text: Joysi G. A Sacrifice To The Beast To all the unnamed and forgotton 'Sacrifices' 
   
   
   A Sacrifice To The Beast 
     
   
   Chapter 1: The Test 
   
   "Good afternoon Students. I hope you are ready for the class test, and even if you are not then I don't really care because you have to take the test anyway", said the Maths professor. 
   "Aw man, I can't take this anymore. Maths is my enemy. ", said Sameer to Junaid. 
   "Yeah man, I hate it too. Well no body likes it. Maths kills your swag" , replied Junaid 
   "Shut up Junaid, you have been scoring straight A's in your entire session....", continued Sameer until the professor interrupted, "Sameer!, Come here at once and show us the solution to the problem on the Board ". 
   Sameer went up even he knew nothing about calculus. He was always a bit of a rebel. He would rather get punished than to apologize. 
   "All right class Sameer will show us the solution. Please Sameer continue", said the professor. 
   Sameer took the marker, and wrote at the center of the board, 'IDC'. 
   Entire class laughed. 
   "Very funny Sameer, why don’t you GET OUT OF MY CLASS!!! ", said the professor furiously. 
   Sameer smirked. At least he did not have to take the boring test. 
   "Anyone else wants a comedy show then leave at once. And you will be sharing F grade with Sameer". 
   The class was silent. Junaid got up and said "I would like to join him ma'am." 
   "Very well, Mr. Khan you get F minus. Anyone else?No? So let's continue". 
   Junaid went to join his childhood friend Sameer. This was not the first time these boys have got themselves into trouble. They have known each other since the junior class. Even practicing different religious faiths they cherished their friendship and were like brothers. 
     
   
   Chapter 2 : The Call  
   F 
   rom  
   T 
   he HQ 
   
   The phone rings in an official building of the local government party named 'The Red '. It was a fine day. The office persons were doing their regular jobs until they heard their boss explaining the person on the phone and giving him reasons for the failure of their party mandate in the city. 
   Mr. Rajiv Singh and Mr. Chottan Kumar went to the office of their boss. Mr. Singh and Mr. Kumar were middle aged men and were very good assistant that they were called as the Two Red Lions . 
   "No! Please give me another chance. Please I beg you", said their boss, a 65 year old man who was talking to his senior from the Headquarters at the capital. 
   "Sir, don't worry, you won't be disappointed. We will do anything but fail at upcoming elections. I give you my word at the cost of my life.", He continued. 
   The man on the other side of the phone replied,"I don't have a use of your useless life. If you can't get my party votes then you can't give me anything. This is the second time when the workers of the steel factory have stood against us for higher wages. Now listen to me you worthless rat and listen to me very well. Media have been drying my blood by asking for the solution for this issue. You know how they sniff our incapability like hounds on blood of their prey. I will not let you to destroy my image. Elections are on the way and if you fail I will flay you alive, and place Singh from your office at your position". 
   Boss put down the phone, got up from his chair, contemplating the words of The Senior and threw the phone across the table. The entire office was silent. He went towards the window looking at the workers still present at the gate holding the copy of mandate presented by The Red giving interviews to the Media persons. 
   "Do you see them. They look so tiny. Such insignificant people. Yet they are valuable because of their votes. What else gives them right to bark in front of my office?", Boss said calmly."I want them cleared. Do you hear that Singh? And do you Kumar? I want a strategy from you." 
     
   
   Chapter 3: The New Girl 
   
   Sameer and Junaid were standing outside the class for punishment. A boy from another class came with the decorations and asked for teacher's permission to allow Junaid to help for the Tech Fest. Junaid was in the student committee of the school along being the famous-all-rounder stereotype. Boys were standing outside and Junaid was busy texting on the phone. 
   "Come on! We have a lot to do" said the boy. 
   "Nah, I'm busy texting and downloading. Wi-fi is strong here.", replied Junaid. 
   "I'll help. Junaid owes me", said Sameer. 
   "Thanks bro." said Junaid. 
   Sameer went with the boy and reached the hall. To saw new professor was standing and obviously ranting for the delayed preparations. Boy told Sameer that he will look after the invitations and hence he gave him the decors and went away. Sameer had little to no idea how to set up the stage. 
   "Come here boy", called the new Professor Mr. Sharma,"having problems? Take help from other students. What's your name?" 
   "I'm Junaid Khan from the senior year"Sameer lied. He can do anything but Junaid to get in a mess. 
   Professor Sharma called a girl and told Sameer to work together and went away. 
   The girl was pretty and was from other school of senior year and said, " So it seems the famous guy of the school knows nothing about decorations. I don't get who put you in the Student Committee?" 
   "Thanks, I'll take it as a compliment", replied Sameer with a smirk. 
   "Junaid Khan, this hall will not decorate itsel. Can it? Less talk and more work please", said Anna, for this was her name. 
   Sameer liked her. He knew she thinks he is Junaid. But he didn't mind as he knew Junaid already had a girlfriend. He thought to himself that a little play along wouldn't hurt anyone. So Anna and Sameer spent entire hour decorating the hall together and having nice time. 
     
