Storieo

Category: Crime

  • A trip or a trap

    A trip or a trap

    Amidst the scorching heat in the plains, my two friends and I desperately longed for a vacation. We yearned for respite from the oppressive temperatures that seemed to cling to our very skin. After much contemplation, we decided to embark on a trip to Jammu, seeking solace in the cool embrace of the mountains. Our stay was arranged in the quaint town of Udhampur. From the vantage point of our hotel room, the view was breathtaking, seemingly stretching infinitely into the distance. As we gazed upon the panoramic vistas that stretched before us, our eyes were captivated by the mesmerizing beauty that surrounded us.

    As we planned our exploration, we decided to rent a car and hire a knowledgeable local driver to guide us to the must-visit places in the area. The people we encountered were warm-hearted and engaged in a myriad of activities. There were those selling delicate flowers, others offering food for the fishes in ornamental ponds, and even individuals who would beckon passersby to pose for pictures with their pet rabbits. It seemed that everyone found their own unique way to thrive in this vibrant place. The place was alive with bustling vendors, and we couldn’t resist stopping at one of the small Maggi stalls to indulge in a quick meal.

    On the second day of our trip, we had exciting plans to visit the serene Sanasar Lake and picturesque Patnitop. We indulged in horse riding, soaring above the treetops on the ropeway, and gliding along the serene waters in beautiful shikaras. The stunning surroundings provided the perfect backdrop for us to capture precious memories that we would treasure forever. To immerse ourselves in the local culture, we decided to don traditional attire and had ourselves photographed, embracing the vibrant traditions of Jammu.

    As the day began to wane and darkness settled upon the landscape, we started our journey back to our hotel. However, fate had an unexpected twist in store for us. A man suddenly darted in front of our car, and despite our best efforts, a collision was inevitable. Panic engulfed us as we realized we had struck someone. To our horror, we discovered that the man’s young son was with him, and he appeared to be mute, unable to communicate his distress.

    Fear and helplessness consumed us, but we resolved to assist the injured man and his son. We inquired if there was a nearby hospital where we could seek medical aid, knowing that our mountainous surroundings might pose a challenge in finding one. To our surprise, the young boy pointed towards a cliff with his finger, silently indicating the direction we should take. Sensing that he might possess knowledge of the area due to his residence, we hoped he could guide us to a hospital as well.

    Throughout the ascent, our driver displayed suspicious behavior, repeatedly stating that he had never heard of any hospital or place of refuge on this particular hill. Despite our growing concerns, the gravity of the situation compelled us to persist. As we approached the cliff, a solitary cottage emerged, its faint glow barely piercing the surrounding darkness. As we stopped, the boy immediately ran out of the car and entered into the cottage by pushing the open door. A pungent yet oddly sweet smell pervaded the air, making us both recoil and succumb to curiosity.

    Without uttering a word to one another, we carefully carried the injured man inside the eerie cottage. The driver, overcome with unease, opted to wait outside. The interior was even darker than the exterior, save for one room bathed in a mysterious light. An invisible force seemed to repel us from the room’s entrance, as if a strange gravitational pull barred our entry into an unknown realm.

    Gathering our courage, we finally ventured into the room, only to find ourselves entranced by an otherworldly sight. Once we were into the room, it took us a few good minutes to figure what was around and where we were. A white noise, very similar to the one that comes from a radio, was constantly hitting our ears. After a really long time since the accident, my friends and I looked at each other, as if this was the only time we came back to our senses. There were glass jars filled with softly illuminated liquids adorning the shelves that lined the walls, casting an ethereal glow upon everything. On the floor below the shelves, the little boy sat motionless, accompanied by a few tourist bags. His expression remained frozen, devoid of any signs of life.

    To our horror, the injured man suddenly broke free from our grasp, walking unaided toward the boy. Taking his place, he mirrored the child’s stillness and opened his eyes, revealing an identical, unnerving expression. A shiver ran down our spines. As our senses expanded, we noticed a figure with its back turned to us—a man wearing along white fur coat and a black fedora hat.

