In the house: 15th July Friday: 10:05 pm:

"Aa...a...hhh……"

A squeal came out of Tonny's wide mouth as Nina's flying stick hit his hand holding the walky-talky. He immediately squeezed his right hand with the other. The walky-talky twitched and landed in front of Nina's leg.

"Wow, Nina. What a target."

Natalia jumped on her place with excitement. But her delight didn't last for long as Tonny was about to spring on them but again fell on the ground in a swoop. Thank God Maya whacked him on his head with perfect timing.

"God saved us as we found him out before he could inform anyone about us. But that's not enough. We don't know if he tried to call them or received a call. If it is the second one then we are in trouble as the other goons already became alert by not getting any response from Tonny. What now? "

Maya mouthed anxiously.

"Tie him as soon as possible and confiscate the arms if he has any. Later we can think after this."

Nina commanded with a pounding heart. Fortunately, they saw some ropes in the kitchen but couldn't guess these can be such helpful so soon. Within a couple of minutes, they all tied unconscious Tonny pretty much tightly. Natalia didn't even forget to put her hanky into his mouth for extra safety and rubbed her palms in self-pride.

“Thank you, God!”

Natalia uttered while joining her hands for gratitude to her almighty. Alisha searched Tonny's pocket and as they expected got a revolver.

"We don't know how to use it but for pretence, we can carry it with us. Guys, there must have more arms in that room. Should we seize them too?"

Alisha asked.

"Yeah, it would be wise. At least, we have to keep them out of their reach when they will come back. What do you say, guys, when will they come back and what will we do then?"

Maya said warily. Meanwhile, Nina picked the walky-talky up laid in front of her. It had no light or sound. Seemed that due to a sudden thwack it got damaged. Nina pressed the switch on button with trembling fingers and rolled the frequency knob. However, no light or sound was seen or heard. She smacked it a couple of times but it remained the same. As dead as a stone. Getting irritated she was about to put it down when a voice made the bile rise in her throat.

“Hello….!”

………………………………….

In the path amidst the jungle: In Gypsy car: 15th July Friday: 10:05 pm:

"Not getting any signal. Not even able to connect."

Maddy said sullenly. He again tried to connect but like his previous efforts, it also remained unanswered. With exasperation, he smacked the dashboard.

"Stop the car. I have to return. Maddy, Devid is in trouble. Maybe he is turned into a pawn. I purposely mentioned the password thing which was a trap. I didn’t tell any password to Devid then how did he know it. It was surely not Devid’s voice. You guys go ahead until you trace their car. Observe the situation and inform me. We have to change our plan. I can't let it go out of my grip."

Harry bellowed with gritted jaws. His hawk eyes were blazing with rage. The car slowed down when Maddy asked,

"But how will you go? We have come almost 3 km away from the house. It will take time to return back by walking.”

"Maddy, sometimes I doubt that you really belong to my Vulture Gang. Do you think I am so stupid to cover 3 km by walking when I am sure that there is some not so favourable thing already happened?"

Harry hissed. The car was stopped with a jerk and he was about to step down when Maddy again showed concern.

"At least tell me how are you going back and if I am needed to accompany you."

Harry turned his head and huffed.

"I always hide some bikes in the jungle. Fortunately, one of them should be there. You go behind them. You are more needed there rather than helping me. I shouldn't have taken them so lightly. These bloody Rockstars."

Harry spat with vexation.

"Go. Don't waste time. And Maddy, keep that Micky's mobile on. Try to gather more details and inform me."

Harry ordered in a stone voice. Maddy nodded when Harry got down and faded away in the pitch-black jungle.

..............................

In the house: 15th July Friday: 10:10 pm:

"Hello........ Mi....ck..y...yyy?"

Nina stuttered. Her heart was almost in her mouth with uncertainty. A hoarse voice was heard in the device.

"Nina? How are you? How are the other girls? How did you get a walky-talky?"

Now, everyone recognised Micky's voice very clearly.

"Yeah, we are fine. We captured the guy who was supposed to guard us. We have tied him and hid all the arms and other devices. But where are you all? Aren't you with the other goons?"

Maya declared with bated breath.

"We also trapped the goon who was driving our car. Now we are trying to connect the police. But we are still in danger as the other goons are still following us. Nina, you also try to contact the police. Thank god that now you all are safe and we can concentrate on our next plan."

A different voice came but they could easily perceive it as Cody.

"Okay, we are trying but you all, be safe and don't take any risk. Remember, our motive is to free ourselves from this danger, not to capture these goons. So, don't involve in any risky and stupid plan."

Nina sounded rigid.

"Yeah, of course, my powerpuff girl. I wish these goons have that luck. Anyway, we will inform you later. Have to try to communicate with the cops. Over and out."

Micky's voice was heard for the last time and the device became silent.

"I bet; he is not thinking straight. I hope he won't take any wrong step out of his anger or impulse."

Nina murmured. Sweat beads appeared on her forehead.

"He is Micky. When does he think straight? "

Natalia mocked when Alisha rolled her eyes at her for being so laid-back at this situation. Natalia pouted and asked Nina with a meek voice,

"By the way, why didn't you tell Micky that Tonny was on the walky-talky when we captured him?"

"Because I don't want him to know that we are not safe yet. The goons might come here if they already guessed about Tonny's condition. In that case, our boys could not be able to save themselves freely. Let them concentrate on them and here we will face our fate."

Nina's last words at a time made the other feel uncomfortable and excited equally. Excited for the chance to show the girl power and uncomfortable with the doubt on that power. Nina roamed her eyes on their confused faces.

"No risk no gain."

Her voice was arctic.