Quarantine Hearts

Chapter Twelve: Retribution

The sound of the gunshots echoed through the opulent room. Meera and Vivaan dove to the ground as Raghav fired. The bullets whizzed past them, embedding themselves into the ornate wood paneling behind them. Vivaan reacted quickly,  as he tackled Raghav, knocking the gun from his hand.

The two men grappled, but Vivaan's determination gave him the upper hand. He pinned Raghav to the floor, his face inches away from Raghav's. "You made me into a monster," Vivaan snarled, his voice filled with rage. "Now you'll see what a real monster looks like."

Vivaan dragged Raghav to his feet and forced him to the corner of the room where a hidden panel concealed a secret lab. The lab was filled with the equipment and technology Raghav used to brainwash his victims. Vivaan shoved Raghav into a chair and began strapping him in, using the very restraints designed for others.

Raghav struggled, his eyes wide with fear. "What are you doing?" he shouted, his voice tinged with panic.

"Giving you a taste of your own medicine," Vivaan replied coldly. He activated the neural control equipment, but instead of the sophisticated programs Raghav had used, Vivaan set the system to a much cruder, more painful mode. The neural devices would bombard Raghav's brain with intense, disorienting electrical impulses, causing excruciating pain and hallucinations.

Meera watched, her eyes wide but understanding the necessity of what Vivaan was doing. She knew Raghav's death had to be a message, a warning to anyone who dared to follow in his footsteps.

Raghav's screams filled the room as the device went to work, his body convulsing against the restraints. Vivaan stood over him, his face a mask of cold fury. "You took everything from me," he said, his voice low and menacing. "Now you'll pay the price."

The ordeal continued, Raghav's screams growing weaker as his body and mind were pushed to the brink. Vivaan leaned in close, his eyes locked on Raghav's. "This is for every life you've destroyed, for every innocent person you've hurt. This is for Meera."

Finally, Raghav's body went limp, the life drained from his eyes. Vivaan deactivated the machine and stood back, breathing heavily. The room was silent except for the faint hum of the equipment.

Meera approached, placing a hand on Vivaan's shoulder. "It's over," she said softly.

Vivaan nodded, his eyes still fixed on Raghav's lifeless form. "It's over," he echoed, feeling a sense of closure wash over him. He knew there would be consequences, but for now, he and Meera had survived, and Raghav would never hurt anyone again.