The Desperate Run
It was midnight. The house lay in silence, every corner wrapped in shadows. Suddenly, Jeevika’s eyes snapped open. Something felt… wrong.
She crept through the dark hallways, heart pounding. Then she saw Rekha, clutching her chest, struggling to breathe.
“Rekha! What’s happening?” Jeevika cried, rushing forward.
Rekha gasped, choking on her words. Jeevika’s hands flew to the drawer—but the medicine wasn’t there. She glanced under the bed. Relief—there was the bottle. She stretched her fingers, grabbed it… only to find it empty.
Rekha’s body slumped. Panic surged. Jeevika bolted toward the gate, only to be stopped by the gatekeeper.
“You can’t go out now,” he said firmly.
“It’s an emergency!” another girl pleaded.
“I’ll get the medicine,” Jeevika said, determination burning in her voice.
The gatekeeper shook his head. “If I go, you’ll run away.”
Tulika, an older woman, stepped forward. “I’ll go. I’m 56 years old. Let me!”
“No!” he snapped.
The women shouted, chaos spreading through the night. Jeevika didn’t wait. She sprinted out herself, her every step a blur of desperation. At the shop, she grabbed the medicine, paid the 50 rupees demanded, and raced back.
Applause erupted as she returned, medicine in hand. A girl hurried to give it to Rekha, who was gasping less now.
Then, in an instant, everything changed. A jeep appeared from the shadows, skidding to a stop beside her. Strong hands grabbed her, dragging her inside.
“Let me go!” Jeevika screamed, kicking and twisting, but the vehicle sped away before anyone could intervene.
Inside the jeep, tears streamed down her face. “Please… please leave me!”
A cruel laugh echoed. A man loomed over her, reaching out. Jeevika fought back fiercely, slamming her fists, refusing to give in to fear.
Suddenly, the jeep screeched to a halt—right in front of a police jeep.
The man’s eyes widened in fury. “Hey, policeman! You arrested Gumna for raping a girl. You think you can stop me? Watch closely!”
“Please… no!” Jeevika’s voice broke.
He moved closer, but the policeman raised his gun. One shot, straight to the man’s head. Jeevika’s vision blurred; she collapsed unconscious.
The officer didn’t hesitate. Another shot rang out, and Gumna fell.
Gently, the policeman lifted Jeevika, placing her in his jeep. “Hospital. Now,” he ordered.
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Abhay Singh stepped out of the senior officer’s chambers, his mind replaying the courtroom scene.
“Inspector Singh! Do you have any proof that Gumna raped that girl?” the judge had asked.
“My Lord… he admitted it,” Abhay had replied, calm and unwavering.
The judge pressed further. “So… no proof? No witnesses?”
Finally, the judge sighed. “Without any concrete proof or witness testimony, the person named Gumna is released.”
Back in the present, Abhay smiled faintly, recalling that moment of frustration—and inevitability. Justice wasn’t always clean, but he had done what was necessary.
“Hello, Dr. Sakhi. How is the girl?” he asked, approaching the doctor.
“She is stable now,” Dr. Sakhi replied, her expression serious.
“Where has she been taken?” Abhay inquired.
“To Aanandi’s Women’s Shelter. She’s safe there,” the doctor answered.
“Good. Thanks, Sakhi,” Abhay said, eyes scanning the distance as if already planning his next move.
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Hook Questions
1. When the law fails, can justice still be served—and at what cost?
2. What would you do if someone you loved was in danger, and every second counted?
3. Could one fearless girl truly outsmart a world filled with danger and corruption?
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