The next morning, following Ava's visit to the laboratory, she could not rid herself of the unpleasant sensation that had stuck to her throughout the night. She pored over hours of her uncle's notes, attempting to decipher the obscure symbols and scattered math he had left behind.
It was not just science—something more profound, something much more sinister lay hidden in those pages.
As she sat at her desk, the burden of the unanswered questions weighing on her, her phone vibrated. She answered it and read a text from 𝐑𝐨𝐡𝐢𝐭.
"𝐖𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤. 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠'𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝. 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐟é 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫."
Ava scowled. What had he discovered? She couldn't help but wonder if she was getting in over her head. She was involved now, and there was no turning back.
She looked over at her mother, Priya, who was still in the kitchen. Ava had learned to keep her family's worries at bay, but lately, it had been getting harder to do so. Priya had already asked her if she was okay more times than she could count, and each time, Ava had only given her half-truths.
"Ava?" Priya's voice broke through her thoughts. "You're going out again?"
Ava's belly writhed. She hadn't counted on her mother catching on, but Priya's sharp vision never saw anything by accident. "I. I have to see someone. A school friend."
Her mother lifted an eyebrow but let it go. "Okay. Home for dinner. And watch yourself.
Ava nodded, already zipping her jacket into place. She didn't have time to elaborate. The café was deserted when she arrived, the morning rush only beginning to trickle in. She saw Rohit as soon as she walked in, sitting by the window, a cup of coffee in front of him. His face was not easy to read, but there was a tension about him that made Ava's instincts kick in.
She walked to the table, and Rohit's eyes locked on hers, his gaze wavering for a fraction of a second before he indicated that she take a seat.
"Is there anything new?" she inquired, her tone firm though apprehension rolled around inside her.
Rohit thrust a folder in front of her. "You have to read this."
Ava's eyes scanned the contents—yet more files, more coordinates, and photographs this time of an abandoned warehouse. Her heart leapt. She knew the location from one of her uncle's journals.
"This is the place," Rohit said softly. "I was able to track down some of the individuals who are likely involved in your uncle's disappearance. They're associated with this warehouse. And I believe it's where he was last spotted.
Ava studied the photos, a sense of foreboding creeping up her spine. "Why didn't you mention it to me earlier?"
Rohit's jaw clenched. "Because I didn't know. But now. I'm sure. We have to go there."
Before she could speak, her phone rang again, this time from 𝑹𝒐𝒉𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅, 𝑫𝒆𝒗 , a man with whom she'd only had a few encounters but in whom she recognized enough to get her hackles up. He was another puzzle piece she didn't know if she wanted to fit into place.
She hesitated over answering the phone. "Hello?"
"Ava," Dev's voice was distorted over the speaker, panicking. "You have to get out. Rohit isn't who he claims to be. I have no idea what is happening, but you are in danger. Don't trust anyone.
Ava's breath caught. The café seemed to close in on her, the air heavy with tension. She glanced at Rohit, who was regarding her with a cold, unreadable face. Was Dev trying to warn her? Or was he involved in whatever this was?
"What's happening?" she whispered.
Rohit's eyes grew darker, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he gestured for her to continue her conversation.
Dev's voice crackled once more. "I don't have much time. They know you're close to the truth, and they're on their way. You need to leave. Now."
Ava's heart thudded in her chest as the line went dead. She gazed up at Rohit, who was already on his feet, his eyes cold and remote.
"I don't know who you're talking to, Ava," Rohit said, his voice calm but edged with warning, "but right now, I'm the only one who can help you."
Ava stood, her mind racing. She had to make a choice, but it felt like no matter what she did, she was walking into danger. "What's really going on, Rohit?"
He looked at her, his face softening for the merest fraction of a moment. "I'm trying to help you, Ava. But you must trust me."
The words hung there like an unvoiced taunt. Trust him? After all that had occurred, how was she supposed to?
A loud crash came from the street outside, followed by a few sharp footsteps. Ava's heart jumped into her throat as she looked in the direction of the door. A figure was running towards the café—one she knew. Anish.
Her brother's face was white, his eyes wide with terror. "Ava!" he bellowed as he burst through the door. "They're searching for you. You must get out. Now.
Ava stood immobile, her mind spinning. She needed answers. But now, the threat was real. Much too real.
No hesitation, she pulled out her bag and moved swiftly to the door, her brother at her heels. Rohit did not move, his eyes following them, but his face was inscrutable.
"Ava, wait," he shouted, but she didn't hesitate.
Outside, Anish dragged her down a side street, away from the chaos that seemed to be closing in on them. "They know you're onto something," he said, his voice strained with urgency. "We have to get you to somewhere safe."
Ava looked back at the café, her thoughts reeling with questions. Who could she trust? Why was everyone so keen on keeping her in the dark?
"We'll figure this out, Ava," Anish said, his voice a little softer now. "I'll protect you, no matter what."
As they disappeared into the shadows, Ava couldn't shake the feeling that the truth was slipping through her fingers, just out of reach. She had to find it. No matter what.
....