Meera’s car sputtered and died just as the dusty road curved toward the faint yellow lights of the solitary petrol pump. The clock on her dashboard showed past midnight. The place looked abandoned at first glance, a lonely island of concrete and rusted pumps under a vast black sky. She stepped out into the cool night air, her heels clicking on the cracked pavement, and waved toward the small office building where a single bulb glowed.

Four men emerged from the shadows near the pumps. Hitesh wiped his hands on a greasy rag. Javed leaned against a pillar smoking. Kamlesh and Nasir followed close behind. Their eyes fixed on her immediately, traveling over her tight jeans and the thin blouse that clung to her curves after the long drive.