After I dispatched the last of the attackers, I stood amidst the dead bodies, my clothes and hands drenched in blood. The stench of death hung heavy in the air, mingling with the metallic scent of blood. As I caught my breath, I glanced at Athreya, Vamsi, and Sneha. Their faces were masks of shock and fear, eyes wide as they tried to process the carnage that had just unfolded before them.
A sound from the darkened road caught my attention. I turned to see the headlights of a truck cutting through the gloom, growing larger as it approached. The truck halted near me, and several men climbed out. They were dressed like farmers.
One of them barked an order to the others, "Bring some water for Bhai."
The others quickly unloaded a large drum of water from the truck. I stepped away from the pile of dead bodies, making my way to the water drum. As I reached it, they began pouring the water over me, the cold liquid washing away the blood and grime. The sensation was oddly cleansing, a stark contrast to the violence that had just occurred.
One of the men approached, holding a towel and a fresh set of clothes. "Bhai, your clothes," he said respectfully.
I nodded, drying myself off with the towel before donning the clean clothes. As I dressed, the other men worked efficiently, collecting the bodies and loading them into the truck. Their movements were practiced and precise, leaving no trace of the carnage behind.
"Any information on who sent these men?" I asked the man who had brought me the clothes.
"No, Bhai," he replied, shaking his head. "But Bhaiyya has his own thoughts about this."
I nodded thoughtfully. "Clean every blood trace and leave," I instructed.
He nodded back, "Yes, Bhai," and they continued their grim task.
Once I was dressed, I walked over to Athreya, Vamsi, and Sneha. They were still rooted to the spot, eyes wide as they watched the scene unfold. I could see the questions in their eyes, the fear and confusion etched on their faces.
I stopped in front of them, feeling the weight of their gazes. "Let's go," I said simply, my voice calm and controlled despite the chaos that had just ensued.
As we moved away from the scene, the truck and the men faded into the darkness, erasing any evidence of what had transpired. The night was silent again, but the air was thick with unspoken questions and a newfound understanding of who I truly was.
After the bodies were disposed of and the area cleaned, we made our way back to the restaurant to retrieve the car. The restaurant was already closed, the once bustling entrance now silent. We stepped inside the car, and I started the engine, heading towards the police station to drop off Vamsi before taking Sneha home.
The silence in the car was palpable, thick with unspoken thoughts and lingering shock. I glanced at other's, their faces drawn and contemplative. Breaking the silence, I chuckled softly. "Why do you all look like someone stole your food?"
Athreya's voice was tense. "What do you expect us to say after watching you kill people like it's nothing?"
I smiled at his reaction. "Why are you acting surprised? You already knew who I am. Though, I must say, I'm impressed that Vamsi is handling it so well."
Vamsi shifted nervously in his seat. "It's not that easy to process. So much has happened today... I'm trying really hard not to freak out after finding out your true identity."
I laughed lightly at his honesty. "Fair enough. But Athreya, knowing who I am and witnessing it firsthand are different things, aren't they?"
Athreya shook his head, still processing. "It's one thing to know, and another to see it with your own eyes."
I nodded thoughtfully. "True. But you don't have to worry. After this case, you'll all be working for me."
Athreya turned to me, a mix of curiosity and apprehension in his eyes. "And what exactly does that mean?"
"It means just what it sounds like," I replied. "But why is Sneha so quiet? Sneha, are you alright?"
Sneha, who had been silent the entire time, finally spoke up, her voice trembling slightly. "It's just... too much for me. But don't you feel anything when you kill them?"
I sighed, considering my words carefully. "If you do something bad for the greater good, it's considered good. It's my duty, my Dharma, to do what is right. Those people are a pain for society. Numbing the pain for a while will only make it worse when you finally feel it."
Athreya raised an eyebrow. "Don't quote Dumbledore."
I looked at him in surprise. "So, you know Dumbledore?"
"Of course," Athreya replied with a slight smile. "I've read all the Harry Potter books."
