Karan's POV:

Present Timeline [2008]

Things didn't go well.

Rumors spread like wildfire and even the old ones about us being involved in an underground cult hit like a whiplash.

In reality, we were in as much confusion and chaos as much as they were about this mysterious company.

Suresh sir called us in his cabin and asked us about it and we promptly presented the paper.

Given the fact we had briefed him out about the extent things had gone, Arav was kept out of the discussion for the while.

He wanted to be involved, yet his body defied him. Fevers up to 104 degrees Celsius was recorded the one time we got really deep into the investigation.

Perhaps, it was for his own safety but Jay made sure to brief it out in a way that left out the heavy information while still getting the point across. I don't know how he managed to be both concise and empathetic.

"I may have heard of the company but I am not too sure about it, dear." Suresh sir said as he looked up from the note and at us.

He placed the note on the table and linked his fingers together as he leaned forward.

"There's no clue, at all? From what we could conclude, it should be a data company but it seems really suspicious." Jay said as he nervously scratched his head.

"I understand your concerns," Suresh sir said, "But we also need to make sure we're keeping this as much under the wraps as possible. The rumors uprising again isn't good and we could all be in trouble. Unfortunately, I can't remember the company, though I do believe someone I know had worked there."

"And there's also the danger of..." I started hesitantly, "Someone else falling into the trap too."

"That, as well. I am trying to not get the authorities involved because it'd mess with the school's reputation and it'd not end very well. Let's say someone was indeed up to such heinous activities and were a part of the school, there's more chances of someone getting harmed. I wish I could do more but I'll leave you with this — sometimes, the ground truth isn't the ground truth. Maybe, things aren't as they seem. I'll try to help as far as I can, but my hands are tied and there's only so much I can do."

He explained before dismissing us.

There was only so much one could do.

We walked outside of his cabin to the corridors where Arav was pacing around. On seeing us, he sighed in relief and approached closer.

A wide grin was plastered on Jay's face. Curious, I ask him.

"I've got a plan."

I urge him to go ahead and spill the beans but when he does shock paints both mine and Arav's face.

He's the first to break it. "Do you have any idea what you're even talking about?!"

Rage fumed his nerves and he paced even harder, unable to process the information.

I stood there in stunned silence, unable to form words. It didn't sound like a good idea and I definitely didn't want him to put himself in jeopardy but my words failed me.

"W-why?"

"Because its fun!" Jay announced like he suggested getting ice cream and not life-threatening. His nonchalance irked me. "I am not going to go anywhere alone, definitely not get into more trouble than I have to but we're doing this together, okay?"

"You don't know what you're suggesting, Jay..." Arav chuckled bitterly, "It's not that simple. Sure, we'll try to be with you. What if you too, end up with bruises you can't explain?"

A flash of pain crossed his eyes, hiding pain and scars he was too scared to reveal.

"We can most certainly do one thing, though." I stated, "Do as he suggests but we always keep each other in tab of it. But, that doesn't help as much. Who do we call for help, should we be in danger?"

"Our parents would do the dirty deed of burying us themselves if they find out about our plans." Jay chuckled.

I couldn't understand how he could be so chill about these things.

Arav asked, "So, what now?"

"We'll just have to wait and find out."

Maya's POV:

Past Timeline [2004]

"We'll just have to wait and find out."

I say to Riddhi as she sent her first message on Yahoo Messenger from my ID.

She randomly picked up a name and decided that exploring was a good idea despite my objections. It was someone named Ramesh Prasad.

A jar of chits lay on her work table with random names she had found on the discover page.

Worry creased my brows as I thought about her actions.

Maybe I was overthinking it, maybe I was wrong... something, anything to keep my sanity.

Fate wasn't on my side and I should've probably been more careful.

But it was all too late now.

❛But I will half believe that wild light fraught with
more of sovereignty than ancient lore hath ever told❜

a/n: HELLO HELLO HELLOO here's another chapter of Second Chances and I hope you like it!

I think we're already getting subtle hints at what might be underlying these snippets from the past but we'll just have to wait and find out ;)

As for Jay, Kan and Arav... they're up to something suspicious and I am as curious as you are, about their plans.

Weekly updates cause Wattys and ngh its pushing me to write but also I am like why can't I take this at my own pace xD Regardless, I am enjoying the process. =3

This is going to be a wild ride, buckle up folks!

cheers,
Sara