Chapter 3: Chapter 3 — The Ridge of Shadows

Three weeks later, the ridge changed.

Arjun noticed first.
The snow had been disturbed.

Raghav followed his gaze. “You feel it too.”

They alerted the post. Night fell early. Fog rolled in thick as cotton.

At 2:14 AM, the sensor beeped.

Movement.

The shadows moved slowly — too slowly.

“Hostile,”
Raghav whispered.

They took positions. Every breath froze in the air. Arjun’s heart pounded so loud he feared it would give them away.

A flare exploded in the sky.
The valley burned white.

Figures scattered.

Shots cracked. The mountains answered.

Within minutes, the ridge fell silent again.

Arjun’s hands shook when it was over.

Raghav placed a hand on his shoulder. “First encounter?”

Arjun nodded.

“Congratulations,”
Raghav said quietly. “You are now truly one of the Indian border soldiers.”