Thriller: The Ultimate Choice

Episode 28​

You son of a bitch! Fight me one to one, and see how I make you swallow your own teeth."

Rajan's back was on the wall, and he had no other option but to turn aggressive.

This time Ranjan's eyes popped in astonishment!

"Really? Really Rajan? Really? I can't believe my ears. A person who hadn't even killed a rat in his entire life has so much of courage! Okay, okay! You will get this desire of fighting me one to one fulfilled."

Ranjan looked at his watch, and pressing a burton said,

"From the executive power that has been bestowed on me by the Joker, I permit you to fight me one to one. See, I am unarmed, and I will not seek anyone's help. Your time to beat me black and blue starts now. But, remember you have only five minutes!"

It was true that Rajan had been a non-violent person throughout his entire life. He had never beaten even his children when they did all kinds of naughtiest things in the world. But, living in this hell had made Rajan a completely different man.

"Come on! What are you waiting for? The clock is ticking."

Dancing on his nimble feet, Ranjan said that impatiently. Rajan didn't waste any moment, and punched Ranjan's face with all the might he possessed, and he knew that after working hard here for almost a month he had gained good power. Unfortunately, the blow missed completely to hit the target, because Ranjan was quick enough to sway his head. But, there was an expression of appreciation in his voice, as he said,

"Good blow! So, you can punch!"

Rajan was very angry. Without paying any hiddance, he again pounced on him. This time with two left right jabs.

But, what the heck! Again, Ranjan evaded the jabs with comfortable ease.

"Oh God! Why am I missing?" Ranjan prayed to the God silently.

"Ha ha! You know what? To be selected as an employee for the Joker's company, you have to know a few extra skills other than your academic qualifications. You must know karate or boxing or any one of the martial arts. A good boxer always watches his opponent's every move. The moment you raise your hand, I apprehend what is going to come, and prepare myself according to that. Even a nano-second is good enough for me to evade a blow, and you are no boxer. Do you want to continue or will you give up?"

Ranjan was in no mood of giving up. So, for the third time he attacked, and this time with a little bit of strategy. He said,

"You are good at boxing." So far Ranjan was just defending and not attacking. So, in a friendly move he moved a step closer to Ranjan, as if he was going to shake his hand. Ranjan was slightly off guard. He was a bit confused. He didn't know what to do.

Now, Ranjan was completely within his reach, and seemed to be off guard. Rajan kept talking,

"You must have known boxing even in your college days. But, why did you hide this from all? You could have got respect from your peers."

Ranjan was going to say something in a friendly manner. Rajan knew that was the moment, and with all the power he possessed he punched Ranjan straight in his right eye.

But Rajan's wish of hitting Ranjan was not fulfilled, as again Ranjan evaded the blow at the last moment. He seemed to be having a back made of spring. But, immediately after evading the blow, Ranjan jabbed at Rajan's right rib with his left hand. Rajan fell on the ground by the impact of the jab. He was writhing in pain. By the acuteness of the pain, it seemed to Rajan that one of his ribs might have been broken.

"Get up! Nothing is broken. You still have one and half minute left. Don't you want to take revenge on me? After one and half minute you will have nothing but pain. So get up and hit me." Ranjan again threw up a challenge.



Rajan was again back on his feet. He didn't want to miss the one and half minute. This prejudiced, perverted man had caused a lot of harm to him and his family. Rajan couldn't leave him unscathed. But, Rajan knew that beating Ranjan in boxing would be impossible for him, as Ranjan was indeed a very good boxer, and Rajan had never punched anyone in his entire life. So, he had to employ some other tricks. But, would Ranjan fall for his tricks? But, Rajan had to try. So he said,


"No boss! I don't want to fight you any more. Do you remember what we used to say in the IIT? Janhapana tusi great ho! I just want to tell you that. I want to touch your feet brother. Can I?"

"Hmm! Why do you want to do that?" Clearly there was a sense of satisfaction in Ranjan's voice.

"Well brother, it's true that people like me might have scored better than you in the exams, but you have made me understand what is the real meaning of success. We have been working like a coolie in the US, getting only a fraction of the salaries of our white counterparts, and still thinking that we are so lucky! But, talking to you has opened my eyes, and now I know the real meaning of success. Do whatever you want to do with me, but please allow me to touch your feet."

"Okay, you may. But, no dirty thricks! The punishment you may not be able to bear." There was clearly a sense of complacency in Ranjan's voice.

Rajan was on his knees as if he was going to prostrate before Ranjan. But, suddenly he changed his mind and bang! The pent-up anger was cleary manifested by the right hand stroke with which Rajan hit Ranjan's groin, a low blow, prohibited in any kind of sports.

