Rudra sat silently, staring at the blank TV screen. The breaking news still echoed in his ears.

He took a deep breath… and slowly closed his eyes.

The memory of the midnight hour came flooding back—
Ophidian had vanished.
Suhaan was dead.
And everything had changed.

Rudra whispered to himself, “The case should be handled by the cops now…”

He got up and walked toward Nari. She was still unconscious—tied tightly to the chair.

He knelt beside her, his voice soft, almost guilty.
“I’m sorry... I can’t untie you right now,” he murmured. “The police have to see you like this.”

Even though she was completely unresponsive, he continued speaking—perhaps more to himself.
“Forgive me… but I need to call the cops using your phone.”

He picked up the phone that lay on the floor beside her chair.
“Oh? No password?”

TAP. TAP. TAP.
He quickly dialed the police station.

Then, he changed his voice—making it sound shaky and high-pitched, like a scared child.
“M-my... my mom and dad aren't home. It’s really late… and I can’t find them,” he stammered, voice trembling with fake fear.

A calm but alert voice on the other end responded,
“We’ve got your live location, kid. We’re sending a team right now. Just stay where you are.”

Beep! The call ended.

Rudra exhaled slowly and looked at Nari.
“The cops will arrive soon,” he whispered.

And just like that, the memory faded—
He was back in the present, still seated on the sofa, surrounded by silence.

He stood up.
“I have to go to the hospital.”

Without another word, he went to his room, took off his bathrobe, and started getting ready to leave.