Chapter 7: The Next Target
Imran's hands trembled as he stared at the deleted forum. The list was gone—but he had copied part of it before it vanished.
One name.
Rayan Malik.
Aria leaned over his shoulder. "Who is he?"
Imran did a quick search. "Rayan Malik, 24 years old. Lives two cities away. No social media, barely any online presence."
Nadia frowned. "If he's on that list, he's in danger. And he probably doesn't even know it."
Zayn grabbed his jacket. "Then we go to him. Now."
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10:30 PM – Rayan Malik's Apartment
The building was run-down, with flickering lights and cracked walls. They knocked on his door.
No answer.
Zayn knocked harder. "Rayan! We need to talk!"
Still nothing.
Imran tried the door. Unlocked.
A bad feeling settled over them as they stepped inside.
The apartment was a mess—papers scattered, drawers ripped open. Like someone had searched for something. Or someone had left in a hurry.
Aria spotted a laptop on the table. "Imran, can you check it?"
Imran powered it on. Password locked. But a sticky note on the screen had a simple phrase:
"If I'm gone, check the locker."
Nadia found a key on the floor. "A locker key. He must've hidden something."
Aria swallowed. "The question is… did he leave, or did someone take him?"
Zayn turned to the others. "We don't have much time. We find the locker before whoever's after him does."
Imran checked the key. "It belongs to a storage facility across town."
Zayn nodded. "Then let's move. Because if Rayan Malik is still alive… he might be our only chance to learn the truth."
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