The cab ride to Palm Grove Road was eerily silent, save for the faint hum of the engine and the occasional sound of the driver clearing his throat. Samaira stared out of the window, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the hem of her dress. Her mind raced as she tried to piece together the puzzle of what awaited her at the destination.

Behind her, at a discreet distance, Advait and his guards followed in a sleek black SUV. He had insisted on this arrangement, ensuring her safety while maintaining the illusion that she was alone. His sharp instructions earlier still echoed in her mind.

“Don’t look back. Don’t acknowledge us. Act as if you’re completely on your own.”

She had agreed, albeit reluctantly. Knowing he was there gave her some semblance of courage, though her heart still pounded in her chest like a drum.

As the cab pulled up to the address, Samaira felt a chill run down her spine. The building stood before her—a decrepit structure with peeling paint and shattered windows, its once-pristine facade reduced to a ghost of its former self. It seemed more like a place where secrets came to die than where alliances were forged.

Her phone vibrated in her hand, snapping her out of her thoughts. A message lit up the screen:

"Enter the building."

Samaira glanced around, her eyes scanning for any signs of danger or traps. She knew Advait and his team were close by, watching her every move, but it didn’t ease the knot tightening in her stomach. Steeling herself, she stepped out of the cab and approached the building.

The air inside was thick with the smell of damp wood and mildew. The dim lighting barely illuminated the cracked tiles and dusty walls, casting eerie shadows that made her skin prickle. Every step she took echoed ominously, the sound bouncing off the hollow corridors.

Her phone buzzed again.

"Room 204."

Her gaze flickered to the staircase at the end of the hall. Taking a deep breath, she made her way up, her heels clicking softly against the worn steps. With each floor she ascended, her unease grew. She felt as though the walls were closing in, the oppressive silence pressing heavily on her shoulders.

When she reached the second floor, her eyes found the numbered doors lining the corridor. She walked slowly, counting them down until she stopped in front of 204. The door was slightly ajar, the lock dangling precariously, as if someone had broken it long ago.

Her heart thudded violently in her chest as she hesitated. She reminded herself of Advait’s words, his reassurance that he was there if anything went wrong. Still, her fingers trembled as she pushed the door open just enough to peer inside.

The room was dimly lit, a single bulb casting a pale glow. The air felt heavy, almost suffocating. And then she saw it—a figure standing at the far end of the room, facing a cracked mirror.

The figure's reflection was distorted, but the voice that followed was unmistakably clear.

“Samaira,” the figure said, the voice calm yet charged with an underlying tension. “It’s good to finally be on the same team.”

Her breath caught in her throat as the figure turned slowly, stepping into the light.

Her eyes widened in shock. She had braced herself for the possibility, but even so, the reality of the moment hit her like a tidal wave.

“You…” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Her knees felt weak as the pieces of the puzzle finally clicked into place. She had known this could happen, but now that it had, the enormity of the revelation threatened to overwhelm her.

The figure’s lips curved into a faint, knowing smile.

“Surprised?” they asked, their tone laced with both familiarity and challenge.

Samaira couldn’t speak. She simply stood there, frozen, as the truth of what lay ahead began to unravel.