The Space Between: Unveiling The Mysteries Of Existence

??????? 5 - ??? ???????? ?????

Because there was a mission.

A mission yet to be unveiled.

The silence that followed Lipika’s outburst was thick, nearly tangible, stretching between them like a taut thread threatening to snap. The squad held their breath, waiting—expecting something, anything—from Mr. Shit. But he didn’t waver. His smirk remained intact, as if her words were nothing more than a passing breeze.

Then, without breaking the stride, he stopped just at the edge of the dimly lit corridor. His head tilted ever so slightly, just enough to let them know he had heard every word.

“You talk too much, Lipika.” His voice was quiet, almost amused, yet laced with something darker. Something that made even the most rebellious of hearts falter. “That’s a dangerous habit.”

A flicker of uncertainty crossed Lipika’s face, but she masked it quickly, rolling her eyes. “Oh please, don’t try that villainous cryptic nonsense on me,” she scoffed, tossing her hair back. “If you have something to say, just say it. What is this ‘mystery mission’ you’re dangling in front of us like we’re supposed to care?”

Mr. Shit chuckled again, turning fully to face them this time. His expression remained unreadable, yet his eyes gleamed with something odd—something unsettling.

“Oh, you’ll care,” he said simply. “You’ll care because this mission isn’t about me.” He took a step closer. “It’s about you.”

Lipika's POV:-

That's something I already had an idea about. The fact of me feeling as if he was someone familiar.... someone more than close, and that was enough for me to guess that. But yet my memories were not at place. Even after having the hint I wasn't able to find out about the true intentions of this guy. This is the point I am feeling more and more helpless. My mind is totally disturbed after knowing that somewhere I know him, the more I tried to think about the previous incidents that made me remember the faint memories of him, the more my breath hitched, the more I felt as if I was almost going to die. Die out of fear. FEAR was the only feeling I got after thinking about him......... That's why I wanted to divert myself from this point, but the situations weren't in my favour where I was forced to act STRONG, like the act I am already playing from decades. It's nothing new for me due to my CRUEL PAST.......

Author's POV:-

A chilling silence settled over the group.

Trishika’s breathing grew uneven again. Inisha and Rihanika tensed, exchanging wary glances. Even Lipika, usually brimming with sarcastic bravado, hesitated for a fraction of a second.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Inisha demanded, her voice stronger than she felt.

Mr. Shit tilted his head, as if considering whether to reveal more. Then, as if reaching a decision, he took another step forward, reducing the distance between them.

“It means,” he said, voice dropping lower, forcing them to lean in ever so slightly, “that this story you think you’re living? This little reality you believe in?” He let the words hang for a beat before delivering the final blow— “It’s all a lie.”

A sharp gust of wind howled through the corridor, making the overhead lights flicker. The squad instinctively drew closer together, their unease now solidifying into something heavier—something dangerously close to fear.

Lipika’s lips parted as if to counter, to dismiss his words like she always did. But for once, nothing came. Because deep down, she felt it too—something shifting, something unraveling, something that only she was able to interpret.