The treacherous Himalayan wind howled like a banshee, whipping Sameer's hair across his face as he scaled the treacherous mountain face. His breath came in ragged gasps, the thin air a constant struggle. Despite the bone-chilling cold, sweat beaded on his brow, a testament to the exertion. Yet, the physical challenge couldn't compare to the emotional turmoil churning within him.
Just a few weeks ago, life had been different. He and Liz, his beautiful, ambitious girlfriend, had planned their future together. Now, fresh grief gnawed at him, the echoes of his parents' car crash still raw. Seeking solace in the familiar embrace of the mountains, he'd decided on a solo climb, a chance to reconnect with nature and himself.
Reaching a precarious ledge, he paused to catch his breath, his gaze sweeping across the majestic Himalayan panorama. A flicker of movement near the base camp caught his eye. It was Bahadur, his family's loyal bodyguard, a man as stoic as the mountains themselves. He'd insisted on accompanying Sameer, a silent guardian angel ever since Sameer's parents' passing.
"Everything alright, sir?" Bahadur rumbled, his voice a steady counterpoint to the howling wind.
"Just taking it all in, Bahadur," Sameer replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "This place always brings me peace."
Suddenly, a group of burly men materialized from behind a rocky outcrop, their faces obscured by shadow. Before Sameer could react, a brutal blow slammed into his head, the world dissolving into a dizzying blur.
He awoke hours later, bound and gagged, the world a distorted kaleidoscope of pain. Liz's voice, laced with a chilling coldness he hadn't known existed, sent a jolt of terror through him.
"So, Sameer," she purred, her eyes gleaming with a perverse satisfaction, "ready to admit your sins? Your parents' ruthless business practices ruined countless lives, including mine. Now, you get to pay the price."
"Liz?" Sameer rasped, his voice raw. "What are you talking about?"
Her smile widened, devoid of warmth. "Oh, don't play innocent. You know exactly what I'm talking about. Your parents destroyed my family's business, leaving them with nothing. Now, I'm taking everything back, including your life."
Days blurred into a grotesque nightmare. Torture became his reality, each agonizing moment punctuated by Liz's mocking laughter. One day, as Sameer hung limp from the ceiling, his vision blurring from blood and exhaustion, a booming voice echoed through the warehouse.
"Leave him alone!" Bahadur roared, his arrival a beacon of hope in the darkness.
A fierce battle ensued. Bahadur, a whirlwind of fists and fury, fought with a desperation born of loyalty. But they were outnumbered, outmatched. Just as Bahadur delivered a fatal blow to their attacker, a deafening roar ripped through the air. An avalanche, triggered by the fight, hurtled towards them.
"Go, Sameer!" Bahadur yelled, shoving him towards the exit. "Save yourself!"
"No, Bahadur!" Sameer screamed, but the avalanche crashed down, swallowing everything in its path.