A Race Against Time
The black SUV sped toward them, its headlights cutting through the darkened streets.
"They're coming," Amrita said, gripping the edge of her seat.
"I see them!" Aadarsh snapped, slamming the accelerator. The car lurched forward, tires screeching against the pavement.
"They must've checked the file already," Kiara muttered. "We didn't even get ten minutes."
Priya swore under her breath. "We need to lose them before they force us off the road."
Naira, in the backseat, was frantically pulling up a map on her phone. "Take the next left! There's a side street that leads into an underpass."
Aadarsh didn't hesitate. He spun the wheel sharply, narrowly missing a parked car as they veered into a narrow alleyway.
The SUV followed.
"They're not giving up," Amrita said, glancing over her shoulder.
"Then we make them," Kiara said. She reached into her bag, pulling out a small, spherical object.
"Tell me that's not—" Aadarsh started.
"A smoke grenade," she confirmed. "Courtesy of Priya's stash."
"You brought smoke grenades?" Naira exclaimed.
Kiara smirked. "I like being prepared." She rolled down the window, yanked the pin, and tossed the grenade onto the road.
A thick cloud of smoke erupted behind them, swallowing the SUV in an instant.
Aadarsh swerved onto an empty side street, pushing the car to its limits. "Did it work?"
For a few seconds, there was only silence. Then—
"They're still coming," Amrita said, heart pounding. The SUV tore through the smoke, its headlights flashing ominously.
"They won't stop," Priya muttered. "Not until we're off the board."
---
The Ambush
The team's car shot onto an open highway, streetlights flashing overhead. The SUV was gaining on them fast.
"Turn onto the old industrial road," Naira urged. "There are abandoned factories—we can hide there!"
"That's a dead end," Aadarsh argued.
"Exactly," Kiara said. "They'll think they have us trapped. But if we plan it right, we can turn the tables."
Aadarsh cursed but obeyed, taking a sharp right. Their car bounced over potholes as they entered the abandoned district. The SUV followed, its engine roaring.
The moment they reached a long stretch of empty road between two warehouses, Kiara grabbed another grenade—this one flashing red.
"Flashbang," she explained. "Close your eyes when I say."
The SUV was nearly on them now.
"Now!" Kiara yelled, tossing it out the window.
A sudden, blinding light burst behind them. Even with their eyes closed, the intensity was disorienting.
When Aadarsh looked up, he saw the SUV swerving wildly, its driver momentarily blinded. The vehicle skidded, tires screeching—
Then it slammed into an abandoned shipping container.
The impact echoed through the empty district.
"Drive!" Amrita shouted.
Aadarsh didn't need to be told twice. He gunned the engine, speeding toward the highway.
Behind them, the SUV sat motionless, steam rising from its hood.
For now, they were safe.
---
Nowhere Left to Run
Fifteen minutes later, they pulled into a rundown apartment complex on the outskirts of the city. Aadarsh cut the engine, and for the first time all night, there was silence.
"We need to assume they'll be looking for us," Priya said. "Vikram won't stop here."
"We bought time, that's all," Amrita agreed. "We need a new plan."
Aadarsh exhaled. "Then we need to figure out our next move fast. Because after tonight, there's no going back."
The team exchanged tense glances.
They had won the battle.
But the war had just begun.
---
To Be Continued…
Can the team stay ahead of Vikram's forces? What's their next move now that they're out of places to hide? And how far is Vikram willing to go? Stay tuned!