Shadows Of Fate

Chapter 1

The night sky blurred above them; stars smeared into streaks as the car tore down the empty highway. The wind whipped through the cracked window, tangling her hair, but she didn't care. Her heart raced just as fast as the engine beneath them.

"What do you think?" she said, glancing at him with a half-smile half-smirk, her voice barely audible over the roar of the engine. Her hand was steady on the dashboard, fingers gripping tightly—not from fear, but from excitement.

The man driving the car gave her a quick sideways glance, lips curling into a confident grin. "I am born to win darling" he shouted, shifting gears smoothly. The car with a growling engine lurched forward with even more speed, eating up the asphalt beneath it. Streetlights flashed past, casting brief glimpses of the cars chasing behind them.

They were neck and neck with the car in front, but they weren't worried. They were the best and they knew it.

"Overconfident much, huh?" she smirked, eyes fixed on the car ahead.

His grip tightened on the wheel. "It's called having faith in my skills baby"

The engine roared louder as he punched the gas, the car leaping forward. They flew into the bend, tires screeching as he drifted through the turn with expert precision. Her fingers pressed harder into the dashboard, but her eyes sparkled with adrenaline. She trusted him completely.

As they came out of the turn, the car ahead of them was still ahead but just barely. His focus narrowed. His hand moved lightning fast to shift gears again, and the car surged forward, pulling alongside the other car.

With a final burst of speed, he pulled ahead, leaving the other one behind as they hit the final straight. The finish line was coming up fast—just a few hundred feet away, marked by the group of onlookers waiting, cheering, their phones out to capture the moment.

She turned her head slightly, her voice softer now, just for him. "Congratulations Champion"

He smiled, the kind of smile that only came when he was on top of the world. "My lucky charm is with me after all!"

He turned toward her, the adrenaline still pulsing through his veins. "What'd I tell you?"

She grinned back, shaking her head. "I never doubted you for a second."

A man with a microphone stepped into view, a broad grin on his face as he tried to catch their attention. "And tonight's champions, without a doubt - The Ghost and Infinity. " He announced, his voice booming over the excited crowd.

The cheers intensified, but as the crowd looked around, confusion began to spread. "Where are they?" someone shouted, glancing toward the starting line.

The man with the microphone frowned, scanning the area. "They always do this," he muttered, chuckling nervously. "They have vanished again!"

The crowd erupted into laughter and murmurs, realizing that once again, the champions had slipped away into the night, leaving nothing but the echo of their victory behind. They had a reputation for disappearing right after the race. No one had ever seen their faces, which are always hidden behind their helmets.

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A girl stood in the middle of the bustling restaurant, her heart racing as she faced her boss, Mr. Verma. His face was a storm cloud, eyes narrowed as he glared at her.

"What nonsense is this?" he thundered, his voice cutting through the clatter of dishes and chatter of customers. "Can you do one thing correctly for once? Do you realize how much crockery you've broken since you started working here?"

The girl's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She looked down at the floor, where shards of a shattered plate glimmered like tiny stars against the polished tiles. "I... I'm really sorry, sir. It was unintentional. I don't know how it keeps happening. I truly apologize," she stammered, her voice trembling. Desperation clawed at her throat. "You can cut it from my salary—"

"Oh, I certainly will," he interrupted sharply, waving a hand dismissively. "And now, Miss Kriti, you can go clear your pay with the manager and leave. Thank you for your services, but we no longer need them."

Panic surged through her. "No, please! Just give me one more chance," she pleaded, stepping closer, her hands clasped tightly together. "I promise it won't happen again. I really need this job. Please, don't fire me!" Her voice broke, revealing the fear and urgency beneath her calm facade.

Mr. Verma's expression softened for a brief moment, but it quickly hardened again. He looked around, ensuring no one was watching, then sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Kriti, I can't keep you on if you keep making these mistakes. I've already given you plenty chances."

Tears pricked at her eyes, but she blinked them back, determined to hold her ground. "I'll work harder. I'll stay late. Just give me another chance," she urged, desperation lacing her words. "I can't lose this job. It's all I have."

"I am sorry, I can't"

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Kriti stood in the dimly lit living room of her small apartment, her heart heavy as she spoke. "Uncle, I got fired today. I'm sorry, but I won't be able to buy the medicines this month. You'll have to bear the pain."

"Kriti—"

"Shh," she interrupted, raising a hand as a chuckle escaped her lips. "Now that I think of it, it's actually nice." She let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head in disbelief. "Isn't it funny how the tables have turned? How fate is on my side now? The man who once destroyed my life is now dependent on me."

Her uncle's face darkened, but she pushed forward, a mixture of anger and satisfaction coursing through her. "I should have left you long ago but look at me now—I'm helping you out. You should be thankful."

"Kriti beta—"

"Shut up," she spat, her voice cold. "Don't say my name with that filthy mouth of yours. I'm here, helping you only because I once considered you my father." Her hands trembled at her sides, the weight of the past heavy in the air between them.

"I don't know who those people were who saved me by attacking you, but I'll forever be grateful," she continued, her tone sharp and unforgiving. Memories flickered at the edges of her mind, but she forced them back down.

"Anyways, no medicines this month. Food will also be limited," she stated, her resolve hardening. "All this until I find my next job."

Kriti turned away from him, the flickering light casting shadows across her face. She felt a mix of relief and bitterness, knowing she held the power now, but also the weight of uncertainty that loomed ahead.

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Hello readers, here is the first chapter and I am very excited and I am sure you all will love it as well.. There is going to be lots of mystery, action, suspense, drama, romance.

Tell me what you think about it...