   
   Chapter 4: Appeasing The Public 
   
   The Red Office, later that day, Mr. Singh and Mr. Kumar are planning to silence the steel workers to stop their strike. They are accompanied by the Boss in the office. 
   Mr. Kumar: "To put a leash on the dog one must put a bone in front of it." 
   Boss: "If you are asking me to bribe the heads of the factory then forget it. I have already done that. This situation is uncontrollable plus there is no time. If we have to do anything it must be done NOW!" 
   Mr. Singh: "There is another way. It seems there is no order in the city. Someone has to discipline them. Today it's the steel workers. If they win people will not fear us." 
   Mr. Kumar: "We could have done that already if the Media had not poked their nose in this matter." 
   Boss: "There is a veteran worker or as I'm told. He is the driving force of the entire strike. People see him as a hero. News says that he stands for the human rights and truth and such nonsense. If you silence him, the strike will end." 
   Mr. Singh: "All right then. Sir we just need your permission to take all the measures. And the workers will be silenced for good." 
     
   At the evening Singh and Kumar went to the workers office to the old veteran worker named Mr. Jha. The workers hoping to get a higher wages were waiting patiently outside the office. 
   "Good Evening, Uncle ji", said Singh and Kumar. "We have brought a very good news for the workers. Why don't you see it for yourself?", continued Singh by placing a file on the table. The file seems a bit heavy. 
   The old veteran placed his specs and opened the file. He looked at the file and stared at the two men intently. A handgun was placed inside the file. 
   "Do you like our 'negotiation'?"said Kumar jokingly. 
   "You will not get way with this. I will.....", replied the old man furiously but was interrupted by Singh. "Now now Uncle ji, there is no need to raise your voice.", he said by taking the gun and aiming it at the old man and he continued, "Here is the deal. I will pace this bullet inside your head if you defied out letter to stop your strike. And don't even think that I will not do this because I can." 
   The office was silent after some time the door was opened. Old man came out he was sweating and looked troubled. The two men followed him and stood as angles beside the old man to give their statement of negotiation to the Press. 
   Reporter asked about the decision of the old man. The old man stood in silence then took composure and said, "The strike will not stop. We are fighting for the truth and our rights. We will not stop at any cost and I certainly reject the letter of negotiation from the government on their face." 
   Reported asked for a reply from the two men who were not expecting this reply. Kumar said, "We will see what we can do to help the workers in every possible way, now if you please excuse us." And they went away disappointed and angry. 
     
   
   Chapter  
   5 
   : The Brewing Of Coffee And Troubles At The Fresh Street 
   
   Many days later Sameer posing as Junaid tried to befriend Anna. They used to come at the cafe in The Fresh street. One day Sameer waited for Anna and he called her to know her whereabouts. Anna apologized that she could not come because of her busy schedule. But she promised she would take him at her Farmhouse for the party someday. So Sameer called Junaid for his assignment given at school. On his way Junaid saw a van waiting for someone. He felt a bit odd as the van started but was not going anywhere. An odd way to wait for some one Junaid thought. Moving forward, he heard the pedestrian screaming. The van was going to hit a person outside the grocery store. Junaid hurried and jumped in front of the van to push the man out of its way. Yet there was a crash. People rushed towards the scene to catch the driver but he got away. The man whom Junaid saved was Mr. Jha who knew who was behind this accident. People helped the injured and they found one dead young man who stood not very far from Mr. Jha. Junaid saved Mr. Jha's life. Mr. Jha went to the dead man and cried out, "Oh my son! Oh my dear boy".Mr. Jha has lost his son. He thanked Junaid for his help. 
   The van stops in front of an abandoned house."Is it done?", asked Singh. "Almost sir, if that boy had not intervened.", replied the driver. 
   Singh asked him about the boy who saved their target. Driver didn't know much about him but he remembered Junaid's name. 
     
