Upon receiving the directive, Nitin found himself slightly disconcerted.
His prior plans were set for his family today, and this unexpected assignment necessitated a shift in his intended course of action.
The law enforcement agency was vigilantly monitoring all potential suspects, effectively placing the entire city's population under a cloud of suspicion.
Nevertheless, in recent days, the situation had returned to a semblance of normalcy, with no further bodies discovered.
This development appeared to be connecting the dots for some citizens, who postulated that Arun and Rudra were the true culprits.
According to this theory, as they neared capture, the duo had fled the city. As a result, the prevailing sentiment was that further killings were
"No doubt these criminal are easily able to operate," Nitin mused quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.
"What, sir?" Kartik inquired.
Nitin glanced at Kartik. "You're coming with me, understood?"
"But, sir, I have to be somewhere and it's urgent."
Nitin's tone shifted abruptly, raising the tension in the vicinity. "You want to argue with me?"
The sudden change in Nitin's demeanor left Kartik with little choice. "No, no, sir. You're the boss. Whatever you say."
"Very well. Now, prepare the car for me."
Kartik nodded and slowly turned away, his face displaying a grim expression, revealing the inner conflict of being compelled to act against his own wishes.
Nitin's need for solitude had led him to the backyard of the department, a place that had become a chaotic storage area filled with discarded items, old computer parts, broken furniture, and stacks of newspapers.
This secluded spot offered him a brief respite from the demanding environment of his job and the ever-present fear that weighed on his mind.
As he stood there, his shoulders slumped and his gaze focused on the clutter around him, Nitin contemplated the toll that recent events had taken on him.
The constant stress, the sleepless nights, and the fear of the unknown had pushed him to the point where he had started taking sleeping pills just to get some rest.
This was a side of Nitin that he kept hidden from most people.
He was known for his sociable nature, his involvement in various events, and his willingness to connect with others.
However, since taking on his current role and facing the ongoing crisis, he had become more withdrawn, struggling with the weight of his responsibilities.
"Great! Where? Where? Where are you?" Nitin called out, his voice echoing in the cluttered backyard. He was searching for something, but the chaos of the storage area made it a challenging task. It was as if the disorder around him mirrored the chaos he felt inside.
He began to move deeper into the clutter, sifting through old newspapers and discarded items, his frustration mounting as he struggled to find whatever he was looking for.
Amidst the clutter and chaos of the backyard, Nitin finally found what he had been searching for.
He let out a relieved sigh as he laid his hands on the hidden plastic package.
It seemed that he had stashed it there intentionally, a secret cache that was meant to provide him a moment of respite in this secluded spot.
Nitin's gaze shifted to the nearby garbage containers, which held stacks of computer parts and discarded paper items.
It was a clever hiding spot, tucked away amidst the chaos of the open storage area.
He had placed something inside the package, something that was difficult to discern at first.
With a sense of anticipation, Nitin carefully tore apart the plastic package, revealing a packet of cigarettes.
He knew it was the third cigarette he would smoke, and the lighter within the package served as a convenient means to ignite it.
Sitting on his knees, Nitin lit the cigarette and took a deep drag.
The harsh, acrid smoke filled his lungs, and he exhaled slowly, watching the wisps of smoke dissipate into the air.
It was a moment of solitude, a brief escape from the weight of his responsibilities and the turmoil that had enveloped his life.
For a while he just sat there, Nitin took a moment to find solace in the act of smoking.
The rhythmic inhalation and exhalation of the cigarette provided him with a brief respite from the relentless thoughts and worries that had consumed him earlier.
With each drag, he felt a sense of relief washing over him, and a slight smile began to play on his lips. However in the very few next moment, things are about to change drastically for him.
"I can see youu"
The sudden, chilling echo of a new voice sent a shiver down Nitin's spine.
He abruptly stood up, his heart pounding with fear, and scanned the cluttered backyard in every direction, trying to locate the source of the voice.
"Who? Who said that? Hey, come out!" Nitin called out urgently, his voice tinged with both curiosity and anxiety.
