As soon as they emerged from the ancient and terrifying ruins of the sorcerer Bhadrakal, Vikas floored the accelerator so hard that the screech of tires echoed against the asphalt. Inside the car, the atmosphere was as stifling as a raging fire. Rage and exhaustion were etched onto the faces of Vikas and Arya, while Ishan, huddled in the backseat, was trembling violently. The face of 'Lucky'—that innocent child they had just left bound in ropes to a stone pillar—flashed repeatedly before Ishan's eyes.
Suddenly, Ishan began to scream like a madman, "Vikas, stop the car! Brother, I can't take this anymore. That little boy... Lucky, his cries are ringing in my ears. He was begging us for mercy, and we left him in that hell. I cannot commit any more sins. I'm going straight to the police station. I'll tell them everything—what happened ten years ago and the filthy things we are doing today to save our lives. I'll turn myself in!"
The moment Vikas heard the word 'police,' he slammed on the brakes with all his might. The car jerked to a halt by the roadside under an old, withered banyan tree. Seething with rage, Vikas turned around, grabbed Ishan's collar, and pulled him forward, bellowing:
Vikas: "Going to the police? Now you're acting all pure and righteous? When the police ask who took that man's life on that dark night ten years ago, will you name me or Arya? Ishan, the truth is, you were the one who killed him! We only stood by you because we were friends. We buried that secret in our chests so you wouldn't go to jail. We helped you dispose of the body and kept it hidden from the world until today. But the real murderer is you! You were the one who picked up that sharp stone and smashed it into the middle of his head. It sank into his skull and he died right there. Have you forgotten that horrific night so easily?"
Ishan (sobbing uncontrollably): "I... I was so scared then, Vikas. I never intended to kill him, but in that moment of anger, I didn't realize what I was doing."
Vikas (with a look of pure loathing): "Your intentions don't matter anymore. What matters is that today, Ivan is sitting inside your own son's body. He hasn't come back for anyone else—he's here specifically to punish you. He wants your life. And do you think you'll escape by going to the police and framing us? We are merely the accomplices who hid your old crime, but the true burden of his death rests solely on your shoulders. These innocent people we've trapped in those ruins today—that blogger and that innocent child—we are doing this only to fix your old mistake and save our own lives."
Arya (in a cold, grave voice): "Ishan, drop the useless arguments and face reality. Vikas is absolutely right. We saved your life ten years ago, but today we are all neck-deep in this swamp. Today, Ivan is sitting in your house, wearing your own innocent child's body. He wants his revenge. And if we don't fulfill the sorcerer's condition and the sacrifice isn't completed, that boy Ivan will be the first to slit your throat. Do you want to die at the hands of your own son? If not, then keep your mouth shut and do as we say."
Ishan's head bowed in shame and fear. He knew that what Vikas and Arya were saying was the bitter truth. That old night had become the greatest curse of his life. He sobbed, "Yes! I killed him. It's because of me that you all are in this trouble. But what do we do now? How do we get out of this fire?"
Suddenly, Ishan's phone on the dashboard rang. In that silence, the sound felt as terrifying as a bomb blast. There was no number on the screen, just a strange, black, and ghastly symbol. Ishan's hands shook as he picked up the call.
Ishan (in a trembling voice): "H... Hello? Who is it?"
From the other side came the heavy, thick, and spine-chilling voice of the sorcerer Bhadrakal.
Sorcerer Bhadrakal: "Ishan! Listen to me very carefully. Did you think bringing just three people would do the job? The spirits inside Ivan are very thirsty, and my ritual work is expensive. I need $60,000 in cash before tomorrow morning. If the money and the third man don't reach me before sunrise, I will not begin the prayer or the sacrifice. And remember, if I pull my hand back, those three spirits inside Ivan will eat your raw flesh tomorrow night. Do not make the mistake of taking my warning lightly!"
With that, the sorcerer hung up. The phone slipped from Ishan's hand. His face turned deathly pale, as if the blood had been drained from his body.
Ishan: "$60,000... he asked for sixty thousand dollars. And he's only given us until tomorrow morning! Where will we get that much money?"
Vikas (shouting in anger): "What? Is he a sorcerer or some forest bandit? Where will we get $60,000 so quickly? On one hand, we're doing all this dirty work and sinning because of him, and on top of that, he wants this massive sum? This is blatant robbery!"
Arya (speaking solemnly): "Vikas, that tantrik knows very well that our necks are on the line. He is taking full advantage of our desperation. But without him, we cannot stop Ivan. If he doesn't perform the ritual and Ivan isn't pacified, he will torture us to death. We have to arrange the money, no matter what we have to do."
Vikas (taking a long, cold breath): "Look at our fate. On one side, death itself is standing before us, and on the other, this greedy sorcerer wants to swallow us alive. We are trapped in this web. That one sharp stone thrown by Ishan ten years ago is destroying us completely today. That one stone is devouring our wealth, our peace, and our humanity, one by one."
A heavy silence fell over the three of them again. Arranging $60,000 by tomorrow morning and finding a third victim seemed impossible. They had very little time, and the threat of death was mounting every second.
Arya: "Stop the useless debating now. Go to your homes and gather whatever jewelry or cash you have in your cupboards. We must reach those ruins by 5 AM tomorrow at all costs. If we are even slightly late, consider that tomorrow's sun will rise over our graves. This could be the last night of our lives, so do whatever needs to be done quickly."
Without a word, Vikas started the car. He dropped Arya and Ishan at their respective homes. No one said 'bye' to each other, because no one knew if they would see tomorrow's dawn.