   
   Chapter  
   6 
   : A Night Of Joy And  
   Enlightenment 
   
   It was Diwali, a festival of lights. Ever since after the accident Mr. Jha was very lonely. He refused to stand for the workers rights and became unsocial. Just like every time Junaid celebrates Diwali with Sameer. But this time boys decided to celebrate with Mr. Jha. Sameer told Mr. Jha that he should not feel lonely and disheartened. The workers of the steel factory and they were with him. And so Mr. Jha vowed to fight for the rights for the workers until his last day of life. 
   The celebrations were done and Junaid and Sameer were sitting outside staring at the fire that was burning at the centre of the lawn. 
   "So did Anna called you again?", asked Junaid. 
   "Yeah, but I can't keep lying to her. You know I really like her. I will not keep her in the dark. She has called me at her farmhouse for the party. There I will tell her who I am", replied Sameer. 
   "Boys its getting late you must head home", said Mr. Jha with contempt and tears. 
   "Mr. Jha remember you are not alone. Your son may be dead but we are here. You can call us your sons", said Junaid warmly. 
   "Thank you lads", replied Mr. Jha. 
   "You know ", said Sameer, "I always wanted to celebrate Diwali with my dad. But he is such a busy man. Sometimes we don't see each others for days.I always wanted my dad by my side. Look at my fate. My dad is still not with me but I have got such great friends beside me and look one of them looks like my grand pa." 
   "I'm not that old ", said Mr. Jha jokingly. 
   "You are a good man Mr. Jha. Why would anybody want to hurt you?", asked Junaid. 
   "People who harm others are scared. Truth scares them. I may live or die but know this still, truth will prevail", replied Mr. Jha. 
   Sameer got up went near the fire at the center of the lawn, placed his right hand on top of it and said, "With fire as my witness I put a curse on the man who wants the life of Mr. Jha, may he yearn for his son as Mr. Jha yearns for his dead son." 
     
   The night was bright with the crackers and light which lit the sky. Entire city was celebrating but the local office of the The Red party was going through some dark times. The Boss knew about the attack on Mr. Jha and he was disappointed in his coworkers Singh and Kumar. There was silence in the office. Singh and Kumar have to take responsibility for their action. 
   "How old was Jha's Boy?", inquired the Boss. 
   "Twenty two sir.", said Kumar. 
   "I DON'T KNOW WHY HAVE I KEPT FOOLS LIKE YOU IN MY OFFICE", shouted the Boss, "you were supposed to threatened him. NOT KILL HIM.........You, Kumar go out now!". 
   "Sir please try to understand. If it wasn't that kid, we could have succeeded", said the Kumar. 
   "Don't blame kid for your fault Kumar! Leave now!", ranted the Boss then he said to Singh in a grave tone, "You wanted his life, didn't you? .........You know I see a leader in you. You have such a zeal for the party. I like it". 
   "I am sorry for Jha's boy, your anger is valid." asked Singh. 
   "I am not angry for the boy's death bur because you failed. You know Singh, politics is like war. The only difference is that we fight with words. And there is no war without any death. You see sometimes things must be done differently. We have failed. I have taken loan from the private banks on behalf of our party to give the bonus to the steel workers, this will shut their demanding mouths for now. We may have lost now.......but I want you to do anything, just anything, to get back the people's trust. And you have my permission for this. Don't tell anyone. Understand?" 
     
   Later that night Singh was anxious. He cannot believe how can his plan fail because of a high school kid. He stayed in the office to prepare for his next move. The office lights get switched off, one by one except the Singh's desk. He sat looking at his blank computer screen, contemplating. 
   "Don't worry Singh. Things will get better. Just take some rest.", said Kumar. 
   "I won't rest until I secure The Red. This party is my life.", said Singh calmly. 
   “Go home, celebrate with your kid and wife. Have some drink. You will feel better”, adviced Kumar. 
   “Thank you my friend. I just want some solitude. Good night and Happy Diwali.”, replied Singh. Kumar left. 
   Singh was left alone in the office. As he was contemplating, he got a call from his wife. He wanted to go home, to spend the festival with his wife and son but he cannot sit still until he finds a way out of this situation. He opened the files on his desk and was skipping pages until he found a record of a criminal of hate crimes named Guru. Singh contacted him hoping to get his job done. 
     
