Many times, no, a lot of times, in my dreams I’ve seen myself in this exact position. Running away from the people I have been working with from the past three years. Yes, I knew the job was risky, I knew I could lose everything that I locked away so carefully, it would even cost my precious life and still I jumped in without a second taught. Maybe it’s my nature, I grew up like this wild, adventurous, always doing what I wanted. But this? this is the wildest and most terrifying thing I’ve ever done.
Imagine a job that gives you an adrenaline rush every single day, the one that throws exhilarating challenges towards you and lets you make a fool out of a vast criminal organisation now and then. Sounds exciting right? Yeah, it is. But the question is, ‘for how long?’ And the answer is simple ‘until you get caught.’
I lost my excitement today evening exactly at 4:19 PM because that’s when they found out that I’m an undercover officer. Wow! after three years of deep cover, I don’t know whether that makes me brilliant or them stupid, but now it’s not a worthy topic to discuss. The mind blocking worst thing is I was with them when the news exploded. Seriously? Is my luck that bad? Every eye, every finger and most importantly every gun suddenly aimed at me.
The air turned electric, I gulped hard. Disbelief, shock, disappointment, rage, smirk, every face wore a different expression. I can’t expect less. I was the second in command, after all. Their trusted leader had just been exposed as a traitor.
I wanted to shout fools and laugh in their faces, but the click of safeties being released echoed around me and I had no weapon in my hand. A chill down my spine.
The guns rose into the air, but their index fingers froze not knowing. Uncertain whether to shoot me or not. That hesitation was fear I’d cultivated from the past three years. They’d seen what I was capable of. They knew how far I could go. They hesitated to shoot and that’s my key.
My breathing grew heavy. I turned and leapt from the first floor, crashing through the glass window beside me. Stupid? May be. But it saved my life. Broken bones were better than my soul staring at my dead body.
Gun fire erupted behind me. Desperate yelling. Chaos. A mess. And honestly, the only reason I’m still breathing is sheer luck, 100% pure, unexplainable luck. I swear, no one, not even me, should’ve made it out alive, surrounded by those men. And make no mistake, they were armed, and I don’t plan dying young.
The pain is unbearable, but I managed to drag myself near my super-secret apartment. No one knows I live here, not even the neighbours. I’ve never entered through the main door. Always the window, always in the dark. I couldn’t risk being seen.
But now that my identity’s blown, sneaking around is pointless. And more over I can’t climb up to the window in this state.
I walked down the corridor and spotted my neighbour locking her door. Her mouth fell slightly open, and she gave me a dirty look, probably for my dirty appearance. Torn shirt, muddy shoes, messy hair. I couldn’t blame her.
‘Who are you? Are you a thief?’ She shouted, her voice bold despite the panic in her eyes.
I tilted my head. ‘No,’ I said, fetching the key from my pocket.
She kept staring. I exhaled sharply and glared at her. That was enough. She flinched and hurried away.
That’s what I do to people who don’t mind their own business. Hopefully, she won’t report me to the secretary. Not that it matters. I’m here to collect my stuff and vanish like I never existed. And by stuff, I don’t mean clothes or furniture.
I strode towards the mini fridge and poured myself a glass of whiskey and lit a cigarette to clear my mind. The smoke curled around me like a silent companion. I took a slow sip, letting the burn settle my then walked over the closet.
I took out the safe and pressed some buttons. Weapons and files were placed inside.
Some guns were department issued. Others came from underworld. I didn’t pay for them. Didn’t earn them the usual way. The real cost was in the lies, the manipulation, the years of hard work I poured into getting these files. And these files? They’re going to shake foundations.
I stepped into the bathroom and took a quick two-minute shower, just enough to rinse off the blood and grime. I need to hurry. No time to waste. I dressed fast, stuffed the files into my backpack and strapped the guns around my belt. A knife tucked into my boot. A cap. A mask. Bike keys. All set and then I grabbed the burner phone and dial the only number I could trust.
Madhavan.
He picked up on the first ring. That’s my boy.
‘Don’t tell me you fucked up.’ He said being alert already.
‘I need your help. My identity’s blown. I have to get to head office.’ I revealed and I can see his jaw dropping to the floor.
‘How? I mean you got a strong position in there and almost got your target. Why now? What happened?’
‘I don’t know. I fucking don’t know. I was in ware house doing the usual stuff and Vasanth pulled out a gun at me and revealed that I’m an undercover officer to all of them and boom I’m under attack.’
‘Who told Vasanth about you? Even majority of our team had no clue about you.’
‘How am I supposed to know?’
‘Okay I’ll dig it. Where were you?’
‘In the apartment.’
A pause. Then flatly, ‘I can only clear the path 36 kilometers out from your location. You’ll need to survive until then. From that point on, I’ve got you covered.’
‘Thirty-six kilometers? Are you kidding me?’
