TARA : Beyond The Time ( Under Editing)

Dhruv found Tara

Gripping the edge of her cloak, Tara peered cautiously into the dimly lit passage before them. Her heart pounded in her ears as she tried to decide their next move.

They had to find a way out soon before Agha's men realized they were missing. Ria had gotten them this far by thinking quickly, but a simple mistake could doom them.

Tara took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. As terrifying as this situation was, she knew panicking would only make things worse. She had to keep a level head if they were going to make it out and stop whatever sinister plot was going on.

Turning to Ria, she spoke in a hushed tone. "You're right, we're wasting time here. We need to find a way out soon before..."

Her words trailed off as she heard the unmistakable sound of approaching footsteps echoing down the corridor. Her heart started racing again.

In an instant, guards could be on them. There was no more time for planning or strategizing. Tara acted on instinct, grabbing Ria's hand and pulling her along as she broke into a sprint toward the sounds of the exit.

No more thinking, only moving as fast as she could. Tara refused to be captured again, not when so much was at stake. Tara's heart raced as she and Ria sprinted blindly down the dark corridor, the sounds of shouting guards echoing all around them. She clutched Ria's hand tightly, refusing to let go no matter what.

Up ahead, a faint light filtered in - a sign there was an exit close by. Hope surged in Tara's chest. If they could just make it outside, they might have a chance at escaping Agha's clutches.

Ria seemed to have the same thought as she pointed ahead with her free hand. "There! That has to be the way out!" she hissed urgently.

Tara didn't need any further encouragement. Putting on an extra burst of speed, she hurtled towards the growing light source with Ria in tow.

Suddenly, a guard stepped into the passage ahead of them, raising a crossbow and taking aim. Tara's breath caught in her throat as she instinctively tried to backpedal, but it was too late.

The guard's finger squeezed the trigger as a guttural shout escaped his lips. "HALT! Don't move or I'll..."

His words died in his throat as Ria acted with lightning quickness, whipping off her cloak and using it to entangle the crossbow bolt in mid-flight. Wasting no time, she then charged forward, slamming into the stunned guard.

But Tara refused to be left behind. As Ria grappled with the burly man, Tara reached up and ripped a decorative hairpin from her hair. Gripping it tightly, she rushed the guard from behind and, with all her might, plunged the sharp pin into the side of his neck.

The man cried out, convulsing as he fought to dislodge Ria. But it was too late - Tara had struck true. Within seconds, the guard went limp, crumpling to the ground in a lifeless heap.

Chest heaving, Tara met Ria's wide-eyed stare, the reality of what she had done crashing over her. She had taken a life... but it was to save their own.

There was no time to dwell. Ria gave a solemn nod of grim understanding before gesturing urgently toward the exit. "Let's go, before more comes!"

Tara swallowed hard and nodded. Stealing her resolve, she followed her friend through the open passage and out into the moonlit courtyard beyond.

On another side , Dhruv paced anxiously back and forth, running his hands through his disheveled hair. "Where would Tara be? She's been missing for hours."

Rudra looked up from studying the map with a furrowed brow. "And Ria too  ."

Dhruv nodded gravely. "You don't think this Agha character has them, do you?"