Ranjan was slightly complacent, and he couldn't avoid this one. Even though he was on the floor folding his knees close to his tummy and with an expression of severe pain on his visage, he didn't make any noice. The door was open. Without wasting a second, Rajan darted off from the room in a flash. This was the first time in his stay that he was not accompanied by anyone. Luckily for him, the lift was standing at this floor. Closing the lift, Rajan pressed the G button.

His heart was pumping hard, and he had to wipe sweat from his forehead, even in this lovely weather, a couple of times. He knew this might be a futile attempt, but he had to take it. So far, he had not got any chance of escaping. He himself had made this opportunity, and he prayed hard to the God to make his escape attempt successful.

Rajan couldn't believe his luck when he came out of the lift. There was no one near him. Rajan came out of the main gate. There was no doorman here, too. He looked back. No one was following him. There were roads in all directions. Rajan paused for a moment to decide which way to go. He remembered the experience of Roger. He had thought about his experience on numerous occasions. Roger was going to the front side. So, he decided to go in the opposite direction.

It was 8-30 PM in early March, and it was very dark outside. Rajan had no torch with him. After running for a while, he found that there was no road. He was running on the ground. Fortunately for him, the crop was just harvested, and the agricultural field was empty. Rajan understood that he was running towards the football field, where he had been running like a donkey for a while. But, he thanked those toiling hours, as he knew he would never have been able to run this fast and for this long time without that endeavour.

Rajan had looked several times to see what lied beyond the football ground. All he could see was another agricultural field. Rajan was sure that that agricultural field would not be large, and there would be the boundary of this fiendish compound. Rajan was apprehensive that someone must have been following him. But so far he hadn't heard any sound of footsteps. He wondered how was that happening! Ranjan should have alerted others, and they should have been after Rajan! But why was that not happening, Rajan couldn't understand!

To be continued on Wednesday night​

 

Yes Mistt, it's not easy to escape from there. But, Rajan must have planned something.

 

Episode 29​

Suresh woke up from his sleep. Who was calling at this odd hour? The dim light of his room was on, and he could clearly see that it was 2 AM. His wife was sleeping soundly on the otherside of the bed. With an expression of disgust, Suresh got up from the bed to pick up the phone.

Suddenly, his expression of disgust turned into an expression of surprise. It was Somnath from the Ravenous Eagles.

"Hello! What's up Somnath?" Suresh quickly moved out of the room, and went to the balcony.

"I am sorry to wake you up at this odd hour. But, I am sure, after hearing the news you will pardon me."

"I am all ears. Please tell me what's the breaking news?"

"Sir, we spotted Rajan and his wife. So far, they are alive and healthy."

"That's an awesome news Somnath. Where are they, and how are you going to rescue them?"

"I will tell you. But before that tell me have you heard of dark net?"

"Yes, some underhand and illegal transactions are done using dark net to evade the prying eyes of the security agencies across the globe. But, I vouch that my organisation has never used it. But, why are you asking this?"

"So, you are aware of the dark net, Sir. But, dark net is not only used for illegal transactions. It is also used for telecasting some reality shows which can't be held in open. These reality shows often indulge in dark fantasies of rich people. They often show violence and perversion of extreme kind. People are even killed in these illegal reality shows just for fun. Rich people across the globe are secret customers of these shows. The organisers are often criminals of the highest order, and they are extremely powerful people."

"Yes, I have also heard of that. Is Rajan held by these criminals?"

"Yes Sir, he, along with his wife, has been captured by a gang which the security agencies had never heard of so far. We don't know about their activities. That's why it took so long for us to trace them. However, after a humongous amount of endeavour, we came to know that this new agency has been holding a superhit reality show, "Survivor", for at least 5 years. Every year, around 10 participants take part in that deadly reality show, where only one participant survives, and the others die. They show all kinds of abominably horrific scenes, and their rating is the best in the underworld reality shows."

"Oh my God! What are you saying man? Why did they capture them?"

"Yes Sir! I am afraid, this new gang is indeed loathsome. We came to know that every year they host reality show, but selection criteria for candidates are different every year. This year, they announced that they have selected all the ten candidates who had attempted at least one suicide attempt in their lives."

"What? Suicide attempts?"

"Yes Sir, you heard it right. They have given a brief past life history of each candidate in their website. The brief history of Rajan says that he has attempted a suicide after losing his job. He wanted to jump from the roof of high rise office. They also said that his wife Archana had a love affair prior to her marriage with Rajan, and she attempted a suicide when she heard the news of her marriage."

"Tell me how did you trace Rajan and his wife, and where are they?"

