Hide & Shadow

Chapter 2

Twilight had set in as Rohan's car neared the Howrah station. He sat brooding in the back seat beside his uncle, completely oblivious to the mesmerising colours the dusk sky was displaying.

It seemed as though an artist's palette of vibrant colours had tipped over and the colours were flowing around and merging with each other at their own free will.

Having lived almost all his life in the sprawling city of Calcutta now known as Kolkata, he had been inside the station numerous times either to receive someone or for travelling out of station.

However unlike his previous visits he felt no thrill this time. Even the simmering water of the river Hoogly did not get a glance from him as their car had crossed over the Howrah Bridge.

The car entered the station and stopped at the window for showing their passes for the train that would take them to Shaktiganj.

The man who took the pass from the driver stiffened as he saw the pass.

He shared a glance with his colleague sitting next to him before grimly asking the driver, "Do you know the procedure of boarding the train?"

The driver responded in the positive showing them his Identification papers of being employed by Royal builders.

Rohan looked at them in irritation "Procedure of boarding the train? We lift our legs and climb the two steps! Stop talking rub.."

"Sir, please let me handle this." The driver interjected.

The men behind the checking window gave Rohan a stern look "First time traveller?" they asked the driver. "Ensure he does not do anything silly."

Silly??

"What do you mean you manner less nincompoop.." Rohan's outburst stayed incomplete as the driver hurriedly drove them inside.

He heard soft chuckles from beside him and looked at his uncle who had been taking a nap till now.

As his eyes met his Uncle's amused ones he simmered down a bit.

.They got down from the car and took out the light overnight bags each of them were carrying. Their main luggage was being transported by the Royal builders.

They walked on along with the driver of the car towards one side of the station. As they kept on walking the place was looking more and more secluded.

The driver led to a dimly lit section before stopping suddenly in front of a old battered door that looked unused since long.

He looked on as the man took their passes and held them beside the door and immediately there was a whirring sound and the door started to open.

Bewildered Rohan realised there was some sort of circuit camouflaged by the not so clean walls around the door.

He gulped apprehensively ss the driver asked them to enter through the door, He looked at his uncle for support who seemed unfazed.

Anuj gave a small nod of encouragement and Rohan omhaled shar[ly as he walked in, unsure of where he was going.

As soon as they entered the door closed behind them making Rohan more nervous.

What the hell was going on?

He was just about to travel to his job location, why did it look like he was entering a war zone?

He walked quietly beside his uncle and the driver and soon saw there were more people around.

As they moved ahead the lights seemed to get brighter and he realised they had entered a secluded railway platform.

His breath trapped in his lungs as his eyes landed what stood beside the platform