The black cat was picking up speed behind me, and also seemed to know it's way around. I was sure that I wouldn't last for a minute in comparison to that huge and fierce black creature who was out to get me since I still had no knowledge of where I was running off to. For all I know, I could be luring myself in a cave which has more such wild creatures.

Just then, I heard the distinctive loud screech of the cat, who was now nearer than I expected. The cat's eyes glimmered wickedly as they promised me that I wouldn't be alive after today, and even though it was pitch black in this part of the garden, it seemed to be able to see everything as clearly as a crystal.

I pushed back a lock of my sweaty and dishevelled hair behind my ear as I started to form a different strategy in my mind, all the while being acutely aware of the blood trailing from my right cheek on the ground. The cat had already done enough damage and on top of that, wasted my time. I wouldn't be surprised right now if I came to know it was the murderer's pet or something.

Still, as it got ready to attack me again, I attempted to stay calm despite knowing that my hands were trembling and I desperately wanted to step back and run away, but couldn't do it. I had to stay calm and show this dark devil that I wasn't afraid at all.

But, because of my shivers, I must have miscalculated its movements, and that proved to be fatal for me. The moment I looked ahead, the cat had already lunged for me, jumping high in the air, and not really caring if it got caught in one of the protruding branches of a huge tree nearby. I let out a short yet powerful squeal because I was startled, but regretted it immediately since that creature didn't give me any time to prepare myself.

Why should it have given me more time to prepare myself and possibly kill it, is beyond me. It's good that the cat is so smart - just like a good enemy.

I had also been pushed back against the narrow trunk of a pink rhododendron tree, its skin poking me and hurting me in the back. I had nowhere to escape, and the cat was nearer than ever. I turned my face towards the trunk and bent down as much as I could to avoid getting hit in my face or head, and then waited for my fate to come get me.

But, it never happened.

Instead, I felt someone's presence in front of me and the cat fell on that person. I immediately opened my eyes, only to find that officer, Akshay on the ground, while the cat was on top, still trying to escape his tight clutches and claw at his hands and face. I was dumbfounded, and kind of came back to reality, for I had forgotten in the midst of all of this that I had indeed come here with a companion.

"Officer? Are you okay? Be careful, this cat is wild and dangerous."

I said to him, trying to go near him but not having the courage to deal with that cat.

"I-I'm alright. And this will... be very e-easy."

He replied while catching his breath and still struggling to get the cat... to calm down?

Yes, that's exactly what he was doing. He wanted the cat to become friendly with him. Was he an idiot? How is that even possible? That cat is a wild creature and even though I have seen many videos on the internet about wild animals being friends with humans or whatever, this just wasn't going to work. That cat hardly knew him for one minute - there was no way she would calm down and suddenly start laying her head on his chest or nuzzle her cheek on his hands or something.

But then, the unimaginable happened. The cat seemed to be calming as every second passed. Eventually, it gave in to his gentle head rubs and soft words that he was cooing in its ear. It then became so hungry for his rubs that it sprawled out on the garden floor stomach up, the fallen leaves crunching beneath its weight, and asked for stomach rubs.

It had become completely tame in Akshay's hands.

Seeing this scene unfold right in front of my eyes, I had no option but to take it as the truth. Even then, I couldn't stop myself from sputtering in disbelief,

"Wh-what?! How did- how could this happen? This beast that I have been running from suddenly becomes a putty in your hands and acts like the most innocent creature on earth? Unbelievable."

He turned to me and smiled slightly at that. He was trying hard not to show his smugness, but I could still catch a hint of it on his very attractive, full pink lips-
No, on his lips. He turned to me while his hand was still rubbing the cat's black fur,

"It can't be that only you should be good at everything, can it now? We all have our own hidden talents and abilities, you know?"

I knew that he was referring to yesterday when I showed off my skills by summarizing such a difficult murder case like it was nothing. But, I didn't like his conceited and taunting tone.

"Really? Do you think this is the time to be taunting and mocking at me and flaunting your skills which aren't even that good?"

I said, already annoyed and embarrassed that he could do something I couldn't. My competitive streak was turning me into an aggressive and ungrateful woman.

At that, he rose his eyebrows in amusement and stood up from the ground.

"And yet, you are still alive because of my skills that aren't even that good. Trust me, if I hadn't been here today, you wouldn't have been let off with just a few scratches to your face."

As soon as these words left his mouth, I decided that I absolutely hated whenever he was right, and I will be like that as long as he continues to be right. Not wanting to feel like a loser, i crossed my arms in front of me and huffed.

"I hate that you're right. I really, really hate it."

This mini outburst of mine caused a small chuckle to escape his mouth.

"Dont worry, you will learn to accept this fact with time. By the way, are you badly hurt somewhere else too? Your cheek looks bad enough."

He suddenly asked me, raising his hand to my cheek but not touching it, and retracting the hand from mid-air. I don't know why he raised his hand in the first place, or what made him retract it, but I was annoyed that I couldn't feel his soft fingers on my cheek. Perhaps, I would have also become a putty under his touch.

Good thing that he put his hand back. I don't want another trouble to enter my life right now.

"Um... no, I'm fine. But yeah, my cheek is hurting like hell. But again, this isn't the time to keep worrying about that. I have to find Huma."

I said, suddenly remembering what I had come here for. And now, I felt extremely guilty for forgetting about her like that.

"We will find her, don't worry. But this time, you will stay with me and not stray somewhere else. I wouldn't be able to protect you every time."

He said, giving me butterflies again at the mention of the word 'protect'.

No, no, no. I can't get distracted so easily. I have to keep my focus on finding my friend. I can't think of anything else. I nodded at him and let him lead the way.

We entered an opening resembling a cave very silently, with Akshay clutching his gun in his hands and giving me directions. We kept walking in that dark cave which thankfully had no twists and turns, it was just straight...
Until suddenly, he stopped in front of me making me bump into his back. I was about to tell him to go ahead but he spoke first,

"Found her."

"Wait, really? But, why is she here?"

I said, not being able to control my excitement and nervousness, and ran before him, wanting to meet Huma. But, what I saw was not what I had expected, at all.

There she was, lying on the cold ground, hands tied behind her back and legs tied together. A piece of cloth covering her eyes and another gagging her. She wasn't moving at all and her hands and ankles were bleeding which filled my heart with dread. I couldn't believe my friend was here, in such a disastrous condition, all because of me.

I really should have stayed at home.

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