29 December 2022
Police Station – 9:15 AM
"Good morning, officer," Raghav said as he stepped past the main desk.
"Good morning, sir," the inspector nodded in return.
Raghav walked straight into his chamber, pushing open the door with his usual quiet confidence. Inside, Constable Sahay stood stiffly by the desk — like a man frozen mid-thought.
Raghav raised an eyebrow.
"Hmm… Good morning, Sahay. Why are you standing there like a statue of yourself?"
Sahay didn't move. "Sir… don't you notice anything different about me today?"
Raghav looked him over.
"Hmm… yeah. You're not wearing your badge."
"Oh!" Sahay blinked and fumbled with his uniform. "Sorry, sir! I forgot."
Raghav narrowed his eyes, still not convinced.
"That's what you were talking about?"
"No, sir. Like you said yesterday… I started exercising today."
Raghav let out a short chuckle.
"Good. But one day won't make you Hulk, Sahay. Stick to it."
He smirked, teasing,
"Sometimes I really wonder how you even made it as a constable."
Sahay grinned.
"Sir, I'm good at writing and remembering stuff. But thinking? That's not really my strength."
He paused, then added,
"If I were good at that, maybe I'd be an inspector like you."
Raghav laughed. "It's probably a blessing you didn't get my seat."
Then, his tone turned serious.
"Jokes aside… any lead on the serial killing case?"
Sahay straightened up. "No, sir. Nothing new yet. But the forensic report just came in. All the victims died the same way."
He continued, voice more focused now.
"They were attacked with something sharp. Looks like a claw. But we're not sure if it's real or man-made… it doesn't match any known animal."
Raghav frowned. "So... possibly a weapon?"
"Maybe," Sahay said. "But the depth and shape — it feels like a claw. And sir—"
He paused.
"The latest victim… just like the others. Body torn apart. And the same strange symbol marked on him."
Before Raghav could reply, the door burst open.
A constable walked in, slightly out of breath.
"Sir… a family is here. They say someone's watching them. They're scared they might be the next target."
Raghav didn't wait. He grabbed his cap. His eyes were already sharp.
"Where are they?"
"In the waiting area, sir."
Raghav headed out immediately, Sahay following close behind.
---
Scene: Waiting Area – Police Station
"Okay, Mr. Malhotra… your son noticed someone following him late at night?" Raghav asked, eyes focused.
Mr. Malhotra nodded. "Yes, sir. He's my son, Rajiv. The moment he told us, we brought him here."
Raghav gave a small nod. "Good decision. I'll send a police unit to your house. We believe the killer may try to strike again — maybe even tomorrow. We'll do everything we can."
Before Mr. Malhotra could speak, the boy suddenly said,
"But father… tomorrow is my birthday." Rajiv looked worried. "My friends and I planned to celebrate at the hotel…"
Sahay's expression changed subtly. His eyes narrowed, lost in thought.
Mr. Malhotra placed a hand on his son's shoulder.
"No, son. We'll celebrate after this is over. Right now, staying safe is more important."
Rajiv lowered his head. "Okay, father…"
Raghav, silently watching the father-son moment, turned his eyes away for a second. His thoughts drifted… to his own son. How far apart they had grown.
He cleared his throat.
"Mr. Malhotra, I'm sending a unit now. Your family will be protected."
"Thank you, sir," Mr. Malhotra said, leaving with police escort.
As the door closed, Sahay spoke up. "Sir… I might be overthinking, but I feel like the killer is leaving more clues than we're seeing."
Raghav turned. "What do you mean? Be specific."
Sahay stepped closer. "Sir, remember how all the victims died on the same date — their birthdays?"
Raghav's eyes widened slightly. "What?"
"Yes, sir," Sahay said. "All the victims were killed on their birthdays. And… they were all the same age when they died."
Raghav went quiet.
Images ran through his mind — photos, reports, dates.
"You're right…" he murmured. "Same date… same age…"
---
Scene Change
29 December 2022 – 9:00 AM
School Campus
Dev sat alone at his desk, like always. It had almost become his territory — no one dared sit near him. But today… was different.
Just minutes after Dev settled in, someone dropped a bag on the desk beside him — the one that usually stayed empty.
Dev looked up, annoyed. He scowled.
Raj.
"Why are you sitting here?" Dev muttered. "Did that punch I gave you last time damage your brain?"
Raj replied calmly, "There's no other seat left. So I sat here. Problem?"
Dev looked around. Annoyingly… Raj was right. No seats were empty.
"Tch… fine. But don't talk to me, nerd. Try anything, and I'll hit you again."
"Yeah, yeah… who wants to talk to you?" Raj smirked. "I sat here 'cause I get a perfect view of my crush. Rani. Hmm… my Rani."
"I said don't talk to me, creepy nerd," Dev snapped.
It was the first time someone had ever willingly sat next to the school's so-called bully. The whole class was whispering, stealing glances.
Even the teacher paused during attendance.
"Raj? Why are you sitting there today?"
Raj answered with a harmless smile.
"That was the only seat left, sir."
---
Closing Line (Chapter End)
> Can Raghav protect the next family in time using this new clue?
And with an unexpected friend like Raj… will Dev finally break free from his past and become the person he once was?