A Rising Threat
The next day, Wick grew more cautious. The unsettling events surrounding him and The Shield forced him to keep his guard up. His sharp instincts told him that something was not right, but for now, he kept those suspicions to himself.
Meanwhile, Vaibhav's demeanor shifted noticeably, especially toward Shristi. His usual warmth was replaced by an almost cold detachment, laced with subtle rudeness. Yet, despite his distant attitude, Shristi remained composed. She didn't react harshly but instead maintained her usual poise, confusing Vaibhav further.
It wasn't long before Vaibhav noticed something that finally made him snap. He spotted Shristi speaking with a stranger in hushed tones. A sinking feeling twisted in his gut, and as soon as the stranger left, he rushed toward her, unable to contain his suspicions any longer.
"Why are you doing this?" Vaibhav demanded, his voice sharper than he intended.
Shristi raised an eyebrow, confused. "Excuse me?"
"You don't have to pretend anymore. There's no point in hiding," Vaibhav pressed, his hands clenched into fists.
Shristi tilted her head slightly, an amused yet irritated smile forming on her lips. "Hiding what exactly?"
Vaibhav took a deep breath, his suspicions boiling over. "I know you're the imposter."
For a moment, there was silence. Then Shristi sighed, crossing her arms. "Ah, so that's what this is about." She took a step closer, her gaze unwavering. "If that's what you think, then go ahead and believe it. But I'm sorry to disappoint you—I'm not the traitor." Her voice was firm, yet there was an undercurrent of warning in her tone. "And if you say anything else without proof, I might just forget that you're Bhumi's best friend."
Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heels and walked away, leaving Vaibhav standing there, frozen in realization.
He ran a frustrated hand through his hair. Damn it. What did I just do? He cursed himself inwardly. I literally told her my suspicions outright. How dumb can I be?
A voice interrupted his thoughts.
"What happened?" Bhumi's concerned face appeared beside him.
Vaibhav quickly masked his frustration, forcing a sheepish grin. "Oh, nothing much. Just struggling with my academics."
Bhumi didn't look convinced. "Really?"
"Yep. Just school stuff."
She hesitated for a moment before saying, "Well, in that case, why don't you come over to Shristi's place later? I'll be there helping her, and afterward, we can go out somewhere."
Vaibhav tensed at the suggestion. "I don't think that's a good idea."
Bhumi shrugged. "Suit yourself."
---
A Glimpse Into the Future
That evening, Vaibhav's unease grew into something worse—an undeniable sense of dread.
As he drifted into an uneasy sleep, a terrifying vision overtook him.
He saw blood.
Bodies.
Bhumi, Tanvi, and Tarun—lifeless. Their broken forms lay before him, crimson staining the ground. And towering over them was Toji, his monstrous frame shrouded in shadows.
"No… No, this can't be real!" Vaibhav's mind screamed as he jolted awake, his breathing ragged.
He sat up, his hands shaking as the vision burned into his mind. This wasn't just a nightmare. It was a warning.
---
At exactly 10:00 PM, his phone buzzed. It was Amit.
"I have important news," Amit's voice came through, urgent and low.
Vaibhav's pulse quickened. "What is it?"
"I saw Toji heading toward Shristi's house." Amit hesitated. "I'm not sure, but I think he's going there to get Tanvi."
Vaibhav's breath caught in his throat. His dream… It was happening.
And worse—Bhumi was there too.
"I need to call Wick," Vaibhav said quickly, reaching for his phone.
"No!" Amit snapped. "You can't. If Wick goes there and loses to Toji, The Shield's reputation will be destroyed. And given everything that's happened, Wick isn't at his best right now. Plus, Shristi is there—she makes him weak."
Vaibhav clenched his jaw, his mind racing. Amit was right. Wick had been struggling recently, his edge dulled by everything happening around him. If he failed here, The Shield would be finished.
That meant Vaibhav had to handle this himself.
He exhaled sharply. "Alright. I'll stop Toji myself."
His fingers trembled as he dialed Bhumi's number.
"Hey, Vaibhav," she answered casually. "What's up?"
"I need Shristi's address," he said quickly.
Bhumi frowned. "Why the sudden change of heart? I thought you didn't want to come."
He forced a chuckle. "Yeah, well… I just wanted to see you."
A small pause. Then, "Alright. I'll send it to you."
---
The Storm Approaches
Vaibhav reached Shristi's house before Toji arrived. Everything seemed normal at first. Inside, Bhumi, Tanvi, and Tarun were sitting together, discussing their upcoming tournament matches.
But the moment of calm didn't last.
A sudden knock at the door made the air grow heavy.
Vaibhav's stomach twisted. He's here.
Without hesitation, he turned to Tanvi and Tarun. "Hide. Now."
Their eyes widened, but they didn't argue. Tanvi grabbed Tarun's wrist, and they quickly disappeared into another room.
Bhumi frowned, sensing the tension. "Vaibhav, what's going on?"
Another louder knock.
Vaibhav swallowed hard, his mind racing. I have to handle this.
To be continued...