The Beginning of Shadows
The sun had just begun to settle into its daily routine, spilling gentle rays over the sprawling campus of Vivekananda Degree College. Students poured into the classrooms, half-awake, half-ready for what seemed like another ordinary day. The sound of chatter, footsteps, and hurried greetings filled the air.
Rudra Bhaskar Oruganti, a final-year student, dragged himself into his classroom for the first period, barely dodging a late mark. He took his usual seat by the window, gazing outside, the mundane rhythm of college life settling in.
But then, something unusual shattered the routine.
A white police car screeched into the college parking lot. Its siren was off, but its presence alone turned heads. Whispers spread like wildfire through the corridors.
“Why are the police here?”
“Did someone steal exam papers again?”
“Maybe a drug bust!”
Speculations ran wild as two uniformed officers and a man in plainclothes — Circle Inspector Javed — made their way toward the principal’s office. The air turned heavy, thick with suspense. Students peeked out of their classrooms. Even the lecturers exchanged uneasy glances.
Moments later, the door to Rudra’s classroom swung open with a loud thud.
“Rudra Bhaskar Oruganti?” CI Javed called out, his sharp eyes scanning the room.
Rudra’s heart skipped a beat. His friends looked at him, equally stunned. Before he could respond, two constables approached, grabbed him by the arm, and cuffed his wrists.
“You’re coming with us.”
“S-sir… what happened? I didn’t do anything…!” Rudra stammered, his voice trembling as the entire class watched in shocked silence.
Inside the police car, Rudra’s face was streaked with tears. He kept murmuring, “I don’t understand… I don’t understand…” The officers said nothing. Only CI Javed sat beside him, expressionless.
They reached the city police station. Rudra was dragged into a dimly lit interrogation room. His sobs filled the cold air.
“Sit down.” CI Javed ordered.
Rudra collapsed onto the chair, still shaking. His breathing ragged.
Without waiting, the questioning began.
“What were you doing at Devi’s house last night?” Javed asked.
Rudra struggled to speak. His lips trembled. His mind replayed images he desperately wanted to forget. Suddenly, overwhelmed by shock, he collapsed unconscious.
---
At the hospital, monitors beeped softly as Rudra lay on a cot. Faint memories swirled in his head. Devi Ma’am’s face flashed before his eyes — her warm smile as she taught, her gentle encouragement, the way she would scold students for being lazy but secretly cared for them all.
Tears streamed down his cheeks.
The door opened, and CI Javed entered along with a doctor.
“Rudra… you need to tell us everything.” Javed spoke, his tone softer this time.
“Your teacher Devi has been missing since last night. CCTV footage from her street shows you jumping over her house wall. That makes you our prime suspect. But something tells me… you aren’t a killer.”
Javed’s words cut through the tension.
“Now talk. What happened?”
Rudra wiped his tears, trying to steady his voice.
“Sir… Devi Ma’am… she’s my favorite teacher. I’ve been going to her house for extra classes. Yesterday, when I was leaving… our phones accidentally got swapped. I only realized after I got home. I went back to return her phone, but by the time I reached… the gates were locked. I tried calling my number… no one picked up. I panicked. I had to climb the wall to get my phone back.”
He swallowed hard, his face pale.
“I went inside… saw my phone on the sofa. I picked it up… called out for Ma’am… no answer. Then… I heard a noise… from inside the room. I followed it… and… and…”
Rudra broke down.
“I saw someone pulling her by her hair… and then… slit her throat…” his voice cracked, the words barely escaping.
“I was so scared… I ran away… I wanted to tell someone but… I couldn’t… I swear I’m telling the truth, sir… I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…”
Tears blurred his vision. Javed placed a hand on his shoulder.
“You saw a murder… but Rudra… here’s the problem. There’s no trace of blood, no body, no signs of violence at Devi’s house. According to our records — she’s just missing. But your story… it makes this more than a simple missing case.”
Javed stood up, sighing.
“Take care, Rudra. We’ll be in touch. We’ll need your help. Don’t leave the city.”
The doctor gave a gentle nod.
“Rest, Rudra. You’ll be discharged tomorrow. Don’t panic.”
They left, leaving Rudra alone. He stared at the ceiling, silent tears falling again.
---
Meanwhile, at the outskirts of the city, deep inside a dense forest, a group of local woodcutters stumbled upon a gruesome sight.
A female corpse, half-buried, face unrecognizable, but the long hair and college ID nearby told a story no one wanted to hear.
They called the police.
CI Javed’s phone rang.
“Sir… female body found near Old Shamirpet Forest. Might be related to your case.”
Javed’s face remained unreadable.
“I’m coming.”
Before leaving, he dialed a number from his personal phone.
“Sir… it’s Javed. The plan is on.”
He hung up without waiting for a reply.
---
End of Episode 1.