   
   Chapter 7: Guru's Prey 
   
   Guru is a 38 year man with a huge criminal record. His real name is Rajesh He got his name as a title for his proficiency in kidnapping, forgery, attempt to murder and the like. Working for The Red will not only give him more power in the city but he was also promised that cases against him shall be dissolved. 
   Singh narrated him all the incident especially the accidental killing of Jha's son, which became the fall for the party. 
   Guru goes to The Fresh Street, to see what the people think about the accident and do they relate it to The Red. 
   He sat in the cafe' and ordered coffee. 
   “Here is your black coffee Sir.”, said the waitress. 
   “Did something happened here recently, I heard some crazy man drove through the pedestrian?”, inquired Guru. 
   “Yeah. A crazy driver who got away. What has happened to the City's law?”, replied a concerned citizen. 
   “You are right. That day if the driver had not been able to escape, I would had made him suffer to death.”, said another. 
   “God bless the soul of people who died.”, said Guru deceptively. 
   “Thanks to that kid who saved the old man. What was his name..... ”said another guy. 
   “Its Junaid Khan. People were talking about him that day. I haven't seen him but I've heard he comes here with his friend Anna”, replied the waitress. 
   “Junaid Khan? This must be easy”, thought Guru to himself. 
     
   The next day Guru went to Singh's desk informing him about his findings. 
   “Let's say there is a way where your party can win maximum votes and the kid who failed your plan can be punished at the same time. What do you think about that?”, asked Guru. 
   “I know you were able to save us from being defeated. So what's the plan? ”, replied Singh. 
   “Not yet! Give me a weeks time. I have set my 'eyes' on my prey and your work will be done. Just remember your promise.”, said Guru and went away. 
   Kumar overheard this conversation and he confronted Singh saying, “Are you insane, Singh? Are you going to hurt a kid because of votes?....This is unbelievable!” 
   “You mind your tongue Kumar! Whatever I am doing, it is for The Red and its every worker. I am NOT doing it for myself.”, replied Singh. 
   “Look what you have become. This is a crime.”, explained Kumar. 
   “Crime? Is this what concerns you? When we are the law, every crime we commit is a necessary action. This is no place for human rights and sanity. This is politics. I am just using a small worm to catch a bigger fish and I don't see any crime here.”, said Singh. 
   “I'll make sure the headquarters knows about your black deeds.”, threatened Kumar. 
   “Try your best”, replied Singh. 
     
   Later that night Boss called Singh and was very pleased by the assurance of votes for The Red. Boss said to Singh, “No wonder why people call you The Red Lion. The moment you do this task you will be promoted to my position and I will guide you from the capital.” 
     
   Singh was very happy to hear this. His dream to see his party win was coming true. As he rose the ladder to success, he cared little for the people who give their votes to him. To Singh people were only a number of votes. It was not his insanity but it was the lust of power that made him this monster. Guru is mistaking Sameer for Junaid. Sameer's lie had set up a danger for himself. 
     
   
   Chapter 8: Confrontations 
   
   It was Friday. Sameer was travelling with Anna to her farmhouse. They took a public transport. Sameer had made up to tell Anna the truth that he is not Junaid, but He thought it would be better if he told her later. They laughed and talked and had fun. They were so happy to go to the party as couple. A passenger was staring Sameer intently. 
   “Junaid what time is it?”, asked a suspicious passenger. 
   “It's 11:45 pm”, replied Sameer and continued, ”How do you know my name?” 
   “I overheard it.”, replied the passenger. 
   At the next stop the passenger got a call on his mobile. He got up, talking to the caller he turned around to see Sameer's face one last time and went out from the bus at the next stop. 
     
   “Something is not right. That guy had mobile why was he asking about time.”, said Sameer to Anna. 
   “Yeah he was weird.”, replied Anna. 
     
   They reached the farmhouse. Anna was so excited to introduce her boyfriend to her family. Before she could do so, Sameer told her that he would like to talk to her in private. 
     
   So he took Anna near the lake and took a deep breath before confession. 
   “Anna. I love you and I cannot lie to you anymore.”, said Sameer. 
   “What lie? Please tell me it is not one of your silly excuses for not dancing at the party. ”, said Anna. 
   “No. Anna this is serious. I'm not Junaid”, confessed Sameer. 
   “What are you saying? You know I don't like these jokes ”, she said. 
   With courage he said, “Since the day we first met I liked you and I did not want to lose you. I thought if I introduce myself as Junaid, you would take interest in me. But reality is that I am just Sameer. Just a normal guy.” 
   Anna was broken heartened. 
   “How can you play with my emotions? HOW DARE YOU?”, she replied with tears in her eyes and went away. 
     
   Sameer was not less worried about their relationship. He decided it would be best to let Anna choose whether she forgives him or not. He was returning home he heard someone taking his name, “Sameer!”. It was Anna. She said, “Don't you dare to leave me you liar. I love you as you are”. She was crying. Sameer wiped her tears from her face and they kissed. 
     
