Chapter 1: where it all started ?

"Madam, we've reached the address you provided, but I must say, this place seems rather shady for a meeting," a man spoke into his phone. He stood amidst the crumbling walls of an abandoned building, accompanied by a young boy. The hour approached midnight, and heavy clouds veiled the moon, casting an eerie darkness over the scene. The building itself resembled a haunting setting from a bygone era.

"Have you brought them with you?" a female voice inquired from the other end of the line.

"Yes, I have," the man replied.

"Good, I'll be there in two minutes," the woman said before abruptly ending the call.

"Dad, why are we here, and where's that surprise you promised?" the boy asked, his voice tinged with anticipation.

"Son, just give me two more minutes," the man reassured him. As the clouds shifted, revealing a faint glimpse of the moon, the surroundings were bathed in a muted glow. In that fleeting moment, a glint caught the man's attention, emanating from an adjacent building.

"Dad! But this place... it's..." the boy began to voice his concerns, only to be interrupted.

"Hush!" The man's voice carried a sense of urgency, and his eyes darted around, searching for something specific.

"What's wrong, Dad?" the boy questioned, his tone laced with worry.

"Lower your voice," the man whispered. "Karan, let's play hide and seek."

"No! I don't want to play. I want the gift you promised me," the boy protested.

"If you play, I promise you an even greater reward," the man enticed him. "Go and hide where no one can find you."

"Okay, let's do it. But I won't let you find me this time," the boy agreed.

"Yes, you will. Now go and hide," the man instructed. However, as the boy began to descend the stairs, the man stopped him.

"Not there."

"Dad! You're cheating. Turn around and close your eyes," the boy insisted.

"Now go and hide, and remember, no matter what happens, don't come out, okay?" the man urged.

"Yes, Dad, I understand," the boy replied, his voice filled with determination.

"Clearly, I've been framed. There's a sniper in the neighboring building. This one is under construction, leaving limited places to hide. Moreover, it's nighttime, suggesting the sniper may be equipped with either a night vision scope or heat detection technology. The latter seems less probable, given the circumstances," the man reasoned, his mind racing with possibilities.

"Now, the question remains: who framed me? The prime suspect would be ACP Madam, but..." His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps.

As the figures entered his field of vision, the man observed ten individuals dressed in black attire, donning sleek black helmets that concealed their faces. They exuded an aura of trained assassins.

"The cartel's assassins," the man stated, his voice devoid of warmth. "So they're attempting to eliminate me."

"VJ, surrender yourself, and I'll grant you a quick death," one of the helmeted men declared.

"Before that, may I ask you a question?" VJ inquired, his voice calm and composed.

"I suppose I can entertain your inquiry. After all, it'll be your last," the masked man responded with chilling indifference.