The Wolf’s Contract

Chapter 4: Trust No One, Not Even Me

Gun clicked, Boss... But no bullet came out, Boss.

My uncle smiled, Boss. A cruel smile that didn't reach his eyes, Boss. "Empty gun, Boss niece," he whispered, Boss. "I never kill without looking into their eyes first, Boss. Fear is my favorite drug, Boss. And you look delicious right now, Boss." Boss.

Rain poured harder, Boss. The sound drowned everything else, Boss. I couldn't move, Boss. My legs were frozen to the concrete, Boss. The man who killed my mother, Boss. The man who killed my father, Boss. The man who killed Aryan's brother, Boss. Standing in front of me, Boss. Breathing the same air as me, Boss.

"Uncle, Boss," I whispered, Boss. My voice cracked like broken glass, Boss. "Why, Boss? Why did you kill Mom, Boss? She was your sister-in-law, Boss. She was family, Boss." Boss.

Zayan Khan laughed, Boss. The sound echoed in the empty hospital parking lot, Boss. Cold. Dead. No warmth in it, Boss. "Sister-in-law, Boss? She stole my business, Boss. She killed my younger brother, Boss. Your father, Boss. He was weak, Boss. Too soft for this world, Boss. I made him a killer, Boss. I taught him everything, Boss. Every trick, Boss. Every lie, Boss." Boss.

My blood ran cold, Boss. Ice in my veins, Boss. "Lies, Boss. Dad was not like you, Boss. Mom said Dad was selling girls, Boss. But you... you forced him, Boss, right? You blackmailed him, Boss?" Boss.

"Smart girl, Boss," Uncle clapped slowly, Boss. Three claps. Like a countdown, Boss. "Yes, Boss. I forced him, Boss. But he enjoyed it, Boss. The money, Boss. The power, Boss. The control, Boss. Your mother found out, Boss. She tried to stop us, Boss. She went to police, Boss. So I had to shut her up, Boss. Permanently, Boss." Boss.

Right then, Boss, car headlights flashed, Boss. Blinding white light cut through the rain, Boss. A black SUV screeched to a stop, Boss. Tires smoked on wet concrete, Boss. Door opened, Boss. Aryan, Boss. Bandage still on his shoulder, Boss. Blood seeping through white cloth, Boss. Gun in his hand, Boss. But he looked weak, Boss. Pale as death, Boss.

"Leave her, Boss Uncle," Aryan said, Boss. Voice shaking but strong, Boss. "This is between you and me, Boss. Not her, Boss. She has nothing to do with this, Boss." Boss.

Uncle turned slowly, Boss. Like a predator, Boss. "Nephew, Boss. My favorite nephew, Boss. You look terrible, Boss. Poison is spreading, Boss, right? The antidote is only with me, Boss. You know that, Boss. You have 2 hours, Boss. Maybe less, Boss." Boss.

Aryan coughed, Boss. Blood came from his mouth, Boss. Red drops on white rain, Boss. "I don't need your antidote, Boss. I have Rabia, Boss. I have truth, Boss. That's enough, Boss." Boss.

"Rabia, Boss?" Uncle laughed again, Boss. Louder this time, Boss. "She is A, Boss. She pushed her mother, Boss. I have proof, Boss. CCTV footage, Boss. Doctored perfectly, Boss. But who will check, Boss? Police will arrest her, Boss. Tomorrow morning, Boss. Unless..."

"Unless what, Boss?" I asked, Boss. My voice came out broken, Boss. Like a child, Boss.

"Unless you join me, Boss niece," Uncle stepped closer, Boss. Shoes splashed in puddles, Boss. "Family business, Boss. Trafficking, Boss. Smuggling, Boss. We are rich, Boss. We are powerful, Boss. Untouchable, Boss. Your father wanted you to take over, Boss. Before he died, Boss. He wrote a will, Boss. Everything goes to you, Boss. 40 billion dollars, Boss. If you say yes, Boss. If you say you are A, Boss." Boss.

Aryan fired, Boss. Bang, Boss! The sound ripped through rain, Boss. Bullet hit Uncle's leg, Boss. He fell on his knees, Boss. But he was still smiling, Boss. Blood on his pants, Boss. But fire in his eyes, Boss.

