Ch-26 : Rishi (Novel-Zero)

At the base of the Himalayas Valley, in the cave, the rishi was still meditating. Suddenly he opened his eyes, which were red, like a fire. Slowly the redness of his eyes faded and gradually it again closed. Again crossing all boundaries of the place, time his minuscule conscious was traveling freely... .

In a forest there was a grass hut, in front of which three residents were sitting, discussing among themselves. In front of them they made small bundles of sticks. They were forming new bundles picking up some sticks from the other bundles or adding them to the existing bundles. During doing so they were discussing, seems to be about some problem to be solved. Suddenly the rishi appeared from their back, they turned around sensing his presence.
Rishi glanced over them for a long moment and said mysteriously, “ I know where you are stuck up”
Astonishment crept over all three faces.
How did he know where we have stuck up?
Before they could speak anything rishi passed by and walked further. They were looking at him going.
Rishi again stopped abruptly, turned around, “ Don’t worry, I will take you out soon from your dilemma”
Rishi again continued further. Those three looked in astonishment, at his passing figure till it disappeared.

... to be continued..

Ch-25 : Time Deceits? (Novel-Zero)

Speedily Command1 finished up and darted out the flat main door, towards the elevator. Some time back he had heard the police siren voice came downstairs and then stopped. He glanced at the elevator display; he got scared seeing the elevator coming up.
My God they entered the building...and it must be police in the lift, coming up...
Out of fear he felt sickness in his stomach. He was not getting what to do next. At last he zeroed on a decision and started running upwards on the stairs. As he realized that his shoes were making noise, he removed his shoes and continued running bare foot. While running he kept continuous eye on the activities going on downstairs. As he reached the terrace, he looked around. It was open sky filled with the blinking stars above and the city filled with glowing streetlights around. He was panting and sweating badly. The chilled breeze gave him the comfort. But he had not time to wait. He surveyed the front side of the building to escape. Right in front of the building the police vehicle was parked and three police laced with guns were there to keep an eye. He was not getting one thing -
How did they come to know about the murder?
May be they came in connection with another crime...
If they would have come in connection with another crime and I get caught, it would be a very awful coincidence...
But he was confident that there can’t be any mishap in Boss’s given time, at least it hadn’t happened till now...
But now how to escape from here? ...
He pondered over. One thing was clear that it was impossible to escape from the front side ...
To find some other alternative he looked around. From other two sides of the building also it was not possible to escape. There was nothing to go down, and if some how managed to go down there was no other way to escape other than to go run into the police. Command1 went to the back side of the building to survey it for the possible escape. He was relieved to find the pipes at the back side to slide down. But the back side was illuminated by the sodium lamp glowing on the other building nearby. Therefore it was possible to be caught by somebody’s eye. To find out some other alternatives he pondered over for some time, which he did not had.
If by mistake the police arrive here on terrace..
Then there was no way other than to surrender..
He climbed the parapet wall to examine properly the back side. Pipes were running right from the top to the ground.
Must be some sort of drainage pipes..
There were screws at places on the pipes, good to hold while going down. Suddenly he sensed a movement on his back on the terrace. Till he turn around, a black shadow attacked him from his back, shoved him with an enormous strength. Command1 was not ready for this sudden attack, he could not even respond to it. He started falling down. While falling his face was looking for the identity of the person who had pushed him. The black shadow was stooped down to see Command1 falling. In the flash of the sodium lamp light Command1 could see the face of the black shadow. He was looking at it with widened eyes.
The black shadow was Command2...
Command1 was not able to believe...
He confirmed again.
Yes it was Command2, whom he believed most...
But why did he had done so to him?..
Till he gave a thought over this and come to some conclusion, he was fallen on the ground. After falling from almost 15-16 floors his bones must have been shattered around inside the bag of his skin and flesh. An eerie smile crept over Command2’s face after finding Command1 dead on the spot.

... to be contd...

Ch-24 : Utin Hopper (Novel-Zero)

