Chapter 1

Enough of hearing their bullshit, I decided to visit India for further investigation. Just a visit not going to change anything, rather, it gives the answer I'm dying to find.

Deep down I have a feeling that this visit will change my life but how? Let's figure out later.

I have finished my degree in Texas a famous college around the city. I'm a biological student who wishes to become a biological scientist like my father.

Yes, my dad is my hero and I will go beyond the ocean to fulfil my dad's dream as well as mine. He taught me how to find my identity and stand by myself and here I have become a person like how he wished.

Independent and self-motivated...

I followed my father's every step and did everything cautiously like how my dad taught me when he had alive despite it was hard and now I'm in the place to reach his level.

Dr. Thomas Gradson is a famous biological scientist who had achieved a lot before he dies and the superhero is my dad. I'm really proud of him.

His last experiment was merging a human DNA with a creature to generate a new human but which did fail right after his death.

They are spreading the silliest rumours all over Texas regarding the monster named Heil and it's miserable life history like how it hunts the whole city down and took people's lives apart. And how peoples are no more living in that city and moved to another village to protect their life from the monster.

How awful!

This was explained briefly in the book named 'The Heil Hunting Monster.' Written by none other than my uncle Dr. Hayle Stone.

Come on! I'm not a child to believe all these fable stories which the useless granny used to tell their kids as bedtime stories.

I never believe these kinds of fantasies then how come I can believe this stupid story.

But one thing I know they are hiding some truth from us. I want to figure out what is the truth and why are they hiding from us.

Commonly, scientists would make mistakes and they hide it from the whole world when they fail to discover new things but never spread rumours like this, but here the things are vice-versa and it got my attention.

Why are they spreading rumors like that?

"Reil, think about my words for another second. You have your time... Please." My mom pleaded with hooded eyes like what seemed to be the nth time since when I informed her about my plan of visiting India.

"Mom!! Not again. I fixed my decision and I already told you that I am not going to back away until I get what I want, the truth." I said bitterly. She slumped her shoulder and gave up.

"Do whatever you want but be safe, okay?" I nodded my head and looked in the direction of my friends, who will be my team members, are hugging and kissing each other.

Hmm... I wish I have one too. The one who encourages my every decision like my dad.

We are at the airport ready to fly. I am so excited to visit India Again. Visiting India is not my first time.

I like their culture especially wearing sarees on the occasion. Just a simple Saree and a matching stud are enough to add your beauty more.

And their food... no words to describe for such a portion of delicious and spicy food. When my dad was alive we had visited India once a year or twice, It depended upon his free time. He spent every weekend with us even though he had been held up with work.

Though he had no time for us, he has never failed to succeed as an amazing father and a caring husband.

India is his hometown and he moved to Texas for his job and there he found the love of his life and right after ten months I was born from their marriage.

But I got all my mother's features except my brown eyes like my father.

I coloured my blonde hair into pitch black but I couldn't change my pale skin. I think I have no melanin in my body, So it was easy for me to win the 1st prize in my fifth grade as a ghost at a Halloween party.

Most of my friends used to make fun of me saying my dad had crossed my gene with the ghost while I was a fetus in my mom's womb, that's how I was destined to get pale skin.

There was a time I believed their shitty words until I reached thirteen, the time I lost my dad.

I had an awesome childhood until my father's sudden death. Some say he was stuck inside the lab while the fire wore down the whole place but my mom said it was a well-planned missionary to cost my dad's life.

I didn't get to the point that she was trying to make me understand.

Chole, Natasha, Dacy, Nichole, Clara, and Eminem, my crazy friends are going to join me for the journey to Chennai.

And from there Kalai, Priya, Dhanu, Tharani, and Pooja will join us. They are eager to work with us and I am happier to get their support.

Indians are so friendly and helping minded. I still remember when I was lost between the crowd, an old lady offered me some food and water even sat with me until my dad gets me. That was my last visit to India but still, that day holds some memorable things.

"It's not going to exceed six months, after that we will be returning back to Texas." That's how I told them to consider my request.

They were hesitant at first but somehow agreed to come with me.

The first thing they were afraid of is its weather. It's summer season and they know how the sun is going to burn us alive.

It took me one week to convince them. Silly guys with silly reasons. I shook my head and glanced at my Rolex watch.

"It's time to go," I told my mom and looked down at her. I'm feet higher than her where she stood like a shortcake not more than 5.6' but wearing a 3' heels made me look like the tallest person ever but I'm just 5.7'.

"Bye Miss. Shortcake." I kissed her forehead, my dad used to call her 'shortcake' while he was alive.

"Mom I'm not going to di.." She slapped her hand over my mouth and shook her head. "Don't." her voice was broken. I hugged her tightly and tried to blink back my tears.

I feel bad for leaving Texas where I had been raised as an independent woman. I feel bad for leaving my home which my dad built for me and I feel bad for leaving my mom all alone by herself.

I offered her to come with me but she wants to stay there with my dad's memories.

"Don't eat late, don't skip your food." her hands cupped my face with so much passion and affection.

She looks aged which I failed to notice earlier. An ugly wrinkle formed over my mom's forehead but still, she is beautiful. She has achieved a lot as a Mother and as a Wife.

"I will." I gave her an assurance smile clutching her hands firmly. If I solve this puzzle I can able to find the misery behind my dad's death. So, I want to go now, there is no second thought.

I pecked both of her cheeks once last time before calling my friends to leave.

We all settled into the plane after two hours of finishing up all the formalities.

You know what? These formalities are eating my nerve to hell. Does it make any sense? I don't think so. For me, It's a waste of time.

Does it necessarily need to take two hours just for scanning the luggage and checking me thoroughly? I had almost wasted 365 hours here at the airport doing nothing but go along with their formalities.

I let out a sigh of relief and glanced through the window; that seat gave me a beautiful view of the city from the air.

Taking my dad's photo from my handbag, lingering a kiss on his forehead I brought the frame closer to my chest.

"I love you, Dad." I whispered.

It's not easy to accept the fact that he is no more with us, it is a bitter truth that my heart refuses to accept.

"I will bring Justice to your death."

I closed my eyes and drifted off into a peaceful slumber.

*

*Don't forget to vote & comments*