Chapter 42: ch-41
It had been ten days since the Raw's Rampage team arrived in Russia. The bustling capital city provided a gritty and visually striking backdrop for their current shoot—a high-intensity fight scene in a narrow alley. This sequence was crucial to the narrative, showcasing Ravan's prowess as a brutal and strategic fighter.
Suraj had hired a Russian martial arts instructor, Dmitry Volkov, who specialized in Kar Marv, a style known for its devastating efficiency and raw combat techniques. With the help of their local guide, Ivan Morozov, Suraj ensured that Ansh Rathore had the best training possible. For five grueling days, Ansh practiced every punch, block, and throw to perfection. Suraj had insisted on authenticity, and Ansh's dedication to his craft was apparent.
When the cameras rolled, the alley transformed into a chaotic battleground. The scene had Ravan overpowering a group of thugs, his movements calculated and ferocious. Aryan, watching from a safe distance, was utterly mesmerized. To him, it felt like he was witnessing a live-action superhero movie.
Despite the complexity of the sequence, the shoot wrapped successfully after the fourth take. Suraj, visibly relieved, called out, "Great work, everyone! That's a wrap for this scene!"
As the crew began packing up, Aryan wandered a little, still buzzing with excitement from watching his brother direct. It was then that he heard hurried footsteps echoing through another nearby alley. Curious, he glanced in the direction of the noise and froze.
A little girl, no older than eight or nine, had fallen while running. Her blue eyes were wide with fear as a stray dog charged toward her, barking aggressively. Without thinking, Aryan grabbed a prop—a wooden plank left behind by the crew—and ran toward the girl.
The girl screamed, her voice shrill and terrified, but Aryan stood his ground. Waving the plank and shouting, he managed to scare the dog off. In the process, the dog's claws grazed Aryan's right elbow, leaving scratches. Undeterred, Aryan turned to the girl, offering a brimming smile.
"Don't worry. You're okay now," he said in broken English, his tone reassuring.
The girl stared at him, her chest heaving from panic, but she didn't speak. Aryan noticed scratches on her leg from the fall. Carefully, he helped her to her feet.
"Are you hurt?" Aryan asked, but the girl only shook her head slightly.
He tried asking her more questions, but she responded with either a nod or a shake of her head, her lips pressed firmly together. Aryan frowned, unsure of what to do next. "Let's get your leg cleaned up," he said, mimicking first-aid gestures to communicate.
The girl hesitated but finally nodded. Aryan led her to the crew area, where he found a first-aid kit. He mimicked what Suraj had done for him countless times when he got hurt, gently cleaning the wound and applying a bandage. The girl watched him silently, her large blue eyes studying his every move.
As he finished, Aryan tilted his head, staring back at her. "Are you a doll or a human?" he blurted out, half-joking.
The girl blinked at him, her expression unreadable, before nodding once—clearly human.
Aryan grinned. "Good. Dolls can't be friends."
---
Meanwhile, Suraj was deep in conversation with the assistant director, unaware of the drama unfolding nearby. When Aryan finally approached him with the girl in tow, Suraj raised an eyebrow. "Who's this?"
Aryan quickly explained what had happened. Suraj knelt to the girl's eye level, his voice gentle. "Don't worry. We'll help you find your parents."
He called Ivan, their guide, to translate into Russian. Ivan spoke to the girl, but she remained silent, her gaze flicking between Aryan and Suraj.
As they were trying to communicate, a tall woman in a sharp black suit stormed into the alley, her expression fierce. She barked something in Russian that made Ivan flinch.
"She's asking if we kidnapped the girl," Ivan translated hesitantly.
Suraj's eyes widened. "What? No, of course not!"
The girl, who had been quiet until now, suddenly began making rapid hand signs. The woman's stern expression softened as she watched the girl's gestures. When the girl finished, the woman sighed and bowed slightly to Suraj and Aryan. Ivan translated again.
"She says the girl explained what happened and that she's sorry for accusing you."
Suraj nodded, his expression still tense. "It's fine. Just make sure she's safe."
The woman turned to the girl, speaking softly in Russian. She gestured for her to follow, but the girl hesitated, glancing back at Aryan. He gave her a thumbs-up. "It's okay. You'll be fine."
Reluctantly, the girl followed the woman out of the alley. Suraj and Aryan watched as they disappeared around the corner.
---
What neither Suraj nor Aryan saw was the fleet of sleek black Rolls-Royce cars waiting at the edge of the alley. The woman ushered the girl into one of the cars, where she sat quietly, her eyes distant.
As the convoy began moving, the woman spoke. "My lady, you shouldn't escape your lessons like this. It's dangerous."
The girl didn't respond, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery.
The woman sighed, pulling out her phone. "We searched the entire area for two hours. The security team is furious. I'll report that you're safe, but please don't do this again."
Still, the girl remained silent.
As the cars sped away, the woman made a separate call. "I need information on the two individuals who helped the young lady. Specifically, the one directing the film crew and the boy who was with her."
She glanced at the girl, who now seemed lost in thought. "Let's make sure we know who we're dealing with."
Weekly Power Status
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