Author note:: I borrowed some lined from 'Twilight book' as that was the only way to describe some things.
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The surroundings were engulfed in darkness, with only a solitary spotlight illuminating the center of the space. Naina Singh Ahluwalia stood within the spotlight, her tears flowing uncontrollably. Overwhelmed, she cried out, "I can't... I'm not strong enough. I need time... I haven't fully processed..."
Suddenly, someone stepped into the light. The newcomer bore a striking resemblance to Naina but possessed a distinct aura. Despite her youthful appearance, there was a maturity and wisdom that emanated from her. With a blend of allure and intimidation, she exuded confidence and grace. Her impeccable style accentuated her perfect figure, captivating all who beheld her. Yet, it was her vibrant red eyes that hinted at her true nature.
Arms folded across her chest, the look-alike regarded Naina with a cold stare. "You are more than just a sister," she reminded her firmly.
"But right now, I simply want to be a sister," Naina pleaded through her sobs.
"You are not Naina Singh Ahluwalia," the doppelgänger emphasized.
"But..."
"Your primary and sole purpose in life is to protect your mate," the vampire girl asserted.
"I need help... I can't..." Naina sobbed, clutching her chest.
Naina Campbell, the girl who shared Naina's appearance but represented her vampire side, knelt before Naina Singh Ahluwalia and gently ran her fingers through her hair in an affectionate gesture. "Why don't you rest?" she suggested. "I'll take care of things today," she assured.
"Will you?" Naina questioned, her voice filled with uncertainty.
"Yes," Naina Campbell replied with reassurance.
"But... without me, you can't use our power of illusion," Naina shared her concerns.
"Today, we will learn to live without it," Naina Campbell comforted her human side. "Rest."
"Thank you," Naina's human side whispered gratefully.
"You're welcome," her vampire side responded, offering solace in their shared existence.
The next moment, when Naina opened her eyes, she found herself standing in front of a line of trucks outside the north gate of KMA. The rest of the cadets were already gathered there, waiting for further instructions.
Rajveer joined them, taking charge of the situation. "Alright, cadets! Cadet Ali, Cadet Pooja, Cadet Huda, and Cadet Yudi, you will board the first truck. Your task is to protect the boxes placed at the back of your truck until we reach our destination. Cadet Alekh, Cadet Naina, and I will do the same with the boxes in our truck. Any questions?" Rajveer explained, his voice assertive.
"NO, SIR!" the Super Six cadets replied in unison, their response filled with determination.
Rajveer noticed Naina's silence, and Alekh also observed her subdued demeanor. Concern filled Rajveer's eyes, mingling with the weight of sadness and worry. Despite the emotions he carried, they both knew they had a duty to fulfill. The cadets proceeded to their designated trucks, ready for the mission ahead.
Rajveer climbed up the truck last, preparing to close the back when Dr. Ritu arrived, wearing a smirk on her face. "Were you planning on leaving without me, Captain?" she taunted.
"You didn't arrive on time, so I assumed you had changed your mind," Rajveer retorted, his tone tinged with frustration.
"No, I'm still here," Dr. Ritu replied, before stepping into the truck.
Rajveer cursed himself for not taking further measures to prevent her presence. Despite locking her room from the outside earlier, she still managed to find a way.
Naina and Ritu occupied one side of the truck, sitting in close proximity, while Alekh and Rajveer sat across from them. Naina and Rajveer found themselves facing each other, their eyes inadvertently meeting amidst the tension. Alekh positioned himself a bit farther back within the truck, while Ritu took a seat closer to the doorway. Rajveer banged on the side of the truck, signaling for departure. The engine roared to life, setting their convoy into motion. The trucks rumbled forward, beginning their journey.
Alekh's perceptive gaze remained fixed on the dynamics within the truck. He keenly observed how Captain Rajveer had stiffened up upon Dr. Ritu's arrival, sensing the underlying tension between them. His attention also turned towards Naina, noticing the subtle signs of her body stiffening, suggesting that she, too, was affected by the presence of the enigmatic doctor. Feeling a sense of foreboding, Alekh mentally prepared himself for the unknown. He braced himself, anticipating that something significant was on the verge of happening.
Continuing their journey for over an hour, the truck sped along the highways and through the dense forest. Silence enveloped the vehicle, each occupant lost in their own thoughts. However, the tranquility was abruptly shattered by Dr. Ritu, who spoke in a mockingly sympathetic tone, aiming her words at Captain Rajveer.