The light in the bedroom was dim; somebody slept on the bed could be seen. A dark black shadow entered the room, gradually and cautiously. It looked around in the bedroom, searched for something, probably the bulb switch, on the wall near the door. After rummaging around he found the electric board. It started trying the switches on the board, one by one. It did not required to try many, as one of the few switches illuminated the room and the shadow entered in the bedroom. A glimpse of happiness could be seen on its face - the triumph to find the right switch. In fact finding the switch was very nominal as compared to the job for which it had came.
But human nature is strange...
He did not want to leave the single chance to be happy ...
Yes... his definition of happiness may differ...
He derives happiness from the right deeds..
But again his definition of rightness may differ...
The evil deed in the others view may be his right ...
The shadow entered the bedroom was none other than Command1. As the bedroom was illuminated the lady sleeping on the bed woke up and was astonished to find command1 standing right in front of her aiming pistol at her. She was trembling with fear and before she let out a loud shriek Command1 fired at her. A silencer must have been fitted to the pistol, for it did not make any loud sound other than just a thud, that too of the lady's body collapsing down. Her mouth opened for scream remained open.
Command1's face beamed with content.
" Miss Utin Hopper ... I am sorry. It was destined to be your end. .. I was just an instrument..." He was speaking to himself.
Immediately he removed a knife from his right pocket, stabbed her dead body till the knife daubed with her fresh warm blood. Then he started writing on the wall ahead with her blood. He drew a big zero and before he could write more he heard the police vehicle siren approaching. Command1 peered out of the window. The sound still was coming from far end. He quickly dipped the knife in Utin's blood and continued his writing.
... to be contd..

Ch-23 : Happy birth Day. (Novel-Zero)

Anjeni was in deep sleep. In the sleep her sweet innocent face was looking more attractive. Suddenly the door bell rang. She stirred and rolled around, still in the sleep. Again the bell rang. Squinting her eyes she wake up, peered outside the window. Still it was too dark. She yawned and looked in the watch; it was just 1-2 minutes short to 12.
Who it would be so late in the night?
She got down the bed, bundling up her long hairs. She went to the door, straightening up the wrinkles from her night cloths. She peered through the keyhole, could not see anything since it was dark in the corridor. She chained the door, opened the latch and peered through making a narrow slit. It was John.
So late, why would have he came?
“ John!.... So late?” she opened the door.
John smiled and came in, keeping his both hands behind, probably hiding something. As soon as he entered he held a big bouquet of flower in front of Anjeni revealing from behind.
“ Happy Birth Day to you...” He held her up with his other hand.
“ Happy Birth Day to you Anjeni..”
“ Happy Birth Day to you...”
He was dancing around holding her.
Anjeni looked at the wall piece, it was 12 past 1 minute and it was showing 16th August, her birthday. Her eyes welled up.
“How do you come to know?” She said, looking at him tenderly.
“ Madam, don’t forget I am a police officer and I had your all records with me..” John smiled.
“ Oh John... thank you?” She pecked over his chick.
John took her in tight hug and let her feet rest on the floor. Then they engrossed in the deep mouth kiss.
“ Were you slept?” John asked her.
“ Yeah ” She said.
“ Its not right... you are hear in sound sleep ... and there I am spending sleepless nights because of you”
“ Me? ... How come”
“ Yeah... the half sleep is ruined by your endless dreams and the half by the killer.” John laughed. Anjeni pretended to laugh, as with mere mention of the killer she reminded of Sani.
By now they walked towards the bedroom, holding each other by waist.
“ Like to have something? ... Tea? Coffee?”
“ Would love to ... but not Tea or Coffee”
“ Then?” She asked naughtily knowing his intention.
He kissed her passionately and collapsed over the bed with her. They rolled all over the bed kissing one another passionately. Suddenly Anjeni took Johns face in her hands and stared at him intensely, again with welled eyes.
“ What’s wrong?” John soothingly tapped on her back.
She did not speak.
“ Its about Sani?” John asked caressing her.
“ Its really strange... Who are you, Where from... comes in my life and prevents my collapsing life by supporting me... everything as if predestined ...” her tears rolled down her face.
John passionately held her in his tight hug.
“ Don’t worry... gradually everything is going to be fine...” He tried to console her.
Keeping her head on John’s chest Anjeni was continuously and tenderly staring at his face, her hands playing with his chest hairs. John was also felt immersed in her eyes, as if their eyes locked. John’s hands, which were caressing her back and playing with her long hairs, now slowly start playing with her smooth body. She also in return kissed him all over. John pulled her up from his chest with his strong hands. She started to unbutton his shirt. John too removed her cloths. Within next few minutes they both were unclothed. John looked at her body with anticipation. Eager to unite with her soul he bent over her, when his mobile rang. He extended his hand to pick it up. It was Sam, as he saw on the display. He decided not to attend, pushed the red button and kept back the mobile. Again they tried to enter in the previous mood when the mobile rang again. Irritated, he picked it up, “ Yes Sam... What’s up?” John said annoyed.
“ Sir the third murder has been executed” Sam’s voice came from other side.
“ What?” John abruptly get up, searched his cloths.
“ We are on the way... Somebody had informed in the police station” Sam said from other side.
“ What’s the address?” John was trying to wear his cloths at the same time.
“ South Avenue, Prince Apartments 1004... Utina Hopper” voice came from the other side.
“ What? This time too a lady! Well ... you proceed with the team.. I will quickly join you there “ John disconnected the phone, wearing his cloths.
... to be continued..