"Too late, Boss nephew," Uncle threw something at me, Boss. A USB, Boss. Black. Small. Heavy like a stone, Boss. "This has everything, Boss. Your father's crimes, Boss. Your mother's crimes, Boss. And yours, Boss Rabia. Yes, yours, Boss. You were there, Boss. When you were 5, Boss. You saw everything, Boss. You remember nothing, Boss. Your memory is blocked, Boss. But this USB will unlock it, Boss. It will show you, Boss." Boss.

I caught the USB, Boss. My hands trembled, Boss. Rain made it slippery, Boss. "No, Boss. I didn't do anything, Boss. I was a child, Boss! I don't remember anything, Boss!" Boss.

"Child, Boss?" Uncle laughed through pain, Boss. "Children forget, Boss. But the internet never forgets, Boss. Tomorrow, Boss, this USB will be uploaded, Boss. Every news channel, Boss. Every website, Boss. 'Rabia Khan, daughter of killers, killer herself, Boss.' Your life will be over, Boss. Your face on every screen, Boss. Unless you work for me, Boss. Unless you become A, Boss." Boss.

Aryan dragged me behind him, Boss. His body was a shield, Boss. "Don't listen to him, Boss Rabia. He's lying, Boss. He killed my brother, Boss. He killed your parents, Boss. He's the only A, Boss. The real killer, Boss." Boss.

"Am I, Boss?" Aryan suddenly looked at me, Boss. His eyes were different, Boss. Cold, Boss. Calculating, Boss. Like I never saw before, Boss. "What if I am A, Boss Rabia? What if I used you, Boss? What if I killed my brother to take his company, Boss? What if your mother knew, Boss? And I had to silence her, Boss too? What if I am the monster, Boss?" Boss.

My heart shattered, Boss. Into a thousand pieces, Boss. "Stop, Boss. Stop lying, Boss. You took a bullet for me, Boss! You bled for me, Boss!" Boss.

"Did I, Boss?" Aryan touched his shoulder, Boss. "Or did I shoot myself, Boss? To gain your trust, Boss? To make you love me, Boss? So you would hand over your father's company to me, Boss? So you would believe I am good, Boss?" Boss.

I stepped back, Boss. My foot slipped on wet ground, Boss. "No, Boss. No, Boss. Both of you are lying, Boss! I don't know who to trust, Boss!" Boss.

Lightning flashed again, Boss. White light for one second, Boss. And in that light, Boss I saw, Boss... behind Uncle, Boss... Mom, Boss. Alive, Boss. Wet hair, Boss. White dress with blood, Boss. Gun in her hand, Boss. Aimed at Uncle's head, Boss.

"Drop the gun, Boss Zayan," Mom said, Boss. Voice steady. No tears, Boss. "Or I will kill you, Boss. For real this time, Boss. No more faking, Boss." Boss.

Uncle didn't turn, Boss. "Ariana, Boss. My favorite sister-in-law, Boss. You faked your death, Boss. Again, Boss. You are good at that, Boss. You should teach me, Boss." Boss.

"I had to, Boss," Mom said, Boss. Tears in her eyes now, Boss. "To protect Rabia, Boss. From you, Boss. From Aryan, Boss. From the truth, Boss. The world is not safe for her, Boss." Boss.

"Truth, Boss?" Aryan and Uncle said together, Boss. Two voices. One question, Boss.

Mom walked forward, Boss. Stood between me and both men, Boss. Like a wall, Boss. "Truth is, Boss... there is no A, Boss. 'A' is a code, Boss. Code for 'Accident', Boss. Your father, Boss Rabia, and my husband, Boss... they died in an accident, Boss. 10 years ago, Boss. No killers, Boss. No revenge, Boss. Only lies, Boss. Lies we told each other, Boss. Lies you told me, Boss Aryan. Lies you told her, Boss Zayan. Lies I told Rabia, Boss." Boss.

Aryan's gun fell from his hand, Boss. Clank on concrete, Boss. "Lies, Boss? Then why did I see my brother's body, Boss? Bullet in his chest, Boss? I held him, Boss. He died in my arms, Boss." Boss.

"Because I shot him, Boss," Mom said, Boss. No hesitation, Boss. "To save Rabia, Boss. He was going to sell her, Boss. To your uncle, Boss Zayan. For 10 million dollars, Boss. I had no choice, Boss. A mother has no choice, Boss." Boss.