"How unfortunate that you couldn't gather all the cadets, Captain Rajveer! Such a crucial mission, and only two of your cadets showed up?" Dr. Ritu sneered, her intentions veiled behind false concern.
Rajveer's eyes flickered momentarily, a spark of irritation surfacing before he narrowed his gaze. He replied calmly, "I have faith in all of my cadets, Dr. Mishra. I am certain that if they couldn't join at the beginning, they will join me at some point during the mission." Rajveer realized that Dr. Mishra was unaware of the presence of the second truck, as she had arrived after the first truck had already departed.
Alekh comprehended Rajveer's strategy, understanding that Rajveer did not want Dr. Ritu to know about the other truck. Consequently, Alekh remained silent, though he cast a concerned glance towards his sister, Naina. Observing her unchanged state since Dr. Ritu had joined them, it was evident that Naina was waiting for something to occur.
Dr. Ritu couldn't resist a smug smile. "Faith? How interesting!" she taunted, her voice dripping with disdain. "But what about your cherished cadets? Are you certain they will maintain their faith in you when they discover that you killed your own best friend? Will their faith endure when they learn that YOU are the one who killed Captain Naveen Singh Ahluwalia?" she jeered, attempting to shake Rajveer's resolve.
Alekh's eyes widened in shock, realization dawning upon him. He gazed at Naina, finally comprehending the blank expression she had worn all along. Then, his eyes shifted to Captain Rajveer, and he saw the look that passed between Rajveer and Naina. It became evident to Alekh that Rajveer must have already informed Naina of the truth.
Caught off guard by the sudden tension, both Rajveer and Alekh became momentarily distracted. Seizing the opportunity, Dr. Ritu rose from her seat, brandishing a gun and taking aim at Rajveer. Alert and quick to react, Rajveer swiftly pulled out his own firearm and shouted at Alekh to remain behind him, shielding him from the imminent danger.
"It seems you were quite clever, Captain, deceiving me with a mission while you intended to change the location of the nuclear triggers. But I am not an amateur player either," Ritu taunted Rajveer, a sly smile playing on her lips.
"Dr. Mishra, there's still a chance for you to surrender before things escalate any further," Rajveer warned, his voice tinged with urgency. "Don't forget, you are outnumbered."
Ritu scoffed dismissively. "Do you honestly think I came here to surrender? I have worked tirelessly for this moment. Can you even comprehend what I have gone through to reach this point? The first time, I ensnared your friend, Captain Naveen, with these triggers. He was genuinely infatuated with me, and at one point, I almost felt sorry for the guy," she remarked in a mockingly apologetic tone. "If only he hadn't been so nosy! Then, I could have easily stolen these triggers long ago and vanished without a trace. But that fool had to meddle in affairs that displeased my superiors. Consequently, I was entrusted with trapping him using the very triggers he was meant to safeguard," she laughed derisively.
"Your game ends here, Dr. Ritu Mishra. If you know what's best for you, surrender yourself," Rajveer declared, his anger evident in his voice.
Ritu burst into laughter, mocking him. "Who will arrest me? YOU?!" she taunted, her voice dripping with disdain. "As if... And don't fret! My reinforcements will arrive soon enough. For now, I just need to keep you occupied. So, drop your weapons before I shoot one of your beloved cadets... perhaps I'll start with your girlfriend," she threatened, her eyes gleaming with malice.
In an instant, Rajveer positioned himself protectively in front of Naina, shielding her from Ritu's view. "I swear to God, I will shoot if you try to harm any of them," he warned, his anger intensifying.
Ritu laughed in his face, unfazed. "Oh, don't worry, Captain. They are not my primary concern at the moment. You are," she retorted, firing her gun twice, once at Rajveer and the other at Alekh, who had stepped forward to assist Rajveer.
As a vampire, Naina's mind operated at an extraordinary speed, processing information at an incredible pace. She swiftly recalled Bhargav's confession, piecing together the clues they had gathered, and replaying the secret conversations she had recorded with Ritu. Naina understood the precarious situation her brother had been in, leading him to request his own death. Even without listening to the recorder, she could infer his perspective. He had already lost his only sister, and he was slowly succumbing to enemy-inflicted poison. Naveen had feared that his parents would be targeted next if he remained alive until the next imprisonment. That was why he had chosen death at the hands of Captain Rajveer. Naina comprehended that, given the circumstances at that time, Rajveer would not have been able to save him even if he had tried. She forgave him for his actions concerning her brother but held anger towards him for concealing the truth for so long.