Ch-22 : Detective. (Novel-Zero)

In the dark night, at a deserted place, far away from the locality, a car stopped. A black figure in overcoat got down. In the chilled crisp cold it stood near its car. The figure strolled around uneasily, waiting eagerly for somebody. It was checking its wristwatch in between. It stopped as it saw two headlights arriving towards it. The headlight flash revealed its face; it was John. The other car arrived and stopped by him. John went to the door to receive the other tall figure getting down.
" Hi John" the figure greeted.
" Hi Alex" John greeted warmly in return.
" So ... Why did you summoned me to this deserted place at such a night hour"
Alex asked.
" Its emergency... you must be aware that one of our department associate is spying on us ... we suspect so ... In such situation I can’t believe any of them.. therefore I called you...” John said.
“ I see... the culprit needs to be found..” Alex.
“ I know ... there is no other detective suitable than you for such delicate task” John praised him.
“ Once you allot the task... then its mine... you need not worry.. I will find the freak as soon as possible” Alex said confidently.
“ We don’t find any other way to reach the killer... let’s see this way we may reach the traitor as well as the killer”
“ Means using this weak thin thread we have to reach the heaven” Alex said humorously.
“ Not heaven... say hell”
“ You are right... its hell” Said Alex.
... to be contd..

Ch-21 : Police City branch head visits John (Novel-Zero)

Still there was nobody arrived in the office other than John. John came early in the morning, sat on his chair, and seemed to be tired. He picked up a file and started to go through it. Though he was turning over pages but his mind was wandering somewhere else. He tried to concentrate but could not. Slowly his other staff started to arrive.
Now it was crowding as other staff was arriving. His massager promptly came to him, saluted,
“ Sir Boss has come”
“ Boss?” John sat right.
“ Sir City police branch head”
“ So early...” John got up from his chair.
There must be something serious..
John went to receive him, got him in the way,
“ Good morning sir”
“ John I need to talk to you... its very important” City branch head said in serious mood without stopping.
John turned and accompanied him to his cabin. As they sat in the cabin Boss said, “ So got something about the killer”
“ Not yet sir, still we didn’t get anything worthy... and the trouble is as you e know ... one of our associate is spying on us” John said.
“ Till how many more murders we need to wait” Boss said curtly
“ Sir I think I should brief you on the progress we made till now.. so that you will get an idea...”
John took a long deep breath and was briefing the boss about the case -
“As I duly informed earlier... during the first murder we came across a person wearing black T-shirt, zero painted on it ... I ran into the similar person wearing similar T-shirt at the hospital where Anjeni was admitted... Both of them managed to escape from us ... .Therefore we circulated their sketches among the people through media.. We caught them too, but it proved to be fruitless job as they were nowhere connected to the case.. in fact its a fashion nowadays to wear such T-shirts... But since the killer also draws zero on the wall ... therefore we correlated the two things.. But our direction of investigation right from the beginning went wrong... we lost in it the precious time.. as well as the efforts... and lastly we got mere disappointment. But now we have started on the case from the beginning with full enthusiasm and passion.... Now whatever happens we are working really hard... “John was pointing towards the attacking incidence recently happened with him.
“Then why you are unable to catch the culprit... you might be thinking ... so early in the morning, what am I doing here? ... why don’t I go and relax in my office? Right? ... But you know how much nailed my chair is... there is continuous pressure from the top .. its really havoc in the city nowadays... before 8 O’clock in the evening you will find all the roads deserted.. Everybody think that its he on the roll next... till now the people were calm.. But now they are asking Mayer the explanation... and in turn Mayer is asking me... And these press.. Rather than helping us, daily they are publishing a new story about our so called incapability... this is bringing a bad name to us.. in fact people are hopelessly loosing faith in us... its enough now... the water has risen above our head... the whole thing has reached to the ministry now... In such situation I just can’t sit calm... At the most I can give you 4 days... You do whatever you can and within 4 days catch that bloody culprit... may it be live or dead.”
“ Sir we are working hard day in and day out”
“ I am not bothered about how hard you are working... I want results” Police city branch head got up abruptly from his chair. John also got up. Boss started to go, waited at the door, turned and warned John, “ And if you are unable to handle this... resign .... I will take care of the alternative arrangements.” Boss turned and walked off. John stood in the door looking at his boss going and hearing his foot steps.


... to be contd..