    Slowly, the man turned to face us, and we recoiled in terror as we recognized the face of our driver. It dawned on us that the man and his son were themselves tourists ensnared by the malevolent driver. Realizing the trap that had befallen us, we acted swiftly, bolting towards the door, dodging the unseen forces that tried to impede our escape.

    After what felt like an eternity, we found ourselves safely back in the car, driving aimlessly in a desperate bid for freedom. After navigating the treacherous mountainous terrain for twenty anxiety-laden minutes, we spotted the distant glow of a town. Seeking shelter for the night, we explained that we had lost our way, receiving the kindness of the locals.

    The following morning, with the assistance of the townspeople, we secured a new driver who safely guided us back to our hotel. With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to Jammu and departed for home, leaving the car abandoned behind the hotel. Overwhelmed by the traumatic events, we never spoke of the incident again, choosing to bury the chilling memory deep within our hearts along with the unsolved mystery of that cottage, but never shared with another soul.

  • Breathe

    I took a deep breath as I realized, “I am being followed”, my adrenaline surged making my body boil, pumping blood furiously. “Just keep walking, just keep walking”, I fiddled my fingers through my phone reaching out for the SOS button. “Find a way, get lost somehow”, I searched through the dimly lit alley searching a miraculous portal to escape. Funny how I knew, exactly what was in store for me.

    His eyes were a darker shade of brown, somehow the glare they threw was enough to pierce through your heart. The first day I met him I approached him a faint little smile and the look he shot, “Damn…”, I muttered under my breath at the depth of that stare, “Calm down Aria, he’s just anti-social, I guess?”

    ……that brown shade…, it was him, little did I know, or maybe I did, the very day he looked at me. I reached for my pepper spray; thank God I am prepared for such situations. “Now get awa- “.

    ” Iron… ahh hurts….”, jumbled thoughts kept invading my mind as I tasted a not so strange sensation, “Blood…”, I came to my senses slowly as I whimpered through the searing pain all over my body. “A cut on my left hand, my jaw feels kind of dislocated… two teeth not present, clothes…”, I gasped, I was all naked, “abused me…”, I took a deep breathe and tears shed through my eyes, in sheer anger though, “Why me….”, I examined my body all bruised and battered sniffing through my gagged mouth. I was whipped across my back and burnt, he singed my leg with a hot pipe, I guess. “Ah…”, a cry left my throat as my little finger surged, “He took out my nail”, I started drifting off into nauseousness again but he came.

    A tight slap ran across my face making me jolt back to my senses. “Wake up princess”, I gulped at the smirk adoring his lips. “ Now say Good Morning back to me. “, he slipped away the gag from mouth and looked in expectation. “Aww, let me give you a little good morning kiss”, he leaned in on my neck and without a thought I plunged my mouth against his neck and sunk my teeth deep, taking a satisfied breath, as I saw the blood spatter from his Carotid artery. Surrendering to the pain,  I fainted as I saw his hand reach out.

  • In DARK

    In DARK

    I felt it again tonight. Why is it that I am not repelled of a touch that feels anything but humane? Why is it that I wish never to lose the feeling of being touched by a dark, gloomy sensation that haunts me every night? I let him haunt me. I wish he haunts me for eternity.

    Maybe it’s not unknown, maybe I know who it is. Of course I do know it is him. Within that cold unrelenting embrace that almost brings me to the verge of death every day, there is something heart wrenchingly beautiful about it all! He comes back every day to me for me, he crosses the realm of the dead for me. Everything that seems impossible, he does, for me. Is it my imagination that he comes back or is it the phantom of my guilt that washes over me everytime I wake up in the morning? I wish I knew the answer to all that.

