Morning came too early. Sunlight slipped through the thin curtains of the Bandra safe house. Meera opened her eyes at exactly 5:58 a.m. She never needed an alarm. Her body knew when danger was close.

She sat up in bed. The small room smelled of old wood and last night’s rain. She stretched, feeling the muscles in her back and legs wake up. The bruise on her thigh had turned a light purple. She pressed it gently—still sore, but nothing that would slow her down.