Ch-20 : Boss sends message (Novel-Zero)

After finishing Command2 got up from the computer, with satisfaction on his face. Not only he stored the complete information into his mind, into his heart but also into his thumb drive. As soon as he turned to leave, the computer buzzer rang. He went to the computer; it was Boss’s mail for Command1. He opened the mail. He opened the attachment attached to it. It was again a Madonna’s sexy picture.
Boss seems to be mad about her... He thought.
He opened the message; by this time he had learnt pretty well from Command1 how to extract the message from the picture. It was about the next mission, who is next and when to execute the murder. Today it was 15th and for next murder boss had given 17th. It was mentioned in the mail that on 17th at night 1to3 would be suitable time. It was also mentioned that 16th is not suitable rather most dangerous to execute this task. Command2 copied the whole message to one file, for it used to vanish once opened, boss had programmed it that way. Command2 closed the mail. Message was destroyed now. Suddenly Command2 got up from his chair, like a flash of some stormy thought crossed his mind. He started to stroll around the computer uneasily. It was evident that there was something strange going on his mind. Lastly he stopped, sat on the chair kept in front of the computer, seemed to be arrived at some decision.
He decided to change the Boss's message...
He opened the file to edit the message, glanced around, pondered over his decision, finalized it and started to edit the message. The suitable time given for the murder was 17th in the night 1 to 3. He changed it to 16th in the night 1to3. In the message it was mentioned that the whole day 16th was dangerous. He changed it to 17th. The time, which was mentioned suitable, he changed it to dangerous and the time, which was mentioned dangerous, he changed it to safe.
Why did he do it?
What was going on his mind.. it was really difficult to tell.
Probably he was suspicious about his Boss's prediction capabilities and he wanted to check whether the prediction proves right or wrong.
What if it turns out to be right?
In that case it was risky for both of their lives. But I must find some way out...
He was thinking.
Lastly he decided that he would not go with Command1 this time. Making some excuse he would make Command1 to go alone.



... to be contd..

Ch-19 : Plan fails? (Novel-Zero)

Command2 was too eager to hear what the secrete information Command1 has. He was strolling around the computer, waiting impatiently for him.
Why he is taking so much of time to come out?
Did he go directly somewhere else from the bedroom?
Command2 was concerned now, got up and went to the bedroom to see him. As he went to the bedroom he found the bedroom door pulled inside. He peered in pushing the door gently, to find Command1 was lying on the bed in deep sleep.
Command2 felt like the mouthful reaching his mouth has been taken away. Some how he was agreed to tell the secrets, which he would definitely not tell when he would not be in intoxicated condition. He went to him, rolled him to wake him up but in vain. He was not only in deep sleep but also badly knocked out. Command2 tried for a while and then left. He thought for the alternative-
Even though he is slept I should see what else I could do...
Command1 must have hidden the information, which he was about to disclose... I should try to find it...
Most of the time in this house Command1 accompanied Command2. Now he was alone.
I should take advantage of this loneliness...
He decided to search the whole house. Definitely I will find something important..
Command2 started with bedroom. Without making noise he was raking through the bedroom. There was nothing, which could prove important. Then he raked through the rest of the house. He was disappointed to find nothing.
Suddenly he recollected...
What a freak I am.. I should have done it first.. Command1 had left his computer on...
Immediately he got into action, went to the computer. The computer was not only on; Command1’s mailbox was also open. A triumphant smile crept over his face. He sat on the chair in front of the computer and without wasting time he started to check Command1’s mails. There were so many and he had no time. He was going thorough them quickly. He could find nothing, which could be useful to him. Suddenly while going thorough one mail his triumphant expressions came back. The mail contained the information probably Command1 would have told him today. Quickly he went through the mail, removed the pen drive from his pocket, and inserted it in USB drive. He copied the mail including attachments. Then with leisure he started to go thorough it, sometimes with whispered eyes or sometimes with peculiar eerie smile.

... to be contd..