     I opened my eyes to let the brightness of the new day sink in. I hate the sun nowadays. It brought me back to the mundane reality which I hated more than my own reflection in the mirror. It’s been a month since my ex died. To be honest he was never simply an ex, he was my everything, he was my first love. We were both orphans of the same orphanage. It was like we were destined to be together. I loved him naturally, our relationship was out of the world. It seemed like the world conspired against us because we were so perfect.you see nothing beautiful and pure in this world remained the way it is. It is tainted, may it be blood or sorrow, darkness brings the end of purity, sprouting experience within. I was blind in my love for him. I had faith that was unmatched. I worshipped him. He was a senior, around two years older than me. My love was of a maniac kind. I wished to be with him every moment. It felt hard to breathe whenever he wasn’t with me. 

    He graduated high school before me and left for college and moved out of the orphanage. I tried to be supportive and cheered him on. He was indeed a great and bright student of sorts. I wished the best for him but I hated the fact that he left me alone in the school. I slowly fell into a delirium of doubts and suspicion. One day I called him and I heard whispers in the background, female ones. I calmly talked and went back home. That was the day I started keeping tabs on him. Whatever he did, wherever he went,I wished to know it all. 

    He was a clueless one indeed. He didn’t notice me at all. I skipped school to follow him around. Just being in his presence felt nice. Until one day, I saw him go into an infamous love hotel with a girl. He looked smug and was smiling. My idea of him was shattered. I wished I could tell him how hurt I felt. I stood there for awhile and moved. He had to be punished for his infidelity. I confronted him that day and broke things off with him. He was beyond ashamed but I didn’t back down. He left without even saying goodbye. The problem with him was that he never really gave me his whole heart.

    I had always wished for it. He thought he had cut things off with me but you see, he had unleashed something far worse. In a few days of time just like a reformed rake he came back to me begging for forgiveness. This time, I wished for him to stay. This time,forever. So I took him to my bedroom and asked for his phone. He simple mindedly handed it over to me. I had made my bedroom in a fortress by then. I locked the door behind me and watched him bang on the door for hours. He screamed a lot. Called for help and opened the window which had been shut by wooden plaques, it only came out as a muffled cry which could easily be discarded as a cat. A few people called me inquiring about him and I said he had left long ago. Days passed. I planted alibis on his usual path so that the police can never doubt an innocent girl like me. In this world, you can even buy alibis with money. Soon a search began..

    As we had broken up a few months and three alibis had told the officials that I was with them during the time. I wasn’t at home at all. They just called me in for a routine interrogation after someone filed a missing complaint and let me off. Of course the man was promiscuous and had many women alongside me. I came back home satisfied, thinking that I owned him.I was pleased, my mania was pleased. This went on for a month. I did not bring him food. I wished to punish him thoroughly. One day, I heard nothing more than silence from that room. I opened to see a sickly lifeless body, lying with eyes wide open. He had died. I kept the body in. I preserved it in ice and had it stored away. Now his body rested in a trunk inside my bed. I needed a better way to preserve him. Only ice wouldn’t do.

    It was a calming feeling. I embalmed him myself, and preserved him in honey. It cost me a fortune but yes, I had him inside my bed. Every night now, he came back to me,crawling up from inside and placing his hand on me. It’s a dark cold touch which I can’t break free from. I wish not to. My life goes on as I have stopped going outside. I wish to stay in this room, where time seems to have stopped and Thanatos seems to have taken over. I wish for his touch to be eternal. I wish it to kill me someday, so we can rot away together like we were destined to be. I wish for this to stay forever. I wish to walk alone in my bedroom and remember the good times we had on that bed under which he rests. I laugh as that dark entity brings its hand around my neck again. I laugh as it adores me at a chokehold. I laugh as all light leaves my body.

  • The Kinship Betrayal

    Seraphina Bloodstone was an ordinary girl who lived in a town named Thornvale with her loving family.

