The mist rolled over the hills even as the dusk sun began its inevitable descent.A slight breeze through the trees and leaves fell to the forest floor.In these desolate hills, man was just one among nature and not its unwanted usurper. The ghats of Coorg were a tourist locale for most times of the year, but to Sharath it held a whole new meaning to the words 'rejuvenate'.
For months now he had been living in hiding here. Hiding from the evil he knew would eventually track him.It had all begun so strangely and so happily.It felt like ages ago, time blurring and nothing made sense now.How had it all gone downhill so fast?
He looked at the sunset which calmed him a bit.He checked around to make sure nobody was nearby and walked to his cabin.It had belonged to a farmer who had moved to the city in search of a better life. Sharath thought about the fact that he had come here just to save his life. A small smile lit his face at that ironic thought.
The neat room was welcoming as always.He lit a candle,nothing with electricity was there in this room.The spartan furnishing did not diminish the cosy comfort of warmth,books and the breeze that flowed in the upper rafters.There was a bed,a lounge chair and a table.The table was littered with papers.His papers,his writing,his power,his life.
He hoped that his message had reached Kelerov in time.It had taken a long time to decide whether he had to give his position away, the risk of Raj finding him was too big.Eventually he had decided that he was better off telling someone where he was.More importantly telling someone where his writings were.Nobody had realised the extent of his powers.He suspected that Krish had known but had wisely kept quiet.
The memory was clear.When a few months Krish had asked him why he was not using his powers?Sharath remembered the feeling of dread in his heart.So much power.Power that he could use to save lives,instead here he was hiding in the forests like a fugitive.Anger welled against Raj and all that he stood for.No point losing it now.Not when he was so close to figuring it out.The fact was undeniable,Raj was one step ahead of them.He had no idea how Raj was doing that.
He heard the trees sway and then a twig snapped.Instantly his mind came to reality and he concentrated hard on the noise.No mistake, definitely was a sound.He put out the candle and the cabin plunged into a semi-darkness.The evening light made the trees look like sombre beings.The twigs which he had laid out to from a natural alarm now started breaking.
Someone was out there...the chill in his heart increased.It can't be,Raj could not have found me so soon.Panic began and his mind was in turmoil.There was no where to run.He took out the knife and gripped it tightly wishing this was just a nightmare and he would wake up soon.Footsteps approached the door and there was a knock.
Sharath retreated into the furthest corner and hid behind the bed,sweat poured down his face and stained his back.The door was blasted of its hinges and he suddenly felt the primal fear that guided all beings,he charged towards the person standing at the doorway who was momentarily caught off guard, a blue flash and he fell back.
Another blue flash emitted from the man's hand and lit up and old bulb dangling from the ceiling.Sharath looked through the daze and saw Raj standing there.Raj looked around, smiled and headed for the bed.
"So this is where you are hiding?Interesting choice.Last place I thought of looking."
Sharath looked defeated,he groggily replied "Apparently not enough.Why don't you just leave me alone?"
Raj looked at him and smiled"Ah, but I can't do that.Now that I know to what limit your powers can go.I can't risk it.I told you to join me.You being my brother I would have thought you would have seen my side."
Sharath just glared at him"You are just crazy to even think you make sense".
Raj simply stared at him "Do you really think Kelerov and Krish are going to stop me?I can easily finish them off. I just hope they have more brains than you do."
At that moment Sharath knew it was over.This only had one ending.He just hoped Kelerov got to his writings before Raj did.He made a sudden movement and lunged off the floor, towards Raj with knife in hand.
A blue flash was the last thing he ever saw.
Raj got up, sighed,looked down at the limp body of Sharath which was now smoking.He collected the papers from the desk.He went out the door and bang! A light came from his hand and the house caught fire.He saw the corpse one last time.
He said "Goodbye brother" and walked into the mountains.
