Date: 28 December 2022
A small black-and-white TV sat on a crooked wooden shelf above a roadside tea stall. Steam rose from a boiling kettle. The night air smelled of ginger, burnt sugar, and smoke from the nearby coal stove.
Two elderly men sat nearby, sipping tea from glass cups, their eyes shifting between the news and the silent street ahead.
TV News Anchor (voice-over): "This marks the fourth child reported missing in just six days. Locals from the Bhairavpur area claim to have heard strange growling sounds near the forest, and sightings of dark figures late at night..."
On the screen: shaky footage of a sobbing woman, yellow police tape fluttering in the wind, and a single broken sandal at the forest's edge.
One of the old men set his cup down.
Man (muttering): "God help us all..."
The tea shop owner turned to his young assistant.
Tea Shop Owner (to the boy): "Hey—take a parcel of tea to the police station. Same as usual for the inspector."
Boy (nodding): "Yes, sir."
He grabbed the metal tea carrier and dashed down the street, the sound of clinking cups fading into the cold air.
---
Scene – Bhairavpur Police Station
Inside the small, worn-down station, papers were scattered across desks and old ceiling fans creaked above tired officers.
Constable (to the inspector): "This is the fourth case, sir, and we still don't have a single lead. No witnesses, no patterns. Honestly, sir… this seems like the work of a psychopath."
Inspector Raghav (calmly): "Could be, Sahaye. But we can't label it that without proof. Has the forensic report arrived yet?"
Just then, the door creaked open and the boy entered, slightly out of breath.
Boy: "Tea, sir."
Inspector (relieved): "Thank you, brother. My brain really needed this."
Raghav took the cup with both hands, letting the warmth settle into his palms.
Inspector: "So it was you calling this a psychopath case?"
Constable Sahaye: "Just a guess, sir. I've seen something similar in a movie."
Inspector (smirking): "Maybe you should cut down on movies… and maybe on sweets too. Focus more on solving crimes—and losing that belly."
Sahaye: "I've tried, sir… I really have. Maybe it's just genetic."
Inspector (half-smiling): "Alright, alright. Let's focus."
He placed the tea aside and stood up, eyes fixed on a case board filled with photos and dates.
Inspector: "The first case was on December 10, right?"
Sahaye: "Yes, sir."
Inspector: "Next on the 17th."
Sahaye: "Correct."
Inspector: "Then the third on the 20th… and the last one, last night. December 27."
Inspector (thinking aloud): "There's a pattern."
Sahaye (realizing): "Yes, sir. And all victims were positioned the same way. That means the next crime might happen on December 30."
Inspector: "Three days from now."
Sahaye (serious): "We need to alert all departments and tell the public to report any suspicious activity near their homes. The killer may already be planning the next move."
Inspector: "Good. Issue the alert—quietly. No need for panic. Increase patrols in all residential zones."
As Inspector Raghav gave instructions, his phone buzzed.
Incoming Call – Sandhya (Wife)
Raghav: "Hello? I'm in the middle of something—can we talk later?"
Sandhya (urgent): "Raghav, listen to me first. I just got a call from Dev's school. They want you to come immediately. Dev got into a fight again."
Raghav: "What happened this time?"
Sandhya: "I don't know the full story. But the principal insisted you come. They won't let it go this time, Raghav."
Raghav: "Alright. I'll try to get there as soon as I can."
Sandhya: "No more 'try.' This time, just be there."
---
Scene – Principal's Office, Horizon International School
Ramanath (Principal): "Ah, Mrs. Verma. You're here. Mr. Verma isn't free again today?"
Sandhya: "He'll be here in a few minutes."
Sandhya: "So… what happened this time, sir?"
Ramanath: "Let's wait a moment. I've called both students — the culprit and the victim. They'll be here shortly."
Staff Teacher: "Sir, both students are here."
Ramanath: "Bring them in."
Dev – Age 17
Dev walked in first — tall, lean, sharp gaze, sleeves rolled up, shirt untucked. Behind him, Raj — thin, with glasses and a bruised eye — entered silently.
Ramanath: "Ma'am, this is Raj — the class topper. Hardworking. Last week, he scored 98 out of 100. Dev beat him… because he scored more."
Sandhya (shocked): "You hit him just for that?"
Dev: "I hit him because he mocked me for scoring less."
Sandhya (furious): "Then score better! Are you the son of a police officer or a gangster?!"
Dev (quietly): "A police officer? Where is he then? Busy saving the world again?"
Raghav (from the doorway): "No, son. I'm here. And I heard everything."
He walked straight to Dev and slapped him. Dev's eyes welled up. He turned and ran.
Sandhya (shouting): "Dev! Wait! Why won't you listen?!"
Raghav (to Principal): "I'm sorry, sir. Raj, I'm sorry too. I have to go after my son."
Ramanath (to Raj): "You may return to class."
As Raj left, Ramanath let out a long, tired breath.
Miss Batra: "Sir, I'm new here, but why haven't you expelled Dev? He fights, bullies, skips class."
Ramanath: "I know. And I should've. But… I can't."
Ramanath: "Dev was brilliant in Class 7. Then in Class 9, a politician's son joined. Untouchable. Arrogant. When Dev stopped him from bullying a student, he became their target. The teachers took the other boy's side. Dev suffered. And no one noticed. Not even his parents."
Ramanath: "Eventually… Dev fought back. And changed. He became what they were. That other boy left school. No one knows why."
Ramanath: "So no, I won't throw Dev away. Because we failed him first."
As he finished, Raj—still nearby—overheard everything.
---
Scene – School Corridor
Raghav (chasing): "Dev! Dev, wait!"
Students stared but said nothing. Dev disappeared.
Sandhya: "Let him go. He always returns home."
Raghav: "But I hit him… I should've spoken. Not raised my hand."
---
Scene – Verma Home
They entered and saw Dev's shoes by the door. His room was locked.
Sandhya: "He's home."
Raghav (at the door): "Dev… I know you're upset. Don't talk to me. But… please eat something. Don't fight with your food."
Sandhya: "Let him rest. Give him some space."
Raghav stepped back, guilt heavy in his chest. He descended the stairs, lost in thought.
> "Is this my fault? Did I push him into becoming like this?"
---
Scene Cut – Darkness
A boy runs down an alley.
A dark shadow follows.
The boy turns — silence. He gasps. The shadow is right behind him.
Darkness.
> What is the mystery behind this dark shadow? Why is it choosing its victims? Can Inspector Raghav solve the case… while repairing the broken bond with his son.