# CHAPTER 11:- CORNERED
The silence in the room had fallen like a curtain.
No one knew what to say.
Rox stood still, tightly clutching the rifle in both hands, his usual energy gone.
Kavya lifted her head and stared up at the ceiling, eyes distant.
Then, breaking the stillness, she spoke softly,
"If that's the case… then I'll hide alone. If Rox or anyone else from this world stays with me, they'll be in danger too."
Loca stood up, his tone firm and urgent.
"But if you go alone, you'll die. You need to stay with Rox and the others."
Kavya gave a faint, sorrowful smile — one that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"I already died, Loca. The world just refused to accept it. I came to this world… only to die again."
Rox shook his head, voice rising with frustration.
"No. This isn't right. Even if you go alone, the chances of survival are slim… But don't you care about us?"
Kavya's eyes widened.
A memory flashed before her eyes—
"Why are you going on this suicidal mission?!" Agasta's voice cracked through the phone, filled with panic.
Kavya had replied calmly, almost numb.
"Because… I don't know."
"If you still think you don't have anyone,"
Agasta snapped, voice breaking,
"Then just remember—there's someone out there who has you."
Click.
The call ended.
Loca stepped forward, his voice low but certain.
"You have someone who cares about you, Kavya… Even if you've convinced yourself otherwise."
Loca turned toward the exit, his footsteps slow and deliberate.
"I've got some things to take care of… and our house needs repairs. It's in pretty bad shape."
Just before leaving, he glanced back at Rox.
"Rox, take care of her."
Then, without another word, Loca walked out — leaving behind a silence that carried a quiet weight… and a hint of sadness in every step.
Hexa stepped forward, breaking the silence.
"So… what's the plan now?"
Rox stood still, fingers pressed to his lips, eyes fixed on the floor. His brows furrowed in deep concentration.
Kavya lowered her head, arms crossing tightly over her chest. She didn't have an answer either.
Hexa sighed, then straightened her posture.
"Alright. First, let's move to the main room.
We need to sit down and figure out what to do next."
Without waiting for a reply, she turned and started walking.
The others followed silently, one after the other, leaving the weapon room behind.
Everyone sat on the sofas in the main room, each of them deep in thought, trying to process the situation.
Hexa broke the silence.
"One thing's for sure — you can't stay in one place for too long.
The tech here is way too advanced, as you already know from Earth.
They can track anyone down in just a few hours."
Rox stood up and turned to face Kavya, his expression firm.
"You have to get stronger.
You can't always hide or run.
Sometimes… you have to fight."
Hexa nodded in agreement.
"He's right.
That staff may suit you — but just holding a weapon doesn't make you strong.
It's your will… and your hard work that will."
Kavya replied calmly,
"I will—"
Suddenly, red warning lights flashed across the room.
The entire space was bathed in crimson.
A hologram burst to life from Hexa's wristwatch.
"Oh my god…" Hexa's eyes widened.
"Around 50 drones have surrounded the area — all within a 500-meter range."
Rox whipped his head toward her, eyebrows raised.
"That many drones?
It's gotta be the government.
They're coming for us."
But Hexa lifted her gaze, her tone surprisingly calm.
"No…
They're just scanning the area.
Not attacking. Not yet."
Rox walked urgently toward Kavya, reaching for her hand.
"Perfect — let's go, Kavya!"
But she didn't flinch.
Didn't even turn her head.
Her voice was low and firm.
"No. I'm not going anywhere."
Rox froze.
"What? Why?"
Kavya slowly turned toward him, her expression unreadable.
"This won't stop.
If I keep running, you'll all be dragged into it.
If I stay with you, you could end up hunted — labeled as rebels.
I'd rather surrender… and offer myself to the government."
Rox's eyes widened.
"Are you insane? They'll kill you!"
But Kavya's voice stayed calm.
"Maybe…
But maybe if I explain my situation, they'll understand.
They might even find a way to send me back."
Rox furrowed his brows, shaking his head in disbelief.
"You still don't get it, do you?
They're the government. They don't care about outsiders."
Before Kavya could respond, Hexa stepped forward, voice sharp and serious.
"There's no time for this.
The drones are closing in — and now officers are arriving with them.
This is serious.
You have to escape. Now."
Rox grabbed Kavya's hand and pulled her toward the back exit.
"Don't flatter yourself — just come with me.
You have to live."
Kavya hesitated. Her body didn't resist, but her heart did.
She didn't want to run. She didn't want to drag him into more danger.
But the fire in Rox's eyes — that unshakable courage —
It made her legs move.
He wasn't going to let her die.
Not today.
They burst out of the building through the back exit, their footsteps pounding against the alley floor.
Rox shouted,
"Psycho — come on!"
Within seconds, Psycho appeared, his booster legs hissing as he landed beside them in a blur of speed.
He took the lead, dashing down the narrow alley with perfect precision. Rox and Kavya followed close behind, turning with him at every corner.
But then—
Psycho skidded to a sudden stop.
Rox collided with his back.
"Psycho! What are you—"
He cut off the moment he looked up.
Right in front of them — blocking the path — stood ten hovering drones, their red sensors glowing ominously.
And behind the drones, two officers stood firm, weapons aimed.
Kavya's eyes widened, locked onto the sight.
Rox clenched his fists, a cold sweat running down his neck.
They were cornered.
Drones in the air.
Guns aimed.
Nowhere left to run.
And Kavya knew —
this moment would decide everything.