The voice echoed once again, repeating the same phrase, "I can see youu." It seemed to be coming from all around him, making it nearly impossible for Nitin to pinpoint its origin.
As he strained to hear and find any clues about the source of the voice, a realization struck him. It was the same voice.
The same voice that had been a part of his last encounter, an encounter that had nearly saved his life.
Nitin's voice quivered with a mixture of frustration and fear as he called out to the unseen presence, "What do you want? Come on, say it. You want something from me, why don't you show yourself? God has given me eyes, you know, and they can see things clearly. So don't hide yourself and reveal it."
As he spoke, Nitin's hand slowly moved toward his pocket, where he kept his gun. He didn't know what he was dealing with, but he was ready to be prepared for any situation.
The response he received was cryptic, and it sent shivers down his spine. "Really! I don't think so."
Nitin's heart raced as he decided it was time to retreat from the unsettling encounter.
He moved away from the cluttered backyard, making his way towards a lower, hilly region that led to a nearby pond.
The change in surroundings offered a brief respite from the eerie encounter, but his mind was still filled with questions and unease.
After travelling such distance, Nitin stood by the pond, still shaken by the mysterious encounter but unable to find any evidence of the presence that had spoken to him.
Time had passed, and an eerie silence settled over the area.
Doubts began to creep into his mind, and he wondered if he had been hallucinating or if his fears had gotten the best of him.
Thinking that he might have been mistaken, Nitin turned to make his way back towards the cluttered backyard.
However, as he approached a nearby bush, a peculiar sound began to reach his ears.
It was the sound of movement, something akin to footsteps, but it was difficult for him to discern the direction it was coming from.
Nitin's senses went on high alert. He raised his gun, focusing the laser sight towards the direction of the approaching sound.
His heart raced, and his eyes were laser-focused, scanning the area ahead.
With each passing second, the sound grew louder and more pronounced, intensifying the tension in the air.
As the unseen presence drew nearer, Nitin's grip on the gun tightened.
He was prepared to confront whatever was heading his way, his mind a whirlwind of questions and apprehension.
Nitin's heightened state of alertness suddenly transformed into a deep sense of relief as the mystery surrounding the presence was finally unveiled.
"Oh God!" he exclaimed, exhaling a sigh of relief, his tension evaporating like mist in the morning sun.
"Sir! What are you doing here? I thought you already left," Kartik in front of him asked, his confusion evident.
Nitin collected himself quickly, dismissing the unusual encounter. "Nothing, just... forget it. Is the car ready?" he inquired, eager to shift the conversation.
Kartik slightly nodded. "Yeah!"
"Then why are you wasting time here?" Nitin's tone was urgent. "Hurry, we don't have time."
Kartik, still bewildered by the abrupt shift in Nitin's demeanor, began to stammer, "Wait. What? I mean—"
"Don't just stand there," Nitin interrupted sharply, "get your ass in gear. We've got a job to do."
As they stumbled upon their car, Nitin shifted his gaze toward kartik
"Drive!" Nitin ordered, his reluctance to take the wheel clear. For some reason, Nitin didn't want to be the one behind the wheel at this moment.
Kartik, on the other hand, felt a sense of joy at the prospect of driving. He had probably wanted this opportunity, but he chose not to show it. "All right, sir. Suit yourself," he responded, trying to keep his excitement in check.
As they embarked on their journey, Nitin issued a series of instructions, urging Kartik to proceed cautiously and maintain a high level of vigilance, scanning everyone with suspicion along the way.
Kartik couldn't help but voice his frustration at the slow pace. "Sir! Please, if we travel at this speed, it would take years to get there."
Nitin's response was firm. "No, you won't. I have to take a look around, so drive safely and slowly."
Kartik reluctantly complied, keeping the speed low and suppressing his impatience as they made their way.
He watched kids on bicycles whiz past them, feeling a growing sense of frustration, but he chose not express his feelings here
After what felt like an eternity to Kartik, they finally arrived at Doctor Lavanya's house after an hour