The streets of Vyantara were always full of lights, fresh air and sparkling leaves. In the day time, the city looked lively and beautiful, but at night, it turned as dark as a moonless forest. Robberies happened frequently and the thieves were so cunning so that the police could not catch them every time. After 7:00pm girls could not roam around freely.
One night, a girl was passing through a street named Sector 21. Suddenly, she felt like someone was following her. A strange uneasiness crept into her mind. When she turned around, suspecting something was wrong-
A man appeared out of nowhere.
Before she could react, everything went black.
After some time, she regained consciousness, her hands tied with the rope and her mouth was covered with tape. She looked around. She seemed like abandoned place-dusty, with a wine bottle and cigarette lying nearby.
Her eyes fell on another girl lying on unconscious beside her.
She tried to wake her up by nudging her with her feet. After a few attempts, the girl slowly opened her eyes.
As she gained her senses, she noticed that girl sitting behind her.
"You… you are the Mayor's daughter…Ashi Malani", She said weakly and shockingly.
Ashi looked at her asked "What's your name?"
The other girl hesitated for a moment before replying softly, "Dikshita…".
Dikshita gathered some courage." Can I … ask you something?" she asked nervously.
Ashi looked at her." Why are your words trembling while talking to me? "she asked curiously.
Dikshita gave an awkward smile." Actually…I'm just a normal girl and you're the mayor's daughter… that's why ".
Ashi shook her head lightly." Don't think like that. Just consider me as your friend".
"Ok…" Dikshita said, a little more comfortable now." So why didn't you have security?... You usually travel by car, right?"
Ashi looked down, her expression turning dull." Actually … I just had a heated argument with my father. So, I left my home…just to get some fresh air."
Dikshita looked at her carefully." What happened at home?" she asked, concerned.
Ashi paused for a moment, looked up slowly.
Dikshita immediately realized." I'm…I'm sorry. I didn't mean to – "
"It's okay", Ashi interrupted calmly." Actually, my father wanted to send me to U.S for higher studies. But I refused. So, he said that if I don't go, he'll send me to Aishelles Boarding School instead."
She let out a quite breath." I told him I don't want to talk about it… and just left."
"Oh… "Dikshita murmured." He would send you to Aishelles Boarding School? I've heard that in that boarding the rules are very strict…''
"Restrictions are there…like students have to live under strict discipline. Still, he should try to understand you, right?" She added softly.
Ashi nodded slightly." Yeah… and it's partly my fault too . I left the house angrily… and this happened.
Dikshita sighed softly. "Oh….it's okay. Who knew that this would happen?"
Ashi said anxiously, "Maybe, but how are we supposed to get out of this situation? And why did they kidnap us?"
Dikshita replied in a low voice, "We can't escape from here . If we try, they will definitely catch us."
Ashi thought for a moment and then said, "so, when they come, we will pretend to be unconscious."
Dikshita hesitated. "Okay…but how will we know where we are? And why they have kidnapped both of us?"
Ashi answered, "We can't predict where they have kept us , but I think they want something from us."
After a brief pause, Dikshita said, "They may come at any time. Since we have removed the tape from each other's lips , let's put it back the same way and pretend. Otherwise, they will know that we are awake."
Ashi nodded, "Okay".
They placed the tape back on each other's lips and started pretending to be unconscious.
After a few minutes , two goons arrived.
The first goon looked at them and said, "They are still not awake".
The second goon replied, sightly confused, "It's been six hours. I didn't expect the effect of this sleeping spray to last so long".
The first goon shrugged. "Let it be. It's good for us".
The second goon laughed. "ha ha, the mayor has kept our boss in jail , right? So now his daughter is in our hands".
The first goon looked at Dikshita. "Poor girl… she hasn't done anything , yet she has been kidnapped without any reason."
The second goon smirked." Without any reason? We have been following that girl for a month because she lives nearby the Mayor's house. We were keeping an eye on her day and night so that we could get a chance to kidnap them.''
He added,'' If we hadn't kidnapped that ordinary girl, we wouldn't have been successful in kidnapping the Mayor's daughter.
First goon said,'' Bro I have noticed something. Before we brought them here, they were sleeping in opposite directions ( He whispered, his sharp eyes fixed on them.)
Second goon added, ''And now… look at them. They're sleeping in the same direction, right?'' ( His voice carried a hint of realization.)
First goon replied,'' Yes…I think something suspicious is going on. Let's stand behind the door for a few minutes. Then we'll open it suddenly and see whether they are pretending or not.''
Second goon said, ''Haan…let's go.''
Quietly, like shadows melting into darkness, they walked away.
For a moment, silence returned.
Ashi asked, "Have they gone?'' ( Dikshita took the tape out from her lips. )
Dikshita replied, Hm…( Tape still in her lips.)
Slowly, cautiously, they opened their eyes and sat up, their hearts still pounding.
Dikshita said, " Now we know their plan…we have to escape." ( Ashi took out the tape from Dikshita's lips).
But before they could move further, the door creaked open with a chilling sound .
The goons stood there again, their expressions dark and mocking.
First goon said mockingly, " You really thought you could escape and we wouldn't even notice?''
He laughed coldly, his words dripping with cruelty.
This old building…it hides more than you can imagine. Around 1996 girls and boys are kept below as laborers.''
First goon said angrily, "If we can count everyone trapped in this building, how do you even dare to think about escaping? Huh?''
Ashi stepped forward, her voice trembling yet filled with courage.
" Why have you ruined the lives of so many innocent children?''
The second goon smirked, his eyes gleaming with greed.
Second goon explained, "Because this is how we earn money. Children above 18… we sell them to different countries. And those between 8 and 17… they are forced to work there.''
Dikshita whispered, "I feel like smashing their faces after hearing all this".
Ashi whispered, "Me too".
The first goon stepped closer , a cruel smile playing on his lips.
First goon said with cruelty , "But you kids can't do anything".
(He slowly tried to place his hand on Ashi's shoulder , his intention vile and threatening.)
The second goon looked at them with a calculating gaze .
Second goon said, "You… the Mayor's daughter. You might go home once our boss is released from jail."
He paused , then glanced at Dikshita with cold indifference.
"But this poor girl…whether she stays here as a laborer or dies…we'll decide that later".
The two goons walked away, their fading footsteps swallowed by a heavy , unnatural silence. In their absence , the room stood eerily still , a large ventilation booming high on the wall like a silent watcher.
Suddenly, a sharp metallic screech echoed from behind- then BOOM! The ventilator exploded outward , metal shards flying as something forcefully broke in.