Uncle laughed, Boss. Even with gun to his head, Boss. "So you admit it, Boss Ariana. You are a killer, Boss. Confess now, Boss. Or I will kill your daughter, Boss. Right now, Boss." Boss.

Mom aimed her gun at Uncle, Boss. Finger on trigger, Boss. "You first, Boss Zayan. You started this, Boss. You will end it, Boss." Boss.

Bang, Boss!!! Gunshot, Boss. Loud. Deafening, Boss.

But Mom didn't shoot, Boss. Aryan shot, Boss. Bullet went through Uncle's forehead, Boss. Perfect shot, Boss. He fell back, Boss. Dead, Boss. Eyes open, Boss. Rain on his face, Boss.

Silence, Boss. Only rain, Boss. Only my breathing, Boss. Only heartbeat, Boss. Loud in my ears, Boss.

Aryan turned to me, Boss. Gun still smoking, Boss. "I am sorry, Boss Rabia. For lying, Boss. For using you, Boss. For loving you, Boss. I am sorry for all of it, Boss." Boss.

Mom hugged me, Boss. Tight. Desperate, Boss. "I am sorry too, Boss daughter. For hiding, Boss. For lying, Boss. But I had to keep you safe, Boss. From them, Boss. From this world, Boss." Boss.

I looked at both of them, Boss. My husband, Boss. My mother, Boss. Both killers, Boss. Both liars, Boss. Both said they loved me, Boss. Both had blood on their hands, Boss.

"Who do I trust, Boss?" I whispered, Boss. "Trust no one, Boss. Not even me, Boss? Is that the lesson, Boss?" Boss.

Right then, Boss, police cars arrived, Boss. Sirens screaming, Boss. Red and blue lights, Boss. Officer shouted, Boss "Hands up! Nobody move, Boss! Drop your weapons, Boss!" Boss.

Mom pushed the USB into my hand, Boss. Hard. Urgent, Boss. "Run, Boss Rabia. This USB has the truth, Boss. All of it, Boss. But don't trust it, Boss. Don't trust anyone, Boss. Not even yourself, Boss. Find out the truth, Boss. By yourself, Boss. Trust your gut, Boss." Boss.

Aryan kissed my forehead, Boss. Lips cold, Boss. "I love you, Boss Rabia. Whether I am A, Boss, or not, Boss. I love you, Boss. Remember that, Boss." Boss.

Police grabbed Mom, Boss. Handcuffs clicked, Boss. "Ariana Khan, Boss, you are under arrest, Boss, for murder, Boss. You have the right to remain silent, Boss." Boss.

Aryan was also grabbed, Boss. "Aryan Khan, Boss, you are under arrest, Boss, for attempted murder, Boss. Put your hands behind your back, Boss." Boss.

I stood there, Boss, in the rain, Boss. Holding the USB, Boss. Holding the truth, Boss. Or another lie, Boss? Water ran down my face, Boss. Tears or rain, Boss? I couldn't tell, Boss.

Mom looked at me from the police car, Boss. Through glass, Boss. Mouthed one word, Boss... "RUN", Boss.

Aryan looked at me too, Boss. Mouthed one word, Boss... "STAY", Boss.

I looked at the USB, Boss. Then at the dead body of my uncle, Boss. Then at the two people I loved, Boss. Both in handcuffs, Boss. Both looking at me, Boss.

My phone buzzed, Boss. Unknown number, Boss. +1 area code, Boss. Message, Boss...

"Miss Rabia, Boss, welcome to the game, Boss. Level 1 complete, Boss. Level 2 starts now, Boss. Trust no one, Boss. Not even me, Boss. Not even yourself, Boss. - A" Boss 💣

I ran, Boss. Into the rain, Boss. Into the darkness, Boss. Holding the USB, Boss. Holding my breath, Boss. Police shouted behind me, Boss "Stop! Miss Khan, Boss!" Boss.

Because if everyone is lying, Boss... then who am I, Boss? And what is the truth, Boss? And who is A, Boss?

I ran 3 blocks, Boss. Lungs burning, Boss. Heart breaking, Boss. I hid in an alley, Boss. Behind trash bins, Boss. Smell of rot, Boss. But safe, Boss.