    But something was off about her everybody suspected. little did they know, her body was a host to an evil sinister spirit named Patricia,  who was feeding off her body and wanted to consume her true soul. Patricia, as Seraphina was drawn to black magic, attracted by the power one could attain, She wanted full control over her destiny. Unaware of the truth, that this might lead to a series of horrific tragedies.

     Once, in the quiet serenity of her room, Seraphina started to study occult rituals and incantations from an ancient book of black magic that she found at a local library in her town. Her curiosity, soon turned into an obsession as she went through the book and discovered what all she could get through it, her unfulfilled desires now were about to be fulfilled.

    In the zeal of her newfound knowledge, Seraphina developed a cunning plan. As she endeavored to attain power she surpassed mortal understanding, the power which could help her attain unimaginable abilities to bend her reality was finally going to come to life!

    Hence, she prepared for a ritual and made arcane symbols on the floor, and sat in the middle of the hex. Then she summoned some evil spirits who with their presence, turned once a place full of laughter and positivity into depths of darkness.

    In no time, she unleashed the demon onto her family. Her parents and a younger brother were pleading for mercy which she turned her ears deaf to and when they all stopped screaming she realized they were all dead and all the demons vanished from there as if they didn’t exist. It was then Seraphina came into her “true senses”, only to realize what she has done, which made her a prisoner of her remorse! 

  • The Relic’s Secret: Unraveling Shadows

    Detective Olivia West had always prided herself on her ability to crack even the toughest cases, but the mystery that lay before her now seemed impossible to unravel. The city had been plagued by a series of heists, each more audacious than the last. No one had seen the culprit, and there were no witnesses, only a trail of perplexing clues.

    Olivia meticulously studied the evidence in her dimly lit office. The stolen artifacts were valuable, but the thief seemed to have a particular interest in ancient relics associated with a secret society. It was rumored that these relics possessed a hidden power, a power that could change the course of history.

    As Olivia delved deeper into the case, she discovered a connection between the stolen artifacts and a renowned archaeologist, Dr. Victor Delaney. Intrigued, she paid him a visit at his private study. Delaney was evasive, claiming to know nothing about the heists, but Olivia sensed he was hiding something.

    Late one night, as Olivia pored over the case files, a disguised figure slipped into her office, leaving behind a cryptic note. It hinted at a secret meeting at the abandoned St. Augustine Church—a place said to hold the key to the artifacts’ power.

    With her partner, Detective Jack Daniels, by her side, Olivia ventured into the decrepit church. Within its crumbling walls, they discovered a hidden chamber, adorned with ancient symbols and filled with stolen relics. They also found Dr. Delaney, unconscious and bound.

    As Olivia began unraveling the mystery, she realized that the thief was not after personal gain but sought to protect the world from the artifacts’ dangerous potential. Delaney had been their reluctant accomplice, aiding the thief in retrieving and safeguarding the relics.

    Together, Olivia, Jack, and Delaney uncovered the true mastermind—a wealthy collector who had manipulated the thief, using their altruistic intentions for personal gain. With the truth exposed, the stolen artifacts were returned to their rightful places.

    The case closed, but Olivia couldn’t shake the lingering sense of intrigue. The power of the ancient relics remained a secret, and she wondered if they were truly as dangerous as they seemed. With a new determination, she vowed to continue her quest for answers, knowing that some mysteries were meant to be unraveled, no matter the cost.

  • THE COLD CASE OF EBRAXAS

    It was the 13 of August, my 30th birthday, but all I had was myself to celebrate with. So, I climbed up the tallest tree of Ebraxas to my favourite spot where I could view the breathtaking view of the sea at a glance. Near the beach was a girl, celebrating her turning 9 years old, just like me, except she was surrounded by her loved ones. I could have been her, only if that night I hadn’t lost my family and myself. 

