The sunlight was soft, casting golden streaks over the rooftops of the sleepy neighborhood. A light breeze carried the scent of tea and toast from nearby windows. But outside one particular house — the Verma residence — the air was already heavy with urgency and unresolved tension.
Two figures leaned casually against a black SUV parked just outside the gate. Dev Malik, tall, cool as always, with his sniper bag slung across his shoulder, and Rehaan Sethi, arms crossed, eyes flicking around the street like a hawk. They weren't just there for a casual catch-up. They were waiting for Kiaan — and answers.
Just then, the front door opened with a click, and Kiaan Verma stepped out, helmet in hand, black jacket hugging his lean frame, face calm but eyes stormy. His expression carried the same weight it always did after a long night in his secret room — haunted, hungry, and alert.
> "Finally," Rehaan said, straightening. "Tell me you cracked something. Did you get it last night?"
Dev didn't wait. "Kiaan, that Rudra Khaali—he's not just another name on your wall. This guy's dangerous. Real kill-for-sport material. If he's tied to your dad's case…" he trailed off, but the implication hung thick in the morning air.
Kiaan nodded, voice low but sharp.
> "I found a decrypted CBI report. Rudra was part of an operation that got sealed three months before dad died. And guess what—he vanished the same week."
Rehaan cursed under his breath.
> "So the bastard's not just a dealer. He's the ghost in the system."
Before they could continue, a loud thump interrupted them — the sound of the wooden gate swinging open harshly.
Shaurya emerged, his schoolbag slung over one shoulder, shirt half tucked, and face as annoyed as ever. His headphones hung around his neck, but his sharp tongue was already loaded.
He glanced at Dev and Rehaan with nothing short of contempt.
> "Still hanging around these jobless people?" he scoffed at Kiaan. "Shouldn't you be off pretending to work or whatever shady thing you do all day?"
Rehaan's jaw tightened, but Dev just raised an eyebrow, amused.
Kiaan turned to his brother, tone sharp.
> "Shaurya, they're my friends. And they're not jobless. Watch your mouth."
But the 15-year-old wasn't done.
> "Oh, I'll tell Mom what you're doing with these idiots every morning. Maybe then you'll stop sneaking out like some wannabe rebel."
Kiaan's temper flared.
> "Shaurya! Enough."
The boy smirked, satisfied he'd struck a nerve.
> "Don't raise your voice at me. I'm not one of your shady street friends."
Just then, the door behind them slammed open, and Nandita Verma marched out, face hard and lips pursed. Her hands were still wet from the sink, a towel over one shoulder.
> "What's going on out here now?" she snapped. "Kiaan, your voice echoed through the whole house! First you wander off like a vagabond every morning, and now this?"
Kiaan swallowed his frustration. This was routine. But it still burned every time.
> "They're my friends, Maa," he said, trying to soften his tone. "We were just talking—"
> "Oh, I'm sure," Nandita cut in, eyes flicking to Dev and Rehaan with silent judgment. "Always talking, always roaming around like you're some mystery man. While this house runs on my savings and your brother's school needs. If your father was here—"
Kiaan's hand clenched at the mention of his father.
> "He would've understood."
That silence was sharp. Shaurya scoffed again. Nandita just stared coldly.
Kiaan took a breath, forced himself to cool down, then turned away. Without a word, he straddled his black Yamaha, nodded at Dev and Rehaan.
> "Let's go."
Dev muttered under his breath as they walked toward the car.
> "Your stepbrother's got a mouth on him. Kid's lucky he doesn't know who he's mouthing off to."
Rehaan added, "And your mom… man, she talks like you're the freeloader, not the one chasing killers in your sleep."
Kiaan didn't say anything for a long moment. Then finally, as they drove off, he muttered quietly, more to himself than anyone:
> "They won't understand. Not until they see the devil himself."
The engine roared as the trio pulled out of the neighborhood, headed for HQ, the hunt for Rudra Khaali now officially on. And this time, Kiaan wasn't just chasing justice — he was chasing blood.