Inside the house: 15th July Friday: 9: 10 pm:

"Welcome Rockstars..........!

Suddenly a virile voice startled them. Two silhouettes appeared in the door.

"This is called curiosity killed the cat. We were searching for the kittens and here all are they. Ha..ha..ha."

The hellish laughter echoed in the room. A bright torchlight spotted them one by one. All of them moored in their places. It seemed somebody snatched the power of their reflex. Only Nina rushed to Micky and snuggled to his chest. Her safest shelter.

"Maddy, call Devid to start the generator."

One of the guys commanded.

“I have already told."

The man named Maddy replied. Suddenly a rumbling sound came from downstairs. Maybe the generator started. The guy Maddy touched something on the sidewall of the door. The sound of clicking illuminated the darkroom. The light was not very bright but it dazzled their eyes after long darkness. FAN 5 and Fusion 4 saw the same two people; they had a brawl in the petrol pump.

"FAN 5 and Fusion 4, S.P.A.C.E Academy’s students and amateur singers cum musicians. Adventurous, fearless but sometimes unnecessarily curious. Was going on a road trip but.....BUT, unfortunately, messed with us. Tch.....Tch...Tch. Moreover, tried to run away and accidentally or unintentionally entered into the devil's den. How bad luck! But Maddy, their bad luck turned into our good luck indeed. The entire day we were searching for these little pigeons and they are nibbling on their grains here. Ha..ha...ha."

The guy whom Micky had punched in the petrol pump almost dissected their entire character and the past day in a light tone but the venom hidden in his every word was felt by all.

"How do they know so much about us? Who are they, Peter? What kind of problem we have landed in?”

Alisha whispered in a shaky voice. Till then, everybody realised that it is not going to be a mere introduction session for them. However, nobody wanted to lose their courage and didn't want to show their panic-stricken state of mind. Maddy heard Alisha and retorted in a casual tone,

"Don't load your brain, Honey. It was very easy for us to know about all of you. But it will not be easy to know about us for you. So, let me do the honour. He is Harry and I am Maddy. Your host in this house. And I promise we will not leave any stone unturned to entertain all of you. By all means.”

Maddy’s eyes glared with a diabolic intention.

“Look, that was a misunderstanding. We know, we should not have hit you. And we are sorry for that. But it can be solved by discussion.”

Suddenly Nina withdrew herself from Micky’s hold and stepped forwarded to Harry by saying this.

“What kind of discussion you want, Beautiful? Open or in private? I don’t mind for the latter.”

Harry said in a lewd manner and traced his fingers on Nina’s cheek.

"Don't dare to touch her"

Micky growled and tried to give Harry a bunch of five. But this time Harry was alert to be hit again and moved his face on the other side. For a moment, Micky couldn't manage his balance and Harry grabbed the chance to push him on the floor.

"Mickyyy.."

Nina screamed to her highest and tried to rush towards him just to be yanked by Maddy. All the other boys were about to retaliate when 4-5 other guys appeared in the room. Micky hit his head on the floor. For a second, he experienced a blackout. Harry came nearer to him and hissed,

"Not again my, Hero. Not every time. This is not any public place, nor am I so kind like I was in the morning. Control your anger boy, you don't need it here."

Micky stood up with a jerk but again toppled back as a punch hit his jaw. Harry again punched him on his stomach which caused excruciating pain in Micky’s belly.

"AHHH....."

He wailed this time.

"Stop it....!"

Nina yelled and tried to free her elbow from Maddy's iron grip while all the others rushed to Micky. He was coughing in pain while clutching his abs.

"Stop it, Man. This is not a way to settle down an issue. We are sorry. It was a misunderstanding. Our friend shouldn't have hit you. But what you are doing now is neither the right thing.”

Cody lost his patience and confronted Harry. However, he was rewarded with a slap too and now all noticed the other guys except Harry and Maddy had an automatic revolver in each hand. No one uttered any further word except Natalia mumbled,

“Oh, God! Please save us!”

"Tch.....Tch....Tch, do you all actually think that I am trying to settle the matter we had in the morning or trying to take revenge on your friend? If you think so then you are highly mistaken. It is more than that."

Harry shuttled in front of them and continued,

“You all would be happy to hear that nobody can get out of this place once they enter here. It was like a Blackhole. Even light can't escape. You must know. Of course, you know my Rockstars."

