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*without knowing shadow*
*part :*ten*
https://mihraskoduvally123.blogspot.com/2024/07/blog-post_24.html
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https://instagram.com/she.is.dream.maker?igshid=ZGUzMzM3NWJiOQ==
https://www.instagram.com/invites/contact/?i=o7hsgxz71i40&utm_content=8ex74zs
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We somehow jumped out from that dark street and reached the office.
The moment we got there, I buried my hands into the pile of files, searching for something I had left behind.
The phone screen lit up again.
— Private caller.
When my finger pressed the 'Receive' button,
that voice —
it was as if it came from the darkness of some old room.
> "The letter you received… that's only the beginning."
The voice was calm, but inside it,
I could hear a steady flow of threat.
I scattered the letters all over, and seeing that, the security guard handed me some envelopes that had been lying untouched on the table.
> "In the list of people who died in 2018… one name is missing.
You must find out who it is.
Or else… the next name on that list will be yours."
The line went dead.
I sat at my desk, absent-mindedly tracing the papers with my fingers.
The full stop at the end of the letter's last line…
That full stop could very well be the full stop for a chapter of my own life.
I looked out the window.
The storm wind shook the streetlight outside.
Someone was standing there — without an umbrella —
facing directly toward me.
I couldn't make out the face,
but in his hand —
a black leather file.
I could see clearly,
it was the same missing evidence from the 2018 case.
The phone lit up again.
Number — Private Caller.
My fingers trembled slightly as I pressed 'Receive.'
> "Did you get the letter?" — the voice was utterly calm, yet the storm of threat inside it was barely hidden.
I stayed silent.
He continued:
> "The 2018 list… not everyone on it died. One person is still walking among us.
You must find him.
Or else… the next name on the list will be yours."
Again, the same threat… deep inside, my fear screamed louder.
The line went dead.
I opened the letter again and looked.
The full stop at the end of the last line
felt like it could be the full stop of my own life.
My heartbeat quickened.
I glanced out the window again.
In the storm, a streetlight shook.
Beneath it, without an umbrella,
a man.
It felt like he was staring straight at me.
I grabbed my gun and followed him — but suddenly,
that figure vanished before my eyes.
Was it all just my imagination?
I walked around.
Heavy footsteps in the hallway.
They stopped outside my office door…
Or was that also my imagination?
My hand on the doorknob.
Like the silence of a mute cat,
yet I was certain —
the pounding of my heart, he could hear it.
No one was there. I kept walking again.
In my ears, I could hear footsteps.
As a police officer, I felt like I had failed.
Even though he had walked right in front of my fingertips,
I couldn't see him.
I went back to my desk.
On top of the old files — the same leather file.
That means… he had entered here.
I could do nothing.
So many officers, so much security — yet no one saw him.
Even after the others followed me in,
even with security around,
how had he managed to enter unseen?
With a deep sigh, I turned to the CCTV footage.
Through the window behind my desk,
I saw hands slowly placing the files onto the desk from outside —
but I could only watch, unable to act.
Around me, officers kept searching for him.
Leaning back into my chair, I drifted into sleep.
The ringing of the phone woke me.
Maria's voice, trembling badly:
> "My girl… my girl…"
Nothing else was clear — or perhaps she couldn't say more.
I grabbed the gun from the table, got into the police vehicle, and rushed to the hospital.
I prayed the new news wouldn't be something that would shatter me.
Who isn't afraid of a game played with life itself — a game stained in blood?
> "I'm sorry. I know what I did was wrong.
But in front of me, I only saw one thing — that I must get justice.
I never imagined the consequences would be this big.
Forgive me. Jacob helped me a lot.
I never thought he'd have to suffer this much… I'm sorry… I'm sorry…"
It was while hearing Clara's confession that the inspector entered Jacob's ward.
When he saw his daughter standing beside her father with teary eyes,
he felt some relief — yet had no idea what was going on.
He looked at Maria.
Her eyes said clearly that she was utterly lost, not knowing what to do.
To be continued…
*✍🏻mihras koduvally*
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*ISHQE-MADEENA*
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