The Blood Mystery: Chapter 1

"Sir, here." Indra Vikram said, pointing at the blood trail on the forest floor.

Indra Vikram, a 30-year-old deputy commander of the Supernatural Division of the Indian Paranormal Protection Forces (IPPF), was one of the most sought-after men for marriage. He had also been proclaimed the most eligible bachelor of the year in a magazine that featured the most handsome men known to be husband material.

Standing at 6 feet 2 inches, Indra was taller than most of his batchmates from the training academy-and even his own team. His golden-brown skin complemented his broad chest, wide back, and well-developed muscles, honed through years of rigorous training. If one were to imagine a Greek god, women would call him just that-a divine being dropped onto the planet for them. His massive fan base adored him not only for his looks but also for his impeccable work ethic.

"Where?" Sunjay Samrat, the commander of the Supernatural Division, walked over and examined the blood Indra was pointing at.

"What do you think?" Sunjay asked, observing the amount of blood on the ground.

"I don't know, sir. I need to touch the blood, but Dr. Aryan would blow my head off if I contaminated the scene before he inspected everything." Indra replied, standing attentively and keeping watch around them.

Nothing could truly harm them. Both possessed telekinesis of the highest degree. Their power was not to be underestimated-they had never been defeated, no matter how many had tried to kill them.

"Did any of you touch the blood?" Dr. Aryan asked as he approached.

Indra and Sunjay had already sensed his presence before he arrived.

"No. I know better." Indra said, stepping back to let Veer Aryan kneel and collect blood samples from the ground and nearby grass. For further analysis, he also took soil and grass samples from around the scene.

Veer Aryan, the top forensic doctor in the division-and the second most desired man in the country-bore a striking resemblance to Indra Vikram. Like Indra, he was also a bachelor and had been featured in the same magazine every year, consistently appearing right after Indra.

"Any idea where the blood came from?" Sunjay asked.

"No. My psychometry hasn't picked up anything. Whoever did this ensured that no one could extract memories from the blood." Veer replied.

"This is the sixth case in the past four months. The pattern is the same-the blood is splattered in the exact same way as in the previous five cases." Indra observed.

Sunjay nodded. "Do you know anyone in the division with stronger psychometry than Dr. Aryan?"

"No. At the moment, he's the strongest we have. There was one, though-my sister, Sumedha Vikram-but she was suspended from the IPPF." Indra said with a sigh.

"Where is she now?" Sunjay asked.

"No one knows, sir. She said she needed a break from her usual life and disappeared. If she doesn't want to be found, we won't find her." Indra replied.

"She doesn't answer your calls?" Veer asked.

"She does, but she only uses the satellite phone I gave her when she joined the IPPF. One of her friends is an expert in satellite communications and made sure that no one can track her location, no matter how hard we try." Indra explained.

"I remember she was in the division, but I don't recall what abilities she had." Sunjay said.

"If you and I are the strongest telekinetics, my sister is the strongest psychometry and clairvoyance user. She always knows when she's needed. I called her after the last case, and she told me it would happen again this week. And now, it has." Indra said.

Sunjay's expression darkened. "Why was she suspended? And who did it?"

"She was never given a clear reason. She was forced into retirement after her superior accused her of contaminating a crime scene. Everyone in her team knew she had the best psychometric abilities, and Dr. Aryan himself had authorized her to touch the blood." Indra said.

"Yes, that's true." Veer confirmed. "I was on her team. I knew how strong she was and asked her to use her ability after I had collected all the necessary evidence. But our commanding officer, Amith Mishra, suspended her for 'spoiling' the crime scene."

"I'll get her file tomorrow. In the meantime, try to contact her. See if you can convince her to come back." Sunjay ordered.

"Yes, sir." Indra responded.

No one noticed Veer's secret smile. He had always harbored a small crush on Sumedha since he first joined her team.

During the three years they worked together, he had grown to admire her. She was the best at predicting what would happen next, and thanks to her, the team had always avoided casualties.

He had planned to propose to her once they solved their last case together. He had already imagined where their engagement and wedding would take place. But when news of her suspension reached him, she had already vanished, leaving no trace. He hadn't even been able to contact her.

After collecting all the evidence from the scene, the three men left the forest.

When they arrived at the IPPF regional headquarters, Sunjay went straight to his office to search for Sumedha Vikram's file.

Indra, meanwhile, returned to his own office and tried calling Sumedha, praying she would answer.

"Hello, Indra." Sumedha's voice came through the receiver.

"Sumedha, I'm glad you picked up." Indra said. "Listen, the IPPF needs you. Can you come back?"

"You already know why I don't want to. People look down on my clairvoyance. No one ever takes my words seriously. I have a job where I am now, and I don't want to come back. If that's the only reason you called-which I know it is-then my answer is no." Sumedha said angrily before hanging up.

Indra sighed. He understood why his sister was upset. He was angry for her too. But he needed her. She was the only one who could uncover the truth behind those blood marks.

Veer sat in his office, pulled out his phone, and scrolled through his call log until he found Sumedha's number.

Closing his eyes, he pressed 'Call.' The moment the ringtone started, his eyes lit up-she had unblocked him.

"Dr. Aryan." Sumedha greeted, her tone still laced with irritation.

"Ms. Vikram. I take it your brother already called you?" Veer asked.

"Yes, he did."

"And I presume you refused to return?"

"That's correct. What, have you developed clairvoyance now?" she retorted.

Veer chuckled. "No, just a wild guess. But may I ask-why did you block my number when I never wronged you?"

Click 'Chapter 2' to read next chapter.