His diabolic grin dried Nina's throat.

"Now when you all became my guests, how can we leave you? Despite, you all can repay my hospitality by your kind."

Harry's tone was spine chilling. A question mark was visible on everybody's face.

"Didn't get? Okay, let me explain. I had a consignment delivery today which you all spoilt. So, I want you boys to do this honour on my behalf. Simple.”

Harry's tone was buttery smooth.

"What kind of consignment?"

Alex asked sceptically.

"Whatever you were just trying to explore inside the chest, my detectives."

Maddy replied.

"Arms? You all deal with illegal arms? Who are you? "

Peter's voice trembled. Harry sneered and looked at Maddy.

"I think we should give them our full identity when they are going to work for us. Isn't it? "

Harry said with a wicked smile. Maddy pushed Nina to Harry and stepped towards the others. Harry grabbed Nina by her waist. A filthy feeling engulfed Nina. She shrunk her body as she wanted to avoid his lewd touch. Micky tried to step forward but was restrained by Maya.

"Don't, we can't challenge them right now. It will be wise to keep patience."

She whispered. Micky controlled himself and looked at Nina as he wanted to say the same to her. A trail of blood on the corner of his lips misted Nina's eyes.

"Have you heard about Vulture Gang?"

Maddy asked.

"Vulture gang, the notorious criminals? Who is involved in almost every past crime of the city but has never been caught by the police. They don't even know their actual name or appearance."

Alisha asked with her wide eyes.

"I must say, the girls of your gang are smarter and more intelligent than the stupid boys."

Harry retorted.

“Thank you, Honey, for all the compliments. Now, when you all got our recognition, you must know why we are called The Vulture Gang?”

Harry smirked and continued,

“Because like a Vulture we have excellent eyesight and sharp sense of smell. We can whiff the danger and enemies very easily and that’s why we are invincible.”

His eyes were glaring with pride.

“Why do you want us to deliver the arms? You only can do this.”

Alex asked.

"Of course, we can do it. But it would be safer and well planned. You know, you all are young, rich and moreover have a clean image. Police will certainly not suspect you all."

Harry cleared.

"And after that? Will you let us go without any harm?"

Billy questioned. Harry smirked instead of answering.

"That depends on your performance. How efficiently and smoothly you execute the plan."

Maddy said.

"And if we defy?"

Micky said with a little panting.

"Well, that will not be any good for you all and you already experienced it a few times back."

Harry said when rubbed his palms.

"We need to discuss. In private."

Micky said. Harry left Nina. She sat on the dirty floor with a thud. The effect of the painkillers was reducing and gradually a sharp pain came back in her knee. She barely could stand for any longer. Harry slowly approached Micky and looked through his eyes. A stare down game lasted for a while.

"Guys, take the girls out of this room. The boys need private discussion."

Harry’s voice and eyes were bleak. All the guys put their guns in the pocket and approached the girls. Natalia and Alisha stepped back a bit. Fear was evident on their face.

"Wait! Why are you sending the girls? We are a group. It should be our mutual decision."

Peter asked in worry.

"Not anymore in this plan. I don't want the girls to be involved in this. Only the boys will go."

Harry replied.

"Actually, girls are too delicate for this work. Why should we bother them? Let them rest here. We will take care of them nicely. I promise."

Harry sneered and pinched his Adam's apple.

"Come on, move."

Maddy ordered the girls. Nina tried to stand but couldn't.

"Ahhh"

Only a wail, she could manage. Micky restlessly tried to reach her but Harry pushed him back with his hand on his chest.

"Relax, kitten! There are many people to help her. You just focus on your discussion and answer me in a YES."

He said rigidly. One of the guys bent to hold Nina's arm when Maya intervened,

"Wait, let me take care of her."

She came near to Nina and pulled her to stand. Nina took the support of her shoulder and headed to the door. Within a minute, all people except the boys of FAN 5 and Fusion 4 and Harry remained in the room.

"Don't take more than 10 minutes. You all have to leave very soon."

By saying this, Harry left. All the boys were looking at each other to fathom the gravity of the situation.

"Now?"

Cody asked.

"We are left with no option but to agree. They are using the girls as bait."

Micky sounded helpless.

"So, we are between Scylla and Charybdis."

Peter uttered with a sigh of despair.