𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐎𝐟 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞
"𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧."

Abhishek's world was consumed by an endless void of blackness. Suddenly, the eerie silence was shattered by the cacophony of servants' cries and screams, echoing through his mind like a haunting nightmare.

The sound sent shivers down his spine, and his heart racing, Abhishek's mind's eye witnessed a gruesome scene: his mother and father lay motionless on the ground, their bodies twisted in unnatural positions.

His father's chest was stained crimson, blood pooling around his lifeless body. His mother's eyes, once bright and warm, now stared blankly into the void, her face frozen in a silent scream.

Abhishek's eyes snapped open, and a blood-curdling scream tore from his throat, shattering the silence of the hospital room. His body shook violently, fear gripping him like a vice. Tears streamed down his face as he gasped for air.

A gentle voice pierced the chaos, laced with concern. "Oh god, he's awake! Go call the doctor, quickly!"

Abhishek's gaze darted wildly around the room, his mind struggling to comprehend his surroundings. The beeping of monitors, the sterile smell of the hospital, and the faint hum of machinery overwhelmed him.

He hugged his knees tightly, sobbing uncontrollably. "Papa...maa...too much blood...no!" he stammered, pointing at the floor as if the horror was still unfolding before him. His voice cracked, and his words dissolved into incoherent mumblings.

A nurse rushed to his side, enveloping him in a warm hug. Her hands gently stroked his hair, offering comfort. "Hey, beta, calm down...calm down...you're safe now." She repeated the words, a gentle mantra to ease his distress.

Abhishek's sobs gradually subsided, replaced by ragged breathing. The nurse continued to cradle him, her touch a comforting balm.

Just then, the doctor burst into the room, a nurse by his side. "What's his status?" he asked, concern etched on his face.

The nurse holding Abhishek replied, "He just woke up, sir. He's experiencing flashbacks and severe distress."

The doctor nodded thoughtfully. "Let's let him rest for now. The events he witnessed are too traumatic for his young mind to process." He approached Abhishek's bedside, checking his vital signs with a gentle touch.

"Keep a close eye on him and notify me of any improvements," the doctor instructed the nurse, his voice low and reassuring.

The nurse nodded, continuing to stroke Abhishek's hair with soothing gentleness.

As the doctor's words faded into the background, Abhishek's heavy eyelids succumbed to exhaustion, and he drifted off to sleep.

Outside the room, Inspector Ranveer stood up from his chair, his expression a mix of concern and curiosity.

"Did he wake up? How's he doing now?" he asked, his voice tinged with empathy.

The doctor's expression turned somber. "Yes, he woke up, but I don't think it's wise to question him about the events just yet. He's experiencing severe trauma, and pushing him to relive those moments could exacerbate his condition."

"We need to observe him closely, with the help of a therapist, to gradually help him process his emotions. This will take time – days, maybe even months." The doctor paused, collecting his thoughts.

"I recommend keeping him here for two weeks for observation. After that, we can consider discharging him, but only if his condition improves." Inspector Ranveer nodded thoughtfully.

"Where will he stay after discharge?"
The doctor's gaze sought clarification. "He'll need a stable environment. Where will he be staying?"

Ranveer's expression turned resolute. "He'll stay with his relatives. I've already made arrangements."

The doctor nodded, jotting down notes on his clipboard. "Very well. I'll ensure his care continues uninterrupted."

With a nod, the doctor departed, leaving Inspector Ranveer alone, lost in thought, staring at the closed door.

-----

Abhishek's eyes, once bright and sparkling, now seemed dull and lifeless. The traumatic event had left an indelible mark on his young mind, haunting him with relentless nightmares. Despite the doctors' best efforts, the terror lingered, refusing to relinquish its grip.

One month of hospitalization had passed, and Abhishek was finally brought to his family house, where his grandparents awaited with open arms. The familiar surroundings and loving faces offered a glimmer of hope, but the trauma had taken root, and its grip was tight.

Therapy sessions continued, with gentle voices and reassuring smiles attempting to coax Abhishek out of his shell. However, the nightmares persisted, invading his sleep and stealing his peace.

The cheerful child he once was had vanished, replaced by a silent, brooding figure. Abhishek's age-mates chattered excitedly, their laughter echoing through the halls, but he remained quiet, lost in his thoughts.

His parents' passing had been a cruel blow, and the pain of not being able to bid them farewell or perform the last rites as a son weighed heavily on his heart. The memory of their lifeless bodies, the blood, and the screams continued to torment him.

Birthdays, once a joyous celebration, now filled Abhishek with dread. He associated them with loss, fearing that this special day would somehow take away his grandparents, the only family he had left.

