Patterns.
That was what Sarthak needed now.
Not emotions.
Not assumptions.
Patterns.
Ringtone…
Old building…
Attack…
Mahi pushed…
All connected.
But something—
Was still missing.
"Sarthak."
Vansh dropped into the seat beside him.
"I checked."
Sarthak looked up immediately.
"…And?"
"…There are five people in college using that song as ringtone."
Silence.
Better.
Narrower.
"…Names," Sarthak said.
Vansh pulled out his phone.
"Ananya… obviously."
"Then—two seniors… irrelevant, they were out of campus yesterday."
"That leaves…"
A pause.
"…Two more."
Sarthak's eyes sharpened.
"…Who?"
Vansh hesitated.
"…You are not going to like this."
"…Say it."
"…Riya."
Silence.
For a moment—
Everything stopped.
"…What?"
"She downloaded it last week," Vansh continued carefully.
"…Said she liked the song."
No.
That did not make sense.
Or—
It made too much sense.
"…And the last one?" Sarthak asked.
Vansh looked uneasy.
"…Me."
Silence.
"…What?"
"I downloaded it too," Vansh said quickly.
"…Because it was trending."
Sarthak stared at him.
Searching.
Analyzing.
"…Where were you yesterday at 3 PM?" he asked.
Vansh blinked.
"…In class… then canteen… then I went to find you."
"…Anyone can confirm?"
"…Yeah," Vansh said, slightly offended.
"…Why are you asking like that?"
Silence.
Because now—
No one was safe.
"Sarthak…"
Vansh's tone changed.
"…You do not actually think I—"
"I do not think," Sarthak cut in calmly.
"…I verify."
That hurt.
More than anything.
Vansh leaned back slowly.
"…Right."
And just like that—
Something between them cracked.
Later – Corridor
Sarthak walked alone.
Mind racing.
Riya.
Vansh.
Ananya.
Mahi.
Everyone connected.
But one thing—
Did not fit.
If Riya was involved—
Why would she act scared?
If Vansh was involved—
Why would he help?
If Ananya was involved—
Why show the ringtone so openly?
Contradictions.
Everywhere.
"…So you finally noticed."
A voice.
Sarthak stopped.
Slowly—
Turned.
Ananya.
Standing behind him.
Arms crossed.
Watching him like she already knew.
"…Noticed what?" he asked.
"That your suspects do not make sense."
Silence.
"…Then explain," Sarthak said.
Ananya stepped closer.
"You are focusing on the wrong thing."
"…Which is?"
"The ringtone."
A pause.
"…It is just a tool."
That—
Hit.
"…Then what matters?" Sarthak asked.
Ananya's gaze sharpened.
"…Access."
Silence.
"…What?"
"Think," she said.
"…Who had access to all three incidents?"
Old building.
Terrace.
Staircase.
Someone who could move freely.
Without suspicion.
Someone—
Always around.
Sarthak's eyes widened slightly.
"…No…"
Because there was one person—
Who fit that perfectly.
One person—
He never questioned.
"…You finally got it," Ananya said quietly.
"…The person you missed."
A vibration.
Sarthak's phone.
He checked instantly.
"You are getting closer."
A pause.
"But are you ready for the truth?"
Sarthak's grip tightened.
Because now—
This was no longer random.
The pattern was clear.
And the answer—
Was closer than he thought.
"…Who are you?" he whispered.
No reply.
But this time—
He did not need one.
Because now—
He had a direction.
And whoever it was—
Would not stay hidden for long.
To be continued…