    In a beautiful house in Ebraxas, the little girl woke up after a good night’s sleep. She pushed apart the curtains and saw that the road was completely hidden by a quilt of snow. She cheered up at once, it was Christmas after all. She darted towards the x-mas tree to open her gifts. Not being able to control her excitement, she ripped apart all the wrapping papers and unearthed the contents, a pen stand, a makeup kit, and a new watch finally calmed the 15-year-old girl down. She went to have breakfast with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jones, and her elder sister, Julia where she was greeted by their lovely neighbour, Mr. Brown, “Well, ‘ello there Alyssa! Nice to see you, Merry Christmas!” She replied, “Merry Christmas Mr. Brown!” with a bright smile. After finishing up Mr. Brown said, “Well thank you so much for ‘aving me, ‘ope you all ‘ave a nice day!” And Mrs. Jones replied, “Oh! No need to thank Mr. Brown, it’s always a pleasure to have you!” And then he left with a smile on his face and a filled stomach. While Alyssa went upstairs to get dressed. After coming out of the shower, she saw a packet wrapped up in pretty paper placed neatly on her study desk addressed to her as Miss Alyssa Ruby Jones. She was perplexed as to what could be the contents and who could’ve been the Secret Santa. Barely wearing clothes properly, she couldn’t stand another second and viewed the contents. It was a purple-coloured spiral diary with only 4 thick pages, and a quote on the cover that said, “Put it to good use and you shall be rewarded, While evil intentions or shortcuts would do just the opposite.” She was as confused as me, what did it mean, and who had gifted her? While pondering upon the mystery she decided to keep it, after all, it was a gift and promised herself to put it to good use as was said in the quote. She started writing in it, describing her day so far, she wrote that she wished to have fun all day with her friends, play in the snow, get to spend time with me (her best friend) and have pizza for dinner with her family. And guess what, her day went exactly how she had written in that diary. We both were so happy at the end of the day. I really enjoy spending time with her, she’s such a sweet girl. At night before sleeping, she wrote how she wished she could have a unicorn for Christmas as it was her dream since she was 5! And went to a sound sleep. The next day she woke up to the sound of neighing of a horse, as soon as she opened her eyes, she saw a unicorn standing in the middle of her room. She was so shocked and happy while I smiled watching from afar. I came into her room and hugged her and asked how did she like my gift? She said, ‘Did you get me a unicorn?’ I said, ‘No. I got you the diary! And look it got you what you wanted.’ As smart as she was, she instantly figured out that the diary was magical and whatever was written in it would come true. She thanked me for the gift and hugged me once again. I was delighted to see her smile. She took the pony to her backyard and fed it food and water, then got dressed up for school. I offered to drop her to school. We started talking as usual while walking to school. When suddenly Mr. Brown came out of nowhere to have a chat with Alyssa. I had to rush off quickly so as not to be seen. I waited at the school gate for her and as expected she started asking the same questions again, ‘Why did you run off?’, ‘Why can’t you be seen in public?’ and as always I just smiled and said, “Have a nice day” and left immediately, knowing that she won’t let go of this topic this time. So, when she got home, I was there on her bed, sitting and waiting for her. She had a look of disappointment as well as hurt on her face which said ‘Why can’t you trust me enough to tell me the truth?’. After freshening up she sat down quietly with me, waiting for an explanation. After taking three deep breaths and gathering up the courage to face whatever may happen after telling the truth I started speaking. “Please don’t break our friendship after hearing what I have to say as you are my only friend in this world. So, I am a 9-year-old girl who lived with her parents in a beautiful house. We were a very happy family always taking care of each other and helping out everyone in need. When one night the unexplained happened. It’s all a big blur…I remember I was sleeping in my room when I heard two people shouting, one of them being my father and on hearing closely I knew that the other person was my uncle. Then my mom also joined in trying to stop them from fighting and as I got out of bed, I heard my parents scream. I ran out to see what had happened, I saw them lying in a pool of blood with my uncle standing over them with a knife in hand. I was shocked to my very core and started screaming at him for killing my parents when he started coming