ABHIMAAN POV

THUMP.

THUMP.

THUMP.

“Run Abhi and don't look back. Beta please, ahhh-”

I sit up with a jolt, sweat crowning my forehead as the memories of that night play on a loop, like a cassette tape, replaying it over and over again and just won't stop.

I get down from the bed and walk towards the balcony with a sigh. I light up the cigarette which is hanging low on my lips and blow out a puff.

The cool night breeze is soothing compared to the turmoil that is going on inside of me, the cigarette burns my throat, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth which is soothing.

Many people will say smoking is injurious to health and what not, not denying that it's not but the people who are smoking? They are well aware of that fact and purposely choose to avoid it, maybe to forget their own problems or to just do it for show.

Me? Well, I just want to forget mine and I know it's not healthy but so am I, I'm not healthy either and this? It's my way of escaping.

“Just stop already. It's over. I took revenge, they're dead. Stop!”.

STOP!

I murmur to myself, taking the last huff before discarding the cigarette in the ashtray and walking back in. It's only 3am and I can't go back to sleep, not like I don't want to but I can't, reasons? Plenty of them but for the starters,

My nightmares. The night I want to forget but can't, with a sigh I change from my nightwear to my gym shorts and I ignore wearing a shirt today, why should I? No one but me and my ghosts will be there.

I grab my phone, locking the house. I start running while blasting music through my ears as I run, pushing myself to the very end but nothing helps, not the cold wind, not the adrenaline nor the nicotine.

Everything feels empty.

I keep running thru the dimly lit streets, everything is eerily quiet except for my ragged breaths and owl hooting somewhere in the distance. My mind and heart are syncing for the very first time, my body begging me to stop but I don't, can't.

After running for god knows how many kilometres I finally give in to exhaustion.

THUD.

THUD.

THUD.

“Loser.”

“Traitor.”

“Murderer.”

The voices in my head start ringing again, getting louder and more clearer with every heartbeat that I could feel and hear.

“Breathe. It's all in your head, they're dead. D.E.A.D.” I mutter to myself, enunciating every word till it is engraved deep into my soul.

The dead never come back.

Never did.

Never will.

Upon reaching home, I take a quick shower trying to get rid of the remnant thoughts.

⋆｡‧˚ʚ🍒ɞ˚‧｡⋆

Things can be very complicated if one does not know how to fool and when to act fool.

For instance, my colleagues and students think that I'm The Epitome of PERFECTION which in fact I am, OCD diagnosed so I need everything to be immaculate, but on the other hand? The criminals? They all know me as THE DEVIL, the second-in-command after Rajat Singh but before his heir Veer Singh aka hindrance in my life.

“Sir? Good morning.”

I stop and turn towards the source of the voice, Cara White, the one who got into a fight the other day with my girl. She's wearing a navy blue pull over with a pleated white mini skirt and long boots.

Hmm, impressive but who is she tryna impress?

“Sir, I was wondering if you'd like to go to the school ball with me?” She speaks while batting her eyelashes, oh right! She's tryna impress me.

“I'm sure you are aware that I do not indulge with my students, Ms. White, so what makes you think that I will come with you?” I face her while keeping my poker face on.

“Oh, c'mon sir! It's just one dance and a few other things.” She squirms, seemingly enjoying this and her voice drops to a lower octave, “I'm sure you'd love some distraction now.”

I raise my brow before sighing, why is it so damn hard for these thickheads understand that I'm not interested in anyone but her which is for a very specific reason.

“Ms. White, in case you forgot, allow me to remind you that you are in India and not America,” I keep my tone firm, “Though I appreciate your thought but the answer is No. Keep that in mind and leave. I'll see you in class.”

I walk away, ignoring the murmurs and her obviously tomato face.

“Idiots”. I curse under my breath and walk towards the staff room, opening my phone and looking at the CCTV footage.

“Where are you, Sin?” I mutter to myself as I find her room and swimming pool empty.

