Just as that guard was losing his composure, another guard arrived.
Second Guard (panting): What happened, sir? Why were you shouting?
After his conversation with Teer, the first guard had become strangely still. The second guard lightly touched him to bring him back to attention.
Teer glanced at the new arrival and began to assess the situation.
Teer (thinking very calmly): Another guard… He's panting—looks like he ran from quite a distance. Either there are very few guards in this corridor, or this corridor is extremely long with guards stationed far apart.
Second Guard (slowly): Sir… are you okay?
First Guard (forcing composure): Yes, I'm fine! I was just dealing with this psychotic prisoner.
Second Guard (relieved): Oh! I was upstairs. I'd been hearing your voice for a while, and it worried me. I've never seen you talk like this before, so I came running.
The first guard's grip over himself weakened further; he suddenly felt numb.
First Guard (hesitantly): Do you… do you know the Holy Dictator?
Second Guard (concerned): No, sir, I've never heard of it. But why are you so worried?
First Guard (perplexed): Leave it. Go do your work.
Second Guard (politely): Okay, sir!
First Guard (thinking): Why did my body go numb? Was it because I overthought everything?
Teer (thinking calmly): Will the Holy Dictator power even work? Who knows… I need to find a way to use it. But more importantly, I need to get out of here—with Annu.
The guard locked Teer inside again and left.
Five to six hours passed.
The door opened once more. The same terrifying guard stood there—but this time, something about him had changed. He entered, locked the door from inside, and somehow sat down in front of Teer within the cramped space.
First Guard (whispering): If you're suggesting something to me, it must benefit you somehow. Why do you want me to be free?
Teer (calmly, indifferent): You're mistaken. I'm not interested in getting you out. But giving suggestions doesn't cost me anything.
Guard (confidently): I'm afraid that once I leave this place, I might end up in a cage like this again.
Teer (smiling): Don't worry. The Holy Dictator doesn't cage anyone—it commands freedom. You too will be free… permanently.
Guard (hesitant): I don't trust you. You must have something to gain. But it's also true that I want to be free. So whatever you suggest… both I and my friend outside will hear it together.
Teer narrowed his eyes, folded his hands, and sat with a quiet smile.
Teer: Call whoever you want.
The door creaked open, and a tall, lean guard stepped inside. He looked composed, almost refined, casually smoking a cigarette.
The third guard exhaled smoke into the air, filling the room. Leaning close to Teer's face, he spoke—
Third Guard (muffled): So… I don't think this psycho old man will let you leave easily. Have you made up your mind?
Teer remained silent, simply observing.
Suddenly, the third guard tried to kick Teer hard in the stomach—but Teer caught his thigh firmly with both hands.
Third Guard (removing the cigarette): This old man still has life in him.
The first guard stepped forward and placed his hand on the third guard's shoulder.
First Guard (hopeful): I've made up my mind.
The third guard looked back at Teer.
Third Guard (exhaling): Hmm… Alright. Let's make a deal. If you can truly get us out of here, you'll be freed. If not… you'll lose your granddaughter.
First Guard (shocked): His granddaughter is here too?
Third Guard: Yes. I've seen him on TV. He's Teer Jwala—a very famous detective.
First Guard (hesitant): What… he's a detective?
Third Guard: Yes. And I don't trust police or detectives very much.
Teer suddenly burst into laughter.
Teer: You speak as if you can get me out of here in two minutes. No offense—but are there surveillance cameras in the corridor?
Third Guard: Hmm… yes. That's why we're standing behind the lockers.
Teer: How many guards are there in total?
Third Guard: Four hundred.
Teer: Then I don't think I can walk out openly because of the cameras. So one of you give me your uniform and a handkerchief to cover my face. The one who gives it will stay here.
The third guard immediately refused—he wanted to keep an eye on Teer.
First Guard (bravely): No problem. After a long time, I might finally be free… I'll give him my uniform.
The first guard handed over his uniform, unlocked Teer, and locked himself inside the cell.
Teer wore the uniform and covered his face with a handkerchief. The moment he stepped outside, his expression vanished completely. He became silent—mechanical. The third guard could not read his intentions at all.
Third Guard (pretending calm): So… what do you want to do first?
Teer said nothing. He simply observed his surroundings.
There were fourteen lockers on the first floor. No other guards were present there.
Teer asked for the current date.
Third Guard: It's June 3, 2026.
Teer (muffled voice): Are we on Kinal Sekdi Island?
{Kinal Sekdi is a fictional island near the Mumbai coast, a highly secured region.}
The third guard was startled. In that moment, he understood why Teer was so renowned.
Third Guard: Interesting… Either you're guessing—or you're dangerous.
Teer: Only a day has passed since we were kidnapped. Kinal Sekdi Island is the nearest secure location for such an operation. And even in this extreme heat, this corridor is cool without AC or fans… which means we are underground.
Third Guard (thinking): He's analyzing everything so quickly… This could be dangerous. I need to be careful. Let me distract him—if he's truly a genius, he'll answer quickly and gain my trust.
Third Guard (boldly): Come on, Teer… tell me about your life. After all, you're such a renowned detective. I need to understand who I'm dealing with—I don't trust police or detectives easily.
Teer began walking toward the second floor.
Third Guard: So… how has your life journey been?
[Chapter 7: Out from Locker Ends]