# CHAPTER 6:- NO WAYOUT
Outside the Main Lab – Chaos Unleashed
The front gates of the main research facility were swarming.
Dozens of news reporters had gathered, cameras flashing, mics raised, and voices overlapping in a wild storm of questions.
Guards struggled to maintain the barrier, pushing back against the wave of media surging forward.
Chaos.
Everyone wanted answers.
All major networks were broadcasting live. On massive public screens in city centers, in cafés, and on handheld devices—everywhere across the world—one headline was flashing over and over again:
"Kavya Chandan Approaches the Black Hole – V-9: Shunya Shows No Mercy."
"Kavya Chandan: The Lost Astronaut."
The mission that once carried hope had turned into a global tragedy.
Grief spread like wildfire.
In crowded train stations, parks, and homes, people watched with somber expressions.
Many stood in silence.Some had tears in their eyes.
A dream had died out there in space.
Then, the gates of the lab hissed open.
Professor Harish Soni stepped out.
He walked calmly through the crowd, flanked by security personnel who immediately raised their arms to create space.
The reporters surged forward.
"Sir! Why did the mission fail?!"
"Wasn't her life worth more precautions?!"
"Is she confirmed dead?!"
"Is the government responsible for this?!"
Questions flew like bullets—loud, aggressive, desperate for headlines.
Harish Soni stopped a few feet from the gate. His face was unreadable.
Calm.
Almost too calm for a moment like this.
He raised one hand, signaling silence—not that it worked.
Still, he spoke. Just one line.
"All official statements will be made during the press conference. I request you all to clear this area immediately."
And with that—he turned around and walked back through the gates.
Reporters shouted behind him, still hungry for answers.
"Sir, one minute please—just one—!"
"Professor Harish! Are you saying she's really—?"
But he didn't respond.
He knew better.
One wrong word now… and it would only make things worse.
A little boy stood clutching his mother's hand, staring up at the massive public screen where Kavya's photo slowly faded behind breaking headlines.
"Mama," he whispered, tugging her sleeve, "I know what a black hole is... It eats everything. Nothing comes back. Does that space lady... not come back too?"
Kavya Chandan was still in shock.
Her eyes stayed locked on the man walking toward her with casual confidence—like nothing about this situation was extraordinary.
"So you're finally awake," he said coolly.
He snapped his fingers.
A seat—no, a levitating chair—glided smoothly through the air and stopped right beside him. He sat down, legs crossed, as if he'd done this a thousand times before.
Kavya's jaw tensed slightly. She leaned forward, eyes scanning under the seat.
No support. No cables. Nothing holding it up.
Her mind struggled to process it.
Still watching her, the man spoke again.
"So… where are you from? You look human. Earth, I assume?"
Kavya nodded slowly, still dazed.
Then, under her breath, she whispered, half to herself—
"They know about us… But we didn't even have a hint about them…"
The man leaned back slightly in his floating chair, his expression unreadable.
"I'm the one who saved you," he said calmly. "Pulled you out before you were completely swallowed by the abyss."
His words hit with quiet finality.
For a moment, Kavya said nothing.
Then suddenly—she straightened up, eyes widening in realization.
She bowed her head deeply.
"Thank you... Thank you so much for saving me," she said, her voice steady but filled with emotion.
The man's expression shifted—his relaxed demeanor now replaced with something heavier. Serious. Unflinching.
"What I'm about to tell you is very important," he said, locking eyes with Kavya.
Kavya Chandan instinctively straightened her back, sensing the sudden change in atmosphere.
"Listen carefully," he continued. "You won't be allowed to stay in this world for long. Your presence here... violates the rules."
His voice was firm. Cold. Not cruel, but absolute.
Kavya's face tensed. Her brows furrowed, concern rising in her chest.
"Then... how do I get out of this world?" she asked, her voice low, cautious.
The man leaned back, and with a soft hum, a support extended behind his chair as if it had read his mind.
He let out a breath—calm, final.
"Unfortunately... you can't."
Kavya's eyes widened in disbelief.
"What?… What are you saying?" she stammered, voice trembling. "I can't go back? Why? Didn't you save me? Isn't there a way… back through whatever brought me here?"
The man raised his hand gently, signaling her to pause.
"Alright, alright—hold your horses," he said calmly. "I'll explain everything. But first…"
He placed a hand over his chest with a slight smile.
"Let me introduce myself. I'm Loca Breyman."
He then pointed toward the little boy, now gleefully running in circles around the robot.
"That's my son—Rox Breyman. And the one he's chasing is our AI unit… Psycho."
At the mention of their names, both Rox and Psycho suddenly stopped mid-chase, raised their hands toward Kavya, and shouted in perfect sync:
"Yoo—!"
Then, without missing a beat, they resumed their chaotic run across the room.
Loca leaned forward slightly, his voice steady but serious.
"Now, about why you can't go back… The portal you came through—Portlio V-9—only opens once every ten years."
Kavya's eyes widened. Her mouth fell slightly open.
"Wait… what the f—?"
"Are you saying I have to wait ten fucking years to go back to Earth?!"
Loca gave her a helpless shrug, his expression filled with reluctant honesty.
"Unfortunately… yeah. That's the case."
Kavya sat still, the words echoing in her head like a slow explosion. Her voice dropped to a whisper, barely audible.
"I can't stay here for long… and I can't leave either. So what am I supposed to do?"
"Where do I even go?"
Though quiet, Loca heard every word. He looked back over his shoulder as he walked toward the exit.
"We'll figure something out—together. Luckily, this region is far from the main patrol zones. You'll be safe here for now."
He paused at the door, turning just slightly.
"Get some rest. I'll have food brought to you soon."
With that, the door slid shut behind him with a soft hiss.
Kavya slowly brought both hands up to her face, covering her eyes.
She tried to breathe—but the weight in her chest only grew heavier.
"What's going to happen to me now…?"
Her voice barely escaped her lips, lost in the hum of unfamiliar machines around her.