Ahana was still pondering about the reason for this change of opinion. The whole world had seen them helping and protecting people, so what was the trigger to make them think the opposite.

"Something major must have happened," Gyaan muttered, thinking along the same lines.

"For now, all we saw was the testimonies of some people claiming that we have hurt them," Sameera informed.

"Whom did we hurt?" Ahana asked, not really remembering if she ever caused harm to any innocent being.

"The drunkards who tried eve-teasing you that windy night," Neer answered, a scowl forming on his face as the remembrance, before adding, "the guy whose bike you burned in retaliation was jumping around spitting nonsense."

Ahana scoffed at the absurdity.

"The crazy scientist's son was also there, barking about how we hurled him into a tornado," Sameera added, still baffled by what she had seen on the T.V.

"And they didn't bother informing that the scientist's son was actually kidnapping a girl to experiment on her?" Gyaan said in a questioning tone, before clapping sarcastically, "How amazing are these people? They can take anybody's statements. It doesn't matter whether they themselves are criminals as long as they can prove us to be villains."

"I agree. Other than them, there were so many other people claiming to be hurted by us. And I can swear on Ahana that I haven't ever seen those people in my life," Neer said, running through his hair in frustration.

"They were just adding numbers, so that they could receive more impact from the news," Ahana said, clutching the ends of her hair to stop herself from blasting fire.

"But all this seems to be after work, and not something that would have ignited the fear of us in people," Gyaan said in a thoughtful tone.

"Hmm?" Sameera, Ahana and Neer's eyebrows furrowed after hearing him. Was there something they were missing?

"Bhaiya, did you forget?" Avan asked Neer suddenly, "when we were standing outside, a few people were talking about a repeat telecast of some breaking news."

"Oh yes!" Neer exclaimed, "They were speaking about a video clip that was shown two days ago and was again going to telecast on viewer's demand, so that everyone could be alerted."

"Maybe this video clip is the answer," Gyaan muttered, before looking over to Neer and Avan, "When did you say that telecast was going to air?"

"We never told you," Neer muttered with a huff, while Avan giggled, before Avan answered, "Tonight around 8pm."

"Then let's rest and eat something, before we can get the answer of what led to our doom," Ahana said, before plopping down on the same spot she was standing.

"Wow! Never seen a girl care so less about the place and just sit down whereever available," Gyaan commented.

"I haven't bathed for about a week, I am sweaty, stinky, hungry and what not. So I don't think I have any right to complain about the place to rest/sit on. The road is definitely in a better position than me," Ahana retorted, before making herself comfortable on the road.

"Agreed," Sameera said, before sitting down nearby but exactly opposite to Ahana so that she was facing her.

"See," Ahana said to Gyaan pointedly. She even high-fived Sameera to show her win.

"Yeah yeah," Gyaan muttered, as the boys too followed suit and sat down.

"But what are we going to do about food? We might use the same technique of masks and ghunghat, but there's not much money left," Ahana said.

So much money was wasted on the masks, book and the fart bomb.

"Where did the money go?" Neer asked with furrowed eyebrows. The masks wouldn't have used that much.

'Wait! Ahana and Gyaan took the money before they left!' Neer remembered suddenly.

"What did you two do with it?" Neer questioned, looking at Gyaan and Ahana suspiciously.

"You will find out soon," Ahana replied, not giving a direct answer.

"You can't be serious," Neer groaned, "Don't tell me you used up this precious money over something useless."

"No we didn't," Gyaan said in a firm voice, "and you will find out soon. So just wait. Now is not the time. We need to talk about what's more important right now.

"We have to be very cautious about our spending. These people have eyes everywhere. Neither can we go home nor can we access our bank accounts," Gyaan said, reminding everyone yet again that they were being chased.

"I am not feeling hungry, so no food for me please," Avan spoke up, looking at others with a smile.

Their heart broke seeing the little child blatantly lie to save some pennies.

