Ch7: Reason

In the midst of grief after losing his parents, Arjun's life took an unexpected turn with a mysterious call from his father's old friend.

The urgency in the friend's voice hinted at something crucial about his father's death, prompting Arjun to drop everything and rush to the undisclosed location provided.

Puzzled but determined to unravel the mystery, Arjun found himself navigating the same familiar streets where he once dodged trouble with the help of AI and a helpful police officer.

As he walked, memories of that previous encounter mixed with the anticipation of what revelations awaited him this time.

The journey was a mix of apprehension and curiosity, like stepping into the unknown.

With each step, Arjun couldn't shake off the feeling that these winding streets held secrets that could reshape his understanding of his father's passing.

Arriving at the rendezvous point, Arjun's senses were on high alert. The air crackled with a sense of impending discovery, and the location itself seemed to pulse with significance.

What hidden truths awaited him in this seemingly ordinary yet potentially transformative place?

The answers were just around the corner, and Arjun steeled himself for the revelations that could reshape his understanding of his own story.

Arriving at the designated location, Arjun was met with the sight of a nondescript, greyish apartment. Its worn condition and an air of skepticism surrounding it only heightened the intrigue.

Undeterred by the less-than-ideal surroundings, Arjun reached for his phone, dialing his father's friend as he approached the entrance.

The determination in his voice echoed through the call, cutting through the uncertainty that lingered in the air.

As Arjun stood before the door to the specified room, he contemplated whether to announce his presence or ring the bell.

Just as he was about to make a decision, the door yielded with a reluctant creak, opening slightly on its own accord.

The unexpected movement sent a shiver down Arjun's spine, and for a moment, he hesitated on the threshold, pondering the mysteries that might lie beyond the entrance.

The voice from within, veiled in secrecy, urged Arjun not to ring the bell, cautioning against unwanted attention.

An air of suspicion hung thick in the atmosphere, and as the mysterious figure spoke, the scenario grew more enigmatic by the second.

Despite the increasing skepticism, Arjun found himself at a crossroads – a moment where curiosity outweighed caution.

The air held a palpable tension, and with a steadying breath, Arjun stepped into the dimly lit room, ready to face whatever revelations awaited him.

The person asked Arjun to sit on the couch, which was a little dusty. He then said to Arjun, "Sorry, I know the situation is completely weird, but I thought I should tell you because I don't want your dad's work to go completely in vain."

Upon hearing this, many questions arose in Arjun's mind. Without hesitation, he asked some of these questions to the person, "What do you mean by that, and how is my dad's work related to the accident?"

The figure's calm voice cut through the tension, offering Arjun a semblance of reassurance amid the swirling mysteries. With measured words, the person began to unravel the intricate web of events that had led his parents to this moment.

"Calm down, child. I'll explain it to you slowly," he began, his tone steady yet tinged with an undercurrent of urgency.

"Your father and I have been working on a case—a case filled with mysteries and unexpected turns. Initially, we were perplexed by the evidence, how every lead seemed to converge on a single individual, one who was supposed to be deceased."

Pausing for a moment, the figure continued, his voice tinged with disbelief at the unfolding events. "We contemplated abandoning the case altogether, until, by some miraculous twist of fate, we laid eyes upon the very person we believed to be dead. It defied logic, sending shockwaves through our investigation."

"The individual bore the same unmistakable features, the same telltale scar, as the one we had thought departed from this world. It was a revelation that turned the case on its head, leading us down a path that hinted at darker forces at play, ones intertwined with the shadowy realm of the underground."

Arjun's confusion deepened at the mention of "underground people," the term carrying ominous connotations that sent a shiver down his spine.

The person's insistence only added to the weight of uncertainty hanging in the air, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

"Yes, underground people—those involved in smuggling, drug dealing, and the like. You could call them a sort of 'Mafia,'" the figure affirmed, his words laden with implications that sent Arjun reeling.

As the pieces of the puzzle slowly fell into place, Arjun struggled to grasp the enormity of the revelation unfolding before him.

"At first, it was mere suspicion," the person continued, his voice tinged with frustration.

"But as we looked deeper, every thread of evidence seemed to lead us back to the same conclusion—a connection with those individuals. Yet, we couldn't make such claims without concrete proof. So, we delved deeper, scouring through similar cases, only to find a trail of dead ends."

"It seemed as though someone was orchestrating a complex charade, fabricating postmortem reports to cover their tracks. If only we could expose the perpetrator behind the counterfeit reports, we might uncover the key to unraveling the truth. But at every turn, we were met with obstacles—closed hospitals, confidential documents, and fake registrations—a maze of deception blocking our path forward."

The revelations echoed in the small, dimly lit room, leaving Arjun in a state of disbelief and uncertainty.

The figure's account of his father's last moments and the ominous warnings about the dangerous game they were entangled in added a layer of complexity to an already bewildering situation.

"The day before the accident, your father called me," the person recounted, his voice carrying the weight of a heavy burden. "He claimed to have found the one we've been searching for. But he was in tears, and before I could learn more, the call abruptly ended. Attempts to reach him proved futile, given the tragic events that followed."

"I may not know the true identity of the culprit," the figure continued, his gaze distant, "but if he reached your father, it implies he could reach me as well. That's why I went into hiding."

"I can't predict how long I can evade their reach, but I refuse to let our collective efforts, especially your father's, go to waste.

He devoted everything he had to exposing these underground forces, believing it would benefit our country."

"I understand I've brought you into a perilous situation, and for that, I apologize," he admitted, a sense of remorse tinging his words.

"But I've heard of officers working tirelessly to bring down these underground forces. If someone trustworthy approaches you, share this information. Yet, be cautious; these individuals wield immense power. People like us can't confront them. Only someone with greater strength can challenge and defeat them. A day will come when justice prevails."

"I'm sorry for involving you in this, perhaps out of selfishness," he added. "But I've learned you secured a placement abroad. Leave this place as swiftly as you can. I'll ensure you remain off their radar. Remember, don't act recklessly. The day will come when your father's sacrifice will not be in vain."

With a reassuring touch on Arjun's shoulder, the person concluded, "Take care, and tread cautiously. The time will come when justice will prevail, and your father's legacy will be honored."

Arjun nodded, absorbing the weight of responsibility, and left the room, leaving behind a clandestine world of intrigue and danger.