Jahan could read people like books, but regardless of how much she wanted to, she couldn't read Maalik. The haunted look in his eyes indicated that he felt something. She couldn't decide what, though. She understood survivor's remorse, yet couldn't help but wonder if there was more to his feelings of guilt.

In the small waiting area, they sat facing each other, an unspoken tension hung between them. Her gaze stayed on his face, unwavering and intense, as if he was a puzzle she needed to solve. The lines on his forehead were pronounced, and he appeared as someone who often fought inner battles.

She could tell he was trying not to look at her. Whether to be polite or in an attempt to hide from her scrutiny was unclear. The silence was palpable. Everyone else had left and it was just the two of them waiting to be questioned by the police currently talking to the hotel staff.

Occasionally, he would shift, a subtle movement, yet it spoke volumes of the restlessness that seemed to possess him. She noticed his hands fidgeting with the frayed edges of his jacket—a jacket that had seen better days, much like the man himself.

In that moment and within that space, the world was reduced to just them—a woman with a gaze like a detective searching for truth, and a man who was an enigma.

"You're staring," Maalik said as a matter of fact, without sounding offended or intrigued.

"I'm trying to figure you out," she replied without missing a beat. Jahan was nothing if not direct. She could tell her response startled him. Was he expecting denial when she sat gazing at him the whole time? Her interest in his relationship with Meena and him—if she were being honest—was obvious.

"It's rude." His voice was flat as if he couldn't care less.

She knew he had trespassed some unspoken societal boundary when he initiated the conversation with her, but she had given him little choice. Uninclined to fill the silence, she had been all too happy to think as she tried to read the man before her.

"I know it's rude, but I'm trying to decide whether or not I should believe you." She shrugged, having no qualms about wearing her emotions on her sleeves. She didn't care what he thought of her. All she needed were answers and for the night to end. Besides, when she focused on him, she didn't think about Meena's mangled corpse.

"If it were any other time, I might've been amused by your response, but..." he trailed off like he couldn't bring himself to feel anything. His face, however, told a different story—one fraught with emotions.

"I'm not trying to be amusing." This time her tone was gentle as she tried to put herself in his shoes. Maybe Meena was a dear friend or a beloved. She knew nothing about their relationship and it must be hard for him to hear such news. "Why was Meena in the woods waiting for you?"

"That's none of your business." Finally, he showed an emotion and it wasn't what she expected.

Instead of weary, annoyed, or even angry, he looked hurt. It made no sense even if he didn't want to respond unless it was something else.

"You're hiding something," she said.

"Aren't we all?" He glared at her and then shook his head. "Forget it."

"I—"

He interrupted her, "Look, I understand you're curious, but I'm not interested in your twenty questions. Let's leave that for the police, please. It has already been a rough night, and frankly, I don't even know you."

Rubbing his eyes and looking like he carried the weight of the universe on his shoulders, he sighed and Jahan got the message, saying nothing more. He had a point, anyway. They were strangers and just because she wanted to understand what happened to Meena didn't mean she could interrogate him.

Her thoughts kept returning to Meena and the possible reasons she might have to meet Maalik at midnight.

Jahan couldn't pretend she knew everything about her deceased friend. If she were being honest, she hardly knew the woman. They might have spent the last week glued to each other,—she the tourist and Meena her guide—but that was all it had been. The only thing she could attest to with certainty was Meena's kindness. And now, there was one less kind person in the world.

Approaching footsteps alerted her and she straightened as the lead detective entered the room.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting," he said.

Jahan's attention snapped to him and she nodded briefly.

"No need for apologies, Detective Ahsan," Maalik said, his voice composed.

Detective Ahsan's eyes flicked between Jahan and Maalik. He then turned his attention to Maalik, who had risen to his feet, the lines of his face hardening. "Mr. Maalik, I presume? I've heard about you. It's time we had a little chat, don't you think?" The detective's tone was casual, but the authority was unmistakable.

Maalik's posture showed a resigned acceptance. "Of course, Detective. Lead the way."

As they exited the waiting area, Jahan remained seated, her mind abuzz. She wanted to hear what Maalik had to say, but she couldn't interfere in the police investigation.

"Miss," the voice startled her and she looked up to find Mahdi's smiling face marred with concern. "Do you want something to eat or drink while you wait?"

"No, I don't feel like it. But if you have time, please keep me company. I don't want to be alone."

"Of course," he said, taking the seat Maalik vacated. "I'm sorry that you had to experience this tragedy."

"What do you know about Maalik?" She changed the subject, not acknowledging his remark. If she thought of the incident or talked about it, she would end up feeling sorry for herself. She had no time for that.

At first, she thought he wouldn't answer, but after an awkwardly long pause, he said, "His and Meena's families were neighbors. They grew up together and had always been close friends. Then his family moved away and never returned. He recently arrived for a visit."