   Party was over and Sameer couldn't be more happier. It was pretty late and he had to return. Sameer bid farewell and said playfully “Good bye Anna. Don't worry I'll come tomorrow to learn dancing from you”, and went to the bus stop. 
     
   Sameer waited and finally the bus arrived. He sat near the window lost in the thoughts of Anna. He saw outside window, feeling a huge burden laid off from his shoulders. Now he does not have to lie anymore about his identity. 
     
   The bus was moving steadily until it stopped. A truck was blocking the road. The truck driver told Sameer that his truck is not starting and he needed help. Sameer apologized saying that he does not know much about trucks. But the truck driver insisted. No one from the bus was willing to help him. Sameer agreed to help . 
     
   He gave the bus fares and went out. He sat in the driver's seat trying to start the truck. The truck started effortlessly. The bus had gone far by now. So they travelled some distance and the driver stopped. 
   “What's the matter?”, asked Sameer. 
   “Nature's Call!”, replied the driver and went away. 
     
   Sameer waited and it took too long for any such natural business. Sameer went out to stretch as he was bored. He moved around the truck to looking for the driver but the driver was no where to be found. 
     
   A foul stench was in the air. Sameer searched and found it was coming from the back of the truck. He removed the door to see what was in there. And to his surprise he saw big chunks of beef hanging in the truck. 
     
   Something was wrong. Something very bad was about to happen in this lone area. He did something what any person in this situation would do. He ran away. Not very far from here he saw men with canes and swords coming towards him. 
     
   He hid behind the bushes distant from the road. 
     
   “There he is! He is hiding in the bushes”, yelled the man who was in the bus asking time from Sameer. 
     
   There were about fifteen men standing around Sameer. 
     
   “What is in your truck, boy?”, asked a man who had covered his face. 
   “It is not my truck! I am just a passenger”, replied Sameer. 
   “Check the truck brothers”, said the masked man. 
   Two men checked it. 
   “A Sinner! A Sinner! He is smuggling the meat our holy animal who is worshiped as god”, yelled one man. 
   “See brothers, this sinner has brought the wrath of god upon himself. If you consider yourself as a true worshipper to our god then don't keep your sword from drinking his filthy blood!”, said the masked man. 
   “Please I beg you. I am innocent....”, cried Sameer. 
   Even before Sameer can explain the men started hitting him. 
   Sameer kept on begging but they thrashed him and drag his injured body to nearby village. People were warned not to help Sameer for gods would bring a curse on them. 
     
   Sameer was breathing very faintly. The masked man went to aother man standing at a distance and said, 
   “Your work is done Singh. Now all you have to do is to call the media. Make a fantastic speech how your party workers had held a beef smuggler. Tell them some dramatic story that the smuggler tried to attack the villagers and in order to defend people your party had taken the 'necessary steps'. Do not forget to tell his name Junaid to the media. They will take care of the rest.” 
   “Guru! You are genius!” said Singh cheerfully to the masked man and continued“ That bastard had learned the lesson finally, no one would dare to cross me again!”. 
   The plan had succeeded. This incident will make The Red as the 'Saviour of the Faith' which will give them unstinting number of votes in the elections. Singh got a call from his Boss and said, “ Congratulations Boss. The Sacrifice has been made”. The Boss was very happy indeed and promoted him that very night. 
     
   The police came with the medical aid to check the pulse on Sameer. He was dead. They lifted his corpse like a carcass of an animal and placed it in the coffin. The interview was done and everything happened as Guru has said. Singh was very sure that no one can defeat their party. 
   He was so happy that he called home. He got no reply. 
   “What troubles you now Singh?”, asked Guru. 
   “Nothing. I'm just calling my family. I admit I have neglected them for my duty, but now I want to make up for all those times”, said Singh. 
     
   Singh tried many times. There was a feeble signal in the area. So he went stood at the place with some signal. He called at home landline number no one picked the call. It was almost midnight, so he thought his wife would be asleep. Then he called his son four times but he didn't picked his called either. Singh thought he would surprise them in the morning. 
   He went back and saw the corpse, face destroyed and covered in blood. The corpse's phone had a notification on it. Singh took out the phone to check the notification. The notification read, 
     
     
   
   
   4 Missed Calls from Dad, Time 2 minutes ago 
   
   
     
     
     
   The End. 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
   
   
   Publication Date: April 2nd 2019 https://www.bookrix.com/-cpdfaa31a74e9c5