It was early morning when Chirag stepped out for his walk. The sun was just stretching its first golden fingers across the town, and the streets were quiet except for the occasional rickshaw or dog barking somewhere far away. Chirag's mind wasn't on the scenery. Today was the day—the day the state-level basketball team selections were being announced.
He ran alongside Arnav for a while, their paths briefly parallel. Arnav, ever serious about his army dreams, was already running for his own future, disciplined and precise, thinking about drills, fitness, and strategy rather than hoops.
Chirag, on the other hand, carried the fire of a hundred matches in his heart. He'd practiced for years, sacrificed sleep and comfort, and now it all came down to this one announcement.
Arnav glanced at him mid-run, raising an eyebrow. "You're jittery, huh? State selection day?"
Chirag exhaled sharply, forcing a small grin. "Yeah… a little. I know I'm the best in the district… maybe. But still…"
"But?" Arnav jogged closer. "But what? You are litrealy the best in the whole state."
Chirag shrugged, shaking his head. "What if… what if they don't select me?"
Arnav laughed softly. "Chill, man. If anyone deserves it, it's you. And don't even worry about it. I'm here and I know—" He smiled encouragingly. "You'll make it."
Chirag smiled faintly, but the unease wouldn't leave. He ran the rest of his route in silence, replaying matches, imagining the faces of selectors, hoping that his effort had been enough.
By late morning, there was still no call. No email. Nothing. His uncle was pacing at home, checking the clock every few minutes.
"Chirag beta, any message yet? Did they call?" his uncle asked again, wringing his hands.
Chirag shook his head. "No, uncle… nothing. I don't understand. I've scored more points, played harder than anyone else… How can they ignore that?"
"Maybe… maybe there's some delay," his uncle tried cautiously. "The officials… these things happen."
Chirag's jaw tightened. "Delay? Uncle, I've waited. I've tried everything. This is it. I'm going there myself."
"What? Now?" his uncle exclaimed, worry lining his face. "It's not… it's far. It's five hours from here!"
"I don't care," Chirag said firmly. "I'm not waiting any longer. I need answers."
By midday, he had mounted his bike and set off, determination burning brighter than the sun. The road stretched endlessly. He ignored hunger, fatigue, everything but the destination. Five hours later, he finally arrived at the state team headquarters.
The officer at the entrance looked up, a smug smile on his face. "Ah, here's our star player," he said casually.
Chirag's fists clenched. "Good morning, sir. I was told I'm one of the best players in the state, but my name isn't in the team. Why?"
The officer leaned back, smirking. "Best player? Ha! You really think this is about talent? The team is already full. Selection depends… well, on other factors. Money. Connections. Nothing personal."
Chirag's stomach dropped. "Money? You're telling me all these years, all these matches, all my points… it means nothing?"
The officer shrugged, indifferent. "Don't take it personally. This is how it works."
Chirag's mind raced. "I—I can't… I've trained my whole life for this! How can you do this?"
The officer chuckled darkly. "Enough talking, beta. Unless you pay, you're not in. Security, please escort him out."
Two men came forward, gently but firmly taking Chirag by the arms. His heart pounded as he realized there was nothing he could do. They led him out, throwing him onto the street, broken, humiliated, and enraged.
The ride home was silent. Not a word. His uncle waited anxiously, trying to coax answers.
"What happened? Did they give you a reason?" his uncle asked once he arrived.
Chirag only shook his head, exhausted. He couldn't speak. He told his uncle he will be back soon and left the home again, even before his uncle could stop him.
By the time evening settled, the clock read 6:30 PM. The no-moon night had fallen, casting the town in near-complete darkness. Chirag was still not back.
Mean while Yashika who hadn't heard from him was getting intense. What happened in the selections?
Worried, she hurried to his uncle's house. "Where's Chirag?" she asked, her voice tense, almost panicked.
"He's out," his uncle replied quietly. "He hasn't said anything… hasn't eaten. He won't tell me where he went."
Yashika's heart tightened. Her stomach twisted.
Something was definitely wrong.
Yashika ran as fast as she could, her heart thudding in her chest. Every store she passed was already shut, shutters down, lights off. People were going home, closing the night around them. But she didn't notice any of that. All she could think of was Chirag.
She finally reached their secret hideout. From behind, she saw him sitting on the bench, shoulders slumped, head low. Relief and worry twisted inside her. She ran forward, almost tripping in her haste.
"What are you doing here?" she panted, her voice catching. "It's already so late. Don't you know it's a no-moon night? You should go home. What happened? Is it… is it about the selection?" night? You should go home. What happened? Is it… is it about the selection?"
Chirag looked up slowly.
Yashika froze. His eyes… they were glossy, full of unspoken pain. "Chirag… what happened?" she whispered again, heart tightening.
He didn't answer. Instead, he pulled her closer, wrapping her in a tight hug. The warmth of him was the only anchor in the cold, dark night.
"Did you… not get selected?" she asked softly, her voice trembling.
He just nodded, letting out a quiet hum.
"But… you're the best player," she murmured, still holding him.
"The world… is corrupted," he replied, voice low, bitter but soft.
Yashika patted his head gently, heart aching for him. "Don't worry. I'm here," she said. "Always."
Chirag leaned into her, taking a deep breath. Yashika could feel the exhaustion in him. And she knew… nothing else mattered in that moment, just being here, together.
For a moment, it seemed like the night would end quietly in their shared silence. But then—
A sound. A faint crunch of gravel.
Yashika stiffened. From the corner of her eye, she noticed a figure. At first, it looked like a shadow stretching oddly against the moonless sky, but then… it moved. Slowly, deliberately.
Tall. Armored. Its steps heavy, yet soundless at the same time.
Her blood ran cold. "Chirag…" she whispered, barely daring to breathe.
The figure came closer, and as it stepped into the dim light of the street, Yashika's eyes widened in horror. It wasn't a man — not entirely. Its presence was suffocating, its face hidden beneath a steel mask, eyes glinting with something inhuman. The Knight's ghost.
Yashika's scream caught in her throat. The figure raised an arm, reaching toward her.
In that split second, Chirag pushed her down to the ground and stood in front of her like a shield. "Stay back!" he shouted, his voice shaking yet firm.
The Ghost froze. Its gaze locked on Chirag's face. For a moment, time itself seemed to stop. The creature's hand trembled, then lowered. Without a sound, without a warning, it turned sharply… and vanished into thin air, dissolving into the darkness as though it had never been there.
Yashika sat frozen on the ground, her chest heaving. "W-what… what just happened?" she stammered.
Chirag didn't answer. His eyes were fixed on the empty street, confusion and fear swirling in them. Slowly, he offered her a hand, helped her up.
"I-I don't know. Let's leave. It's not safe to stay here," Chirag said leading her to his bike.
"Yes," Yashika replied.
Chirag dropped Yashika orphanage saying good night and went straight home.
By the time he reached home, his uncle was waiting at the dinner table. Chirag sat quietly, murmuring a low, "I'm sorry… for earlier."
His uncle gave him a small nod. "It's fine, Beta. Now eat something."
They shared a quiet meal. Later, when Chirag finally lay down in his room, sleep did not come. His mind spun endlessly with the same questions.
Why did the Knight's ghost freeze? Why didn't it attack? What did it see in my face?
He turned to the ceiling, his heart pounding all over again.
Whatever it was… thank God we're safe.
And with that thought — confused, restless, and heavy — Chirag closed his eyes.
Thenight swallowed the town whole.