He sighed regretfully and Jahan could tell his sadness was more for Maalik than personal. "As kids, they were inseparable. I don't know if they stayed in touch all the years they were apart, but it had been good to see them together again." There was a wistful smile on his face.

Jahan pondered on the information. It meant out of all the people around her, Maalik knew Meena the best. She still couldn't understand why they would meet in the woods, but that mystery could only be solved if Maalik were willing to share information with her. So far, he was reluctant to talk to her, which she understood. After all, his best friend passed away.

Good thing he didn't see her dead body. A shudder ran down her spine at the thought. Even now, she could hear the echo of the scream that seemed to have shaken the very ground she walked on.

"Miss, if you don't mind can I say something?" Mahdi's polite question brought Jahan back to the hotel.

"Yes, of course." She knew what he would say and that she wouldn't listen to his advice. Yet, there was no harm in letting him say his peace.

"Please, don't ever walk into the woods after midnight. especially not during this time of the year."

He had surprised her. She thought he would tell her not to get involved with Maalik or Meena's death. Curious, she asked, "Why is that?"

The older man looked haggard as if he had lived decades within minutes. "Winter is fast approaching. Soon, many will hibernate and they are always ravenous before hibernation."

His statement was so absurd that Jahan couldn't respond—she didn't know how to. Once she had gathered her wits, she said, "I thought the only dangerous animals around these parts were snow leopards. They don't hibernate. Besides, isn't it rare to see them in the wilds?"

"I wasn't talking about animals," he said but didn't elaborate. "Anyway, you shouldn't be in the woods at night. The weather in these parts is treacherous. It could seem mild but get cold within minutes. We don't want our guests to be inconvenienced by these things." He smiled, which seemed forced to Jahan.

She said nothing. For one, she had no idea what Mahdi was even talking about. First, he talked about hibernation. And then, he claimed not to be talking about animals. What else hibernates?

Jahan shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She looked at Mahdi, wondering if she should ask him more about the nonsensical warning. But the way he had made his last statement didn't invite further conversation on the topic.

Finally, he spoke, his voice a mix of resignation, "Are you feeling better now? I should check on things."

"Oh, sure," she sounded sheepish, "I apologize for keeping you from your work." She felt bad, realizing that her actions had been somewhat selfish. It was twice she had done it tonight. First with Maalik and now with Mahdi. Why was she making it about herself and her need to find the answers? These people had lost someone they knew well, someone from their community, and her grief couldn't match theirs.

Her expressions softened as she thanked him for keeping her company and indulging her whims. With a kind smile, he left her alone in the room.

The hotel was once again quiet. The guests retired to their rooms as soon as Mr. Hamdaan confirmed there was no fire. The police were mostly in the woods, collecting evidence and ensuring no one else was hurt. Only two detectives remained in the hotel and they were currently questioning Maalik.

She wondered where the stranger was. He was questioned first and must have returned to wherever he lived, or stayed if he were a tourist. Somehow, Jahan didn't think he was local. He might have worn traditional clothes but didn't look like a native. She would say he was from farther North. He was another mystery she wanted to unravel.

The first at the scene, he looked scared enough. But what was he doing in the woods at such an hour? Well, the woods surely had been crowded that night. Her lips curved in an amused smile.

As the first light of dawn glowed through the frosted window, it was finally her turn to answer the police's questions. They didn't ask much, just the basics. She relayed how she stumbled upon the stranger and then the body. From their nonchalance, Jahan knew they weren't taking it as seriously as they should.

"Do you think the killer is still here, maybe even in the hotel?"

Her inquiry seemed to startle the lead detective, He looked up from the notepad and said, "Killer?" With raised eyebrows, he stared at Jahan for a minute, then continued, "We're still piecing the puzzle, but it was probably an animal attack. You don't need to worry about a killer."

There was a hint of a smile on his face as if she were some dumb tourist who knew nothing and saw monsters everywhere. It annoyed Jahan. Her voice was clipped when she said, "What animal can attack a human like that?"

This time, it was the other detective who answered. "Miss, this isn't the city. Things like these might not be common, but we occasionally encounter such tragedies. As unfortunate as it is. Of course, we haven't concluded our investigation, but I agree with my partner. It could be any wild animal."

His voice might be less condescending and kind, but Jahan noticed how he avoided naming any animal that could do such a thing. She had a feeling the police were deliberately vague. Instead of telling her they couldn't make assumptions, they planted the seed of an animal attack in her mind. Why? Was it a kindness to stop her from worrying or something more sinister?

Jahan couldn't help but feel a sense of betrayal. If they were already chalking Meena's death up to an animal attack, they were unlikely to put real effort into finding her killer because an animal didn't kill Meena. Jahan was sure of that. Animals didn't kill senselessly. Something else was happening in this remote valley, and she was more determined than before to figure it out.