"Well our undercover agent, after a tedious work of over one month, could gain their confidence in becoming a member of the show. He has spotted them. Both of the couple have been participating in this year's show. He has got access to the real time show and also the past videos. From the background, it's extremely difficult to gauge the exact location. However, after a thorough data analysis by a set of technical experts, we are sure, the show is happening in India in a place which is very close to a river."

"A place close to a river? But, there are hundreds of such places in India!" Suresh was slightly disappointed.

"Don't worry Sir! Within a couple of days, I am absolutely sure, we shall locate that place, and we shall rescue them."

"Thanks Somnath! I like your confidence! Let God be on your side." Suresh cut the call, and happily went to bed.





For the last one hour, Archana had been looking at the watch every ten seconds. The moment the clock showed 9 PM, Archana's heartbeat almost trebled. The television monitor had been showing a cartoon show for children, Tom and Jerry. Though Archana was not watching it with interest, she was occasionally glancing at it. In midst of this suffocating tension, it gave her some relief. But at 9 PM, the monitor went blank, the fluorescent light went off and a dim blue light was switched on.

"High Archana!" Archana was startled to hear the nasal voice of the Joker. The television monitor was off. Then how was the voice coming? So far, whenever the Joker spoke, it was through the television monitor.

"You must be wondering where the sound is coming from! No need to tax your brain too much, as there are multiple speakers and microphones hidden in the walls of this room. You can't see me in the television monitor, because this conversation is unofficial. Others will not know about this.

Now, listen carefully. As I told you earlier, the next test, which you will face after one hour, will be the toughest of all. You have a huge mortal risk. As I told you earlier, most participants die in this stage because of their indecisiveness. But, you know what? I have never seen such a nice person as you in these 5 yeas of hosting this reality show. So, I don't want to see you dying. That's why I am going to help you a bit."

Archana couldn't believe her ears. What? This was a reality show? That meant all the physical and mental torture that she had been subjected to over a month had been watched by viewers? Then, why had the viewers kept silence? Why hadn't they reported this abuse to the police? Archana was indeed confounded.

"Yes, we have been hosting a reality show, which is watched by 11347 viewers across the globe this year. One needs to pay 10000 dollar to watch the complete show. Clearly, our customers are not ordinary people! You know, to watch the happenings in our house, one has to have a specific kind of taste. We are lucky that every year the number is increasing at a nice rate, and we are laughing our way to the bank. But, forget about that. Willingly or unwillingly you have been chosen as the participant for this show. Your life is in danger. You have to live to get back to your normal life and get back your family." The Joker paused for a few seconds.

Archana's head was spinning to hear those frigging words. She had been forced to participate in a horrific show which was watched by hundreds of perverts all over the world! Those sub-humans would cheer at her death! Archana remained speechless. So, the Joker continued.

"I am going to help you just a bit, because it will be entirely dependent on you to pass it. All I am going to tell you that this test will demand a sacrifice of your body part which will mean that you will have to bear excruciating pain. But, you have got no other option, as there is no escaping. So, don't hesitate for a second to embrace the pain, as every second will be important. Got it?" The Joker stopped, but it looked that he expected an answer from Archana.

"So, you are saying this because you think I am nice?" The tone of Archana was clearly sarcastic.

The Joker was happy that Archana got the message he wanted to convey. So, in a complacent voice he said,

"You know what? The payment of 10000 dollars that every user pay is just a fraction of our total revenue. We also organise betting among our viewers, and I am proud to say that most of them participate in it. Because, we lure them with a windfall. Unsuspectingly, they invest million of dollars. But the poor chaps don't know that we fix everything. We manipulate each and every move. This year, we are going to make you and your husband as our survivors. Both of you had the worst ratings. So, only a handful of our customers have put money on you. Clearly, we are going to make huge profits if you win. But, that's just one aspect. I have a soft feelings for you is equally true. Enough of talking. Now, try to ponder over what I said."






To be continued on Saturday evening​

 

Thanks Mistt for your nice comment! Yes, the rescue operation seems to be on.

 

Thanks RS for taking your time and reading my story. Thanks for your nice comment, too!

 

Episode 30​

The sound disappeared, and Archana was again on her tipsy nerves. Archana had forgotten the problems she had with Rajan during her painful stay in this hell house. Now, she loved her family more than ever. She craved to meet her children.

"I have to live to get back my family. I have to live." She murmured.

She had clearly understood what the Joker was trying to convey. Pain is not a new thing for her in this fiendish place. She no longer feared it. The Joker hadn't clearly stated what she would have to undertake for the 4th stage. But, Archana told herself numerous times that she would embrace pain to save her life and her family.

