Choose wisely," she said.
"Because this time... there's no second chance."
Kartik couldn't breathe.
The air in the room felt heavier now. His heartbeat thundered in his chest, drowning out even his thoughts.
He wanted to scream — but no sound came out.
Tanvi just stood there… smiling. A smile that didn't belong on a human face.
> "You opened the diary," she whispered, "So now... you're part of the story."
---
Scene 1: The Escape That Never Was
It was past 3 a.m.
Kartik slipped quietly out of the hostel. His body trembled, his breaths shallow.
He took the back gate. Avoided cameras. Ran across the empty roads like a hunted animal.
> "I'll go to the police. I'll tell them everything," he muttered to himself. "This nightmare ends tonight."
But just as he reached the gate of the nearest police station — his phone buzzed.
📩 Tanvi: "Don't even think about it."
📎 [Video Attached]
He opened it.
Tanvi's face. A dimly lit room.
In her hand — a printed ultrasound.
Visible heartbeat. Baby's silhouette.
Then the camera shifted.
She gently placed a blade over her stomach.
> "You want to be a hero, Kartik? Fine. But remember — I hold your future… right here."
Kartik stopped cold.
> "What if… she's not bluffing?"
One wrong step… and their unborn child might not survive.
And so, he turned back.
---
Scene 2: The Trap
When he reached her room, it was… strangely quiet.
The door was ajar.
No lights.
No sound.
Just one thing in the middle of the room — a small box.
And a note on top:
> "Good puppets don't run."
Inside the box:
A baby's onesie — soaked in red stains.
And a belt. On it, engraved: "Harshit."
His blood ran cold.
Before he could move, a sharp blow struck the back of his head.
---
Scene 3: Wake Up, Puppet
He woke up in a basement.
Dim light.
Tied to a chair with thick, unyielding rope.
His mouth dry. His heart pounding.
Across from him sat Tanvi.
Smiling.
A small puppet in her hands — handmade, stitched… and eerily resembling Kartik.
> "You thought you could escape the show?" she said sweetly.
"But you're the lead in my puppet theater."
"Tanvi, please… let me go. You're sick, you need help!"
She tilted her head.
> "They all say that. Until I sew their mouths shut."
She walked over to him, slowly, with wires in hand.
> "No—Tanvi, please! I have panic attacks—I can't take pain, I—"
She pressed a finger to his lips.
> "Shh… this won't last forever. Just until your body learns not to leave me again."
She attached electrodes to his chest.
> "Tanvi, don't… I love you, okay? Just—don't hurt me…"
She paused.
> "You love me?" she whispered. "Even after you ran?"
Tears filled his eyes. "Yes… I didn't mean to. I panicked. Please…"
Tanvi stared into his face. Then slowly smiled.
> "Let's test how true that love is."
She flipped the switch.
Shock.
His body jolted. His screams echoed off the stone walls.
Tears and sweat mixed on his skin.
And she watched.
Calm. Smiling.
---
Scene 4: When the Strings Cut Skin
Time passed. Maybe hours.
Kartik's body hung limp. His wrists were raw.
He sobbed quietly, unable to move.
Then — Tanvi came closer and gently knelt beside him.
She placed his head in her lap like a lullaby.
> "You're not leaving me, Kartik. Not now. Not ever."
She stroked his hair, humming a soft tune.
Her voice shook slightly. For the first time — she sounded… human.
> "You're mine. Even if the world burns… I'll keep you safe."
---
Final Scene: The Mirror
The next morning, Tanvi led Kartik — still weak — to a large, dusty mirror inside the basement.
His reflection looked back at him… but it wasn't the same face.
One side of his face was bruised. Slightly burned. His eyes were bloodshot.
He gasped — not out of fear, but disbelief.
> "That's your new face," she said softly.
"Now… you finally look like someone who belongs to me."
Kartik stared.
Not at the bruises.
Not at the burns.
But at her — Tanvi.
She stood beside him… trembling.
Tears filled her eyes.
For a second, the monster vanished — and a broken girl remained.
She reached forward… and untied his wrists. Slowly. Gently.
> "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I… didn't mean to hurt you so much. I just didn't want to lose you."
Kartik didn't move. His hands fell free.
He could've run.
He could've screamed.
But he didn't.
Instead… he stepped forward — and wrapped his arms around her.
> "I know," he said hoarsely. "I know you didn't want to lose me."
And in that moment — bruised, broken, and barely standing — they held each other like shattered glass.
She cried softly into his chest.
> "Don't leave me again… I'll die, Kartik."
> "I'm here," he whispered. "I'm not going anywhere."
---
❗️Final Line :
> "Sometimes… the scariest monsters are the ones we choose to love."