I glanced at backpack, the weight of the files felt heavier now. ‘I’m carrying evidence that could burn half the city to the ground. Do you really think they’ll let me walk 36 clicks alive?’
‘Then don’t walk,’ he said. I huffed, loud enough for him to listen.
‘I can’t do anything right now. Run, fight, hide, but don’t die. Do whatever it takes to make it to the edge I’ll be waiting for you.’ Those were Madhavan’s last words before the line went dead.
I slipped the burner phone into my pocket.
Run, fight, hide, but don’t die.
Madhavan words played in my mind.
I’m not going to die. Not tonight.
I strapped the backpack tighter, adjusted the guns and limped towards the door. With every passing minute, the pain worsened. I needed to finish this ASAP. Sneaking through the door, I reached downstairs via the lift. As the door’s slid open, the same girl earlier appeared. She panicked and walked away quickly.
I frowned. ‘Hey, you can use the lift.’ I said but she shot me a suspicious look and sprinted towards lobby. She totally misunderstood me. Anyway, it’s fine. I’m not going to see her again.
I entered the parking lot. My beast is resting under its cover. It had been a long time since my last ride. A thin layer of dust coated the surface. I pulled the cover off, and there it was waiting to be unleashed.
I swung my leg over, turned the engine on, and it roared to life. I rolled out the building not before covering my face with a mask. Sunglasses were use now, the the dark crept in.
Finally, I’m on the busy streets of the city. Neon lights, vendors, people, street dogs, nothing is suspicious. All clear, that’s what I needed to begin this deadly thirty-six kilometer journey.
A side of me burned with fear and anxiety. The other? thrilled see what was coming.
Okay, let’s get it done.
I rode like a mouse in a maze. I know every corner. The one interesting thing men always do is finding every route in the city. As an undercover officer, the first thing I did was map every inch of this place. Now it was paying off.
I turned into a street which provide me a way to highway. I got twenty-five kilometer’s covered. Half victory.
As I entered the highway, I saw them, two SUV’s, no three. Parked to the side, engines running, their headlights felt like eyes watching me. The cars slowly merged into traffic. I could hear my ancestors whisper ‘escape’ to me. I listened,
I weaved through the traffic like a ghost. A bullet whizzed past my ear hitting a civilian’s bumper and more followed shattering windows and sending people screaming. I cursed under my breathe and changed my route, taking a u turn back into the city streets. Zigzagging through alleys, I tried to lose them. I couldn’t let innocent people get hurt.
Then I saw a familiae car.
Ram.
My only friend in the underworld. Don’t judge me, we worked together for three years. You build binds in places like that.
He got down and I stopped my bike near him, fully aware that he will not kill me. His face showed the disappointment of betrayal.
Before I could utter a word, he extended his hand. ‘Files,’ he asked.
‘I can’t give them to you, Ram,’ I said
He grabbed my jacket collar and jerked me forward. ‘Look, I’m saving you. Give me the files and get into this car. You’ll be out of this mess.’
His eyes were full of pain. My gaze softened.
‘Who was it?’ I asked about the person who revealed my identity.
‘The audacity.’ He muttered.
‘I need to know.’
He looked at my backpack and tried to grab it ‘give me the files.’
‘No,’ I pushed him back.
‘So, the hard way it is.’ Ram pulled out his gun and aimed at me.
‘Shoot,’ I whispered.
‘Can’t you give up already. Save yourself.’
‘Do you this I’d choose this if I prioritise my life?’
Ram dropped the gun. ‘They will find you.’
‘I will deal with it. You just tell me who is it?’
‘A message sent from your mobile to Samrat number regarding the weapon shipment. He alerted the warehouse workers.’
I face palmed myself. I dig my own grave. How can I be so irresponsible? Three years in there and I got caught by myself.
I looked at Ram, his face still twisted in frustration. The gun is still in his hand like a broken promise.
‘You’re not going to shoot me.’ I said quietly.
He didn’t respond. Just stared at me, trying to read my new face.
‘Come with me,’ I said. ‘This is your chance.’
Ram lips pressed into a thin line, like he is battling with himself.
‘I know you don’t want to live here. Take my hand, let me erase your criminal records.’ I tried again.
He pulled me into a tight hug literally crushing my bones.
‘Thankyou,’ He whispered near my ear.
Wide smile spread on my lips. ‘Buddy, you’re coming with me.’ I said.
He nodded his head.
‘Let’s go towards south ghat road. We can easily escape from here.’ He said and got into the car.
I left my bike there with heavy heart and walked to the passenger seat.
‘I’ll come to take you buddy.’ I said as I glanced at my beast one last time.
I don’t know where this ghat road takes me. Either it will be hell or the head office, I’m going to make these files reach my superior. One night, several files, Many lives, a trusted friend, eleven kilometers. I got a story to narrate my kids if I got out alive this night.
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