The wind howled like a mournful apparition, rattling the window and sending chills through the gaps through the walls.

The hut on the hill top was filled with cobwebs on all its corners and a few boxes were kept here and there and some were stacked one upon another.

Maybe it was used as a godown by the previous owners. But the condition of the hut felt like like it hardly had any visitors from a long time.

It's wooden walls looked so weak that just a touch of one's palm was enough to crumble the hut into nothing. They creaked in response to the howling wind outside.

The small window offered a view of the dark, sprawling landscape. Inside the air was thick, filled with earthen fragrance which was enough to calm one down. But the tension in the air was thick enough to be cut down by a knife.

In the centre of the room , illuminated by the weak, poorly connected light bulb, was a man tied to a wooden chair.

Unconscious, his head hung low, sweat covered his body. After all he had been captured for a long time.

Before him stood his abductors.

****************

As the storm raged outside, her heart pounded, knowing the confrontation was about to happen.

"No! I.....I.....I can't kill him. I've been stalking him for so long that I can't...I couldn't...couldn't help but....". I stuttered. No words forming in my mind.

" But fall for him? " , his voice voice hoarse and cold , his expressions gentled looking at my state, but soon his facial expressions changed into that of anger.

"Do you have any idea what you've done?"

I couldn't meet his gaze, my heart pounding in my chest. The weight of my own betrayal pressed down on me, suffocating any attempt at a rational explanation.

"You were supposed to end him, not fall for him," he spat, his voice rising. "Do you understand the consequences of your actions?"

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I couldn't find the words to respond. The truth was out, and there was no going back.

"Just because of your stupid little fling do you think I'll let him go? After all he has done to you to us. No! No Isabella no! And even if I were to help you he will never leave you alone." He screamed at me.

I know he cares for me but I've long passed the fling phase. " I know okay I know..."I spoke in a gentle tone to calm this angry hulk in front of me.

"It's good that you know Bella. So let's get down to business shall we . Shoot him." He spoke as a sinister smile now decorated his face.

"No! Please no Ryan !" ,I cried, tears bawling out my eyes. "Shoot him Bella or else I'll have to shoot you if I'm going down ill take you with me !" He spat pointing the gun at me .

"Arghh!" Both of them whipped their heads from where the groan came from. His eyes fluttering to adjust to to the dim lit room .

"Didn't you hear me Bella? We are running out of time shoot him right now!", Ryan roared , chest heaving up and down , if one were to go near him at the moment they would feel as if his lungs were about to burst.

"No!" I refuted . "He's right shoot me!" I stared at him in disbelief . He can't be serious now can he.

"No I can't kill you Erek ." I sobbed choking on my tears .

"What the hell is wrong with you Bella ? Get back to your senses." He jolted her shoulders demanding an answer with a murderous look on his face . Bella knew if looks could kill she would have been dead long ago .

I threw away his arms from me reminding him of our plan, "No! We never talked about killing him."

"So what. He is a killer Bella. His father killed our father . He is the reason we are orphans . He is the reason why our life is full of misery. He is the reason why we got involved with him."

" I know Ryan but unlike you in the midst of getting involved with him and finding our father's killer I didn't forget who we are . We are cops for godsake and Erek is our department's lieutenant . We are not killers . We cannot kill him because his father was the killer not him. God damn it." I tried to negotiate while searching for a way to help Erek."

I'll count till 10. Kill him or I'll kill both of you." He threatened, eyes darkening at my figure as I now stood protectively infrint of Erek who was sitting on a chair with his hands tied behind his back.

"He's right Bella. Till when do you plan to put on this mask of yours and fool me . Isn't this why you approached me in the first place? Isn't this what you wanted from the start?" Erek spoke with a straight face , ignoring the heavy lump in his throat as he's been out for long, yet his face carried a hint of mockery in it . My heart ached at his words.

I looked at Ryan who had already reached to the count of 4. " 4...5.....6 Bella, my dear , don't make me do this."

All of a sudden there was a thunderstorm and soon it began to pour. Since the hut was small and had no proper electrical connection the only source of light was the small bulb at the top , on which they couldn't rely for long because of the thunderstorm outside .

Before I could say anything there was a blackout, darkness spread both inside and outside the hut.

I turned around to free Erek but to my surprise I couldn't find him. " Bella .....Bella...where are you ?" I heard an from a distant.

'I'm here Ryan ' I wanted to reply but I kept mum. Again I stretched my arms to find Erek when a hand covered my mouth catching me off guard.

I tried to break free but I couldn't so I bit the hand . " Arghh ! Bella it's me Erek." He groaned. "How did you manage to free yourself?" I inquired.

"Did you really think those handcuffs could tie me down ? I'm lieutenant for a reason." He taunted. Ah! What's with him and mocking.

"Bella ....Bella...where are you sissy? Come out ." Ryan spoke again but his tone was laced with anger.

" Let's go ." Erek whispered . "Huh! What do you-" my nose scrunched in confusion , but halted halfway as I felt a sharp pain in my neck. I opened my mouth but nothing came out . Seriously? drugging me ? you could've done better Erek. My eyelids grew heavy and I passed out.

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