The dim glow of the morning sun seeped through the tattered curtains, casting a golden hue over the small room. Eight-year-old Aashi lay curled up beneath the blanket, her tiny fingers clutching the edge of her twin brother Ayaan's sleeve as they slept soundly, lost in dreams. The creak of the wooden door barely stirred them, but the warmth of familiar voices did. Their father Shashank stepped in first, his heavy boots soft on the floor, followed closely by their sixteen-year-old brother Abhiyansh, whose mischievous grin was already forming.

"Wake up, princess, Wake up Champ. " their father's deep voice rumbled, gentle yet firm, as he knelt beside her. A moment later, strong arms lifted her effortlessly, cradling her against a chest she had known since birth. Her brother tousled her hair, laughing when she groaned and buried her face in their father's shoulder. Between the three of them, she was more than just the youngest-she was their entire world.

As Aashi stirred in her father's arms, a soft laugh escaped her lips, still drowsy from sleep. Beside her, her twin brother, Ayaan, groaned and stretched, rubbing his sleepy eyes just as their elder brother playfully ruffled his messy hair. The warmth of their father's embrace made her want to drift back into dreams, but before she could, a familiar voice filled the room.

Their mother Shaira, stood in the doorway, her eyes shining with love as she took in the sight of her family gathered around the two youngest. With a soft smile, she stepped forward, carrying a small tray with two candles flickering atop tiny cupcakes.

"Happy birthday, my loves," she said, her voice filled with warmth.

"Happy birthday, troublemakers!" Their elder brother grinned, pulling Aashi into a hug before messing up Ayaan' hair again.

Their father kissed the top of Aashi's and Ayaan's head before setting her down, his voice filled with affection. "Our little stars are another year older."

Aashi giggled as Ayaan finally woke up fully, rubbing his head where his brother had just attacked it. She looked around at the faces surrounding her-the people who loved her more than anything. At that moment, wrapped in their warmth, she felt safe.

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The golden hues of the setting sun cast long shadows across the walls as Aashi twirled in front of the mirror, admiring the new dress her mother had picked for her. Her father stood by the door, adjusting his watch, while her mother fussed over the folds of her sari.

"Aashi is already out," their father chuckled, glancing at the bed where Ayaan lay fast asleep, curled under a thick blanket.

Their elder brother, Abhiyansh, leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, a small smile playing on his lips. "I'll stay back. Got assignments to finish." His voice was calm, but there was something distant in his gaze.

"No, we're not going," their mother suddenly said, her hands gripping her shawl. A frown creased her forehead, her expression uneasy. "I don't know why, but I'm not feeling right about this. Let's just stay home tonight."

Their father chuckled, walking over to her and taking her hands in his. "Love, it's just dinner. We'll be back soon," he reassured her, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "It's their birthday. Let's not ruin it with overthinking."

Their mother hesitated, glancing at Abhiyansh, then at Aashi, whose bright eyes were filled with excitement. Finally, with a reluctant sigh, she nodded.

"Alright. But we'll be back early," she murmured.

As they stepped out, Aashi waved back at Abhiyansh, who stood by the doorway, watching them with a strange, unreadable look in his eyes. The last sight he had of his family was their smiling faces as they disappeared into the night-unaware that it was the last time he would ever see them alive.

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The hum of the car engine filled the silence as they drove down the dimly lit road, the warmth of dinner still lingering in Aashi's mind. She rested her head against her mother's shoulder, eyes half-closed, feeling safe in the familiar embrace of her family. But that safety shattered in an instant.

Headlights flared in the mirrors-one, then two, then more. The roar of engines grew louder as black SUVs swerved onto the road, surrounding them in a deadly formation.

"Aashi, hold on," her father's voice was calm, but his grip on the wheel tightened, knuckles white.

Her mother gasped, twisting in her seat to look behind them, eyes wide with panic. "Shashank... what's happening?"

Her father didn't answer. He knew. The emblem on one of the approaching cars made his stomach drop. Chauhans, His Rivals. The kind that didn't think before killing anyone for power.

Tires screeched as he spun the wheel, attempting to break free, but it was too late. The first car rammed into them from the side, forcing their vehicle to swerve violently. Another blocked their front. A third came from behind. Within seconds, they were trapped.

"Aashi, stay down!" her mother cried, shielding her just as masked men emerged, their weapons glinting under the cold streetlights.

Her father reached for the gun under his seat, but the moment his fingers brushed the grip, the driver's side window shattered. Hands reached in, dragging him out. He fought back, landing a brutal punch on one attacker, but more swarmed him.

Her mother screamed as the door was ripped open, arms yanking her away from Aashi. The girl clung to her mother's hand, heart hammering, but a harsh pull tore them apart.

"Aashi!" her mother's voice cracked as she struggled, but a cruel fist silenced her with a sickening crack across her face.

The girl kicked and screamed, her tiny nails clawing at the arms that held her. A deep, mocking laugh echoed in her ears before a rough cloth was forced over her mouth. The last thing she saw before her vision blurred was her father still fighting, blood staining his shirt-before the world went black.

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Aashi's head throbbed as consciousness slowly crept back in. A cold, damp scent filled her nose, mixing with the sharp tang of blood. Her eyelids fluttered open, and the dim glow of a single overhead bulb flickered weakly, casting eerie shadows across the cracked concrete walls. The room was silent except for the distant dripping of water and the ragged breathing of the people she loved most.

Her body felt heavy, her limbs aching as she tried to move, only to realize her hands were bound behind her. Panic swelled in her chest, but it was nothing compared to the terror that struck her when she turned her head.

"Mom...? Dad?" Her voice was weak, trembling.

A few feet away, her parents sat slumped against metal chairs, ropes digging into their wrists. Blood smeared across her father's face, his lip split, his eye swollen. Her mother's dress was torn, her cheek bruised, but her eyes softened when they met Aashi's.

"Aashu... baby, you're awake." Her mother's voice was hoarse, but filled with relief. She wanted to go to her, to hold her, but the ropes wouldn't let her.

Her father let out a deep breath, straightening up despite the pain etched across his face. "We're going to be okay," he said firmly, his voice steady even in the face of their nightmare. "I need you to be strong, sweetheart."

Tears welled in Aashi's eyes. She didn't understand why this was happening, why bad men had taken them, why her father-her strong, fearless father-looked so exhausted, his fingers twitching slightly as if fighting the urge to break free and protect them.

Before she could ask anything, heavy footsteps echoed outside the door. The metal handle rattled, and as the door swung open, a tall figure stepped inside, his presence suffocating. The flickering light revealed a cruel smirk, dark eyes glinting with amusement as he took in the broken family before him.

"Well, well," the man drawled, stepping closer. "The king and his queen... and their little princess. Welcome to hell."

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