The next morning did not feel normal.
Even before the first class began, something in the air felt off.
Students were quieter than usual, conversations softer, glances more frequent. Rumors had spread across the school about the incident at the construction site, and even those who did not know the details could feel that something serious had happened.
Ishaan sat in his seat, resting his chin lightly on his hand, his expression calm but his thoughts active. Kabir leaned back in his chair, trying to act relaxed, while Aisha remained composed as always. Anaya, however, kept glancing toward the classroom door.
Then it happened.
Footsteps echoed in the corridor outside, slow and deliberate, followed by a brief silence before the door opened.
A man stepped inside, accompanied by another officer.
The entire class fell silent.
The teacher straightened immediately. "Sir?"
The man gave a small nod. "We need a few minutes."
His voice was calm, controlled, and carried a quiet authority that made it impossible to ignore.
He stepped forward and looked across the classroom, his eyes moving from one student to another, observing rather than judging.
"We are investigating an incident that occurred yesterday evening at a nearby construction site," he said. "There was significant property damage, and we have reason to believe that some students may have been in that area."
A faint ripple of unease passed through the class.
Kabir leaned slightly toward Ishaan and whispered under his breath, "Yeah… definitely not suspicious at all."
Aisha did not even look at him. "Stay quiet."
The officer continued, "If anyone here knows anything, or was present at the location, you are encouraged to step forward. Cooperation will ensure that no strict action is taken. At most, it will be a formal warning."
The words were gentle.
Too gentle.
Ishaan's eyes narrowed slightly.
This was not reassurance.
It was a test.
Silence filled the room.
No one moved.
No one spoke.
The officer did not rush. He simply waited, his gaze steady, allowing the pressure to build naturally.
Seconds passed.
Then nearly a minute.
The quiet became heavy.
Uncomfortable.
Anaya's fingers tightened slightly around her sleeve. Kabir shifted in his seat, his jaw clenched, while Aisha remained perfectly still, her expression unreadable.
Ishaan did not move.
Then—
"Sir…"
A voice broke the silence.
Everyone turned.
A boy from the middle row slowly stood up, his posture uncertain, his eyes flickering with hesitation.
"I… I'm not sure," he said, his voice unsteady.
The officer looked at him calmly. "Go on."
The boy swallowed.
"Yesterday… after school… I was heading home," he continued, glancing around as if unsure whether he should continue. "And I think… I think I saw Ishaan and his group going toward that side of the city."
Silence crashed back into the room.
Kabir's head snapped toward him. "What?"
Aisha's eyes sharpened instantly, but she said nothing.
Anaya's breath caught slightly.
Ishaan remained still.
Completely still.
The officer's gaze shifted.
Slowly.
It landed on Ishaan.
For a brief moment, the two of them simply looked at each other.
Then the officer spoke.
"Is that so?"
His tone did not change.
Not accusing.
Not surprised.
Just… interested.
Kabir leaned forward slightly, unable to stay quiet. "Lots of people go that way. That doesn't mean anything."
Aisha spoke immediately after, her voice calm and controlled. "We take that route sometimes. It's not unusual."
The officer did not respond right away.
His eyes remained on Ishaan.
Observing.
Measuring.
Waiting.
Ishaan finally spoke.
"Yes, we were heading that way," he said, his voice steady. "But we didn't go to any construction site."
No hesitation.
No nervousness.
Just a simple statement.
The officer held his gaze for a moment longer, as if trying to read something beyond the words.
Then he gave a small nod.
"I see."
He turned away.
Just like that.
The tension did not disappear, but it shifted.
"I appreciate the cooperation," he said to the class. "If anyone remembers anything else, report it."
With that, he walked toward the door, his subordinate following behind him.
The door closed.
The moment it did, the classroom erupted into whispers.
"What was that about?"
"Did you hear that?"
"Construction site?"
Kabir turned sharply toward the boy who had spoken. "You almost got us into trouble!"
"I said I wasn't sure!" the boy replied defensively. "I just told what I saw!"
Aisha raised her hand slightly.
"Enough," she said quietly.
Kabir clicked his tongue but leaned back.
Anaya let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.
Ishaan remained silent.
But inside, something had changed.
That was not a random visit.
That was a warning.
The officer did not accuse them.
He did not push further.
But he had seen enough.
And now—
He was watching.
Ishaan looked down at his hand.
That faint energy pulsed again.
Stronger than before.
Not just power.
Pressure.
"…We don't have much time," he thought.
Because next time—
It would not just be questions.