Chapter - When terror reign

3 months ago

Mikky

@MidnightLibrary

Chapter - When terror reign

Something flickered in Naina's mind ,her voice sharpened with realization. “An asthma patient using a dry powder inhaler could be the perfect vector.. but dry powder inhalers…they use capsules. If ricin seed powder was placed inside one of those capsules, it could be inhaled directly into the lungs.”

Zunaid’s breath caught. He looked at her, wide-eyed. “So you're saying the poison could have been hidden inside an asthma capsule?”

Naina gave a slow, grim nod, her eyes lighting up with a spark of discovery. “Yes. Possible . But there is one problem, the fatal dose of ricin is very high. It will need a high dose to transform it into capsule form.”

Zunaid finally turned to Dr. Joshi, stunned. “We need to get that inhaler. Right now.”

Naina averted his presence, suddenly dialled the landlines of her cabin she reached put to the forensic toxicologist , “ Alka , immediately, sent the inhaler to toxin screening and send me the report as soon as possible “

“ Sure “ Reply came from the other side of the phone. As Naina disconnected the call , she shifted her cast and her determined gaze fell over ACP.

“ Yusuf. Once I got the report came — I'll let you confirm ”

Zunaid nodded in agreement “ Sure.”

As he leaned against his chair, he rubbed his chin, processing the information “ One thing I couldn't understand, how could the killer left behind such an important weapon in the crime scene. Sushil mentioned there was a power outage last night …. Do you think the killer might have forgotten something so important because of that?”

Naina considered it. “It’s possible. But think about it—someone who planned such a mastermind murder for a man like Gautam…would they really make a careless mistake and leave a clue behind?”

“ Hmm..that's my point ! suspicious. Is it a deliberate mistake or something else ? A challenge might be ! If the seed of a deadly poison was embedded inside the inhaler , then my gut feeling is saying , the killer was completely aware of every move of Gautam. Indeed the killer is someone closer to his “

Naina's expression turned stern . “ Possibility is very high. Is there any suspicion in your eyes?”

Zunaid's expression turned serious “ Yes I have. But can you be the killer from any medical profession?”

Naina tilted her head and little on her left side . “ Hm .. yes it can be . I'll not be surprised if the killer is associated with a profession like botanist , or a microbiologist or a researcher or a plant scientist or maybe a medical representative . As the poisonous plants are something which aren’t commonly found or easily handled—requires specialized knowledge. A microbiologist is an expert in handling biohazards and toxins. Can synthesize or extract biological agents under lab conditions.

Other hand, a botanist has detailed knowledge regarding toxic plants and how to extract/use them. Medical representatives or someone from a pharma background have easy access to hospitals, clinics and drugs . Being in this profession will give the killer an opportunity to learn how to mask symptoms, or plant evidence or use delivery routes into the body like an inhaler or capsule.

Zunaid's mind buzzed with a thousand questions, each louder than the last . Then suddenly — something clicked. A thread of thought tugged at his nerves.

“Okay. Thanks for your guidance, Dr. Joshi,” he said briskly as he got up from the chair and headed towards the exit .

Naina offered a warm, easy smile, “ It's my duty.

She paused, then glanced at him with a flicker of curiosity. “Yusuf, just one question. This case falls under Pune jurisdiction… why are you taking such a keen interest?”

Zunaid inhales a deep breath before speaking, his expression was unreadable “ Let's just say… It's personal. Very personal. And time-sensitive. The sooner we solve this puzzle, the better. I have to go”

He turned and walked out without waiting for a response.

Naina's curious glance lingered at the door long after he had left . “ Yusuf… …everything in your life is personal…except me ….”

She shrugged her shoulders, a helpless smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

She has profiled the darkest minds, dissected twisted motivations, and unraveled complex —yet she couldn’t decipher the one man who remained just out of reach.

The one man who didn’t even know how much space he took in her heart.

