The air inside the old library turned cold.
Not because of the weather.
But because of the way Raghav was standing there.
Still.
Quiet.
Watching.
Kavya frowned. "Raghav…?"
No response.
Aarav didn't move.
Didn't speak.
But his entire posture had changed.
Alert.
Tense.
Ready.
"What are you doing here?" Aarav asked, his voice low and controlled.
Raghav stepped inside slowly, the door creaking shut behind him.
"I could ask you the same thing," he replied.
Something in his tone—
It wasn't the same Raghav.
Not the joking, carefree version they knew.
Kavya's heartbeat quickened.
"This isn't funny," she said. "We were talking about something serious."
Raghav looked at her.
And for a brief second—
His expression softened.
Almost like the old him was still there.
"I know," he said quietly.
Then his gaze shifted back to Aarav.
"And that's exactly why I'm here."
Silence.
Aarav took a small step forward.
Placing himself slightly in front of Kavya.
"You followed us," he said.
Raghav smirked faintly.
"You didn't try very hard to hide."
Kavya looked between them.
Confused.
Tense.
"Okay, someone explain what's going on," she demanded.
Raghav sighed.
Running a hand through his hair.
"I didn't want it to happen like this," he said.
Kavya's stomach tightened.
"Didn't want what to happen?"
Another pause.
Then—
Raghav said something that changed everything.
"You're already involved, Kavya."
Her breath caught.
"And now…" he continued,
"…there's no way out."
"Stop talking in riddles!" Kavya snapped. "Just say it clearly!"
Raghav looked at Aarav.
Almost like he was waiting.
But Aarav stayed silent.
So Raghav turned back to Kavya.
"The girl who disappeared today?" he said.
Kavya nodded slowly.
"She didn't disappear randomly."
A pause.
"She was taken."
Kavya felt the ground beneath her shift.
"Taken… by who?" she whispered.
Raghav held her gaze.
"By people who think she knew something."
"And did she?" Kavya asked.
Raghav didn't answer immediately.
Instead—
He said something worse.
"They think you know something too."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Kavya's mind raced.
"That's insane! I don't even know her!"
Raghav stepped closer.
His voice softer now.
"But she knew you."
That hit hard.
Memories flashed—
The girl staring at her.
That strange look of recognition.
The warning.
"You should be careful…"
Kavya's breathing became uneven.
"This doesn't make sense," she whispered.
"It will," Aarav said quietly.
She turned to him.
"And when it does…" he added,
"…it'll already be too late."
Kavya shook her head, trying to process everything.
"No," she said firmly.
"No, I'm not doing this. I'm not just standing here being confused while you both talk like you already know everything!"
Her voice trembled—
Not with fear.
But frustration.
"Either you tell me the full truth," she continued,
"or I walk out that door right now."
A dangerous silence followed.
Aarav and Raghav exchanged a look.
A silent conversation.
Then—
Aarav spoke.
"There's a group," he said slowly.
Kavya stilled.
"They've been operating for years. Quietly. Carefully."
"What kind of group?" she asked.
Aarav's jaw tightened.
"They target people who know things they shouldn't."
Kavya's heart pounded.
"And what exactly do they do?" she whispered.
Raghav answered this time.
"They make sure those people… disappear."
The word echoed.
Heavy.
Terrifying.
Kavya took a step back.
"This is crazy," she said.
"This is actually crazy."
"I wish it was," Aarav replied.
A long silence followed.
Then—
Kavya looked at Raghav.
"How do you know all this?" she asked.
Raghav froze.
Just for a second.
But it was enough.
Kavya noticed.
Aarav noticed.
"Raghav," Aarav said quietly,
"tell her."
Another pause.
Longer this time.
Heavier.
Then—
Raghav exhaled slowly.
"I've been watching them."
Kavya blinked.
"What?"
"For months," he continued.
"Trying to understand how they operate."
"Why?" she asked.
Raghav looked at Aarav.
"For the same reason he is."
Kavya's gaze shifted between them.
"Your father," she said softly to Aarav.
He nodded.
"And you?" she asked Raghav.
Raghav's expression darkened.
"They took someone from me too."
Silence.
Kavya didn't ask who.
She didn't need to.
The pain was clear.
"But if you both knew about this," she said slowly,
"then why didn't you tell me earlier?"
Aarav answered.
"Because the moment you know…"
"…you become part of it."
Kavya let out a bitter laugh.
"Well, congratulations," she said.
"Looks like I'm already part of it."
No one argued.
Because it was true.
Suddenly—
A loud crash echoed from outside.
All three of them froze.
"What was that?" Kavya whispered.
Aarav's eyes sharpened.
"They're here."
The words sent a chill through her entire body.
"What?!" she said.
Raghav moved quickly to the window.
Peeking through the broken glass.
His expression changed instantly.
"How many?" Aarav asked.
"More than we can handle."
Kavya's heart pounded wildly.
"This isn't happening…" she whispered.
Aarav grabbed her wrist.
Firm.
Steady.
"Listen to me," he said.
Kavya looked at him.
Fear clear in her eyes.
"If anything happens," he continued,
"you run."
"No—"
"You run," he repeated.
"No looking back."
Raghav turned toward them.
"They're coming inside."
Footsteps echoed.
Closer.
Faster.
The door handle moved slightly.
Time slowed.
Kavya's breath hitched.
Aarav's grip tightened.
Raghav stepped back.
And then—
The door burst open.