Hina stepped out into the cool morning air and took a deep breathe. She somehow felt tired, as though this had been too much, she wanted to sleep, sleep forever in the soft brown soil, to close her eyes in the arms of her parents…1

There was a faint light all around as it was the early hours of the morning. There were few people around, only some very religious fellows out to offer early morning prayers. Hina’s house was built at an isolated spot. Before this, she had never considered the long walk to the village. Now, 2

She tried to drive her attention elsewhere. She looked at the beautiful view of the valley below, at the birds chirping softly; the place seemed to be full of happiness – happiness! Something that would never return to her life.3

To stop tears from flowing out again, she turned her head the other way. A mother bird was feeding her young with her beak – mother! Someone who would never return!4

Hina felt as if she wanted to pull her hair. Frustrated about what had happened and how she kept reminding herself about it, she screamed out loud as though trapped and began running all the way to the village.5

In the village, a few more people were around: the milkman, postman, butcher and so on; all going to their shops. Although she was on friendly terms with all of them, she didn’t stop; even to say ‘hi’ to them. Soon, she reached her destination.6

She slumped down on the chair in front of the desk and regained her breathe. When she felt better, she looked up at the man in front of her. He was sitting there in his smart police uniform, waiting patiently for her to speak. On his chest was his name “Lawood”7

“Feeling better? Now, what happened? No need to rush. Relax. Easy does it.”8

Hina took a deep breathe and began telling the officer about what had happened. She told him from the start when her father had come home till he was murdered. She added every detail she could think of. As soon as he heard this, he called some men and began giving them orders about searching for Alphrood. He seemed to be very confused and asked again and again whether the guy who killed Mr. Malik was Alphrood or not. After, his men were gone, he began to talk again.9

“Now, where should you stay? Not at your house, no way, I don’t want him to get you too. A hotel? Nah, too risky. Tell you what, you stay at my house. I’ve got a girl about your age, you’ll be happy with her. Yeah, that’s the best thing to do.”10

Soon, Hina was escorted to the Lawoods house, where she was to stay until relevant arrangements were made about her home. The rest was up to Inspector Lawood. What would happen now? And why did he doubt whether Alphrood killed her dad or not? And why did Alphrood killed him?