of evidence to shed light on the perplexing string of murder cases that had gripped their attention.

Nonetheless, Nitin remained undeterred, his determination unwavering. He sought out Raghav, the leader of the newly formed team, with whom he intended to confer.

The atomshpere inside the lab is quite different from the normal day, as we see certain crowd are present there. Inside the forensics laboratory, a sterile ambiance prevailed.

The air carried a faint hint of antiseptic, underscored by the underlying tang of chemical preservatives.

Red biohazard signs adorned the entrance, a vivid reminder of the delicate nature of the work being conducted within. The lab was organized into distinct zones, each tailored to its specific task.

At the far corner, the blood analysis area hummed with activity. Microscopes occupied the central stage, each equipped with its own intricate lighting setup.

Nearby, centrifuges spun vials of blood at dizzying speeds, a critical step in isolating serum and cells for detailed scrutiny.

High-tech DNA sequencers lined a row of workstations, their screens displaying genetic patterns waiting to unlock secrets concealed within blood samples.

Raghav was presently engrossed in the forensic lab, his attention absorbed by the deceased bodies before him.

He harboured a distinct fascination for the deceased, an unusual affinity for understanding the boundaries between life and death, the possibility of an afterlife, or even the concept of reincarnation.

Despite his years of experience in the realm of medical science and his predominantly scientific outlook, Raghav retained a belief in the supernatural, in ghosts, demons, and the myriad of uncanny phenomena often relegated to the realm of fantasy.

Nitin approached Raghav with a sense of purpose. "Raghav," he addressed him, his voice carrying a note of both urgency and respect.

Raghav glanced up, his expression a blend of curiosity and professional focus. "Nitin, back so soon?" he inquired, his gaze returning to the intricate examination he was conducting.

A select group of university students who had seized the opportunity to volunteer as forensic assistants were now under Raghav's wing.

He was engrossed in sharing insights on various aspects of dealing with deceased bodies, his lectures encompassing the intricate nuances of the field.

The majority of the students hung on his words, absorbed in learning, while a few others displayed a more casual attitude, not fully grasping the gravity of their involvement.

Into this educational scene strode Nitin, his presence commanding attention and halting the ongoing activities. An abrupt stillness settled over the surroundings as Nitin's orders resonated, prompting everyone to freeze in their tracks

"Listen up," Nitin's voice cut through the silence, projecting a sense of urgency that was impossible to ignore. The students' eyes shifted toward him, their curiosity piqued by his interruption. Nitin was well aware of the situation at hand, the educational pursuit they were all engaged in. However, the weight of the recent developments superseded everything else.

He addressed the ongoing activities with a mixture of determination and understanding. "I know we're in the middle of something important here," he acknowledged, "but we've just stumbled upon something crucial, something that could significantly aid our efforts in solving these murders."

Some resistance bubbled forth, a student voicing concerns. Nitin's expression remained unyielding. "I get it, things are rolling here. But we can't afford to ignore this lead."

As he turned to address the entire group, a palpable tension hung in the air. "Here's the deal," Nitin began, his tone carrying a blend of gravity and a call to action. "Today, we've made a breakthrough. It has the potential to be a game-changer in our pursuit of answers I want you all to help me here. Raghav will explain everything to you all and you'll will assist him, so he could get the work done faster. You'll understand what I am saying."

As if choreographed with perfect synchronization, their voices echoed in unison, a chorus of affirmation that reverberated through the space: "Yes, sir!"

Having left Raghav to continue his crucial work, Nitin felt the need to fulfil a promise he had made, a commitment that had momentarily slipped his mind amidst the chaos.

Seated in his office, he dialed a number, his fingers navigating the keypad with a sense of purpose. The conversation that ensued was a testament to his determination to honor his word, even amid the tumult.

As he reclined in his chair, cradling a cup of tea, the encroaching evening painted the sky with hues of warmth.

The setting sun cast its radiant fingers through the window, imparting a tranquil glow to the room.

The absence of artificial light amplified the sense of serenity that suffused the space.

Nitin's office bore the mark of meticulous order, a reflection of his own approach to his work.

Every item was meticulously placed, every detail attended to.

The aesthetic was adorned with life, as six flower pots added touches of vibrancy and elegance to the room, elevating it beyond mere functionality

"Hey Kid, How you doing?"