Ch-18 : Command2's plan (Novel-Zero)

Command2 know that it's the right time...
... to make Command to spill out the secrets...
He accompanied him to take swigs of whisky and waited for him to get him sufficiently intoxicated. After some time Command1 was loosing his control. Command1 took the advantage of the situation, shooting at him series of questions..
" Command1... can you tell me one thing?"
Command2 purposefully took a long pause to judge the condition of Command1.
" One thing?... you can ask me two things...three things... that many things you want..." Command1 raved.
Taking care that he should not see Command2 could not stop laughed abhorrently at Command1 seeing his pitiful condition.
" The time fortunately was good for you ... if you would have been 45mins here or there, nobody could have saved you... why did Boss said that?... I didn't get it" Command1 fired the first query.
" You are too new to understated this ... its a long story" Command1 was now out of control and out of his character.
Does he need more stimuli? Command2 thought, sat on the computer and opened an old message sent by Boss.
" Look... once Boss sent this message ... in it he said On 11th at night 3 to 4 is suitable time for you and 3 to 7 is dangerous time for you... It seems he is superstitious " Command2 was trying to make him more free.
" He is not superstitious... he has faith in it ... till now his deduction was never wrong" Command1 said.
" It could be coincidence " Command2 trying to provoke him more.
" It's not coincidence... he has one such thing, with the help of which he can know which time is better for which thing in advance."
Now Command1 was coming to the point.
" I don't believe" Command2 used his last weapon.
" No body could believe..."
" You are inferring from these few things or you have more evidences?" Command2 interrupted him.
" There are so many things which support this... Boss has so much of money... Where from it came? Its not a joke to run this much big organization...and he runs on his own money" Command1 provided the information.
" How come?"
" Using a science he has... which share will be beneficial which time, he knows in advance... and they say that he never had loss in it" Still Command1 was not talking openly.
" Science? which science he has?" Command2 asked curiously.
" Wait a sec" Command1 filled his whisky glass again.
" And where from he achieved this science?" Command2 was asking more questions impatiently.
Command2 was now eager to hear the whole information.
" Wait... I just tell" Command1 got up.
Showing his little finger he said, " Wait a minute... I just come back"
Command1 hobbled to the bedroom.
..contd..

Ch-17 : Boss rings (Novel-Zero)

Command1 was working on computer, beside him was a Command2, relaxed, with a glass of whisky in his hand.
“ We should have crushed him” Command2 said, taking a big swig.
“ You know.. It’s very important to keep him alive” Command1 was typing on the computer swiftly.
The phone kept aside rang, Command1 picked it, still continuing his work on computer, “Hello”
There was no response from other side.
“Hello.. who’s this?” Command1 checked the number on the phone display.
But the display was blank, which generally does not happen, he gets concerned.
Leaving the work on the computer he concentrated on the phone, “ Hello..”
“ Boss speaking” a voice came, interrupting him.
“ b..b..Boss?” he struggled to speak, got up suddenly from the chair, his hands trembling. He began to sweat; a streamlet of sweat came down from behind his ear. Command2 was surprised, kept his glass aside, got up from his chair, as he never saw Command1 in such a frightened condition. He never heard of Boss calling somebody directly. He used to communicate his commands through internet. Why he would have called today?
“ Who authorized you to hit John?” the harsh voice filtered though some electronic instrument came from other side.
“B..Boss ... we did not hit to kill him...” Command1 tried to explain.
“ Shut up ... ideate ... you know... there is no place for the people doing things without authority...” Boss snapped back.
“ S.. Sorry Boss... I apologize.. will not repeat such mistake again” Command1 was apologizing again.
“ You know ... the time was fortunately good for you, therefore you survived.. if you would have been 45 minutes here or there ... they no body could have saved you” Still boss was fuming.
Command2 came near and ducked his head in to hear what was going on.
“ I am really sorry Boss” Command1 was repeatedly apologizing.
“ This is your first mistake... and see that it is last... got it?” Boss warned.
“ Yes sir.. yes..”
The phone was slammed back before Command1 could complete.
Command1 kept back the phone, clearing sweat from his face. He tried to wipe out his expressions.
" It seems, Boss didn't like it" Command2 said.
" We should not have done it without his consent" Command1 said.
" Oh come on... lets forget it... we will take care now on" Command2 tried to console him.
" This is the first time he phoned me... I suspected there is something serious when he phoned." Command1 said filling his whisky glass.
Command2 also took his glass kept aside, sat in front of him. Command1 took big swigs, as if trying to drink his insult.

... to be contd..

Ch-16 : Love (Novel-Zero)

