The old police station was crowded with tired officers, ringing telephones, and the constant sound of rain crashing against the windows outside. The flickering tube lights above only made the place feel colder and more unsettling.

She stood near the complaint desk with her three boy best friends, exhausted after spending hours searching for her stolen phone. The four of them were on a college trip with the rest of their classmates, but since the phone contained important contacts, photos, and college documents, they had decided to come alone to file a complaint while the others stayed back at the hotel.

It was supposed to be simple. File the complaint, get help, and leave before the rain got worse.

But within minutes, everything inside the station changed.

Wireless radios suddenly crackled nonstop as officers rushed around in panic. Urgent calls echoed through the building, and one by one, most of the policemen hurried out of the station, leaving behind only a single officer.

The atmosphere immediately became tense.

The remaining officer quickly locked the main gates and windows while her friends helped drag old tables and chairs against the entrances. Outside, loud voices and vehicle sounds echoed through the rain-soaked street.

Then came the banging.

Heavy hits slammed against the station doors hard enough to shake the old building.

Someone was trying to break in.

The officer’s face visibly paled as he checked the locks again.

“Don’t open the door no matter what happens,” he warned nervously.

Her friends stayed downstairs near the entrance while fear slowly spread through the station. The rain outside grew louder, mixing with the distant shouting from the street.

A few minutes later, everything suddenly became quiet.

Too quiet.

Uneasiness settled heavily in her chest. Deciding to check whether the upstairs doors had been properly locked, she ignored her friends calling after her and slowly climbed the old staircase toward the second floor.

The hallway upstairs was dark and silent except for the faint sound of thunder outside. Her footsteps echoed softly as she walked down the corridor.

That was when she noticed it.

One of the doors at the end of the hallway was slightly open.

Her heartbeat immediately quickened.

The officer had said every door in the station was locked.

Then why was this one open?

Carefully, she pushed the door wider and stepped out onto the narrow balcony connected to the second floor. Rain poured heavily from the dark sky while cold wind brushed against her skin.

She slowly moved closer to the railing, trying to look down at the street below.

Suddenly—

A hand clamped tightly over her mouth.

Another pressed a knife against her throat.

Her entire body froze instantly.

“Don’t scream.”

The deep voice near her ear was calm, terrifyingly calm.

She could barely breathe as the tall figure behind her pulled her back into the shadows. Rainwater dripped from his dark clothes, and his grip never loosened for even a second.

Then lightning flashed across the balcony.

And for the first time, she saw his face.

Arjun Das.