Chapter 3 :- Chaos unleashed

THE DREAM

Chapter 3: Chaos Unleashed

written by Kingson Das

The first shots inside the mall echoed like thunder.

Glass shattered.

People screamed.

And within seconds, the fragile line between fear and survival broke completely.

Aniket, Rohit, and Farhan were no longer just witnesses.

They were in the middle of a war.

Gunfire rang from both sides, loud and relentless. The attackers moved with discipline, spreading out to surround the entrance. But the three friends were faster than they looked—each of them reacting with instinct, precision, and something deeper… something practiced.

Rohit crouched behind a pillar, breathing steadily as bullets struck the marble surface near him. Dust and fragments scattered across his face, but he didn’t flinch. He leaned out just enough to fire back—controlled, powerful shots.

One attacker dropped.

Then another.

Farhan moved differently.

He didn’t stay in one place. He kept shifting, using counters, benches, and display stands as cover. His movements were quick, almost unpredictable. He wasn’t just fighting—he was thinking three steps ahead.

“Left side!” he shouted.

Aniket didn’t respond—but he didn’t need to.

He had already seen it.

Two attackers were trying to flank them from the side corridor.

Aniket stepped forward calmly, his grip firm on the rifle. His eyes didn’t show panic, only focus. He fired twice—clean, precise shots.

Both men fell.

For a brief moment, the firing slowed.

The attackers hesitated.

They hadn’t expected resistance like this.

Not from three strangers.

Rohit smirked slightly. “That all you’ve got?”

But the fight wasn’t over yet.

From the far end of the hall, more gunfire erupted.

The remaining attackers regrouped, firing aggressively now, trying to overwhelm them with numbers.

Bullets tore through the air.

A glass display exploded into pieces, scattering shards across the floor. People cried out, covering their heads, pressing themselves against the ground, hoping to stay invisible in the chaos.

“Keep them away from the crowd!” Aniket said sharply.

Farhan nodded, shifting his position again.

Rohit stepped out from cover—bold, aggressive.

Too aggressive.

A shot rang out.

Rohit barely dodged it, the bullet grazing past his shoulder.

“Careful!” Farhan snapped.

Rohit grinned through the tension. “Relax. I’ve got this.”

But even he knew—this wasn’t going to be easy.

The fight dragged on, intense and unforgiving.

Seconds felt like minutes.

Minutes felt like hours.

And slowly… the numbers began to change.

One by one, the attackers fell.

Their coordination started breaking.

Their confidence started fading.

Until finally—

Silence.

The last gunshot echoed… and then faded away.

Smoke lingered in the air.

The floor was scattered with debris, broken glass, and still bodies.

Aniket lowered his weapon slightly, scanning the area.

Farhan exhaled heavily, running a hand through his hair.

Rohit cracked his neck, looking around.

“It’s over,” he said.

But it wasn’t.

From the far end of the hall, two figures remained.

Huzaifa.

And Fatima.

Huzaifa stood still, watching them from a distance, his expression unreadable.

Fatima, however, had already been restrained. Her hands were tied, her posture calm—too calm.

Aniket stepped forward slowly.

For a moment, it felt like another fight was about to begin.

But Huzaifa turned and disappeared into the back corridor without a word.

Aniket’s eyes narrowed.

He knew exactly what that meant.

“He’s still inside,” he said.

Before anyone could respond, a voice broke through the silence.

Zara’s grandmother.

“My granddaughter!” she cried, her voice shaking. “They took her inside… please… please save her!”

The desperation in her voice cut through everything.

Aniket didn’t hesitate.

“I’ll go,” he said.

Farhan looked at him. “Be careful.”

Rohit nodded. “We’ve got things here.”

Aniket gave a slight nod and moved toward the back corridor, his steps steady, focused.

As he disappeared into the shadows, the tension shifted.

Now it was just Farhan, Rohit…

And Fatima.

The hall was quieter now, but the danger hadn’t disappeared.

Farhan kept watch, scanning every direction.

Rohit, however…

His attention drifted.

Toward Fatima.

Even tied, even surrounded by chaos—she didn’t look afraid.

She looked composed.

Confident.

Her eyes met Rohit’s.

And for a brief moment—

She smiled.

Rohit frowned slightly, stepping closer.

Something about her didn’t feel right.

“Don’t trust her,” Farhan warned quietly.

Rohit didn’t respond.

Fatima tilted her head slightly, her voice calm.

“Can I go to the washroom?”

The request felt strange.

Out of place.

But the situation… the silence after chaos… it made everything feel uncertain.

Rohit hesitated.

Just for a second.

Then nodded.

“Fine. I’ll take you.”

Farhan looked at him sharply. “Rohit—”

“I’ve got it,” Rohit said.

And that was the moment everything changed.

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