The Hidden Knife

CHAPTER 20: BREATH

I try to make out everything in the darkness. Those dark objects and those dark wells. I cannot find Ethan anywhere near me. I guess I have again launched myself into serious trouble. Is Ethan really helping me? Or rather using me? For his own benefits. I try to make my way with my uninjured arm to the light at the end of the tunnel. I hope I will not end up stumbling on some object or other and snapping my jaw. That would be the last thing I need now.

The cold air is filling in inside the building. I can see my breath now as I cautiously make my way forward. I move towards the window and peer outside, hoping to catch a glimpse of what's going on. But I could not find Ethan here. He must have already left. I don't know. I don't know where he could be. I just hope he's safe. So am I.

I can hear some kind of breathing coming from the other side of the door. Footsteps. I suppose it's Ethan. And yes. It is him.

'Where have you gone?'.

The next thing I know is I'm once again taken into the ground. Rather , I'm being dragged under the ground.

'What are you doing, Ethan?' I say with a struggling voice. He is not responding.

'Just keep quiet,' he replies with a muffled voice.

I have the urge to ask him why. What is happening and why is he doing this? I have the slightest idea regarding it.

Now. Right now. I can hear some kind of movement and voices outside. I am filled with fear and anticipation. Two men talking against each other. And here we are laying flat on the ground. As per my guess, they must be on the other side of the house. I am not sure what they are looking for, but I hope they don't find us. They seem like to be Anand's men. Both Ethan and I know that it's kind of impossible to get out alive if we get caught. We must come up with a plan to escape undetected.

I quietly whisper to Ethan, "We need to stay calm and think of a way out of here without being seen or heard." Ethan nods in agreement, his eyes wide with fear. We slowly crawl towards the back door, trying to remain as silent as possible. The voices outside grow louder, and my heart races with each passing second. I pray that our plan will work and we can escape unharmed. At least for today. Alive.

Suddenly, a loud crash echoes through the room, causing us to freeze in fear. We exchange a look of panic before realizing that this might be our only chance to make a run for it. With adrenaline pumping through our veins, we bolt towards the back door, hoping that luck is on our side.

I try to run as fast as I can. But I'm so tired. I feel my legs giving out beneath me. I follow Ethan, who is cautiously leading the way. I don't know where the doors might have led to us. But I know that we have to keep moving forward, no matter what obstacles we may face. The footsteps are growling louder and louder at each moment. I can hear someone shout, 'Follow them'.

It seems our locations somehow got revealed. I have no idea how. But I do know that I need to run right now.

After having an exhausted run, we are inside a basement. It is literally in such a devastated moment. There is no way we can stay here for long. The floorboards are creaked, and the air here smells of decay and mildew. There is a small light lighting the area , barely illuminating the shadows that seem to be moving around us. There are pieces of glass cracked in one of the corners. I don't think it's safe to stay here for long.

I walk my way and look for another place to take shelter.

'It won't be wise to stay here for long enough,' Ethan says , looking around nervously.

'I know'.

'Their men would be coming in a matter of seconds with all their artillery and warfare'.

'Do you have any plans in your pocket?'.

'Well, right now, let me think'.

I shake my head, feeling a sense of dread creeping up on me. The urgency of our situation is becoming clearer by the second. We need to find a safer hideout before it's too late. Ethan and I quickly move through the dimly lit space, searching for a more secure location to evade our pursuers. The sound of approaching footsteps only adds to our growing unease. We have to act fast if we want to survive this dangerous game of cat and mouse.

I look at another corner and find some discarded items thrown. Rather some useless gadgets. I search through them quickly, hoping to find something that could help us escape. There's some kind of dry blood dripping from one of the walls.

'I have an idea,' I say.

'But I'm not sure of it'.

Just breathe the vital air in.