Am I Dead?

Chapter 9

Benjamin Smith found himself bound in a dimly lit room, the air heavy with the scent of dust and machinery. His heart pounded in his chest as he struggled against his restraints, his mind racing with fear and anger. Memories of his lost son flashed before his eyes, intensifying his desperation. He shouted for help, his voice echoing off the cold concrete walls.

To his surprise, a flicker of movement caught his eye in the darkness. A figure approached, carrying a single candle that cast eerie shadows across the room.

Sophia's face emerged from the darkness, illuminated by the candlelight. Benjamin squinted, trying to make out her features through the dim light. Relief washed over him as he recognized her, though his apprehension remained.

Benjamin: Who are you? (exclaimed, his voice trembling with emotion) Are you working with Sarthak and Siddharth?

Sophia's expression softened as she knelt beside him, the candle's flame dancing between them. She hesitated for a moment, her eyes reflecting a mixture of sympathy and resolve.

Sophia: "Benjamin, I can't give you all the answers right now (replied gently, her voice steady despite the tense situation) But I need you to trust me, Sarthak and Siddharth, they have their reasons. They're trying to make things right, in their own way.

Benjamin's eyes searched hers, seeking reassurance amidst the turmoil. He knew Sophia had her own loyalties, her own reasons for being here. Yet, in that moment, her presence offered him a glimmer of hope amid the darkness.

Benjamin : I don't understand any of this, All I know is my son is gone, and they're involved in all of this. How can any of it be for a good purpose?

Sophia hesitated, a flicker of compassion crossing her features. She reached into her coat and withdrew a small packet, unfolding it to reveal a simple meal. "Eat," she urged gently, offering it to him.

Benjamin eyed the food warily, suspicion mingling with hunger. Reluctantly, he took a bite, the taste bland and unappealing. His anger simmered beneath the surface as he chewed, never taking his eyes off Sophia.

Benjamin : Is this your idea of justice? (His voice was bitter, accusatory)Feeding me won't change what they've done.

Sophia met his gaze evenly, her voice calm but resolute.

Sophia : Benjamin, justice is complicated. There are things at play here that you don't fully understand.

Benjamin : I understand enough. They've hurt innocent people, including my family. What more do I need to know?"

Sophia leaned closer, her expression earnest.

Sophia : I wish I could explain (she murmured)But right now, trust that there's a bigger picture, a reason why we're all caught in this.

With those words hanging in the air, Sophia extinguished the candle, enveloping them both in darkness once more. She rose silently and retreated into the shadows, leaving Benjamin alone with his thoughts and the weight of their conversation.

Siddharth Rathore's journey from New York to Meghalaya was a stark contrast. He flew across the Atlantic, descending into Guwahati's warmth and humidity.

While waiting for the bus on bus stop, Siddharth sifted through his documents, stumbling upon an old photograph tucked away amidst papers and passports. It depicted two young boys, grinning mischievously at the camera—Sarthak and himself—back in their childhood days. Siddharth couldn't help but reminisce about a time when life seemed simpler, before the complexities of their current predicament unfolded. The photo brought a flood of memories, both bitter and sweet, reinforcing his resolve as he prepared to confront his past in Meghalaya.

From there, a winding road led through Meghalaya's lush hills, dotted with villages and living root bridges. Finally, arriving at a secluded guesthouse, surrounded by pine trees, Siddharth found a serene respite from his turbulent past.

In the serene surroundings of Meghalaya, Siddharth Rathore sought solace with the local monks, known for their wisdom and spiritual guidance. One elderly monk, his face weathered yet gentle, took Siddharth under his wing, sensing the burden weighing heavily upon him.

Monk: Young man, peace begins within. Let go of the storms that haunt your soul.

Siddharth, his gaze distant yet attentive, struggled to voice the torment within him.

Siddharth: "I can't forget... the fire, the screams... everything burning..."

Monk: These memories are like dark clouds passing through the sky. Observe them, but do not let them define you. You are more than your past.

As Siddharth closed his eyes, the vivid flashback unfolded before him:

Flashback Scene:

The village ablaze, screams echoing through the night. People, driven mad by fear and desperation, consumed by chaos and violence. Siddharth, a young boy, witnessing horrors that no child should endure.

Back in the present, tears welled in Siddharth's eyes as he struggled to reconcile the teachings of the monks with the haunting memories of his past.

Monk: "The path to peace is not without its challenges. Embrace compassion, even for those lost in darkness. Only then can you truly find forgiveness."

Siddharth nodded, a flicker of resolve igniting within him, as he embarked on a journey not just of physical recovery, but of inner healing amidst the tranquil mountains of Meghalaya.

Monk: "Clear your mind, Siddharth. Embrace the silence within."

Siddharth (in thought): (Remembering) "I once thought survival meant finding safety."

In his flashback, Siddharth remembered the chaos of a village consumed by flames. Amid the panic and screams, he had stumbled upon a supply truck with the distinctive logo of Lendi Company.

Siddharth (in flashback): There! A truck... Lendi Company...

Desperate to escape the carnage, he clambered aboard, oblivious to the horrors that awaited him inside.

Inside the truck, stacked high with crates bearing the same emblem, Siddharth found himself surrounded by a different kind of terror.

Siddharth (in flashback): "What's happening here?"

The air was thick with the stench of fear and despair as he realized the truck was a conduit for something far more sinister than mere supplies.

Siddharth (in flashback): No... This can't be...

The darkness within humanity reared its head in that confined space—men wielding power over the helpless, atrocities committed in the name of greed and dominance.

Among the cargo, Siddharth witnessed acts that would haunt him forever—violence, exploitation, and the ruthless pursuit of power.

Siddharth (in flashback): This... This is...

The stark contrast between the serene teachings of the monks and the brutality he experienced within the confines of that truck left an indelible mark on his soul.

Siddharth (in thought): (Present day, in Meghalaya) I seek peace, but the darkness... It follows.

It was a moment of reckoning for Siddharth—a realization that survival at any cost exacts a price too high to bear. As he sat in meditation in the monastery, the memories of that fateful escape served as a poignant reminder of the darkness that lurks within humanity and the constant struggle to find peace amidst the turmoil.

To be continued....