The principal's office smelled like incense and printer ink.Aryan sat in front of the desk, hands folded, staring at the floor tiles that hadn't been cleaned properly.
Across from him, Principal Mrs. Kapoor adjusted her glasses."Two men hospitalized," she said quietly. "And somehow, you walk away without a scratch?"
Aryan didn't reply.
She leaned forward. "I've seen school fights before, Aryan, but this—this wasn't a fight. This was something else. The police want to question you."
"I didn't start it," he said simply.
"I know." She sighed. "But you finished it."
Behind her, through the half-open blinds, he could see two police officers in uniform waiting outside.He could also see their posture—relaxed, too casual. Not here to investigate. Watching.
Aryan's chest tightened.Circuit.
Mrs. Kapoor tapped her pen. "You're a good student. You keep to yourself. But people are scared. I need to know—what's really going on?"
Aryan looked up, met her eyes. "You wouldn't believe it even if I told you."
1. The Police Talk
In the corridor, the taller officer smiled too easily. "Routine check, beta. You fought two grown men? Self-defense?"
Aryan nodded. "Yes, sir."
"Hmm. You move like army training. Your family in forces?"
Aryan's heart skipped once. "No, sir."
The officer smiled again, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Good. Delhi needs brave kids like you."
They left without further questions.But as Aryan turned back toward his class, he caught the reflection of one officer in the window — phone to his ear, murmuring,
"Confirmed. It's him."
2. Back in Class
Aditya was waiting, eyes wide."Bro, what happened? They said police were—"
"Nothing," Aryan cut in. "Just formality."
Aditya frowned. "You sure? I heard one of those guys in the fight isn't even local."
Aryan's jaw clenched. "I said it's nothing."
The classroom went silent again.Even Kabir, sitting three rows behind, didn't speak — but Aryan could feel his gaze. Calculating. Curious.
He forced himself to breathe. Stay normal. Blend in.
3. Evening — Quiet Streets
After school, Aryan took a long route home — down Ring Road, past the mechanic shops, then through a crowded market.The smell of spices and burnt oil mixed with the metallic taste of rain in the air.
He didn't want to go home yet. The walls there felt too small for his thoughts.
He stopped at a small tea stall, sipped a paper cup of chai, and let the noise drown everything.
That's when he noticed the black SUV parked across the road.Engine off. Windows tinted. Not moving.
A memory flashed — the same model they used back in the private army. Same custom headlights.
He dropped the cup and started walking.
4. The Alley
The SUV followed — slow, smooth, practiced.He turned left into a narrow alley behind a row of old shops.By the time the vehicle reached the corner, Aryan was gone.
He'd climbed up the back of a shuttered clinic, crouched on the first-floor balcony, watching.
Two men stepped out, scanning the lane.Earpieces. Civilian clothes. Military stance.
One of them muttered, "Boss said he's close."
Aryan froze. Boss?
Before he could think further, one of the men looked up — right toward him.
The next few seconds blurred.
He dropped down, kicked the man's legs out, elbow to the neck, silent and sharp.The other lunged with a taser — Aryan sidestepped, grabbed his wrist, twisted, and slammed his head into the wall.
Both fell limp.
Then — a faint voice from behind him.
"Still precise. Still ruthless."
Aryan turned sharply.At the end of the alley, half-hidden in smoke from a burning garbage bin, stood a figure — tall, leather jacket, old scar on his cheek.
Jackal.
For a moment, neither moved. The city noise faded; only their breathing filled the air.
Aryan's voice broke the silence."You're dead."
Jackal smiled faintly. "I was. Until I found out you weren't."
5. The Reunion
They stood face to face — two ghosts from the same war, older, harder, but still connected by something unspoken.
Aryan stepped closer. "You were part of it — the private army, the killings, the missions. You sold us."
Jackal didn't deny it. "I survived. That's all I knew how to do."
Aryan's fists tightened. "You turned me into what I am."
Jackal's tone softened. "And I'm the only one who can save you from what's coming."
Aryan laughed bitterly. "Save me? From who?"
Jackal met his eyes. "From the people who made both of us — the Broker, and Circuit. They want you dead. Because you're proof of what they did."
Silence.
A dog barked somewhere far off. A scooter passed by. The city moved on, unaware of the war that had just restarted in its veins.
Jackal stepped closer, lowering his voice."They're watching this school, your friends, that kid Aditya. They'll use anyone to get to you. So decide, Aryan—run, or fight."
Aryan's reply was quiet, but sharp."I'm done running."
Jackal nodded once, a shadow of pride in his eyes."Then welcome back to the war, little brother."
6. The Shadow Above
As they left the alley, neither noticed the man on the rooftop across the street, camera lens following their every move.
He spoke into a radio.
"Visual confirmed. Ghost and Jackal together."
From the other end came a calm voice, cold and distant.
"Don't interfere yet. Let them think they're free."
The man smiled, lowering his binoculars.
"Yes, Broker."