Anjeni took John to his quarter supporting him.
“ I see... that means they attacked you... Now its very risky for you to be alone without protection.. you should take care of yourself” Anjeni concluded.
“ No ... they never attacked me... if they would have decided they could have killed me today... but they did not” he said while approaching the quarter, taking her support.
“ They did shoot on you” Anjeni wanted to confirm.
“Yes... but all bullets around me... not a single bullet even passed close to me... they could have fired getting down their vehicle..” John inferred.
“ OK leave it... you are not seriously injured, that’s most important” She said comforting him.
“ They tried to just provoke me.. it seems they want to give as much publicity to the serial killing as possible” John expressed his opinion.
“ But why?” Anjeni asked in surprise.
“ That’s the puzzle I am stuck in” John tried to open his flat with a key in his injured hand.
Anjeni took the key from him and opened the flat.
John was lying on the bed, with his shirt removed. Though it did not seemed, he was injured at places, evident with red swelling marks. Anjeni applied the medicine wherever there were injuries and gave him a rubber bag filled with hot water.
"OK... I take leave... you better take rest... its late too..." Anjani kept her soothing hand on his shoulder.
As she turned to go, John picked up her hand kept on his shoulder. She turned and looked at him, with blushed face. John was looking into her eyes; she was also unable to avert her eyes. Both hearts were pounding. John pulled her to him. Now they were so close that they could feel each other's warm breaths and increased heartbeats. John gently placed his hot lips on her shuddering lips and hugged her into a tight embrace. John remembered the moments when he had artificially breathed her; he had placed his lips similarly on her lips. But that time and now it was so different. The action was same but the emotions had given it the totally different meaning. They were kissing uncontrollably each other's lips, neck, and cheeks.... John caressed gently her breasts pounding up and down due to long breaths.
" Anjeni ... I love you so much"
" I too" she responded squeezing tightly into him.
" Oh... aha" John cried with pain.
" What's wrong?" she said separating her from him.
" It's nothing... just you happened to press the injury on my back" He said.
" I am sorry" she said blushing.
He laughed and pulled her again in his embrace. She also laughed, kissing him. Then slowly and gently they started to make love.
... to be contd..

Ch-15 : What’s wrong? (Novel-Zero)

Anjeni was worried and desperately waiting for John.
What would have happened?
Where should he have gone?
Why he should not have returned since so long?
She was getting concerned.
I would have tried his phone... but he had left his mobile here.
She was confused. She was going in for a while and coming out quickly again sensing some movement outside.
Why she should get so concerned about him?
She was surprised of herself. Again she sensed some vehicle arrival outside. She got up and went outside. The vehicle was stopped in front of hotel. But it was not John's vehicle. It was a private taxi. Disappointed, when she turned to get in, she heard a call-
"Anjeni"
She stopped and turned back, it was John, got out from the private taxi. His hairs were messed up and the cloths ruined, torn at places.
What would have happened?
Concerned she ran to him. Jonh also hobbled at her.
" What's wrong?" She asked in worry.
He kept coming towards her. She quickly went to him to support.
"We should go to hospital" she checked him for injuries.
" No... its not much... just swelling somewhere" he said with difficulty.
" Even then ... we should go for checkup" She flagged a taxi passing by.
She supported him to sit in the taxi and squeezed beside him.
" Three counties hospital" She guided the taxi driver.
" No... really its not necessary" He said again.
" Where is your vehicle?" She asked.
" It’s there... back... beside the road... It was about to be a deadly accident." he said.
" Driver ... take us to police quarters" he interrupted.
Driver slowed down, looked at Anjeni in confusion and then at John. Anjeni signaled him to follow his instructions.
... to be contd..

Ch-14 Chase (Novel-Zero)

John’s was chasing speedily the vehicle running ahead, on the back glass of which was glued a blood drawn 'zero'. As the distance between the vehicles reduced and when he could see the vehicle ahead clearly, he raised his accelerator. Within a short span he almost reached the vehicle. But what’s this? As his vehicle reached the vehicle ahead, at once it increased its speed and again the distance between them went on increasing. John was not going to let it go this way; he also pressed his accelerator hard. The chase seemed to be race now. As such there was almost no traffic on the road. At this time only these two vehicles were visible. As he realized that he could make it, he increased the speed. Within seconds his vehicle reached very near to the vehicle ahead. John removed revolver from his pocket, aimed, and he was about to fire when suddenly he heard the crashing sound of the brakes of the vehicle ahead. John’s vehicle was right behind it, with an uncontrollable speed. Since the driver ahead applied brakes, John also had to apply. He pressed his brakes as hard as he can. In an attempt to avoid a collision his vehicle took uncontrolled zigzag turns, got down the road and stopped. He felt relieved that he could save a terrible accident. But his relived expressions could not last long, as he saw the other vehicle coming speedily towards him. He tried hard to come out of the vehicle quickly, but by that time the other vehicle dashed his vehicle and went away. John tried to come out of this shock when he found that the bullets were being fired at him from the running vehicle. The vehicle ran away speedily and disappeared.
John tried to start his vehicle, but the vehicle was not responding. Lastly he hobbled out of the vehicle and finding the other vehicle going out of his reach in irritation he punched hard his tight fist on his car bonnet.
... to be contd..