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The sky darkened, transforming into deep , foreboding obsidian sky as ebony clouds accumulated gradually, their twisted forms resembling grotesque giant monsters . A storm brewed on the horizon – an ominous sign of danger creeping in , an unannounced and uninvited , knocking on the door without warning . Oftentimes a cold gust of wind roared around, piercing the silence of the night . Lightning flashed , its silver tendrils illuminating the vast sky , defeating the eardrum of an individual who dared to witness this horrible beauty of nature.

Suddenly , raindrops coalesce together and start to burst upon the earth, drumming against the soil . Branches of wild trees swing to and fro in the tandava of wind ,their creaks and groans lost amidst cacophony of thunderstorms and the haunting barks of wild animals .

Amongst this maddening chaotic symphony , a man sprinted through the darkness . Terror clung to him like a second skin . A rush of adrenaline in his circulation as a survival instinct cautioned him to run faster , even his heartbeat seemed like an enemy of his life at that moment. His clothes soaked in the rain water and clung to his skin. He was breathing frantically, his footsteps faltering the treacherous ground and mud clogged inside of his shoes . He dared to turn back as if- death itself was chasing him.

Glacial fear crawled through his veins in every direction his eyes went on . He felt a creeping dread coming towards him. Like a nightmare surrounded by twisted, eldritch abominations terror . It is impossible to stand in front of it . His whole body was shaking out of fear, anxiety . His breath caught in his throat, his pulse thrudded in his ear, even his heart pounding in his chest like a blacksmith's hammer.

There is not a single person in the world who can save him tonight . Silence all around. In so much silence, only the sound of one's own heartbeat can be heard. Shadows seemed to lurk around him , gesturing to each other in a sinister conspiracy . Do they want revenge? Do they know about the sin he had done ?

A dark demonic smile seemed to congeal in their empty eye sockets of shadows surroundings him . The air was getting heavy with an otherworldly presence, as the very darkness itself had coalesced into twisted, sentient forms. A strange light-dark environment, discordant blend of light and darkness, like the eerie glow of midnight.

A faint, tingling sensation radiated through his skin , accelerating his shiver.

Suddenly he got hit by something in his legs , sending him crashing to the slippery ground. A bony hand grasped his legs. It was touch like ice . His whole body went paralyzed, every hair of his skin erect as if electrifying by terror. He thought he would die of cardiac failure if he didn't take him out of this sheer horror surrounding him . He had never believed in Inferno and heaven but at that moment he commenced to believe in its existence .

He threw the hand away from him , frantic faster, a severe pain radiated through his chest , leaving him gasping for air . His mouth went dry , his lips parched and cracked because of horror and anxiety. Even the shadows seemed to laugh at his condition.

They are also curiously waiting for the final scene. The man felt the weight of unseen eyes upon him . He could clearly hear their whispers. Something dangerous exists in a terrible void . Formless panic.

As panic set in, the man began to plead, his lips trembling in fear and desperation , "Don't kill me.. please forgive me… please.. No Don’t kill me …please … noo.."

The man shouted desperately. His voice echoed through the darkness . The sharp pain in the chest also went high in passing seconds . Suffocation closed in , making every breathing also difficult . Panic attack set in , his body fought hard for a little oxygen . His whole body was aching with pain. The world is spinning around him like a madman's top.

The cemetery looked like a ghostly city at night. Its crumble tombstones reach up like skeletal fingers into the electrified sky. As the gust of rain poured against the ground and casting a misty shroud over the covered graves. The earth even seemed to tremble witnessing the horrific ordeal of thunder. In the flashes of lightning, the shadows twisted and quivered , as if the spirits of the dead were stirred, restless and spiteful.

He squeezed his eyes in great fear. In the hope it would be the worst nightmare he could ever have . A cold wind like death caressed him, its touch seemed like the kiss of death .

He must escape from here . No matter what, you have to be freed. After a while he thought that there was no life remaining in his body. However he summoned the courage and stood up with all his strength and he needed to escape . He can't die. He hates to die. He had fear of death, anything related to death .

His both legs are impossibly heavy, unable to walk. However he didn't stop. He kept running as much as possible. He had vision as if he was being chased by a cruel monster. Breathing heavily. Not once does he look back to see if anyone is chasing him .

