Chapter 1
Ankush came out again, alone this time, Shlok wondered in what state will be those girls.
"Tie him up and make sure he's gagged tightly, don't want him making noises while I talk to his old dog."
Ankush laughed then walked to the door, he shouted few names and asked them to bring some ropes. After few moments, three brawny looking men entered the room, each of them holding a rope.
"Be a good chap and allow us to tie you, can you manage that?" Ankush asked Shlok with a wide grin on his face.
Shlok raised a brow then replied "Never thought you guys are polite enough to ask, anyway, the answer to your question is no."
"You got guts, boy, I admire that but just a reminder don't get carried away. Ever." The man said.
"You're warned so keep that in mind always. We won't hurt you unless you don't trouble us. Now let us tie you up so no one gets hurt."
"You can hurt me as much as you like but you will never make me follow you. I swear, once I'm out of here, you guys will pay back double, most of all you black dog!" Shlok said furiously as he looked at the man.
Ankush pursed his lips in anger, he thrust his arm in the cell and grabbed Shlok by his collar then brushed his hard knuckles against his cheek, didn't gave Shlok time to recover, then aimed for his mid-section.
"Enough!" The man shouted.
Ankush signaled his companion, two men grabbed Shlok's arm, spread them wide enough then tied it on iron bar with ropes while one of them stick his legs together and tied them.
Shlok's cheek stung, it was a solid punch, he has fist as hard as rocks, he barely got a chance to pull himself together, that in less than a minute he was already tied up, which added more fuel to his building anger. He had never been in such a desperate situation before, where he would feel helpless, his pride was more bruised than his body.
Shlok scowled at Ankush while struggling from the hold.
"No one dare insult my friend in front of me." Ankush said menacingly then gagged Shlok's mouth.
"Thank you. Finally I can call." The man said.
Ankush dismissed those three then grinned at the man and replied "Go ahead, I'm dying to hear from him."
The man dailed Niranjan's number and put it on the loud speaker. It was answered on the first ring.
"Hello!"
"Wow! You answered at the first ring, Mr. Niranjan Agnihotri." The man said.
"Where's my son?" He asked angrily.
Shlok felt happy by hearing his father's voice, he must have been so worried for him, he can't tell him that he is fine. The man looked at him and replied to his father "Your son is quite gutsy, that's why he's getting hurt."
"Don't do anything to him!"
"Who do you think you're ordering?"
"Please I'll give you anything, any amount to give me back my son!"
"Oh! You're begging?"
"Please, how much do you want?"
"I have more money than you. I don't need your money."
"Then what do you want?"
"Your destruction!"
"Why?"
"Told you, it's too soon, besides, I already told you, that was the last time you will ever see your son, you won't see him again."
"What are you going to do?"
"I'll kill him. He'll die. I'll make you realize the pain of losing some one dear." The man said and cut the call.
Shlok went still, as the words kept replying on his mind.
"I'll kill him. He'll die."
Is he really going to die? Is this his end, end of his life? His heart drummed wildly against his chest, he don't want to die, no, he can't die. The fear was rapidly engulfing his heart, he couldn't feel anything except fear and his heartbeat. Then he felt pair of hands untying his hands, he looked at Ankush, still paralyzed with fear of his imminent death. He also noticed the other man had already removed his mask but was facing his back to him, which was why Shlok couldn't see his face.
"You aren't going to die, told you before we won't hurt unless you don't trouble us." He heard Ankush saying.
A wave of relief washed over him, he really thought he was going to die but then can he really trust them.
He removed the gag and asked "How can I believe you? I know you are bad guys!"
Ankush chuckled "I should've remember that. Well, it's your choice to believe."
After removing the ropes, he went out of the room. Shlok rubbed his sore wrists, then looked at the man.
"What did my father do to you?" Shlok asked him.
No Answer.
"Maybe you're mistaken, my father don't seek badly for others much less hurt them. Who are you?"
Still no answer.
Shlok gripped the iron bars and shouted "Answer me dammit!"
He turned at him, Shlok sucked in his breath, his jaw dropped down and eyes widened with shock.
After long minutes of disbelief, he managed to say only one sentence.
"YOU WERE DEAD!"