Ch-13 Picture of Zero... (Novel-Zero)

Lover couples were striding along the road and enjoying the dark and chilled cold night. On the other side of the road, on the top, there was a lavish lovely hotel, particularly meant for such couples. Electric bulbs in the city were looking like the stars spread everywhere, as it was the highest point in the city. On the opposite side of the road at the base of the hill it was the oval shaped lake. The bulbs around the lake were looking like the queen's necklace, the reflections of those lights in the lake water made it more attractive. In such an environment was an odd couple - Command1 and Command2, immersed in deep discussion sitting in the corner. A limousine stopped by the hotel. . Command1 and Command2 stopped their discussion as they saw John and Anjeni getting down the limousine. They kept spying sitting in the dark, as they were not visible to John and Anjeni.
Anjeni and John sat in the corner in the big open hall.
" What you would like to take... drinks?" John inquired.
" Nope... You can take if you want..." Anjeni said.
" No... then I will also not prefer ... For dinner... what you will prefer"
" Whatever ... " Anjeni said.
" Chinese ?"
Anjeni nodded affirmatively.
" First we will order soup... corn soup..?" John again inquired.
Again she nodded affirmatively. John placed his mobile on the table and looked around for the waiter.
" It seems ... you come here regularly" Anjeni said, just as a filler to not to break the conversation.
" Ya... I come here regularly... but first time with a date" he said naughtily.
Anjeni smiled sweetly. John gave the order to the waiter who just came and waited by their table.
" Now how is your health... went recently to the doctors? " John inquired about her health.
" It's OK... Yesterday I went to the doctor... but what else he can treat ... I am just not getting how to come out of this deadlock of grief..." Anjeni said.
A sad expression again crept over her face.
" Time... time is the best medicine for grief... But again the adviser just advice... the real stroke of the grief is experienced by the one who go through.... “John gently kept his soothing hand on hers.
" Time... yes time... but how much?" Anjeni sighed deeply.
" Did you start again to go to work?" John asked.
" No... I am not able to concentrate in anything right now... then what I will do there? " She said.
" Listen .. from tomorrow you start going to the work... it's very important for you to get engaged in the work... if we engage in the work we forget the grief gradually" John advised her.
" Let's see.. If you say...I will try it too" she said.
She hold his hand, kept over hers, “These days... really you supported me very much" she hold his hand tightly.
Suddenly John saw a vehicle running on the road through the window. On the back side glass of the window a picture of blood drawn zero was glued. John immediately got into action.
" You just wait" saying this, John ran outside the hotel.
Confused Anjeni looked outside; but by that time the vehicle was disappeared. She got up and started to follow John. But by that time John’s vehicle ran on the road, and then disappeared. Anjeni looked at his disappearing vehicle standing on the steps not sure of what to do next.

... to be contd...

Ch-12B First Date (Novel-Zero)

Anjeni was trying hard to get ready; as to get ready so quickly was not easy. She felt having change very desperately because she was also sick of being by herself since long. She quickly changed and sat in front of the dressing table. It was more than a month she was not out. As if after Sani's murder her life became lifeless. She used to go out often with Sani for shopping, for dinner or just for outing. As she thought of Sani, gloominess crept over her face. Suddenly a doorbell rang; She felt her heart beating more wildly. She rushed to the door, opened it. Sani was standing in front of her.
" Ready?" he asked without coming in.
" Almost.." She responded taking him in.
She closed the door, asked him to sit in the hall and went in to finish up her remaining preparation.
John sat alone for a while and then got up observing the paintings hanged on the wall. When he reached the window, again he saw the circular lake outside. He did saw it when he had came for the investigation earlier. At that time he had so many questions and doubts about the lake, but unanswered that time.
" This lake is natural or artificial?" he asked in loudly so that Anjeni could hear.
" I am coming ... Just a minute..."Anjeni loud response came from in.
Hearing her unexpected reply he just smiled.
After a while beautifully dressed up Anjeni in stunning cloths was in front of him. He had never seen her in such a stunning form.
" You are looking so gorgeous" John complimented.
" What you was saying when I was in?" She blushed and tried to change the topic.
" I was asking whether this lake outside is natural or artificial?" he went to the window.
" It is natural... thousands years ago an asteroid fall down... and this lake is formed" Anjeni told, joining him to the window.
" That's why it's so perfect" John said.
" Ok then shall we move" John came out of his absorbed state.
Anjeni looked at him affirmatively and they walked off.

... to be contd..