However, in the present moment, Naina's focus shifted to protecting Rajveer. Ever since she sensed Ritu approaching their truck, she had been on high alert. Through scents alone, she deduced that the triggers were not in this particular truck. Rajveer had sent them with the first truck, where the rest of her friends and four undercover officers were present. This truck served as backup security for the triggers. Rajveer anticipated that if he remained with the triggers, they would be at a higher risk of being stolen. Therefore, he chose to accompany the backup truck. Fortunately, his judgment proved correct, as Ritu mistakenly believed the triggers were in this truck.
Naina remained seated, but her senses were keenly attuned to every movement and word uttered by Ritu. Her body radiated readiness, prepared to take action at a moment's notice. Naina observed everything through the corner of her eyes, maintaining an unwavering vigilance. The instant Ritu made the decision to fire her gun, Naina sprang into action, moving at lightning speed. She positioned herself in front of her mate and brother, intercepting and catching the bullets that had been intended for them.
A chorus of shocked gasps resonated through the back of the moving truck as Naina swiftly positioned herself in front of Rajveer, intercepting the bullets. Ritu stared at her in utter disbelief, her mind struggling to comprehend what had just transpired. Meanwhile, Rajveer and Alekh exchanged bewildered glances, unable to understand how she had seemingly appeared out of thin air.
Meanwhile, the truck driver, alerted by the sound of the gunshot, halted the vehicle and approached the back, concerned about the commotion. Naina extended her hand, revealing the caught bullets, and spoke in a dry, matter-of-fact tone, "You shouldn't have done this."
Ritu, unable to find her voice, stammered in shock, "H-H-How?!"
Sensing the need for secrecy, Naina instructed Alekh in a cold, commanding tone, "Alekh, ensure that he doesn't see anything." Her glare remained fixed on Ritu, intensifying the latter's sense of unease.
Ritu felt an icy chill run down her spine as she locked eyes with Naina's vivid crimson gaze. In that moment, everything around them faded away, leaving only Naina and Ritu in a singular focus. Ritu could hear only Naina's voice, drowning out all other sounds. She attempted to move, but her feet felt heavy and unresponsive, leaving her immobilized. Desperation washed over her, and she closed her eyes, hoping that it was all a hallucination. Yet, when she opened her eyes again, Naina remained, her intense gaze akin to that of a lioness fixated on its prey before the hunt. Ritu's attempt to scream was stifled, her voice trapped in her constricted throat.
Observing the unfolding situation, Alekh swiftly jumped out of the back of the truck, still grappling with the surrealness of what he had witnessed. He approached the driver, explaining that there had been a misfire from the gun. Then, with a decisive strike to the back of the driver's neck, he rendered him unconscious and discreetly moved him to lean against a nearby tree on the side of the road. Once he ensured the driver's safety, Alekh returned to the truck, seeking to understand the enigmatic encounter between Naina and Ritu.
Rajveer had to blink rapidly, struggling to believe what he had just witnessed. His mind struggled to process the fact that Naina had moved with lightning speed to catch the bullets in mid-air. As he took a step closer to her side, confusion clouded his face when he noticed the unfamiliar vivid crimson color of her eyes, replacing her usual reddish-brown hues. "N-Naina?" he softly called out her name, but she seemed to ignore him, her attention fixated on Ritu.
Alekh returned to the truck and reentered, unsure of his role in the unfolding situation. However, his instincts urged him not to intervene between Naina and Ritu at that moment, nor should he allow Rajveer to do so. Acting on his intuition, he gently pulled Rajveer towards the back of the truck and whispered, "I think we should stay here."
Protesting, Rajveer began to voice his objections, but Alekh's plea silenced him momentarily. Reluctantly, they turned their attention to the two women standing at the front of the truck.
A devilish smirk formed on Naina's face, sending chills down Ritu's spine. In that moment, Ritu knew she was in deep trouble. As Naina took a step towards her, she unleashed a torrent of words filled with anger. "You toyed with his emotions when he was most vulnerable... you betrayed his trust after he offered you his honesty. You trapped him, betrayed him, yet he remained silent because he loved you," Naina growled, her voice dripping with venom. "He died knowing that he might have had a chance if only he had spoken the truth about you. But you? You show no remorse. How shamelessly you speak of him, taunting his best friend with his death. As if it were nothing more than a joke. How DARE YOU?!" Naina's anger resonated through every word, her voice laced with an untamed fury.