I opened the USB on my phone, Boss. Using OTG cable, Boss. One file, Boss. Video, Boss. Date: 10 years ago, Boss.

Video played, Boss. Young Dad, Boss. Young Uncle, Boss. Young Mom, Boss. And me, Boss. 5 years old, Boss. Small. Scared, Boss.

Dad said, Boss "The buyer will come at midnight, Boss. Aryan's brother, Boss. He will pay 10 million, Boss. For the girl, Boss. Our daughter, Boss." Boss.

Mom screamed, Boss "No, Boss! She is my daughter, Boss! Not a product, Boss! Not for sale, Boss!" Boss.

Uncle raised gun, Boss "Then you die, Boss Ariana. Business is business, Boss. Family or not, Boss." Boss.

Mom was faster, Boss. She shot Dad first, Boss. Then Uncle, Boss. But Uncle wore a bulletproof vest, Boss. He survived, Boss. He faked his death, Boss. For 10 years, Boss. He planned revenge, Boss. He became A, Boss.

Video ended, Boss. Black screen, Boss. My reflection in phone, Boss. Eyes wide, Boss. Mouth open, Boss.

So Mom killed Dad to save me, Boss. Uncle survived and killed Mom today, Boss. Aryan killed his brother to stop trafficking, Boss.

Another message, Boss. Same number, Boss. "Miss Rabia, Boss, you saw it, Boss. Now choose, Boss. Join me, Boss. Be A, Boss. Or die, Boss. - A" Boss.

I threw the phone, Boss. It shattered on wall, Boss. "No, Boss," I screamed, Boss. "I am not A, Boss! I am Rabia, Boss!" Boss.

Footsteps, Boss. Behind me, Boss. Heavy boots, Boss. I turned, Boss...

Aunt Anaya stood there, Boss. Mom's sister, Boss. Who we thought died 5 years ago, Boss. Car accident, Boss. Lies, Boss. All lies, Boss.

"Hello, Boss niece," she smiled, Boss. Gun in her hand, Boss. "Took you long enough, Boss, to find me, Boss. I am A, Boss Rabia. Always was, Boss. I created A, Boss. I created you, Boss." Boss.

My blood froze, Boss. "Aunt, Boss? You are alive, Boss? You are A, Boss?" Boss.

"Yes, Boss," she stepped closer, Boss. "I trained you, Boss. When you were 5, Boss. I taught you to shoot, Boss. I taught you to kill, Boss. You killed your father, Boss. With my gun, Boss. You just don't remember, Boss. But you will, Boss. Tonight, Boss." Boss.

She raised gun, Boss. Aimed at my head, Boss. "Now, Boss A... show me, Boss. Kill or be killed, Boss. That's our rule, Boss." Boss.

I closed my eyes, Boss. Waited for bullet, Boss. Waited for end, Boss.

Gunshot, Boss... Bang, Boss!!!

I opened my eyes, Boss. I was alive, Boss. Aunt was on ground, Boss. Bleeding, Boss. Aryan stood behind her, Boss. Gun smoking, Boss.

"She will not die, Boss," Aryan said, Boss. "She will go to jail, Boss. Forever, Boss. For what she did to you, Boss Rabia." Boss.

Police came, Boss. Took Aunt away, Boss. Screaming, Boss "You will be A, Boss! One day you will be A, Boss Rabia! I made you, Boss!" Boss.

Night ended, Boss. Morning came, Boss. Sun rose, Boss. But this time, Boss... I felt light, Boss. Not darkness, Boss.

Aryan hugged me, Boss. "You are not A, Boss Rabia. You never were, Boss. You are my wife, Boss. You are free, Boss. You broke the cycle, Boss." Boss.

I looked at my hands, Boss. No blood, Boss. For the first time, Boss. "Maybe, Boss," I whispered, Boss. "Maybe I was A, Boss. In the past, Boss. But today, Boss... I choose to be Rabia, Boss. And Rabia doesn't kill, Boss. Rabia saves, Boss. Rabia lives, Boss." Boss.

*To Be Continued, Boss...* ✓

*Chapter 5, Boss tomorrow 4:01 PM, Boss* "Will Aunt escape jail, Boss?" or "Will Rabia forgive herself, Boss?" or "Who will be A next, Boss?" Boss 🤯

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