The tension in the car began to dissipate as we delved into a discussion about Harry Potter, the familiar topic bringing a sense of normalcy back to our shaken group. Laughter and light-hearted banter filled the car, the previous dread slowly fading into the background.
As we drove on, the city lights flickered outside, a silent witness to the night's events. After a while, we finally reached the police station. The building loomed quietly in the night, a stark contrast to the chaos we had just left behind. As I stopped the car, Vamsi got out, still looking a bit dazed by the night's events.
"Vamsi," I called out before he shut the door, "if you get any information or hear about any unidentified bodies, or if you find any yourself, call us immediately. Understand?"
He nodded, his face serious. "Got it."
With that, we drove off, heading towards Sneha's house. The drive was silent, each of us lost in our thoughts. Finally, we arrived at her home. Sneha opened the car door and stepped out, still looking somewhat shaken.
"Sneha," I said gently, "if anything happens, or if you feel something unusual, don't hesitate to call us right away."
Athreya leaned forward, echoing my words. "Yes, Sneha. Call us okay."
She nodded, her expression softening a bit. "Okay, I will."
We watched as she walked to her door, then drove off once more, the car moving steadily through the quiet streets. Our next stop was Athreya's office. The building was eerily quiet at this late hour, the only sound being the faint hum of city life in the distance.
As I parked the car, we made our way inside. Athreya glanced at me, curiosity evident in his eyes. "Where are you sleeping tonight?"
Without a word, I jumped onto the office sofa, stretching out and finding a comfortable position. "I'm sleeping here," I declared, settling into the cushions.
Athreya nodded, not surprised by my choice. "Alright," he said, heading to his room. "Good night."
"Good night," I replied, closing my eyes.
As the world around me grew quiet, the events of the night began to fade into the background. The sofa was surprisingly comfortable, and exhaustion quickly overtook me. The sounds of the city outside were a distant murmur, a lullaby that soon had me drifting into a deep, peaceful sleep.
In the silence, my mind wandered briefly to the tasks ahead, but for now, the tranquility of sleep wrapped around me, offering a brief respite from the chaos of the world I inhabited. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but tonight, I allowed myself the rare luxury of peace.
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"AMARAVATI, THE CAPITAL CITY OF ANDHRA PRADESH"
Inside the opulent residence of the Chief Minister of Andhra pradesh Padmakant Reddy alias "PKR", A man stood on the balcony, the city lights reflecting off his tense features. The cool night air did little to temper his growing frustration as he spoke on the phone, his voice a low growl.
"Any news?" he demanded, gripping the glass of alcohol in his hand.
From the other end of the line, a woman's voice trembled slightly as she responded, "Sir, all the men we sent are dead."
The man's face contorted with anger. "What? How can that be? Those were our best men. We sent forty of them! And you're telling me they're all dead? Do you think this is a joke?"
"No, sir," the woman replied, her voice edged with fear. "I know it's hard to believe, but it's the truth."
The man's fury erupted, and he hurled the glass against the wall, shattering it into pieces. "Who killed them?" he demanded, his voice a dangerous snarl.
"Sir... sir, we don't know," the woman stammered.
"What do you mean you don't know?" he roared.
"Sir, when I sent someone to investigate what happened, we found nothing. No bodies, not even a drop of blood."
The man's eyes narrowed with a murderous gleam. "Find out who did it. And remember, if my name comes out, I will kill you and your father."
"Yes, sir, I understand," the woman said, her voice barely above a whisper.
With a sharp movement, the man ended the call. He grabbed another glass, filling it with alcohol and taking a long, bitter drink. The cool liquid did little to calm his rage, but it momentarily numbed the edge of his frustration.
He stared out over the city, his mind racing. Whoever had taken out his men was a force to be reckoned with, and he needed answers—fast. The stakes were high, and he could not afford any loose ends.
As he downed the last of his drink, the night around him seemed to be close in, the weight of his position pressing heavily on his shoulders.He was determined to come out on top, no matter the cost. Even if he has to go as far as killing the Chief Minister AKA his father-in-law.
(Word's Count:1640)