Ch-12A First Date (Novel-Zero)

Pondering over the case facts again and again John was feeling like a mad. After two brutal murders, still the killer was free, without any traces. Wherever John used to go for investigation, from void the media used to appear with their bombarding of questions, the questions with no answers, at least at this stage of investigation. The situation was, he had nothing to speak to outsiders, and lot more to speak to insiders, among whom one was a sure traitor. Somebody had leaked the news of some traitor sitting inside to the press.
“Who is next?”
“The police themselves are unreliable, how can they catch the culprit?”
“For how many murders the police are going to wait?”
Were the recent headlines in the newspapers, which created havoc in the city. Now the people were doubting integrity of the police. And this all was not the end of problems, as the superiors were pressing John for immediate results. He was feeling sick of all these. He looked outside the window, it was getting dark. Suddenly a thought came, he dialed a number.
“ What are you doing?” he talked into the phone.
“ Who?... John!” Anjeni’s excited voice came from other side.
“How are you?” He was pleased to know that she recognized his voice.
“Just OK..." She said with sad deep tone.
He was feeling guilty of asking this unwanted question. He was thinking of something to speak which would cheer up her again.
“ Did you get something regarding the killer?” Anjeni asked from other side.
“ To run away from this query, I actually ringed you, and you are asking the same” He said.
“ No ... I thought, you ringed since long.... there must be some progress” Anjeni said.
“ As such there is no much progress... ... Actually I ringed you to... What’s your program in the evening?” John asked the ‘real’ question.
“ No nothing special” Anjeni responded.
“Then do one thing... get ready quickly, I will catch you within half an hour... we will go for dinner” He insisted.
“But..”
“ No buts ...no excuses... I am joining you within half an hour” John disconnected before she could say anything.

... to be contd..

Ch 11- Deceit (Novel-Zero)

It was dark chilled mid night, still few vehicles running on the bridge. A vehicle stopped by, just before the bridge. A dark figure, wearing thick woolen coat and a woolen hat, may be to protect from the cold or to hide himself, came out of the vehicle. Slowly and cautiously the figure walked under the bridge. Reaching a place it stopped and looked around again. It bend on a place, rummaged around shuffling some stones around. As it moved a big stone, it froze, may be it had found out for which it was looking for. It picked up something and replaced with it a wrap from his coat pocket, moving the stone again to its previous position. Looking around vigilantly, the figure started coming back to its vehicle. Suddenly another vehicle happened to run fast on the road flashing its headlights on its face, revealing, it was none other than Dan, the close associate of John.

As office staff arrived in the morning, they got a summon to assemble in the hall, a rare thing happened since long. What was it that John summoned his staff to assemble in the hall? It must be in connection with the current serial killer case going on. Sam thought. Sam was considered to be the closest associate of John, such things used to known to him first hand. But today it didn't happened; Sam was unaware of the purpose of the meeting.
When Sam reached the hall he was the first to arrive. Gradually others started to assemble with lot of whispering going on among them. Most of them asked Sam about the purpose, but were surprised to find his equal ignorance. Still John was to arrive. Dan arrived at the end, with wavering around and took a seat in the corner. Was john aware about my deceit? But how could he know. I myself is unaware about whom I helped, then how could he know? Dan was consoling himself. Some unknown person phoned me, he assigned me a job and gave a pretty good amount in return. The amount was also not handed over directly, he kept at some unknown place and I picked it up. John now seemed to be relaxed. Suddenly John came in with his swift long steps. As he arrived he kept the file with him on the table, a rare act, generally somebody used to follow him with his files and papers.
" Today I called you here to disclose a shocking and equally disgraceful news...." John took over the attention immediately after he came in.
Dan's heart started beating badly. John took a long look over the audience, trying to pick up the culprit.
He removed two photographs from his file, handed over to his associate seating in the first row corner, and instructed him to circulate those in the crowd. As photographs traveled form head to head, the reactions were of confusion, astonishment.
" Look into both the photographs carefully..." John said
Again the sounds of whispers could be heard in the hall.
" Look carefully... in both the photographs there is a tea table... in one the paper weight is kept on it and in the other it is missing... as you all know we have all been instructed not to touch or move the things at the site..." John's penetrating eyes moved around in the hall again.
" Then where the hell that paper weight has gone? ... The paper weight suddenly disappears... what does it mean?... that it must contain something important which would have lead us to the culprit... like the finger prints or the blood traces ... or something like that "
Dan was trying hard to hide his expressions.
" Then what I should infer from this incidence... that we ourselves has some traitor inside..." John said, now with his high-pitched hard tone.
A dreadful silence spread over in the hall. Dan was hard trying to hide his emotions of the deceit, but still eyes speak. Did John catch those emotions of deceit?

... to be contd..