Chapter 3 – Lines in the SandDecember 2, 2019 – 6:00 AMAshu’s apartment, West Delhi

  The map was spread across his floor again, marked with names and locations in thick red pen. Ashu traced the line leading to Mehrauli Ridge, his next stop.

  “Imran…” he murmured. “You trained soldiers. Fighters. Survivors. I need you.”

  A soft chime pulsed in his mind.

  SYSTEM ALERT: Void Log 003 unlocked.Memory Fragment: Imran’s Last Stand – 2043.

  The fsh of memory was brief—a glimpse of Imran’s exhausted face, swinging a makeshift axe as the dead closed in. Ashu clenched his jaw.

  “Not this time.”

  He stuffed his notebook into his bag, zipped his jacket, and grabbed a protein bar from the counter. The clock ticked loudly above the door. 39 days left.

  ?? Mehrauli Ridge – 7:45 AMThe training ground was as Ashu remembered—clearing surrounded by sparse woods, scattered punching bags and target dummies.

  Imran stood at the center, barking orders at a circle of trainees throwing jabs. Broad-shouldered, stubble on his jaw, a tired fire in his eyes.

  Ashu paused behind a tree, watching.

  SYSTEM NOTICE: Potential ally detected. Sync probability: 22%.

  He stepped forward, waiting until Imran noticed him.

  Imran’s gaze nded on him, frowning. “You lost, kid?”

  Ashu took a breath. “Ashu Mehra. I heard you train people here.”

  Imran eyed him warily. “I don’t take strangers.”

  “I don’t need training,” Ashu said. “I need you.”

  That made Imran pause. “You don’t even know me.”

  Ashu met his gaze. “I know more than you think.”

  Imran crossed his arms. “Kid, you’re talking in riddles. If you want something, come clean.”

  “I need your help. And your trust.”

  Imran snorted. “That’s a heavy ask from a stranger.”

  “Forty days,” Ashu said quietly. “I need you before then.”

  “Before what?”

  Ashu hesitated. “Before this city falls.”

  Imran stared a long moment, then shook his head. “You sound like one of those online conspiracy nuts.”

  Ashu smiled faintly. “I’ve been called worse.”

  Imran sighed. “You want to prove you’re serious? Come back tomorrow at sunrise. You train with the rest. You st the day—I’ll talk.”

  “I’ll be here,” Ashu said.

  Imran turned back to his students without another word.

  ?? Neel ? Ashu“Yo bro. Radio’s acting weird again. Weird bursts of static this morning.”

  ?? Ashu ? Neel“Keep logging every frequency you catch. Something’s moving early.”

  ?? Neel ? Ashu“You’re starting to freak me out. Are you seriously expecting some bckout or something?”

  ?? Ashu ? Neel“Not bckout. Breakdown.”

  ?? Neel ? Ashu“Okay. Gonna pretend I didn’t read that. You owe me a real expnation soon.”

  ?? Ashu ? Neel“Soon.”

  Ashu pocketed his phone, exhaling slowly. Riya. Neel. Imran. Each one pulling a different thread of the future together.

  ?? Mehrauli Ridge – 8:30 AMAshu lingered after the css ended, watching as trainees packed up. Imran approached him again.

  “You still here?”

  Ashu nodded.

  “You’re persistent, I’ll give you that.”

  “I have to be.”

  Imran tilted his head. “You sound like someone who’s already lost something.”

  Ashu’s lips tightened. “I have.”

  Imran studied him. “Tomorrow then. Sunrise. Don’t be te.”

  Ashu smiled faintly. “I won’t.”

  [SYSTEM ALERT: Void Log 004 unlocked.]

  Ashu gnced at the city skyline beyond the ridge. Somewhere out there, a clock was ticking.

  “I won’t lose you this time either,” he whispered under his breath.

  ?? End of Chapter 3