(Vena’s POV) The smell of blood reached me before I could see anything.
My footsteps stopped.
A single yellow bulb swung gently from the ceiling, its weak light revealing an old warehouse hidden in darkness.
Dust floated through the air.
Water dripped steadily from somewhere beyond the room.
Drip…
Drip…
Drip…
Then…
I saw him.
“Nikhil…” My voice broke into a whisper.
He was tied to a wooden chair in the center of the room.
His wrists were locked behind his back with steel handcuffs.
Thick ropes bound his legs.
Bruises covered his face.
A streak of dried blood ran down his cheek.
He looked as though he hadn’t slept for days.
For one terrifying second…
I couldn’t breathe.
“No…” I ran toward him.
“No…
no…” Tears blurred my vision.
“Who did this to you?” I gently held his face, afraid that even touching him would cause more pain.
“I’ll save you.” “I promise.” “We’ll leave this place together.” Nikhil slowly lifted his head.
His pale lips curved into a weak smile.
“…You came.” His voice was barely audible.
“I told you…” “…not to.” “I couldn’t leave you.” “Never.” For a brief moment…
His eyes softened.
Then he quietly looked toward the entrance.
“They’re still here.” “You should run.” My heart tightened.
“I’m not leaving without you.” — Creak…
The warehouse door slowly opened.
A pair of footsteps echoed through the silence.
Tap…
Tap…
Tap…
A man entered with a relaxed smile.
Tanmay.
He casually clapped his hands.
“What a beautiful reunion.” He looked from Vena…
To Nikhil…
Then laughed.
“I almost feel bad interrupting.” I stepped protectively in front of Nikhil.
“Stay away from him.” Tanmay raised an eyebrow.
“Oh?” “You’re protecting him?” “How touching.” He picked up a leather whip lying on the table.
Without warning— CRACK!
The whip struck Nikhil across the shoulder.
“Agh…!” My entire body shook.
“Stop!” “Please!” “He hasn’t done anything!” Tanmay ignored me completely.
He grabbed Nikhil’s shirt.
“So…” “Changed your mind yet?” Nikhil slowly looked up.
Despite the pain…
He smiled.
“I’ll never betray her.” Tanmay sighed dramatically.
“Still pretending to be a hero?” He threw Nikhil back into the chair.
I fell to my knees beside him.
“I’m sorry…” “This is all my fault.” “If I hadn’t involved you…” “You wouldn’t be here.” Nikhil turned toward me.
Even through the blood…
His smile remained gentle.
“Don’t blame yourself.” “I made my choice.” “I’ll protect you.” “No matter what.” At that moment…
I believed him completely.
I believed…
That he was risking his life for me.
— Then…
Something changed.
His shoulders began trembling.
At first…
I thought he was crying.
“…Nikhil?” A quiet sound escaped his lips.
“Heh…” Another followed.
“Heh…” Then…
“Hahaha…” The laughter grew louder.
Colder.
More terrifying.
I froze.
Slowly…
He lifted his head.
The fear in his eyes…
Had vanished.
In its place…
Was amusement.
Pure amusement.
My heart skipped a beat.
“Nikhil…?” Without a word…
He stood up.
The ropes around his legs slipped to the floor.
The handcuffs opened effortlessly.
Clink.
They hadn’t been restraining him at all.
I stumbled backward.
“W-What…?” “How…?” Nikhil casually brushed the dust from his clothes.
Tanmay walked toward him.
Instead of attacking…
He smiled.
The two exchanged a knowing glance.
Then— Both burst into laughter.
“Hahahaha!” “Hahahaha!” My mind went blank.
I looked at Tanmay.
Then at Nikhil.
Nothing made sense.
“Nikhil…” “…What’s happening?” He walked toward me.
One slow step.
Then another.
Each step felt heavier than the last.
He stopped just inches away.
His smile widened.
“You really believed…” “…I was the victim?” The world around me seemed to freeze.
I stared at him in disbelief.
“W…
why…?” He leaned close enough for only me to hear.
“Vena…” “This was never your rescue.” “It was always my trap.” My breathing stopped.
“W…
What?” He smiled.
“You’ll understand…” “…very soon.” He slowly raised his hand.
Snap.
The bulb shattered.
Darkness swallowed the room.
Somewhere nearby…
A woman screamed.
For one horrifying second…
I couldn’t tell…
Whether that scream…
Was mine.