I own nothing expect the OCs. Please review?
Chapter 2: Uncovering Clues
-Sherlock POV-
Sherlock Holmes ventured into the depths of the university hostels, his keen eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of suspicious activity. He engaged in conversations with various students, subtly probing for information about the inner workings of the hostels. Sherlock's deductive mind was at work, meticulously piecing together the scattered fragments of clues.
As he listened to the students' stories and observed their behaviors, Sherlock's mind raced, connecting dots and drawing conclusions. He noticed subtle inconsistencies in their accounts, hints of nervousness when certain topics were mentioned, and the occasional exchange of hushed whispers. It became evident to him that something was amiss within the hostels, and his determination to uncover the truth only intensified.
After visiting several hostels and gathering fragments of information, Sherlock arrived at the hostel where Avanthika resided. Sherlock was quite surprised to come upon her but it definitely made his investigation easier. He had observed the girl in his class. He was quite sure she had been enthralled by his teachings. Someone studying cybersecurity wasn't exactly stupid. Indian, given her skin tone and dressing sense; quite sharp if he had to judge by the look in her brown eyes and sentimental given her help of Hassya the girl from the Arabian nations. Given their interaction in class, maybe finally he would find some useful information if he could guide the conversation in the correct direction.
Sherlock approached Avanthika with a polite smile, concealing his true purpose behind the facade of a concerned professor. "Ah, Avanthika, what a surprise! A pleasure to see you here," he greeted, his eyes searching for any signs of recognition or surprise. "I hope you're finding my class intriguing. What do you think of my teaching style?"
Avanthika's expression flickered with surprise as Sherlock showed genuine interest in her opinion. She had assumed him to be just another professor in the hostel area, but his curiosity made her pause. She quickly dismissed any further thoughts, hoping not to read too much into his curiosity. "Well, Professor Holmer, I must say your class is quite different from what I had expected," she responded, her voice carrying a hint of curiosity about his presence. Yet, Sherlock's well-established reputation as a professor with little patience deterred her from directly asking about it. Instead, she continued, a touch lamely, "You certainly have a unique way of challenging us, pushing us to think beyond the surface. And for that, I appreciate your teaching style."
Sherlock nodded, inwardly satisfied by Avanthika's response. She seemed capable of keeping her innate thoughts to herself. So maybe he could get some useful information out of this conversation after all. He continued the conversation, delving deeper into her interests and hobbies, searching for a way to extract the vital clues he sought without giving himself away. "And what about your hobbies, Avanthika? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?"
Avanthika seemed even more surprised at this line of questioning as she pondered for a moment before answering, "I quite enjoy wandering around the hostel grounds. There's something peaceful about exploring the gardens and observing the surroundings."
Sherlock, attempting to maintain an air of nonchalance, subtly encouraged Avanthika to continue discussing the grounds. "Please, Avanthika, do share more about your observations during your explorations. What aspects of the grounds have caught your attention? Are there any particular features of the landscaping that you find intriguing?" His last remark held a touch of skepticism, silently hoping that Avanthika had been more attentive than the average wanderer, not merely lost in her own daydreams like the countless fools he had encountered. Perhaps she could provide valuable insights that aligned with his own observations.
Avanthika's brows furrowed, betraying her surprise and slight confusion at Sherlock's unexpected interest in her wanderings. Sherlock could read the questions that fought in her eyes to be asked. He could see her mind trying to piece together why a Professor would suddenly be interested in her wanderings while at the same time retracing her steps through the hostel grounds trying to come up with a way to answer this without insulting him. "Well, Professor Holmer," she began, her tone measured and polite, "I must admit, I do appreciate the University's landscaping efforts. However, I couldn't help but notice an unusual influx of gardeners lately. They seem to be devoting an excessive amount of attention to the plants and flowers, almost as if they're attempting a transformation of the entire garden. It's quite intriguing, although I'm not sure of the underlying motive. Perhaps they're aiming to enhance the beauty even further, although personally, I quite like the gardens as they are now."
A triumphant smile curled at the corners of Sherlock's lips as Avanthika's observation resonated with his own suspicions. Her sharp observation skills suggested a potential usefulness, a source of information that he could exploit to further his investigation. Ignoring the part of her speech that seemed aimed at appeasing him, Sherlock focused on the significance of her words—the abundance of gardeners with possible ulterior motives. It was a valuable clue, a thread to be pulled in the tapestry of the human trafficking network he was determined to unravel.
With a calculated politeness, Sherlock expressed his gratitude, assuring Avanthika that her contribution would not go unnoticed. His eyes held a glimmer of strategic interest, as he saw her as a potential source of information rather than an ally. He subtly hinted at the possibility of future discussions, recognizing the potential value of her insights and how they could assist him in piecing together the larger puzzle.
Little did he know that Avanthika, unwittingly, had become his prime witness, providing him with the key to unlocking the dark secrets hidden within the university's façade.
-Avanthika POV-
Avanthika had been sitting in the dining room of her hostel when Professor Holmer entered. Although she was quite surprised to see him there, she had expected a visit sometime. After all, there had been a buzz going on among the students about the Professor visiting various hostels. She had just not imagined him coming inside the hostels themselves. It was highly unusual for a professor to take such an interest in the students' living quarters. Questions swirled in her mind, and she couldn't help but ponder the reason behind his investigations.
As she sat in staring at him, thoughts raced through Avanthika's mind. Why was Professor Holmer here? What could he possibly be looking for? It seemed improbable that professors would be concerned with the day-to-day affairs of the students' living arrangements. She considered the possibility that he was conducting some sort of research or study, but even that didn't fully satisfy her curiosity.
Avanthika was an astute observer, always attentive to the nuances of her surroundings. She had a natural inclination to question things, to seek out the truth that lay beneath the surface. The presence of the professor in the hostels piqued her interest even further, and she couldn't resist delving deeper into the mystery surrounding his visits.
As the professor asked about her interest in the class and her thoughts on his teaching style, Avanthika carefully chose her words, masking her true thoughts while still providing honest feedback. She was intrigued by his unconventional approach; she could say he was not actually interested in the feedback but her underlying curiosity about his visits lingered in her mind. He seemed to be looking for something else.
When the conversation shifted to her hobbies and she mentioned her penchant for exploring the hostel grounds, Avanthika had no idea that her innocent remark would strike a chord with Professor Holmer. His sudden interest and probing questions about her observations surprised her. Why was he interested in her hobby?
As Avanthika bid Professor Holmer farewell, her mind buzzed with a whirlwind of newfound questions. There was an undeniable allure to the enigmatic professor, his handsome appearance and razor-sharp intellect captivating her attention. Yet, beneath the surface, she sensed a deeper layer of intrigue. There was an air of mystery surrounding his visits, a hidden agenda she couldn't quite put her finger on.
While initially flattered by his interest, Avanthika's curiosity now took on a more determined tone. She couldn't dismiss the nagging feeling that there was more to Professor Holmer than met the eye. She was resolved to uncover the truth, to delve deeper into the enigma that was the professor.