Chapter 45: The Rescue Attempt

The weight of the situation pressed heavily on Sam's shoulders. He sat at the worn wooden table, the hastily delivered message from Pushp still fresh in his mind. Nitin had been arrested and would be moved to the main jail in a matter of hours. Sam clenched his fists, feeling the urgency of the moment. "I have to act fast," he murmured, determination hardening his resolve. The clock was ticking, and he had little time to waste. The responsibility of Nitin's safety now rested squarely on his shoulders, and failure was not an option.

Sam's first task was to locate the detention center in the town of Durinia where Nitin was being held. He had just over an hour to find the place and devise a plan to get Nitin out. He closed his eyes and called out to Pushp, the spirit-like being who had been his loyal companion and guide through countless challenges.

"Pushp, I need to find the detention center in Durinia," Sam said, his voice urgent. "Can you help me?"

Pushp's ethereal form shimmered into view, a soft glow illuminating the room. "Sam, I can guide you with what I know, but I cannot interfere directly with the material world," Pushp replied, their voice calm and steady. "You will need to ask the townspeople for directions. Look for those who might know about the detention center—guards, merchants, or anyone who appears to have information."

Sam nodded, determination in his eyes. "Thank you, Pushp. I won't waste any time." He grabbed his cloak and sword, rushing out the door. The cobbled streets of Durinia were bustling with activity, but Sam's mind was solely focused on finding Nitin.

He approached a guard standing at the entrance to the market square. "Excuse me," Sam said, trying to keep his voice steady, "can you tell me where the detention center is?"

The guard eyed him suspiciously. "What business do you have there?"

"It's urgent," Sam replied, his tone firm but desperate. "A matter of life and death."

The guard hesitated, then pointed towards the northern part of the town. "Head that way, past the old smithy. You'll see it—high stone walls and iron gates. Be careful, stranger."

"Thank you," Sam said, hurrying in the direction the guard had indicated. He moved quickly through the crowded streets, his eyes scanning for the landmarks the guard had mentioned. As he passed the old smithy, he saw the detention center looming ahead, just as Pushp and the guard had described.

The building was imposing, its high stone walls and iron gates stark against the twilight sky. Sam scanned the area, noting the positions of the guards, the entrances, and potential escape routes. The guards were vigilant, their movements methodical as they patrolled the perimeter. Sam's eyes darted from one guard to another, assessing their patterns and looking for gaps in their defenses.

"Alright," he whispered to himself, formulating a plan. He would need to move swiftly and silently, taking advantage of the changing shifts to slip inside unnoticed. The main entrance was out of the question, heavily guarded and well-lit by torches. Instead, he focused on a side gate that seemed less secure. He would have to climb the wall and avoid the patrolling guards, but it was his best shot.

As he studied the guards' routines, Sam's mind wandered to Nitin's predicament. "Hang in there, Nitin," he thought, "I'm coming for you." He noticed a guard taking a slightly longer break than the others, leaning against the wall by a poorly lit corner. "That's my window," Sam decided.

With his plan in place, Sam prepared for the next phase: infiltrating the detention center. The minutes ticked by, each one bringing him closer to the critical moment. He crouched behind a stack of barrels, his eyes fixed on the side gate. The guard on break finally straightened up and started to walk away. Sam knew this was his chance. Taking a deep breath, he moved forward, every step bringing him closer to the building that held his friend captive.

"Here goes nothing," Sam murmured as he approached the wall, ready to put his plan into action and rescue Nitin from the clutches of the detention center before it was too late.

Sam waited patiently, heart pounding in his chest, as the guards changed shifts. The momentary lapse in vigilance was all he needed. He darted forward, his footsteps silent on the grass. "Thump," his heart echoed in his ears as he scaled the wall, his fingers gripping the rough surface. He reached the top and peered over, scanning the yard below. It was empty. Perfect.

He dropped down, landing softly on the balls of his feet. "Creak," went a nearby door, and he froze, pressing himself against the wall. A guard emerged, lighting a cigarette, oblivious to Sam's presence. Sam held his breath, counting the seconds until the guard moved on. "Crackle," went the cigarette as the guard took a long drag before finally walking away.

Sam exhaled slowly, his pulse steadying. He crept forward, keeping to the shadows, his eyes darting around for any signs of movement. The detention center's interior was a maze of corridors and cells, and he needed to find Nitin quickly. The air was thick with tension, every creak of the floorboards and distant murmur of voices amplifying his anxiety.

The hallways were dimly lit, with only the occasional flicker of an old fluorescent light. "I need to stay alert," Sam reminded himself, his senses on high alert. He could hear the muffled sounds of prisoners talking, the clinking of chains, and the occasional shout from a guard. Every sound seemed amplified in the eerie silence.