Ritu found herself in the presence of a force unlike anything she had ever encountered. The pure rage and hatred burning in Naina's crimson eyes chilled her to the core, causing her blood to run cold. As Naina stepped into the sunlight, her skin began to shimmer, as if millions of tiny diamonds were embedded within her. The sight left Ritu and even Alekh and Rajveer equally astonished. They stood there, gaping at the transformed girl before them, feeling a sense of estrangement as she appeared like a stranger, far removed from the Naina they had known.
Naina chuckled, thoroughly enjoying Ritu's terrified reaction. She nonchalantly tucked her hands behind her back and leaned closer to Ritu, her playful tone contrasting with the intensity of the situation. "Isn't my skin beautiful?" she asked, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Ritu nodded hesitantly, her fear palpable.
"I'm like a carnivorous flower, physically attractive to my prey. This is the skin of a killer," Naina revealed, a smile playing on her lips.
"P-Please, don't hurt me..." Ritu whimpered, her instincts urging her to escape the clutches of this girl. "What have I ever done to you? I promise I'll stay away from Captain Rajveer," she pleaded, desperation lacing her voice.
Naina sneered, correcting Ritu's misconception. "I haven't even started talking about Captain Rajveer yet. I was referring to Captain Naveen," she clarified, her tone dripping with contempt.
"I don't understand... Why are you angry about him? You don't even know him!" Ritu stumbled back, confused and genuinely perplexed.
"Wrong~! Hello, Dr. Ritu Mishra, I'm Naina... Naina Singh Ahluwalia, Captain Naveen Singh Ahluwalia's younger sister," Naina revealed her true identity, her voice laced with authority.
With each word, Ritu's eyes widened in realization, her heart pounding in her chest. She began to perspire as the gravity of the situation sunk in. She had unknowingly insulted Naina's brother, not knowing the truth. In a desperate attempt to save herself, she pointed accusingly at Rajveer. "Captain Rajveer shot him. He killed Naveen!" she shouted.
Naina tilted her head, giving Ritu a bored look. "I know. He told me. I know his reasons behind his actions. But what's your excuse? Why did you do it? Who's your boss?" Naina interrogated coldly, her voice filled with a determined resolve.
Ritu noticed her proximity to the opening of the truck and seized the opportunity. With a quick decision, she performed a backflip and leaped out of the truck. Naina leaned against the opening, watching as Ritu sprinted away in the opposite direction, her escape fueled by fear.
Rajveer and Alekh joined Naina, their gazes fixed on the departing figure of Ritu. Rajveer couldn't help but express his regret. "Ah... we should have arrested her," he commented, questioning why he hadn't pursued her to apprehend her.
Naina's response was resolute. "There won't be any arrests. She'll be punished in the same manner as Bhargav," she declared, her tone firm and determined. She then turned to Alekh, instructing him to contact Thomas and provide their current location. "Oh, and tell him to bring gold... lots and lots of gold," Naina added, before jumping down from the truck.
Confused by the mention of Bhargav, Alekh turned to Rajveer for clarification. "What happened to Bhargav, sir?" he inquired.
"He's dead," Rajveer replied solemnly, his focus still fixed on Naina.
Perplexed by the news, Alekh made the call to Thomas, conveying the message and requesting the delivery of gold. With the necessary arrangements in motion, both men followed in the footsteps of the women.
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Ritu continued to run, her heart pounding in her chest as she put distance between herself and the truck. The image of Naina, transformed and radiating a captivating yet terrifying aura, lingered in her mind. Naina's beauty, which often mesmerized those around her, had taken on an awe-inspiring and fearsome quality. Ritu couldn't shake off the feeling of being in the presence of a majestic lioness, both captivating and fearsome in its own right. The encounter had left Ritu thoroughly shaken, unable to comprehend the depths of power that Naina possessed.
"No... I can't run... I have to retrieve those triggers... My boss will kill me if I don't get them," she muttered to herself, feeling the weight of her predicament. "But she's there... but she can only move fast... right? Wait... if she can move fast then..." Ritu's words trailed off as an amused Naina appeared in front of her, wearing a smirk on her face.
"You're quite rude, Dr. Mishra. Weren't you taught any manners by your parents?" Naina tsked mockingly, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I wasn't finished talking... and yet you ran away like the coward you are." She started laughing, clearly relishing the situation.
Rajveer and Alekh arrived at the scene and stood by, silently observing the unfolding events.
"What are you? N-Naveen told me... he said... you died... Then... where are you coming from now? I don't understand... no, no... I can't lose... he'll kill me..." Ritu's words became a jumbled blur as panic set in. Suddenly, she lunged forward with a punch, but Naina effortlessly sidestepped the attack. Naina swiftly countered with a kick, causing Ritu to stumble backwards. Ritu quickly regained her balance and charged at Naina again, unleashing a flurry of punches and kicks. However, Naina's speed and strength proved to be too much, effortlessly blocking and evading each strike.
