_____ April 15, 2018 _____

- nick -

I had no idea what to do? Avi was in my arms crying like a baby, Niha, April and Jake too went hyper. I had to remain calm and get others to calm too. Else, they will know we're here.

When I told Dad so much about the Shadow Man, all he said was that we can't do anything as we haven't seen his face. After the missing, Dad shouted at us once and that's it. He didn't tell anything in the station, not after that and he heartily agreed on us staying in April's house. He was so much more calm than I expected him to be. His whole life's work was in a threat due to this issue. His properties were put on hold by the government and still Dad remained so cool about it. I thought it was because he wanted us to think everything is going to be fine and also that he is with us and he wanted us to know it isn't our fault and he was handling everything cleverly. Well, no! He had a part in this and he knew this will happen. He was prepared! Obviously, he knows The Shadow Man! What more do I need for proving that? Wow, Dad!

"Guys, there's a window to the right side of that room where the light is on. I'm sure your Dad went there itself, Avi. We could peep in you know. I even switched the voice recording on in my phone!" Jake did do some quick moves.

All of us tiptoed towards that window. It was a small one. We saw Dad and that Man April told about standing right there. He was dressed the same way as in the recordings. He had some papers in his hand. He was young, maybe in his 30s. Very uncommon for winter boots and long fur coat to be a fashion here during the rainy season. It's like he never steps out of four walls. But he was there in KRI! It even rained. His clothes might have been completely destroyed that time. How many pairs does he even have? There was this irritating scar on his forehead, like his head was completely bursted once. He looks like A Dangerous Gangster. Yes! That's what he is!

Dad and he were hugging and laughing over a glass of beer. Like seriously Dad? He seemed too good of a friend to Dad. Weird Dad never mentioned him during our talks!

Laughs and tinglings. Avi's face started getting red. I knew right now he's going in there. I held him tight and shook my head. He sat back down.

"So, are you sure it's that? I mean I need surety. Who else knows this?" Dad said.

"Not sure. I think Team- Z does. Yesterday, few things weren't in their place when I came back. I'm pretty sure someone was here. Are you sure it isn't your kids, going around doing their little shits again?"

"No ways! They don't know anything. They are just a bunch of fools! If it wasn't for their stupidity, we wouldn't even have to do this! They are way out of the City's league for a few days. So, we're free of them for now. Forget them, got to know more about professor?"

"Yes. He fits in our picture all right! He has a son, you know. We need to take care of that kid too! He's coming here in a few days and will be involved with those five kids obviously. Doc's sister wants them to tell him the story!" How does he know all that?

"Gosh! Yeah. So, what's the plan?"

"Another kidnap?"

"That is the only thing left now I guess. Great! So, Cheers!" Dad finished with a laugh.

The sound of the glasses tingling was never so painful! I just wanted to tear both of them apart! I couldn't take this anymore. I stood up. Niha dragged me down. "No! Please!" she shushed.

I calmed down. April signaled to walk away from there as soon as she saw the two Men inside the room disappear. We went behind her quietly, until we reached the end of the street. The only thing that happened was Avi crying. He cried like a baby hugging Jake.

"For these many days we suffered every minute, the guilt, that because of us they're gone is eating us, he knew it, he knew everything. And he did all that? There was no Infinity or shit like that! It was all the time him, it was Dad. I hate him. I just, I'm so sorry guys, you had to go through all this because of me and my Dad!" He just sobbed like a baby. Among us two, he was the one who was more close to Dad. His role model, his best friend, his God, everything was Dad. And Dad, well he would do anything for Avi's happiness. The longest Avi was sad regarding something till date was an hour. Dad would make sure all his sadness goes away real fast. And now, all this week's torture, the embarrassment, the guilt was all put in to us by him? Don't think about me, fine. But Avi? What did he do Dad?

"Kiddo!" I started. "Life.."

