Episode 29
Suresh woke up from his sleep. Who was calling at this odd hour? The dim light of his room was on, and he could clearly see that it was 2 AM. His wife was sleeping soundly on the otherside of the bed. With an expression of disgust, Suresh got up from the bed to pick up the phone.
Suddenly, his expression of disgust turned into an expression of surprise. It was Somnath from the Ravenous Eagles.
"Hello! What's up Somnath?" Suresh quickly moved out of the room, and went to the balcony.
"I am sorry to wake you up at this odd hour. But, I am sure, after hearing the news you will pardon me."
"I am all ears. Please tell me what's the breaking news?"
"Sir, we spotted Rajan and his wife. So far, they are alive and healthy."
"That's an awesome news Somnath. Where are they, and how are you going to rescue them?"
"I will tell you. But before that tell me have you heard of dark net?"
"Yes, some underhand and illegal transactions are done using dark net to evade the prying eyes of the security agencies across the globe. But, I vouch that my organisation has never used it. But, why are you asking this?"
"So, you are aware of the dark net, Sir. But, dark net is not only used for illegal transactions. It is also used for telecasting some reality shows which can't be held in open. These reality shows often indulge in dark fantasies of rich people. They often show violence and perversion of extreme kind. People are even killed in these illegal reality shows just for fun. Rich people across the globe are secret customers of these shows. The organisers are often criminals of the highest order, and they are extremely powerful people."
"Yes, I have also heard of that. Is Rajan held by these criminals?"
"Yes Sir, he, along with his wife, has been captured by a gang which the security agencies had never heard of so far. We don't know about their activities. That's why it took so long for us to trace them. However, after a humongous amount of endeavour, we came to know that this new agency has been holding a superhit reality show, "Survivor", for at least 5 years. Every year, around 10 participants take part in that deadly reality show, where only one participant survives, and the others die. They show all kinds of abominably horrific scenes, and their rating is the best in the underworld reality shows."
"Oh my God! What are you saying man? Why did they capture them?"
"Yes Sir! I am afraid, this new gang is indeed loathsome. We came to know that every year they host reality show, but selection criteria for candidates are different every year. This year, they announced that they have selected all the ten candidates who had attempted at least one suicide attempt in their lives."
"What? Suicide attempts?"
"Yes Sir, you heard it right. They have given a brief past life history of each candidate in their website. The brief history of Rajan says that he has attempted a suicide after losing his job. He wanted to jump from the roof of high rise office. They also said that his wife Archana had a love affair prior to her marriage with Rajan, and she attempted a suicide when she heard the news of her marriage."
"Tell me how did you trace Rajan and his wife, and where are they?"
"Well our undercover agent, after a tedious work of over one month, could gain their confidence in becoming a member of the show. He has spotted them. Both of the couple have been participating in this year's show. He has got access to the real time show and also the past videos. From the background, it's extremely difficult to gauge the exact location. However, after a thorough data analysis by a set of technical experts, we are sure, the show is happening in India in a place which is very close to a river."
"A place close to a river? But, there are hundreds of such places in India!" Suresh was slightly disappointed.
"Don't worry Sir! Within a couple of days, I am absolutely sure, we shall locate that place, and we shall rescue them."
"Thanks Somnath! I like your confidence! Let God be on your side." Suresh cut the call, and happily went to bed.
For the last one hour, Archana had been looking at the watch every ten seconds. The moment the clock showed 9 PM, Archana's heartbeat almost trebled. The television monitor had been showing a cartoon show for children, Tom and Jerry. Though Archana was not watching it with interest, she was occasionally glancing at it. In midst of this suffocating tension, it gave her some relief. But at 9 PM, the monitor went blank, the fluorescent light went off and a dim blue light was switched on.
"High Archana!" Archana was startled to hear the nasal voice of the Joker. The television monitor was off. Then how was the voice coming? So far, whenever the Joker spoke, it was through the television monitor.
"You must be wondering where the sound is coming from! No need to tax your brain too much, as there are multiple speakers and microphones hidden in the walls of this room. You can't see me in the television monitor, because this conversation is unofficial. Others will not know about this.
Now, listen carefully. As I told you earlier, the next test, which you will face after one hour, will be the toughest of all. You have a huge mortal risk. As I told you earlier, most participants die in this stage because of their indecisiveness. But, you know what? I have never seen such a nice person as you in these 5 yeas of hosting this reality show. So, I don't want to see you dying. That's why I am going to help you a bit."
Archana couldn't believe her ears. What? This was a reality show? That meant all the physical and mental torture that she had been subjected to over a month had been watched by viewers? Then, why had the viewers kept silence? Why hadn't they reported this abuse to the police? Archana was indeed confounded.
"Yes, we have been hosting a reality show, which is watched by 11347 viewers across the globe this year. One needs to pay 10000 dollar to watch the complete show. Clearly, our customers are not ordinary people! You know, to watch the happenings in our house, one has to have a specific kind of taste. We are lucky that every year the number is increasing at a nice rate, and we are laughing our way to the bank. But, forget about that. Willingly or unwillingly you have been chosen as the participant for this show. Your life is in danger. You have to live to get back to your normal life and get back your family." The Joker paused for a few seconds.
Archana's head was spinning to hear those frigging words. She had been forced to participate in a horrific show which was watched by hundreds of perverts all over the world! Those sub-humans would cheer at her death! Archana remained speechless. So, the Joker continued.
"I am going to help you just a bit, because it will be entirely dependent on you to pass it. All I am going to tell you that this test will demand a sacrifice of your body part which will mean that you will have to bear excruciating pain. But, you have got no other option, as there is no escaping. So, don't hesitate for a second to embrace the pain, as every second will be important. Got it?" The Joker stopped, but it looked that he expected an answer from Archana.
"So, you are saying this because you think I am nice?" The tone of Archana was clearly sarcastic.
The Joker was happy that Archana got the message he wanted to convey. So, in a complacent voice he said,
"You know what? The payment of 10000 dollars that every user pay is just a fraction of our total revenue. We also organise betting among our viewers, and I am proud to say that most of them participate in it. Because, we lure them with a windfall. Unsuspectingly, they invest million of dollars. But the poor chaps don't know that we fix everything. We manipulate each and every move. This year, we are going to make you and your husband as our survivors. Both of you had the worst ratings. So, only a handful of our customers have put money on you. Clearly, we are going to make huge profits if you win. But, that's just one aspect. I have a soft feelings for you is equally true. Enough of talking. Now, try to ponder over what I said."
To be continued on Saturday evening
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