Without wasting a single second, Siya ran toward Clara's room.
Andy was standing just outside the door, his face pale, his shoulders stiff with worry. The moment he saw Siya, she asked sharply,
"What happened? How is she now?"
Andy swallowed. "I locked her inside. She was unconscious when I came out."
"Let's check," Siya said.
She opened the door slowly, carefully, peeking inside first.
The room was empty.
For a second, her breath caught.
Siya stepped inside, her eyes scanning every corner of the room. The bed was untouched. The chair was overturned. Clara was nowhere to be seen.
She turned to Andy. His face mirrored the same fear now creeping into her chest.
Then Siya noticed the bathroom door.
From inside, faint sobs echoed—broken, desperate, barely audible.
Her heart clenched.
She rushed toward the bathroom and pushed the door open.
Clara was curled up in a corner on the cold floor, her body trembling violently. She was crying uncontrollably, clutching herself as if trying to hold her soul together. She looked fragile… shattered… completely lost.
For a moment, Clara didn't even notice Siya.
Siya ran to her, lifted her gently, and helped her sit on the bed. With one hand she motioned Andy to bring the medical kit, and with the other she held Clara's face.
"Hey… hey, don't cry," Siya said softly.
"Look at me. You're safe. We're here with you. As long as I'm here, nothing will happen to you. Try to rest."
Clara's lips trembled.
"What… what happened to me?" she whispered through sobs.
"I just went there to look for Maan. But it wasn't Maan… it wasn't him. He bit me, and then I fainted. I don't remember anything after that."
She looked down at her hand—wrapped in blood-stained bandages.
"My hand… Siya, what is this? Did I do this to myself?"
Her voice cracked.
"Have I… have I turned into an animal too?"
Siya pulled her into a tight embrace.
"No," she said firmly, holding her like a shield against the world.
"You are not an animal, Clara. You are brave. Nothing has happened to you. Don't let fear take over your mind. Just rest."
At that moment, Andy returned with the medical kit. Siya instructed him calmly,
"Clean her wounds. Apply the medicine."
Then she turned to Clara again.
"Sleep. Don't think too much. Stay in this room. Andy will stay with you."
Clara looked up at Andy. Her eyes lowered immediately, filled with shame and confusion. She didn't say a word.
Andy silently began tending to her wounds, his hands steady but his heart anything but.
Siya quietly stepped out, leaving them alone.
Ali was still deep in yogic meditation.
Siya watched him for a long moment. His breathing was steady, his posture unmoving. His Manipura Chakra was close—so close to awakening.
But Siya knew something else now.
She had to make a decision.
A dangerous one.
The solution lay beyond their base… beyond safety… on that cursed island George had spoken of.
And she would have to go alone.
Ali's meditation could not be disturbed.
Clara could not be left alone in her condition.
Andy had to stay back—to protect them, and to continue working on the Sanjeevani.
Andy stepped outside just then.
Siya called him over and explained everything calmly.
Before she could finish, Andy snapped,
"Absolutely not. You are NOT going alone. Don't even think about it. If you're going somewhere that dangerous, I'm coming with you."
Siya cut him off sharply.
"No."
Her voice left no room for argument.
"You need to stay here. Ali and Clara need you. And don't forget—you're working on the Sanjeevani. Someone has to."
She continued, her tone hardening.
"Maan's condition is deteriorating. Ali's meditation cannot be broken. And Clara—look at her condition yourself. Stop talking nonsense."
"I'm not asking you," she said coldly.
"I'm telling you."
Andy clenched his fists.
"I understand, Siya. But going there alone— you know how dangerous it is."
"At least we have a path," Siya replied.
"And giving up before trying is not in my nature. Not what I've ever taught."
She met his eyes.
"For us, giving our lives to protect others is a matter of pride, not fear. This entire world is our family. And I will not watch another life die."
Andy still looked torn.
Before either of them could say more, Clara staggered out of the room.
She had heard everything.
"Siya," Clara said weakly, "take Andy with you. I'll manage. I know what's happening now. I can handle things until Ali wakes up."
Before Siya could respond, Clara collapsed in pain.
They rushed her back to bed.
"No," Siya said firmly after settling her.
"I will not leave you alone like this."
Yet, as Clara lay back, a faint smile crossed her lips—so subtle that Siya didn't notice.
Outside, Andy tried once more to protest.
But Siya snapped.
"Enough, Andy. I've made my decision. Do you doubt my judgment… or my strength?"
Andy fell silent.
She placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Wait for me. I'll return with a solution. Don't worry."
And with that, Siya walked away.
She was exhausted—mentally and emotionally.
She returned to meditation.
This time, the moment her consciousness shifted, a face appeared before her.
George.
Siya opened her eyes instantly.
She marched straight to George's room.
"Come," she said.
George smirked.
"Oh? Another prison? Or more electric shocks?"
She turned back, eyes blazing.
"Want more shocks? Keep talking."
She stepped closer.
"You're coming with me. To that deserted island."
George shook his head violently.
"No, no, no. I have no desire to die. I'm not going anywhere with you."
Siya raised her hand.
George immediately shut up and nodded.
"Fine. Fine. I'm coming."
As they stepped out, Andy saw them.
"You're taking HIM with you?" Andy exclaimed.
"He's a danger himself! You're taking a threat to fight another threat!"
Siya raised her hand, silencing him.
"I don't want to hear it," she said coldly.
"Do you doubt my decisions… or my strength?"
Andy tried to explain, but she didn't listen.
She placed a hand on his shoulder gently this time.
"Wait for me. I'll return soon."
And she left.
Andy stood frozen.
Clara had seen everything.
She began coughing violently.
Andy rushed to her immediately, holding her upright.
Meanwhile, Ali's Manipura Chakra was on the verge of awakening.
Siya felt it too.
But she could not wait.
Inside his heart, Andy whispered,
"Ali… we need you. Wake up soon."
Because somewhere deep inside him, a terrifying thought echoed—
Siya might already be walking into danger.
And one question refused to fade:
Was Clara becoming the next threat…
or was the possession still alive within her?