"Not hungry?! You have been just drinking water in the name of food since the day we were captured and you are saying that you are not hungry," Ahana shouted out.

Neer immediately hugged the little kid who had shrunk back in fright.

"Ahana," Neer said with gritted teeth, and requested with his eyes to stop it as he looked over at the frightened Avan.

"It's not like we would be able to stomach anything immediately right after not eating for so many days," Gyaan said in a slow voice to not aggravate anybody, before he moved to stand up, "I will just go and bring some juice boxes—"

"No juice," everyone yelled, causing him to fall back down in a jerk.

Gyaan placed a hand on his racing heart, looking at everyone else with wide eyes.

"Seriously juice?" Ahana asked with disbelieving eyes, "do you really think we can ever drink juice in our life without getting reminded of what happened in the hospital?"

"Sorry," Gyaan muttered, understanding his folly.

"How about buttermilk? It's liquid, healthy and even cheap," Sameera suggested. It was a go-to drink for her and her friends in the orphanage whenever they got the chance to go out.

"Yeah I will bring that," Gyaan answered in a shaky tone, still perturbed by what happened earlier.

"Don't go into some restaurant. Everything is costlier there," Ahana advised, "and also make sure that your mask is always on."

"Yes boss," Gyaan saluted, before leaving.

"Hope that idiot returns safely," Ahana muttered, before turning to Avan, "and you mister, don't ever try to sacrifice. We know how you feel, but it's not your job to take care of us grown ups. Let the elders worry about all this. You just need to be safe and happy."

"Aren't we a team?" Avan asked in a cute voice, "we all are in trouble, so why should I be different?"

"Because you are chi—" Sameera started answering, but Avan interrupted her before she could complete.

"I may be a child, but I am also an element. If I have powers then I should also help. How can I just sit back when you all work beyond your limits?" Avan said, folding his hands below his chest to show the seriousness.

Ahana smiled, before moving to pick up Avan. She placed him on her lap in a way where she was face to face with him. Avan didn't resist, but he still had his hands folded.

Flicking his nose, she answered his questions with another question of her's, "Haven't we used your help whenever it was needed? Have we or not?"

"You did," Avan mumbled.

"Hmm? I couldn't hear you," Ahana said, cupping her ears.

"You have," Avan said in a slightly loud and embarrassed voice.

"More than once?"

Avan confirmed, "More than once."

"Exactly," Ahana said, before putting her palms on his little shoulders and looking directly into his eyes.

"We know you are powerful. No one can deny that. Sometimes, I can even feel that you are more powerful than all of us combined. But that doesn't mean you aren't a child.

"There has to be a reason why these powers weren't given to people of the same age. I don't think we are meant to make decisions and sacrifices that aren't meant for our age.

"The level of kindness, anger, love, sympathy, empathy is different for all ages. If we forget the exceptions, then there aren't many who can be as pure and innocent as a child. The selfless love and unconditional friendship is something only a child could give.

"Not everyone can be matured and see the situation calmly without blindly raging until they have faced many challenges in their life. And that maturity comes only from a person who has seen the world.

"And lastly, a rebel. No one could be a better rebel than the young and new adults. Their sense to go against wrong and ability to fight is also stronger than the ones who haven't yet seen the world or have made peace that the world isn't going to change.

"See Avan, every age has its own role. Some children have to grow up and become mature before their age due to unfortunate circumstances, but I don't want you to be one. Not when you have people to take care of you and support you till the end," Ahana finished, hoping he understood at least a bit of what she was trying to say.

"And you can't become an adult just because you are an element. What will be my use in this team then?" Sameera asked tongue in cheek, trying to lighten the mood.

Avan didn't have to answer them. Him unfolding his hands and hiding his face in the crook of Ahana's neck was enough.

"Poor guy, must be tired of the lengthy lecture he received in return for his simple question," Neer commented, and earned a hit on his shoulders by both the ladies.