The Rubble

CHAPTER 6

A/N: It's been really hectic with work, so I didn't find the time to write this one. Apologies for the same. Now, without further ado, hop into the story!

11th November 2023:

Wait. Wait. Sounds easy, right? Full bladder. Thirsty. Hungry. Cold. Aching muscles. Bored. That's how frustrated all the people were. They just knew that there were three more people in this circuit apart from them and there's no way they could find them. On one hand, Adam is being hell-bent in finding the other three people to connect the dots quicker, and on the other hand, Praanvi and Riddhi's minds are squeezed till the last drop of juice.

The constant turmoil that the three are undergoing knew no bounds as they found zilch messages from the so-called messenger. The young ladies try to accustom to their new normal whilst Adam never went back to his home in three days. With a whole team working on to find out the other three people, there were two sets of teams trying to locate the source of the messages received so far.

__

Praanvi sipped her coffee and kept the mug on her desk as she looked at the time for the eleventh time in fifteen minutes. Time didn't seem to move faster and she had already become restless.

"You know what, we should be discussing this in person," she hurriedly texted and sent it to Riddhi and Adam and tried to continue with her work as she heard a knock on the door.

"Hey, there's been damage to the Minister's property today, would you like to do the news cover?" Karan quipped.

"No, I don't think so. Is there any other thing I could do?"

"Why don't you join us in covering the report about the AI developed recently by the Ground?" he came forward and sat beside Praanvi, looking at her already distressed mane.

"Thanks, Karan, I appreciate the concern but I think I would just be alone right now," Praanvi smiled quietly.

"Sure," he exhaled and got up before saying, "you should kind of do your hair, it's a bird's nest," and chuckled to notice if she was reacting in any manner.

"Uh, thanks," her fingers traveled through the severely tangling waves as she tucked it behind her ear. After another bout of wait, she finally received a reply from Adam. She quickly glanced her palmtop and raised it to read "sure, I'll arrange the flights to CA. Will send the flight deets if it's ok with you."

Her lips curved to form a faint smile. "sure, I'm in." she texted back and waited for the response. As soon as she realized it took more than usual to respond, she slid another text, "is Riddhi on board?"

"will let you know; I'd require some of your personal information."

__

13th November 2023:

It's almost been a week and there still hasn't been any message on the gadget. The three kind of felt that it was all a prank after all and they were panicking for no reason when Adam grudged in rage, "if this really was one, then boy, they're going to be sued so bad. I won't spare any pig." he crushed his fingers before coming back to senses saying, "anyway, if you ladies require anything, we have the bits of help here, they would take care of all of them. I'd have to rush now, please text me if you come to know of any lead." Adam swarmed out of the room as the other two simply sat staring at their reflection.

Another hour of self-loathing and panic later, the messenger rang a bell. Riddhi sprinted to take hers to open a weird message.

Feckle: Hello, follow the space for more updates.

"what's in there?" Praanvi sprung up from her bed and tucked her hair before rubbing her eyes. "This person is a weirdo," Riddhi threw the gadget on the bed for Praanvi to read the message.

"A whole week and this is what we have?" Praanvi held her head in exasperation as the notification rung for the second time.

"what's it now?" Riddhi held her hand in the air as Praanvi showed the screen to her.

"what the- is it a map?" she smiled and snatched it from Praanvi's hand as they both took a look at it carefully.

"Okay, so we have a start point and it looks like a desert and there is something written," Riddhi scrunched her eyebrows to look clearly, "camps" she paused and lifted her head to look at Praanvi.

"camps?" she paused before adding, "like the concentration camps?" she gasped.

"I – it shouldn't be", Riddhi cried in disbelief and said, "are we in the 1940s? Is this some sort of a game? Why are we being made the pawns?" she jumped out of the bed and started walking faster, something which she does anytime she's tensed.

"Riddhi, calm down, I don't think it's the truth." Praanvi tried to pacify the former, whilst handling a shocker herself. "Why don't we discuss this through breakfast? You should get some sleep, too." Praanvi tried to deviate. However, Riddhi was in no mood to buy it and screamed, "do you think this is a joke? I think we should get the authorities to take a look at this, Praanvi, do not listen to the Adam guy. He is rich, he will come out of this anyhow," she started pleading as she reached the ground.

"We will try talking about this to him, don't worry, I will just text him to come over for breakfast."

__

Gregory, the help, spread avocado on the toast and sprinkled some ripe cherry tomatoes on the top, and placed it on the table for the guests to eat. The sound of the knives and fork clanking took over the dining room as Adam cut his piece of sausage. As he was about to take his first bite, he noticed the other two being blank and clueless.

"Um, are we eating," he put his cutlery down and focussed on the ladies' façade, when Riddhi quipped, "Listen, Mr. Hughes, you are really rich and famous, all of us know that here. And of course, you are aware of the map which was received yesterday. This is getting serious and I want the authorities involved in this as soon as possible. It would be for the greater good."

"Easy, easy," Adam handed her a glass of water before saying, "yes, I am very much aware of the same, and guess what? I did call the SFPD. And guess what? One of the top officials from SFPD has received the same gadget, from the same Feckle."

Praanvi dropped her fork in disbelief as she hushed, "SFPD? Are you kidding me?"

"Nope, not at all. Listen, I know the map or whatever that was, it was scary. I couldn't sleep after that. My wife and I, both are scared about going further in this and that was why we called up the SFPD when we discovered this. They are currently taking a look at the map to see if they can find out anything."

Riddhi started tearing up before adding, "I do not want to be a part of this."

"Hey, guess what? None of us are interested, too! Let us wait till the SFPD reports back. I'll head back to work and if I may, a car has been arranged for you both, to explore the place around. Just breathe easy, we will clear the hurdle. Four down, only two more to find."

___

Construtive Critiscism is more than welcome and sorry for any typos. :D