Shaking it off, I gather my thoughts, preparing myself for today's classes.

Entering the class, my eyes immediately noticed the empty seat, Kriti’s seat.

Where could she be? She has a record for attending all the classes, then what happened all of a sudden? My jaw clenches but I ignore it and take the attendance.

“Cara?”

“Present.”

Mannerless jerk!

“Arjun?”

“Present, sir.”

Thank God!

“Lia?”

“Present, sir.”

“Kriti?”

No answer. I lift my head, raising my brow.

“She's absent, sir.” Arjun speaks while toying with his pen.

“Thank you so much for pointing out the obvious, Mr. Rathore.” I speak in a condescending tone and the the entire class breaks into fits of laughter.

“SILENCE!” I shout and it immediately dies down. I'm in no mood for their shenanigans and this woman? She's purposely trying to get on my nerves and I'm sure as hell letting her.

“Anyone knows why Ms. Singh is absent?”

“Why are you suddenly so interested, sir? I'm sure no teacher minds an absence as much as you are right now.” Speaks an insulted Arjun, trying to salvage his bruised ego.

“That's because she's been the topper since her first year in both academics and otherwise, and everyone is well aware of the fact and not to mention that she was never absent so her absence? It does bother me. Anything else Mr Ranawat?” I glare at him.

“N-no sir.”

“Good. Stay quiet and focus now.”

I turn towards the board before writing something and addressing the students back.

“Today we'll be doing a case, in depth study and I'm sure you all know about the case. Jeffery Dahmer, would anyone like to contribute anything before we begin?” I look at them and as expected, Cara raised her hand.

“Yes, Ms. White.”

“Jeffery Dahmer aka the Milwaukee Cannibal or the Milwaukee monster was an American serial killer and sex offender who killed and dismembered seventeen men and boys between 1978- 1991. Many of his later murders involved cannibalism, and the permanent preservation of body parts—typically all or a part of the skeleton.”

“Thank you Ms. White. As she pointed out about his tendencies and how he would murder, we all are aware of the fact that he was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder,and a psychotic disorder but he was considered sane during the trials. Anyone knows why or anything else to contribute?”

Arjun speaks, “So won't this constitute to “Lucid Intervals”?

“No. Dahmer’s case, even though he was diagnosed with all the other “mental illnesses”, he was perfectly sane during the trials, he lied to the police, his the bodies of his victims, and most importantly manipulated others was what had caught the jury’s eyes thereby punishing him.”

I look at them before continuing, “Whatever doubts you may have, we'll be taking it up in the next class and yes, we'll be doing a moot in the class, teams will be sent via email. See you all next week. Dismissed.”

I start arranging the notes as the students disperse, while I'm physically present here, my mind is not.

Where are you Kriti? I groan softly before walking towards the staff room, greeting teachers and taking my seat. Just when I thought I could breathe and let go, even if it was for a second, my phone beeps and my heart nearly stops as I look at the message which reads,

“Surprise, Surprise Motherfuckers. I finally have you three where I want you.”

And a photo of an unconscious Kriti, tied up on the bed with just a sheet covering her body is attached.

“Fuck it.” I curse under my breath and my phone rings and as expected it's Rajat, her father.

“Did you get the photo?” He speaks, directly coming to the point without beating around the bush, one of the reasons why this man is my bestfriend.

“Yes.”

“Damn It Abhimaan! I thought we took care of him.” He utters angrily and behind an equally pissed voice of Veer could be heard, muttering something in the lines of how he'll torture and kill him if she gets even a scratch.

“What are we going to do?” I ask, masking my panic as they don't know.

No one knows.

NO. ONE.

“We cannot sabotage our empire but I sure as hell wil

l not let that fucker touch my daughter. Meet me at 5 today.” With that he ends the call and I sigh deeply.

“Why did it have to be you, Sin, why?”.

⋆｡‧˚ʚ🍒ɞ˚‧｡⋆