"You don't have to cover for him Nick!" He stopped me, rubbing all his tears. "I want to know where the three are and that's it! If we ask him directly, we won't get anything. We'll have to follow where he goes! We need a plan. We need to split. Even this Shopkeeper needs to be followed. Who is Team-Z? There's someone else too! We need to know everything before we trap this Man!" He just referred Dad as Man? He has really lost it.

"Okay. But, people recognize us these days Avi, so, we got to stay in! How are we gonna go behind them? It is highly impossible! If you just go right now behind them and ask What's happening, we might as well be grounded by your dad and the Midnight walks also may be out of our League! What we do?" asked April. "Hey wait, what does your dad know about me and my family, Nick?"

"I guess, that you are from Delhi you live with your grandparents. Your parents are currently abroad. Yeah, that's it ,I guess! I mean I know so much! And so might he!" I said, but why was she even asking?

"Cool then, problem is kind of solved. I didn't tell you guys but I have an elder brother. I will tell him to come here as soon as possible and he never says no to me. He'll definitely have some cool ass ideas with him. By the way, my brother is 28 and is currently in Germany, where he lives with his fiancee and his name is August. Don't mind the month names, it's just that mum always wanted to make us a part of the world, hence the month names. So, I will just call him right away!"

She just went a little far and started working with her phone.

"So what? He's gonna like go Undercover for us? Would he do that for us? I'm getting very scared now. We shouldn't involve him, I don't even understand why April is doing this! Already so many people are hurt and in trouble because of me and my Father! No, I don't want more people to join in. Niha, just go and tell her not to call her brother!" Avi went mad again.

Niha went. After like 10 minutes they came back.

"He's coming tomorrow. I hadn't told him anything about this missing and stuffs. Now I told him a summary in like 10 minutes, and he's packing. Our problem will be solved now. We'll know what your Dad is up to, Avi." I never would have done that for Avi. Packing as soon as I hear he's in trouble. Well, maybe I would, I was never that far away from him. I don't know.

"Lets just go home before your Dad finds out we're here. Okay?" said Jake.

We all hopped in. Thank God for my parking! I had parked the car in the basement of an abondened building rather than the roadside as I always do. Else, Dad would know. I still couldn't believe the past hour. I was kind of trembling as I held the steering wheel. Jake offered, "You want me to drive? It's midnight. No Cops will be there." I was never more thankful.

He was quite good in driving. We reached. Today, everyone decided to be near Avi. He needed it more than I did. He was completely broken and that was something I would never have done if I had a son. I hate you dad. I hate you for doing this to Avi! He doesn't deserve all of this!

Attempts by April, Jake and Niha to make Avi laugh failed bad! He didn't smile an inch. Him being sad, automatically made everyone gloomy again. The efforts that where put in by all of us to make each other happy in the pastfive days, went down in one hour. Life!

We ate. We put loud music. Nothing worked on our brains.

4:27 a.m.

"You know. Sometimes, everything that we dream of never really happens. Everything that we plan of tomorrow will always remain a plan, as tomorrow has a different predefined plan. And, every person we include in our plans and dreams to be the protagonist needn't always be the savior. He can become the villain at times too. 'Cause, in this world, where we're cheated in high school to what we learnt in school, I don't think a Person's personality change is something to worry about. What we should think about is to never give up on oneself just because the Protagonists in your life have turned around. Be positive and yes, miracles happen. And when it does, you'll be glad there were villains in your life who only made your book worth reading and your story worth telling." She took a sigh as she closed her diary. "I had written this last vacation. I think this is the best time to actually tell it to someone who needs it. Feel any better, Avi?"

"Wow, April! That was.. Wonderful! I didn't know you write!" said Niha, going near her and giving her a tight hug.

"Well. Time makes everyone a writer." she smiled. Her eyes clearly showed everything she went through that made her write this. This girl is much more than a smiling face. She decided to rule the world with kindness, the kindness she never received. I was so glad I knew a person as strong as her.

