237...238...239..240. Anika breathed out the last second. There was a barely audible shutter. But she could feel a low rumble as the power shut down.

She padded cautiously to the door. Taking a deep breath, she pulled, her heart leapt into her throat as it swung open effortlessly.

And she was out. Her relief was short lived only to be replaced with fear of what lay ahead. Her limbs suddenly tightened.

If she was out then Prinku was out too. " Focus Anika" She whispered,  her eyes blinking rapidly to make out shapes in the pitch black darkness "You've got one shot at this"

Arjun's instructions were etched into her mind. Of course they were, she had spent hours repeating them in her head. She spread out her hand, feeling them brush the wall.

16 steps and she had to take a right turn, she counted under her breath. Far above her head the moon shined illuminating the broken glass like ceiling. Her ears strained on the shuffling feet of the gaurds somewhere, unaware of her stunt.

14...15- she almost lost her footting as something or rather someone bumped into her, out of the darkness. A yelp escaped her mouth before a hand clamped down on her mouth.

" Shhhhh! It's me Prinku!"
Anika gasped, she slapped the hand away and fell into what she hoped, was Prinku.
Prinku "umffed" Before her hands enveloped Anika's shaking body.

" Oh thank god you are safe" Anika rushed, her throat dry. " You too" Prinku whispered back. The girls clung to each other for a second longer before Anika parted.

She could make out Prinku's outline now " Let's get out of here" She grasped her palm, tugging her in what she hoped was the right direction.

Prinku hissed " Slowly Anika"

Cold sweat broke out on Anika's neck as she glanced worriedly behind her "What's wrong... Are you hurt?"

"Maybe a little " Prinku panted.

Anika glanced at the stop watch, they were supposed to be near the electric gate by now. They were loosing precious time.

" Here" She helped Prinku to a dimmly moon-lit spot " Let me take a look" Prinku's face was strained, flushed with sweat.

Anika's fingers trembled as she helped Prinku lift up her shirt. She touched her bruised hip and Prinku flinched.

" How bad is it? " Prinku bit through her teeth.

" It's not even visible " Oh it was bad.

They had fractured her hip.

It was a miracle she'd even made it this far.

Anika bit down hard on her teeth till her mouth was swirling with the rustic taste of her own blood. Anger throbbing in her pulse.

"It's a slight bruise that's giving you so much pain I can fix it with a small ointment" Anika grinned tightly. She probably needed a surgery.

Prinku didn't look convinced.
Anika ducked under her arm, supporting her, "put your weight onto you good leg" Anika watched as Prinku limped slowly, trying to mask her pain. Anika looked away, her heart aching for Prinku.

********************************

Arjun's fingers drummed worriedly on the steering wheel.

Where were they!? His eyes darted for the thousandth time to the electric fence opening into the field. He could see the guards lingering dangerously in the shadows.

The moon shone dimly upon the field where Arjun sat almost invisible, in the truck.
His iPad glowed beside him.

He bit his lip, as his timer ran shorter and shorter. They were supposed to be halfway through the field by now.
His leg twitched up and down. The power was going to come back any second now.

Fuck this.

He reached for his iPad, he would have to step in.

Suddenly something twitched in the corner of his eye. Arjun's head snapped up.

He squinted, making out two girls in the dark.

Oh, God was one of them hurt? His blood ran cold. 

Just as the gate swung open. A low rumble sounded and the ground lit up as the power came back on. He could see them now frozen at the gate as everything was suddenly thrown into light.

" Fuckfuckfuck" Arjun fumbled. He had to help them! He needed to give them a distraction.

He snatched his iPad, typing furiously for a second when suddenly the whole premises was plunged into darkness.
He had switched off their power, but it was going to stay down for one minute.

He could sense the restlessness of the guards. They had very little time before someone grew suspicious.

He saw the girls hesitate before suddenly they started walking into the field.

Arjun's heart thumped, even without them drawing close he could tell. Prinku was hurt.

His watch ticked closer to 60 seconds. He groaned.

They weren't going to make it.

The system allowed him to shut down the power only one time. He couldn't do it again.

God they weren't going to make it. He jumped out of his truck, masking his face with a black cloth. He was ready.

Power or no power. He had to get them out.

He walked stealthily. His eyes counting the guards in the shadows.

His watch chimmed 60 seconds. He took a deep breath, drawing out his gun.
The power flickered on and the girls froze. A moment of silence settled over the entire field when suddenly a guard blew the alarm.

They were caught.

Chaos blew out. Guards dashed from all directions towards the girls, "Anika run!" Arjun yelled. And Anika did.

She caught a crippled Priyanka by her waist and dragged her across the field.

But it was in vain, the gaurds were faster. Arjun took aim and fired two bullets at a van parked between the girls and the rapidly approaching stream of goons. For a moment nothing happened when suddenly BHOOOM!

The van exploded, taking with it a few men that were the closest to it. The girls froze as the blazing fire lit up the night brighter than ever before.

But the blast had served it's purpose, a thick cloud of fire and smoke with a touch of surprise now created a margin between the men and the girls.
It had also caused the goons to split.

Arjun cursed as he saw a man running towards the girls from the opposite side of the blast.
Arjun took aim and fired, his bullet zipped in the air hitting the gaurd. But Arjun never saw him fall. Cause the second the bullet hit him the power blew and the field was plunged into darkness once again, with only a small blaze of the balst alive.

Shouts and yells surrounded them and Arjun took aim again firing into the dark. He heard a grunt before another guard fell.

Arjun began to run. His heart pounded, as his eyes were focused on the girls, who were still trying to run.

They collided in the middle. Arjun wrapped Prinku within his arms. " She's hurt" Anika gasped and sobbed, her hand trembling as she wiped her tears.

" Anika run" Arjun shoved her away from Prinku.

"No! " Anika cried. Prinku gasped with pain in his lap.

"you will get us all killed" He spoke urgently " leave! NOW!!"

Anika sobbed " I can't....I can't go without her..I can't leave"

The men grew closer, Arjun's mind raced. Prinku in his arms was grimacing with pain but he could see her eyes boring into him.

" All of us cannot get out. But you can. So run and get help" he tried to reason with her.

But Anika stood rooted, sobbing like a two year old.

Arjun growled, they were giving him no choice. He reached into his pants and aimed the gun at Anika " I won't ask you again"  his voice was quiet,  the urgency replaced with a deadly calmness. Anika stood there terrorized. " Run. Now. Or else I will shoot you my self"

Torches lit and men yelled, the sound of running feet rumbled the earth.

Anika sobbed " You have my word, I will get her out" Arjun spoke again. He unlocked the safety hatch of the gun "now go, or believe me I will shoot you"

"Go Anika" Prinku rasped out from his lap " go and get help, I'll be fine"

With a last glimpse at her friend Anika turned and ran for all she was worth.
Arjun sighed, he looked down at Prinku who was watching him with the same terrorized look Anika had had.

He turned her around suddenly his arm chocking her neck. She felt the cold metal of the gun press against her temple.

Lights shone on them as men came thundering towards them.
Yousif's face twisted in rage came into light Arjun chocked her harder. " I caught her" He declared " I caught one of the bitches"

A/N:

Helloo guys,

How are you all doing? You people have been asking for a fortnight updates but we are really sorry for all the delay. We couldn't do it but still we are trying to give our best.

We hope you enjoy this chapter.
Why did Arjun surrender prinku? Leave your views in the comment section.

Also be safe. Stay at your homes. Please wear masks when you step out.

Yours
Trushnamallipudi❤