She looked at the clock. It was 8-30 PM. She started pranayam to calm her mind. During the breathing in and breathing out process, she was constantly telling herself,

"I can, and I will."

She didn't remember how the remaining half-hour passed, but the door opened sharp at 9 PM. She was blindfolded by a masked intruder, whom she hadn't seen so far, and taken to a stange, new place.

_______________________________________________________________

Indeed, Rajan was right: the agricultural field next to the football ground was rather small in size, and within 10 minutes Rajan reached the precincts. It was probably a new moon day, or a day after it. There was hardly any light from the moon. But even in the darkness, Rajan could see there were numerous lamp posts near the 10' tall wall. As Rajan wondered whether there was a power cut, suddenly, all the LED lamps lit up, and the place bathed in dazzling light. Rajan closed his eyes with his palms. His heartbeat increased significantly, as he apprehended that the men of Joker were after him.

He quickly looked back. Still, there was no one to be seen there. So, Rajan looked at the wall. It looked too tall for him to surmount. Therefore, Rajan looked desperately to see for the crevices in the wall, where he could place his feet and climb up. Rajan moved 50 meters on both sides, but could not see any such crevices. Roger told that he got electric shock, but Rajan could not see any wire on the wall. Rajan tugged his hair in tension. He knew that any moment the Joker's men could arrive and again he would be incarcerated. He didn't want to miss the opportunity. So, he jumped numerous times futilely to reach the top of the wall with his hands.

Time was running out, and for the first time he could hear the angry barking of pitbulls from a long distance. In his earlier days in the US, Rajan's team leader was a dog lover. He raised two deadly pitbulls. Rajan had always been on his toes whenever he visited his house. Those two dogs were never nice to him. They were the ugliest of dogs that Rajan had ever seen. On one occasion when his American team leader were slightly late in receiving him, one of the dogs, Bruno, jumped on Rajan. He would have torn his throat, had his owner not intervened in time. So, Rajan was very much aware of the sound of pitbulls.

Rajan understood that the Joker had sent the dogs after him, and from the sound of their barking, he was sure that there were at least 10 of them. He was also sure that the armed men would follow soon. Rajan looked here and there like a mad man. He was desperately searching for something, and Bingo! Rajan saw an approximately 6' long broken branch of a tree. Rajan took it in his hands and inspected it. It was not very thick but he thought it should thick enough to carry Rajan's weight, because he was not fat. Only thing that worried Rajan was the green leaves attached to it. It meant that it was broken today or a day ago. Therefore, it may contain a lot of water in it, and may not be hard enough to hold Rajan's weight. But, he had to take his chance.

Who hasn't heard the name of Bubka, the great Soviet pole vaulter? Rajan had not been a sports lover, but still he had seen Bubka in action in his younger days. He always wondered how he could jump 6 meters with the help of a thin pole! Now, the time had come for Rajan to emaluate him. His job was much easier. He had to jump slightly over 3 meter. Bubka was jumping for glory, but Rajan would jump for his life. His safe escape would also ensure the safety of his wife, as he would be able to report to the police.

Ranjan was trying to concentrate, but he got extremely disturbed by the sound of the pitbulls. The sound seemed to be approaching him very fast. He looked back, and saw 8 devil-looking, monster-sized, very angry pitbulls, who were just 100 meters away from him. There were 5 men, armed with machine guns, 100 meters behind the dogs.

Rajan understood that he had no more time to waste, as the dogs seemed to be running very fast. So, throwing away all the hesitations, he went back 20 meters from the wall holding the pole in his hand. For a very brief moment, he prayed to Lord Shiva. His jaw stiffened, and he started to run.

If wishes were horses, the beggars would ride! Indeed, Rajan put his best effort. But, he had no sense of timing. The branch of the mango tree didn't have the required elasticity either. So, he jumped too early, and failed to even touch the wall. He hit the ground with a bang. Fortunately, the ground was soft, and he immediately rolled a few times, ensuring less damage to his body.

But, the dogs were indeed very fast and bloodthirsty. They surrounded him with raised hackles in no time. Rajan was on his feet very soon, but he had no where to eascape. The dogs encircled him giving him no space to escape. The dogs narrowed the daimeter and they were within 3 meters from him. They were showing their teeth, but for whatever reason, not jumping on him. Rajan guessed that the dogs had been trained well not to attack their victim without the order of their master.

However, one of the dogs had different idea, as it broke the circle and jumped on Rajan's throat. Rajan knew that his time was up. He knew how aggressive these pitbulls could be, and how powerful their teeth were. Rajan closed his eyes and surrendered himself to his fate.

To be continued on Tuesday night