Sam moved cautiously through the dimly lit corridors, his ears straining for any sounds that might lead him to Nitin. He peered into cell after cell, his heart sinking as he saw the desolate faces of the prisoners. "Where are you, Nitin?" he muttered under his breath. The desperation in his voice was palpable, and he knew he couldn't afford to waste any more time.

He rounded a corner and saw a group of guards talking in hushed tones. He pressed himself against the wall, listening intently. "...new prisoner...high security...cell block C..." one of them said. Sam's heart leapt. That had to be Nitin.

He waited until the guards dispersed before making his way to cell block C. The corridor was eerily quiet, the only sound the distant drip of water echoing through the halls. Sam approached the cell block, his breath catching as he saw a familiar figure in one of the cells.

"Nitin!" he whispered urgently. Nitin looked up, his eyes widening in surprise and relief. "Sam, what are you doing here?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm here to get you out," Sam replied, glancing around to ensure they weren't being watched. "We don't have much time."

Nitin nodded, his face pale but determined. "They've been questioning me, trying to find out who I'm working with. They think I'm part of some larger conspiracy." Sam's jaw tightened. "We'll deal with that later. Right now, we need to get you out of here."

Sam and Nitin huddled together, their voices low as they discussed their escape plan. "I overheard the guards. They're going to transfer you to the main jail soon," Sam said, his eyes scanning the cell block. "We need to move fast."

Nitin nodded, his expression grim. "They've increased security since I was brought here. We'll need to be careful." He detailed the layout of the detention center, pointing out potential threats and escape routes. "The main gate is too heavily guarded, but there's a maintenance tunnel that leads outside. It's risky, but it might be our best shot."

Sam listened intently, formulating their plan. "Alright, we wait for the next shift change. I'll create a distraction to draw the guards away, and then we'll make our move." Nitin agreed, his jaw set in determination. "Let's do this."

They reviewed the plan again, going over every detail. "Remember, we have to stick together. If we get separated, meet at the old warehouse by the docks," Sam instructed. Nitin nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Got it. Let's hope it doesn't come to that."

The minutes ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity. Finally, the guards changed shifts, and Sam sprang into action. He crept to the control room, his movements silent. "Click," went the door as he slipped inside. He found a switch labeled "Alarm Test" and flipped it. Immediately, a loud klaxon blared through the halls. "Whee-oo, whee-oo," the alarm echoed, sending the guards into a frenzy.

Sam raced back to Nitin's cell, unlocking it quickly. "Let's go!" he urged. They moved swiftly, darting through the corridors and avoiding the panicked guards. "Thud, thud," went their footsteps as they ran, the sound masked by the blaring alarm. They reached the maintenance tunnel and slipped inside, the cool air a stark contrast to the stuffy detention center.

They navigated the dark, narrow tunnel, the sound of their breathing loud in the confined space. "Clang," went a pipe as Nitin brushed against it, making them both jump. They continued on, their senses heightened, every sound amplified in the darkness.

As they approached the exit, Sam whispered, "Almost there. Stay close." Nitin nodded, his eyes focused ahead. They could hear the guards shouting, the chaos of the alarm creating the perfect cover for their escape.

As they neared the tunnel's exit, they heard voices up ahead. Sam motioned for Nitin to stop, and they pressed themselves against the wall. "Who goes there?" a guard's voice echoed through the tunnel. Sam's mind raced. They couldn't afford to be caught now.

He spotted a loose brick on the ground and picked it up, tossing it down the tunnel. "Clatter," it went, drawing the guards' attention away from them. "What was that?" one of them muttered, moving toward the noise. Sam and Nitin seized the opportunity, slipping past the guards and out into the night.

They blended into the surrounding environment, their movements careful and deliberate. "We made it," Nitin whispered, relief evident in his voice. Sam nodded, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of pursuit. "Let's keep moving. We need to find a safe place to regroup."

They continued through the dark streets, their senses on high alert. Every shadow seemed to hide a potential threat, and every sound made them jump. "We can't stay here," Sam said, his voice low. "We need to find somewhere secure."

They found a secluded spot and took a moment to catch their breath. Sam leaned against a tree, his mind racing. "That was close," he said, his voice tinged with exhaustion. Nitin nodded, his expression serious. "We need to be more careful. They won't stop looking for us."

Sam agreed, his thoughts already turning to their next steps. "We need to find a way to deal with this situation. We can't keep running forever." Nitin looked at him, determination in his eyes. "We'll figure it out. Together."

They discussed their options, weighing the risks and potential rewards. Sam reassured Nitin that they would find a way to protect those they cared about. "We'll get through this," he said, his voice firm. "We'll find a way."

Nitin sighed, the weight of their predicament evident on his face. "I never imagined it would come to this. But I'm glad you're here, Sam. I don't know what I would have done without you."

Sam placed a reassuring hand on Nitin's shoulder. "We're in this together. We'll find a way to stop Roy and his father. We'll make sure they can't hurt anyone else."