Wherever he looked found cemeteries after and after and after . His whole body trembled with fear.

The sky split open with screaming of light over and over again . His Hands and feet were getting cold , as deadly fear seeped into his marrow. Silver flash dazzled his eyes , blurring his vision , deafening his ear .

Coming ….He is coming. Death is coming to engulf him.

As he ran, he screamed like a madman, his voice a raw, animalistic cry ... heee–l-l..ppp….,! He will kill me….

In fear, anxiety and nervousness blinded him too deeply , he did not notice the lights speeding towards him

He didn't see the truck .

Under the vast aquarium, Naina was running through the damp soil. Her shoes were making creaked sounds as her speed increased.

Her ears were plugged with earbuds audio as she loved listening to music while jogging; it was the only time in her hectic days that she enjoyed being with herself.

Naina hardly missed her jogging. Completing a minimum of 10 laps, she usually took a break. She is 5.6 feet tall, she had a

strong, fit and healthy figure and maintained her pace without breaking her focus or rhythm.

The surroundings were still immersed in the darkness. The sky remained grey, and a cool breeze pierced the exposed skin of her neck and face as she ran at what her sports teacher had to address her by saying " bullet train speed"

Suddenly, her mobile buzzed. She slowed her pace.

“ Hello, “ Naina answered through her earbuds.

“Hello, madam. An accident has occurred in the area leading towards the jungle “ The caller informed her

“What?” Naina stopped running as she placed her hands on her hips, sweat dripping from her nose.

“ Okay Vikash, don’t let anyone near the scene. I'm on my way,” she replied.

“Yes, madam “ He responded

She disconnected the call.

The room still bathed in dim, amber light. Outside the weather remained wrapped in a gloomy silence. Latest ringtone of bollywood emerged from the mobile phone sliced through the stillness, pulling Ravindra from his restless slumber.

While yawning he rubbed his eyes. He couldn’t even remember when he had fallen asleep—somewhere between the murder files and coffee-stained notepads.

He stretched his arm out, grabbed the phone, and answered, voice thick with sleep.

“Hello...? His voice was groggy… gradually his tone turned sharp “ What? Now? Yes, Sir... I’m on my way.”

Beside him on the other side of bed , a soft groan emerged. Ritu's body stirred a little, resting her head on his hairy chest and eyes were still half-shut.

“Who’s calling you at this hour ?” she mumbled, her voice drowsy and laced with irritation.

Ravindra gently shifted out from under her and sat up on the edge of the bed.

“It’s Sir. I have to go.”

"Don't think you're going to get me to make your breakfast," she growled, covering her head with the blanket. "Go romance in your crime scenes instead.

He chuckled, getting to his feet. “Ritu, don't start this now. Don't worry , I’ll grab something on the way.”

Ritu's face appeared puffy and pout as she said after peeking out her face under the blanket “ honestly, I think you should just marry your Sir . He seems obsessed with you. Cause he calls you day and night , may be in his dreams as well . Go on, marry him—at least then, I’ll finally get to sleep in peace!”

Ravindra shook his dead hopelessly, grabbing a towel and throwing it over his shoulder.

“ I'm sorry darling. But I have no other option.This city just refuses to let us have a normal morning”

Leaning down, he kissed her forehead softly.

“Go back to sleep. And eat something healthy this time—no chocolate for breakfast.”

Ritu groaned dramatically from under the blanket. “Tell your service colleagues I need at least one weekend with my husband. Or I swear I’ll join the investigation team just to keep an eye on you.”

Ravindra smirked. “Great. We’ll be the hottest crime-fighting couple in Mumbai. You can handle sarcasm while I handle suspects.”

“And I’ll make sure none of your female colleagues are too friendly,” she shot back.

“Deal,” he laughed.

As he walked towards the bathroom, he muttered under his breath, “Subha poori hui bhi nahi... aur ek aur murder ka call aa gaya. Does all the killer of Mumbai vowed to erase their enemies from the world “