Suddenly, Arnav landed with a thud right in front of her. The force threw Pranati backward, and she hit the ground with a sharp cry. "Aahhhhhh!" she screamed, her voice raw, trembling with sheer terror.
Her hands scraped against the dirt as she crawled backward, eyes wide, pleading. "P-please… don't… don't hurt me… I'm… I'm begging you!" Her voice broke into sobs, tears streaking her dirt-smudged face.
Arnav advanced, each step deliberate, monstrous wings folding slightly as he approached, eyes blazing. Her chest heaved; her whole body shook with fear. She saw a long, sharp wooden branch lying nearby. Desperation overcame her trembling hands.
"Ahhhhhh!" she shouted, grabbing it with both hands and stabbing blindly at him.
Time seemed to freeze for a heartbeat as the wood sank into his chest. Then… nothing.
Arnav calmly removed the branch as if it were nothing. Pranati's scream caught in her throat. Her hands trembled uncontrollably, and she started sobbing harder. "P-please… leave me… I don't want to die!"
Before she could even move, Arnav's hands shot out. He grabbed her by the neck, lifting her off the ground effortlessly. She kicked and clawed at him, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps.
His mouth opened, ready to drain her life force, and she could feel a terrifying pull, a cold, hungry pressure tugging at her very essence.
But then—a faint flicker of golden light appeared on her arm. The OM birthmark, glowing faintly, pulsed as if trying to awaken. It went unnoticed by Arnav, but Pranati felt a warmth, a calm spreading through her veins despite her fear.
Something changed. A subtle wave of peace washed over the chaos around them. Arnav's monstrous form faltered, the fiery glow of his eyes dimming, the wings folding back unnaturally.
His hands slackened, his monstrous features softening as the transformation reversed. Confusion and horror crossed his face as his senses returned. He realized what he was about to do—he had nearly drained the life of an innocent, unknown girl.
Pranati gasped, still shaking, tears streaming, while the world seemed to hold its breath around them. Arnav stepped back, one hand over his mouth, his eyes wide with disbelief.
The jungle was silent for a heartbeat—too silent, save for Pranati's shaky sobs and the faint flicker of light on her arm.
He had come dangerously close. And yet… she had survived.
Arnav took a step toward her.
Pranati flinched violently, her body curling inward as if bracing for another blow. She cried out, her voice breaking. "N-no… please… don't come closer… please don't hurt me…"
Her words came out between sobs, each one soaked in terror.
Arnav froze.
The sound of her fear cut deeper than any weapon ever could.
His hands—still trembling—slowly lowered. The fury was gone now, replaced by something far worse. Horror. Guilt. Shame.
"I…" His voice cracked. He swallowed hard. "I'm sorry."
Pranati shook her head frantically, tears spilling freely. "Please… I won't tell anyone… I swear… just let me go…"
Something shattered inside him.
Arnav stepped back and, slowly—deliberately—folded his hands before her.
The gesture stunned her.
"I would never forgive myself," he said hoarsely, tears finally escaping his eyes, "if I let you remember what I almost became."
His voice broke completely. "I didn't mean to frighten you. I didn't even know myself anymore."
Rain began to fall then—soft at first, hesitant drops slipping through the forest canopy. The air cooled, heavy with the scent of wet earth.
Pranati's sobs quieted, confusion mixing with fear as she watched him.
Arnav stepped forward once more—careful now, gentle. He lifted his hand and placed it lightly on her head.
"I'm sorry," he whispered again, this time like a prayer. "You shouldn't carry this nightmare."
A faint warmth spread beneath his palm.
Pranati's cries slowed. Her eyes fluttered, unfocused. The terror loosened its grip as darkness folded gently around her consciousness.
Her body went limp.
Before she could fall, Arnav caught her.
He held her instinctively, arms tightening around her fragile frame as the rain poured harder now, soaking them both. For a moment, the world narrowed to just the two of them—rain, breath, and silence.
He looked down at her face.
Peaceful now. Innocent. Unaware.
Rain traced a path along her lashes, her lips parted slightly as she breathed. Something unfamiliar stirred in his chest—an ache he couldn't name.
This was not desire.
It was recognition without memory.
Connection without understanding.
Arnav's jaw tightened as he looked away, guilt weighing heavy in his eyes.
"I hope," he murmured quietly, "you never remember me like this."
Thunder rolled softly in the distance as rain washed away the blood, the fire, the horror.
But not the fate that had just crossed paths.
To be continued…