On his birthday, Abhishek would lock himself in his room, unable to face the others. The sound of laughter and music only intensified his anxiety, and he'd spend the day hiding, tears streaming down his face.

His grandparents tried to reassure him, holding him close and whispering words of comfort. "We're here, beta. We won't leave you." But Abhishek's fear had become a constant companion, always lurking in the shadows.

As the sun set on another painful birthday, Abhishek's grandmother sat beside him, gently stroking his hair. "We love you, Abhishek. You're not alone." Her voice cracked, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Abhishek's gaze remained fixed on the floor, his expression a mask of sorrow. His silence spoke volumes, a heartbreaking testament to the trauma that had stolen his childhood.

----

A woman was laying on the ground, blood rushing from her head. She struggled to stand, clutching her head.

"Abhi beta, are you okay?! Are you hurt?!" she exclaimed, her voice laced with concern. Abhishek's eyes widened in panic. Tears filled his eyes as he rushed toward her.

"Maa!! You're okay! You're back!" he sobbed, embracing her tightly. Kavita smiled weakly, wincing in pain.

"Hey beta, it's okay. Come here," she whispered, extending her arms. Abhishek buried himself in her embrace, feeling a sense of security.

He felt someone caring his hair. He glanced up, he saw his father, Rohit, standing behind her. Blood oozed from his chest.

"Papa!! You're okay too!!" Abhishek exclaimed. "I missed you guys so much! I was so scared, Maa! There was so much blood. I called you guys so many times, but you didn't answer me back," Abhishek poured out his emotions.

"Please don't leave me alone again," Abhishek pleaded.

Kavita hugs him tightly her grip became suffocating. "Maa, too much..." he stammered.

She kept slient her grip becoming more suffocating. He raises his head and looks at his mother. His eyes widened.

Kavita's eyes turned blood-red. "Why didn't you save us?!" she shouted, blood flowing from her head, soaking her clothes. Rohit's eyes mirrored Kavita's.

"Why didn't you save us, Abhi?" he echoed. Abhishek cowered in the corner, overwhelmed.

"No, Maa! Papa! You're scaring me!" he cried. The accusations continued.
"I'm sorry, Papa! Maa! I wasn't able to save you guys!" Abhishek sobbed.

Abhishek jolted awake, tears streaming down his face. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Papa, Maa, I'm sorry!" he wailed.

His grandmother, sleeping beside him, rushed to comfort him. "Abhi beta! What happened?! Oh god, beta!" she exclaimed, embracing him.

"It's okay, beta. You're safe. It's just a nightmare," she soothed. Abhishek's sobs gradually subsided. His grandmother continued to cradle him.

"Oh Krishna, why must my Abhi suffer like this?! Please, Krishna ji, I can't bear seeing my Abhi in pain. Why did Rohit and Kavita have to leave this world?" she whispered, tears mingling with Abhishek's.

----

The Khanna mansion murder case, once a sensational headline, gradually faded into obscurity. The police department, citing lack of evidence, officially closed the case, conveniently dismissing Abhishek's eyewitness account as unreliable.

Inspector Ranveer's persistent efforts to reopen the case raised eyebrows. His superiors questioned his motives, and soon, he found himself reassigned to a lesser post, effectively silenced.

The investigation team was disbanded, and key documents went missing. Whispers of a cover-up spread, but no one dared speak out.

As time passed, the case grew cold. Witnesses began to vanish or meet untimely ends. Those who dared to revisit the tragedy were either intimidated or bought off.

Fear gripped the community, and people avoided discussing the Khanna mansion massacre. The once-outspoken voices were now hushed, their resolve weakened by the subtle yet potent threat of retaliation.

The collective memory of the town slowly erased the horrors of that fateful night. The mansion, once a symbol of elegance and prosperity, stood as a haunting reminder of the unsolved crime.

Only the loved ones of the victims couldn't move on. Abhishek's grandparents, though trying to shield him from the harsh reality, couldn't shake off the feeling of injustice.

As seasons changed, the town's indifference grew. The Khanna mansion, now a relic of a forgotten tragedy, stood as a testament to the dark forces that had silenced the truth.

In the shadows, powerful figures breathed a sigh of relief. Their secrets remained buried, and their influence remained unchallenged.

But amidst the silence, a spark of determination flickered within Inspector Ranveer. He vowed to uncover the truth, no matter the cost.

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Hi dear Homosapiens 💗

     I'm not satisfied with this chapter. Quiet busy with my college not being able to write anything. But still how's the chapter? Tell me ur thoughts<3!

Pls do vote and comment. 💕