"You're skilled, Dr. Mishra... but I'm superior. After all, I am the world's best predator," Naina taunted, her words filled with confidence.
Naina moved with astonishing speed and agility, striking Ritu with a series of precise punches and kicks, leaving her disoriented. Despite Ritu's attempts to fight back, she was no match for Naina's supernatural abilities. Ritu's body bore the marks of the brutal assault, with bruises appearing all over. The realization of her own helplessness began to sink in.
Naina relentlessly pressed her attack, her movements fluid and graceful. Ritu struggled to keep up, her fatigue becoming evident. However, Naina showed no signs of relenting. Ritu attempted to create distance between them, to keep herself out of Naina's reach, but Naina was too fast. Closing in on Ritu, Naina delivered a swift kick to her stomach, causing her to collapse onto the gravel road. Ritu desperately scrambled to her feet, but Naina was already upon her. Naina seized Ritu by the throat, effortlessly lifting her off the ground. Ritu fought to break free, but Naina's grip remained unyielding. Ritu's vision blurred as she gasped for air, her life hanging by a thread.
Naina scoffed, loosening her grip slightly, not yet willing to let Ritu meet her end so easily. "What did you think when you ran? That you could escape answering me? Huh! As if you could outrun me! As if you could fend me off if I were truly hunting you!" Naina glared at Ritu, her eyes filled with intensity. "ANSWER ME! Why did you do it? I conducted a background check on you. Your parents were teachers, and you had a stable home until you lost them in a bus accident when you were 20. Why betray your own country?" she demanded.
"M-Money... My p-parents were middle-class. I wanted money and a luxurious life," Ritu replied, her voice trembling.
"Money and a luxurious life... hmm... it all makes sense now," Naina nodded thoughtfully. She then turned her head slightly to the left and asked, "Did you bring everything, brother?"
"Indeed, I did," Thomas replied as he casually strolled out of the forest beside the road. Both Alekh and Rajveer stared at him in astonishment, unable to comprehend how he had arrived so swiftly. However, after witnessing Naina's extraordinary abilities in combat, they had a hunch that Thomas appearing fast was the least surprising thing in that moment.
"Take her," Naina instructed her brother, throwing Ritu towards Thomas with such force that he caught her effortlessly. In a blur of movement, he vanished into thin air, taking Ritu with him.
Rajveer's mind flashed back to the night before Diwali when he had seen a woman in his room. She had disappeared just like Thomas had. He had smelled Naina's perfume, but when he called her, she answered the phone while sound asleep. "Was that you... the night before Diwali?" he couldn't help but ask.
Naina turned towards him and replied, "Yes."
"Okay..." Rajveer nodded, absorbing the information. "What... What will happen to Dr. Mishra?" he asked tentatively.
"The same thing that happened to Bhargav," Naina replied, her tone resolute.
"Naina? Sir? I think we should refocus on our mission... now that Dr. Mishra is gone," Alekh interjected, reminding them of their primary objective.
"He's right. Those triggers have caused enough trouble as it is. We don't need any more complications," Naina stated, scanning her surroundings. "However, it appears we'll have to wait for a while," she added.
"Why?" Rajveer furrowed his brow in confusion.
"Dr. Mishra's reinforcements are nearly here," Naina announced. "Alekh, do you still trust me?" she asked, seeking reassurance.
"You're my sister. I'll trust you... even if you had two horns on your head or whiskers on your face," Alekh replied with conviction.
Naina feigned offense, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I'll remember that comment," she teased. "Take the driver and leave from here. Captain Rajveer and I will deal with the men present and meet you three miles down the road," she instructed.
"No, don't wait around in case they have more reinforcements," Rajveer urgently advised Alekh. He then outlined the next rendezvous points for him and ordered him to join the rest of the team.
"Should I take the truck?" Alekh inquired.
"No, we'll need it to make them believe the triggers are with us. Go. And tell them to exercise caution, explaining that we were attacked and stayed behind to divert the enemy's attention. We'll meet you at one of the designated meeting points. If not... Cadet Alekh, complete the mission by delivering the triggers to Colonel Shakti Chandra," Rajveer commanded.
Alekh nodded firmly, saluted, and departed.
Rajveer turned to Naina, curiosity evident on his face. "When you told me not to address you as 'Naina Singh Ahluwalia,' what did you mean?"