Chapter 12: The Shadow's Grip
The sound of boots echoing down the hallway was like a warning bell in Ira's ears. Her heart hammered against her ribs as the figure in the doorway became clearer. Rajat Menon. He hadn't just disappeared into thin air—he'd been here all along, watching from the shadows.
"Dr. Mehta," Menon said, his voice cool and dripping with something dark. He was dressed in black tactical gear, the faint glint of a gun holstered at his side. The men behind him, tall and imposing, were all armed, their faces obscured by dark visors.
Ira's mind raced. This was not how it was supposed to go. Aanya was supposed to be their way in—their leverage to bring the whole operation to light. But now, she was nothing more than a pawn in a far bigger game.
She didn't step back. Her feet were rooted to the floor. "You're not taking her again, Menon," Ira said, her voice unwavering. "She's coming with us. You can't hide her anymore."
Menon's smile twisted. "You still don't get it, do you? You think this is about Aanya? It's never been about her. She's just a tool, one you've outlived." He nodded toward the men behind him, and they began to advance.
Ishita, who had been silent until now, moved to Ira's side. She was alert, eyes scanning the room for an escape route, but her stance was different—more deliberate. This wasn't just about saving Aanya anymore. It was about survival.
"You think you can stop us?" Ishita's voice was as sharp as a blade, cutting through the tension in the room. She reached for the small device tucked in her pocket, but Menon's men were already too close.
"You'll never make it out," Menon said, his voice low and dangerous. He took a step forward, his eyes never leaving Ira. "This facility is locked down. Every exit is sealed. You're trapped."
Ira's mind was racing. She had to think. They had to find a way out. There was no way they could fight their way out with only the two of them. Not against Menon's private security team.
But then, something in the back of her mind clicked.
"Not quite," Ira muttered, her eyes flashing with a new kind of determination. She glanced at Ishita, a silent understanding passing between them. They were no longer on the defensive. It was time to flip the script.
With a swift motion, Ira pulled out the small device she had stashed in her coat pocket. A tracker. The same one Aanya had used to send a distress signal before she was relocated.
"This tracker is linked to the hospital's central system," Ira said, her voice steady despite the mounting danger. "You think you have control, Menon, but we've already alerted the authorities. It's over."
Menon's expression faltered, just for a moment. But it was enough. Ira could see the flicker of doubt in his eyes.
He quickly regained his composure, his smile returning. "You think the authorities are your salvation? They'll never make it in time. Not while I'm in control of this facility."
Ishita stepped forward, her eyes burning with fury. "Then why don't you prove it?" she challenged.
For a moment, the room was silent. The tension was so thick, Ira could almost taste it. But then, Menon's smile widened, and he raised a hand, signaling his men to stand down.
"Very well," he said, his voice colder than before. "If you think you're so clever, Dr. Mehta, then let's see how long you last in this game."
The door to the room slammed shut behind them with a deafening clang, leaving Ira, Ishita, and Aanya surrounded by nothing but silence. The security breach alarm blared in the background, a reminder of how little time they had.
Aanya's voice was weak, but she managed to whisper, "You have to leave. Now."
"No," Ira said firmly, moving toward Aanya's bedside. "We're not leaving without you."
Ishita's sharp eyes were already scanning the room, analyzing the walls, the windows, and the doors. She wasn't looking for a way out; she was looking for a way to outsmart Menon.
"We don't have much time," Ishita said, her voice low but urgent. "We have to think fast. If Menon has locked down the facility, we can't rely on the usual exits. We need a backdoor."
"Backdoor?" Ira repeated, her mind still reeling from everything that had happened. "Where?"
Ishita's gaze flicked to the ceiling. "The ventilation shafts. They lead to the underground tunnels."
Ira's stomach tightened. Ventilation shafts. Tunnels. It was a long shot, but it was their only shot.
"We can't just leave Aanya here," Ira said, her voice trembling despite her resolve. "She's not safe."
"I know," Ishita said. "But if we don't get out now, it's over. We need to get to the tunnels. I'll find her a safe place. I'll make sure she's protected. You have to trust me."
Ira hesitated, but only for a second. The urgency in Ishita's voice was too real to ignore.
"Alright," Ira said, her voice a hard whisper. "We'll make it out. Together."