Chapter 12: Captured Code

The fallout from the counter-hack was immediate. The group’s identities had been exposed, and paranoia seeped into every corner of their alliance. They barely spoke as they left school that evening, each lost in thought.

But Zara never made it home.

Arman tried calling her phone later that night—no answer. Riya sent messages, all left unread. Kian paced the room, his frustration mounting. “She’s not the type to just disappear. Something’s wrong.”

Arman’s laptop pinged. A new notification appeared, unprompted. His stomach tightened as he opened it.

A live feed flickered onto the screen. The image was grainy, but unmistakable: Zara, tied to a chair in what looked like an abandoned warehouse. Her wrists bound, her face pale but defiant.

A distorted voice filled the speakers. “You wanted to play with fire. Now one of you burns. Stay out of our way, or she won’t be the last.”

The feed zoomed closer, showing Zara’s eyes—wide, furious, but scared.

Arman’s breath caught. “They’ve taken her.”

Riya covered her mouth, tears welling. Kian slammed his fist against the desk. “We have to get her back.”

The screen went black, leaving only the echo of the threat.

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✨ Cliffhanger Ending: Zara’s kidnapping and the chilling live feed force the group into a desperate rescue mission, escalating the danger from digital warfare to physical confrontation.