In the jungle: Mahindra Thar: 10: 30 pm:

“How long do we have to wait? These mosquitoes are like vampire bats. Till now they have sucked almost a litre of blood from my body.”

Cody complained when smacked his forearm. However, it couldn’t be seen whether he became successful or not to kill the tiny bloodsucker.

"Quiet, Bro. We all are suffering because we don't have any other choice but to wait."

Alex mumbled when stretched his back to release its stiffness.

"God knows our wait will be fruitful or not. Guys, why don't we try to contact the police? Is it ok to entirely rely on the forest guards? What if they couldn't find us or if they don't have enough manpower to square up to these smugglers?"

Billy put his view.

"I have already tried zillion times. But it seems that this walky-talky range reaches only a certain distance. Maybe it works only amidst this forest."

Micky said reluctantly. He was lying supine on the car bonnet. Suddenly Devid made a sound from his gagged mouth.

"Boo....booo...."

"Now what happened to this Jumbo?"

Cody sounded irritated.

"Hmm.....hmmm...booo..."

Devid again whimpered.

"Untie his mouth."

Micky ordered and passed the pistol to Peter.

"But put this on his head. Don't make a sound, Devid. He can pull the trigger too."

Micky added with a cold voice. Peter pulled down the hanky from Devid's mouth.

"Water..."

Devid whispered meekly. Cody grabbed the bottle kept under the seat and pour some water into his mouth. Devid kept on gulping until the entire water finished.

"Is he a hippo or something? He finished all the water in one go. "

Cody said with rolled eyes. Peter again tried to gag Devid when he said,

"I need to pee."

"What? Do we seem to you as your bum-chums or you are in your in-laws' house that you are throwing your tantrums? Do you now want me to make you pee as a baby? Shut your mouth and hold your pressure."

Cody growled.

"I can't. It's almost busting."

Devid cried.

"Then do it here only."

Cody said rigidly while Alex scrunched his nose in disgust.

"What are you saying, Bro? How can he do this here? Shit! One of us has to escort him. Untie his legs and let him release in the bushes."

Alex suggested. Peter untied Devid's legs and made him get off the car while his hands were still strapped. Cody escorted him. Devid staggered to the nearest bush and looked at Cody with helpless eyes.

"God, what am I doing? Lia will commit suicide if she watches this."

Cody almost cried and pulled down Devid's pant zip. Suddenly a bright light dazzled everybody's eyes. Simultaneously, a bike's engine sound shattered the silence of the forest. Within a blink of an eye, all guarded themselves behind the Thar.

"Micky, Peter....Alex...we are here."

Maya's shaky voice startled all of them. A motorbike stopped beside the Mahindra Thar. Maya, Natalia and Alisha got down. Micky rushed to Maya and grabbed her shoulder.

"How did you come here? Whose bike is this? Where is Nina?"

He shot a plethora of questions.

"It's a long story. Will tell you later. But right now, we have a piece of bad news. Nina is not with us. I am afraid she has been kidnapped again."

Maya finished without taking any breath.

"WHAT?"

Micky screamed when pushed Maya by her shoulders.

"Here is another bad news."

Cody muttered from behind.

"Devid ran away."

He concluded in a hapless tone.

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

In the Gypsy car: 15 th July: 10: 35 pm:

"Stop the car and get down. All of you."

Maddy ordered.

"What happened Maddy? We haven't spotted our Mahindra Thar yet."

A gang boy asked.

"They are here only. I heard an engine sound. I said STOP now."

Maddy growled. The Gypsy jerked to stock still.

"But it was a bike engine sound. Did Harry come back?"

Maddy mumbled unmindfully. All 4 got off the car.

"Take your guns out and search for the tyre marks. Stop where it is ended. Don't use the torches too much as we don't know if are already being observed."

Maddy revealed his plan. All the gang members nodded and started approaching the path with light footsteps. The path was muddy and moist so they traced the tyre marks very easily.

"These are very fresh. I think we don't have to search them for any longer. They are probably around. But be careful. They have our entire arm consignment with them. We can't rush or do anything on impulse."

Maddy instructed in a low voice. However, his whisper almost echoed in the placid surrounding. After 30 to 40 steps, the tyre marks were not visible anymore.

"Maddy there are no tyre marks after this spot."

One of the guys announced. All the torch lights skirted on the ground in search of any trail.

"Here.....!"

Suddenly Maddy groaned. His torchlight was fixed on a particular patch followed to the jungle.

"They went to this way. Look the bushes and weeds are mowed down. The car must have entered the jungle through this path. But how long did they go? Not bad, Rockstars. You all are planning to mislead us by this stupid hide and seek game. Okay, we are here only. Let's see how long you all can hide yourselves. Boys, be ready. We have to enter this way. Switch off the lights and use your instinct."

Maddy beckoned his gang members and stealthily approached the path our young stars made their way.

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

In the house: 15th July Friday: 11:00 pm:

"Tonny, load all the remaining arms in the jeep. Keep all laptops and other gadgets as well. Don't leave any traces that can lead the police to us. We are leaving this place as soon as possible."

Harry anxiously said. His hawk eyes were spitting venom.

"Boss, there are no arms left in the chests. I think the girls did something with them. Some walky-talkies are also missing."

Tonny declared with dreadful eyes. Harry whacked the wall in frustration.

"FUCK..... You will get a reward for this mistake very soon. But right now, we have to be fast. Get the jeep."

Harry's spine-chilling tone shivered Tonny to his core. He immediately left to follow the order. Harry rushed to the room where he kept Nina. She was still lying unmoved on the bed. Harry came near and bent down to reach her unstirred body.

"Now, you are my only key to win. Come, sweetheart, it's time to go."

Harry muttered and carefully lifted unconscious Nina in his lap. He placed her on his shoulder like a sack of cotton and grabbed his laptop from the tabletop. After switching off the light, he smoothly came downstairs.

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

In the jungle: Around Mahindra Thar: 15 th July Friday: 10: 45pm:

"And you didn't even try to search for her? All of you came here without her? How could you Maya? She was hurt. Couldn't even walk properly. How could she save herself from those heinous bastards?"

Micky choked while venting out his helplessness.

"I am sorry but at that moment I thought it would be best to reach out to all of you. I am....sorry. We even tried to contact the police."

Maya said in a knackered voice. Alisha and Natalia sighed and bent down their head in frustration.

"DAMN......!"

Micky yelled and smacked the car bonnet in vexation.

"But how did that Devid flee? You were with him right, Cody?"

Billy snapped.

"Yeah, I was with him. I am helping him to pee but then these 'Three Musketeers' came like hail and I got distracted and that baby Gorilla took this opportunity. But thankfully he fled otherwise, I might have to help him more besides just to open his pant zip. You know what I mean?"

Cody said with a horrified expression, seemed he visualised the sight. Despite being in an unfavourable situation, no one could control a chuckle. Only the great Cody has this calibre.

"I have to go to get Nina back. Guys, you all wait here till any help comes."

Suddenly Micky said. His voice cracked to realise that his Nina is not with him even after so much wait and effort.

"Buddy, don't be crazy. It's not the job of any individual. We are also coming with you."

Peter said calmly while placing his hand on Micky's shoulder to pacify his nervousness.

"We can't leave this place. Listen, we don’t know how many goons are there. So let the girls and Cody stay here. Peter, Billy and I are coming with you."

Alex suggested. Micky bent down his head for a while and eventually nodded in positive.

"Let's start then."

Billy said in haste. When a hoarse voice chilled them to the marrow.

"Hello, Rockstars! See, we met again. It's truly said, too much cunning overreaches itself."