Shadows of Truth

Chapter 12 - Crossing Lines

She looked at Manik. “We go through the main hallway.”

Manik gave a short nod. “Let’s end this.”

The building was quiet.

Too quiet.

Room 207 was closed.

Navya whispered into the comm. “Heat signature inside. Single male.”

Cabir added, “Security camera inside the corridor is off. He’s hiding.”

Abhimanyu kicked the door in.

The room was... empty.

No Sameer.

But in the center of the room — a laptop.

Streaming.

A voice crackled through:

> “You think you’re ahead?”

Sameer’s voice.

> “You’re just dancing to my tune.”

And behind them— a silent timer started on the laptop.

---

Location: Lodge Rooftop – Seconds Later

“MOVE!” Nandini shouted as she saw the blinking detonator graphic.

The team scattered — Cabir grabbing Navya’s hand, dragging her out the window as Manik shoved Nandini out through the fire escape.

The explosion was controlled but sharp — enough to torch the room.

No injuries.

But no leads either.

Sameer had escaped again.

---

Location: Night – Forest Lodge Safe House

Later that night, the team regrouped at a secluded forest lodge arranged through one of Alya’s fashion trade contacts.

Bandages. Ice packs. Silence.

Until Mukti threw a packet of cookies at the table.

“Let’s stop sitting like someone died.”

Abhimanyu smirked. “Your version of encouragement needs work.”

“Your version of smiling needs improvement,” she shot back.

He laughed.

That caught everyone off guard.

Meanwhile, Cabir and Navya sat away from the group.

“You okay?” he asked, eyes searching hers.

She nodded slowly. “I didn’t expect that explosion.”

“None of us did.”

She looked at him. “But you didn’t let go.”

“I never will,” he said honestly.

And the silence that followed was louder than anything else.

---

Location: Forest Lodge Balcony – 12:30 AM

Nandini stood outside, alone.

The air was cold.

Manik joined her, holding two cups of herbal tea.

She took one, without speaking.

He sipped, then said softly, “You froze for a second today.”

She nodded.

“Not because of fear,” she said. “Because I saw a child’s drawing on the room’s wall.”

He waited.

“My cousin used to draw like that.”

His chest tightened.

“I’m so tired of losing,” she whispered. “And yet… I keep going.”

He stepped closer. “Because you’re the strongest person I’ve ever met.”

She looked at him.

“Don’t say that unless you mean it.”

He held her gaze.

“I do.”

Another pause.

Then, for the first time, she said:

“I trust you.”

He swallowed hard.

And in that silence — nothing else needed to be said.

---

Location: Unknown Safe House – Simultaneously

Sameer leaned over a desk.

But he wasn’t alone.

A man in shadows stepped into view. Tall. Unreadable. Voice like glass.

“You made noise.”

Sameer smirked. “They think they’ve won.”

The man replied, “Then let them.”

Sameer blinked. “Who are you again?”

The figure said coldly, “I’m the one who funds what Sarpa failed to finish.”

Sameer narrowed his eyes.

“Then let’s begin again.”

The third party had entered the game.

And he wasn’t playing by the old rules.

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