Everyone went and hugged Avi and instantly, Avi smiled. He always had this in him, that no matter how sad he is, if he sees it affecting someone else, he smiles instantly.

"You guys are the best!" He said, as he hugged us all. We all slept after that it was such a nice sleep, we ended up getting up for lunch next morning. Afternoon. I am sure nobody might have slept for at least 1 to 2 hours after we actually slept.

We then had lunch.

"Did you know dear, August is coming today? A sudden surprise visit he says." Grandma spoke.

"Oh. Is it? That's so nice of him. I had just told my friends here about him and he's already coming! I'm so glad. It has been quite some time since I last saw him." April had good faking skills.

"He might be here like in 3 hours. He is coming alone, not with that fiancee of his!"

"Grandma! What's your problem with Helen even? She is an amazing girl. Don't judge her based on her tattoos!"

"That is not what I'm doing!"

"Then what? Short Hair?"

"No, April. Why are you even thinking like that?"

"Yeah. 'Cause, last time you saw her those were the reasons you didn't like her for!"

"But now it's not that. It's just that I feel August is no more close to us because of that girl! That's all."

"Come on! He works there. He can't keep coming here! Calm down April! He's coming today. You'll know what I mean, Gran."

"Hopefully."

Grandmas are always good in emotional tortures.

At around five we heard a vehicle come in. It must be him. The taxi stopped right at the front stairs and a guy with a huge bag covering pretty much entire of his upper body got down. He kept the bag on the first step with a thud.

Oh!

I was seeing a rockstar here! Hair, longer than April's. A number of rings on his fingers. There were some cool tattoos too, which was half seen through his full sleeves. Boyfriend jeans, lose jacket and a Red shoe. This man's one hell of a Hollywood character here. Disney and Heavy Metal from one womb? Indigestible!

"What the hell have you done to yourself?" Both Granny and April started screaming.

"You looked fine in the video calls. Idiot!" April went and hugged him. He hugged her back. "You okay, little Amigo?"

"No." "Now you will be. I'm here." And he Hugged her again.

We all settled in and had a little introduction session. Now it was his turn.

"As you might know. I'm August. I heard my little sister here is in a little bit of a huge trouble that involves you guys too. Maybe, I can be of some help to your solution finding and then you all could have a normal life again, where words like happiness and smiles exist. You all with me?"

"Yeah" "Yes" "Of Course" "This will be nice!"

He only smiled. He had this sort of positive energy around him, just like April. He reminded me a lot of Kanishk. They have the same smile.

So, the whole evening went in the week's story telling. He couldn't believe the Infinity stories and the missing that might be due to that. He was like, "If this wasn't April telling it, I wouldn't believe any of this shit. Go on!" We finished the story.

"So now you want to know what's up with this.." He was pointing at Avi. "Avi!" screamt April.

"Ha. Avi's Dad! He is surely one hell of an actor I must say. You all didn't even know he was the boogeyman until you saw all that! Well played, Mr. Umm.. April?" "Swaroop Chowta!" "Ha. Mr. Swaroop Chowta. Super apologies for the names. I need time." Damn, his talking style. April's face brightened like 80% after August came. It was like she knew everything will be solved now. Even me hoping the same, Ap.

"So. That Doctor's kid needs to be protected first. Best is, you get him here. I'll make arrangements here so he's safe."

"Yes. Best. He's coming tomorrow, I suppose. I'll cal T's Mom right away and confirm." said Niha. She seemed to brighten up too. Everyone brightened up actually. It was nice to finally see some life in the room.

"He is coming tomorrow evening." said Niha, after talking on the phone for like 10 minutes.

"Cool then. Tomorrow it is." said August.

"You don't want to scare him, do you? With all that hair and beard!" mocked April.

"Who said I'm coming. Remember, not one soul should know I am here, or that I even exist! That boy will know as soon as he's here!"

I already liked him.

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