Rain tapped gently against the windows of the Inspector's office as the Masked Detective laid the tuition center files on the table. The room smelled of wet paper, old wood, and unease.
"Three names," she murmured. "Sanchayita. Ishita. And now, a new girl."
Ratan rubbed his forehead. "Her name is Debolina Kaur. Fourteen. From East Taraniketan. Disappeared on her way back from her art class. Parents say she was quiet, but happy. No enemies. No signs."
The Detective opened the file marked with Debolina's name. Inside were only two things:
—A printout of her school photo
—And a map with a small red circle drawn near an alley beside an old bookstore.
"That alley," the Detective said slowly. "It's close to the tuition center."
"You think she was taken from the same area?"
"Maybe not taken. Maybe watched," the Detective replied. "Followed. Like the others."
Ratan looked down at the folder. "This isn't random. The same pattern. Same age group. Same silence before vanishing."
The Detective walked over to the window. Rain slid down the glass like ghostly trails. Her reflection stared back at her—masked, unreadable.
"There's a connection," she said quietly. "But it's not just about the girls. It's something older. Something buried."
Ratan hesitated. "You think it's…?"
"I don't know yet," she interrupted. "And I don't want to guess."
They sat in silence.
Finally, the Detective looked at the photo of Debolina again. Her eyes narrowed at a detail—barely noticeable, but strange.
She didn't say what it was.
Instead, she closed the file and stood.
"Don't alert the media," she said.
"Why?"
"Because whoever's behind this… is watching."
"I have an idea" said Detective.
"What idea! ?" Ask inspector.
"Let's go to the library find 20 months ago or before news we will find any clue."
"Okay, we will go to library tomorrow morning at 10AM."
To Be Continued.....