towards me. I ran to the attic to save myself but he broke down the door and then a streak of pain ran up my body and I blacked out. When I woke up, I saw myself in front of my house but nobody could see or hear me. When I saw a newspaper on the ground with the heading, “PSYCHO MURDERER KILLS BROTHER AND HIS FAMILY INCLUDING A DAUGHTER OF 9 FOR PROPERTY”, that’s when I realized that I had also been killed that night and now I am a spirit and hence, no one can see or hear me. I tried looking for my uncle so I could take my revenge and get my family justice but he was to be found nowhere, no records, no identity, no family, nothing. It was as if he had disappeared. Now, it’s been 20 years since that incident but it still haunts me to this day. I tried everything to find him but had no luck. While looking for him I came to this neighbourhood and, when you bumped into me on that day, I realized that you are the only one who can see me, hear me. I know that I must take revenge and get justice for my family, then only I will be able to cross to the other side and attain peace. So, that’s my story.” She sat there in shock, speechless. When finally, she came to her senses the first thing she said made me cry after ages. She said, “I’m so sorry you had to go through all that, but I promise I will help find your killer.” I couldn’t help but say, “I’m so thankful to have such a kind friend like you. But I think you must be knowing the killer that is why only you are able to see me and no one else can. I mean that makes sense, doesn’t it?” She said, “Yeah it does, but I’m not so sure. Okay so before anything else can you give me the details of your uncle so I can look for him?” “It’s no use, all the older records are now useless as he has changed his identity. HE COULD BE ANYWHERE!” “Don’t be disappointed, we will find him…Maybe he is dead?” “No, there are no records of his death and if he had died then I wouldn’t have been here.” “Yeah right. If only we had even a small clue. Do you remember any physical trait or anything so we could identify him?” “Wait, wait, I think I remember something. He…he had a tattoo of a snake on his wrist and it was a special one as it had legs also and he bragged about it a lot as it was some special Korean Urban legend which very few people knew how to make. Other than this, I really don’t remember anything about him as I was really very young.” “Great! We have something to work on; you look for where in Ebraxas these types of tattoos are made, while I will search for more news about your story.” After about an hour or so of research, she found all the news articles related to her tragic story. The whole incident was in trial for many months but since the killer couldn’t be caught, it was set aside as a cold case. She also found the picture of her family, but no other clue as of much importance. On the other hand, I found a bunch of places where that type of tattoo was done, however, they were very far and it was almost impossible for us to visit them. We sat there disheartened at not having anything in hand to uncover the mystery when suddenly an idea struck Alyssa. As sharp as she is, she found the perfect way to use her diary. She instantly wrote, ‘I wish we could meet the person who does these types of tattoos.’ And then we just had to wait until the next day. I asked her, ‘We can simply ask the diary to find my uncle?’, but she said, ‘No. No shortcuts! Remember? We must find him on our own, the diary can only help us guide towards him.’ The next morning, she woke up even before the alarm rang. And after getting dressed, she proceeded to head downstairs to eat breakfast when she saw a young man sitting in the living room chatting with Julia. On seeing her, Julia introduced the man as Joshua who had now taken over his father’s 50-year-old business of tattoo-making and was handing out flyers to bring in more people. His hands were covered with beautiful designs of tattoos. She got so excited to meet him and promised to visit the salon in the evening. Then we headed downtown to the tattoo salon to gather more information about that design. There Alyssa met Joshua’s dad who was apparently now the in-charge of accounting after retiring from work. She took out the rough drawing of the tattoo as I had explained to her and boy, she was so good at drawing that it looked almost exactly the same. When she showed the picture to Joshua’s dad, hoping to get more information about it, his face turned ashen. After a few minutes, he calmed down enough to ask her from where she had got that picture, to which she replied with the cooked-up story, that her grandfather used to have a tattoo like those years back but now she couldn’t find him and all she has left of him is this. Then, the old man recollected his memories and told her that once a man came to him to get a tattoo of this 4-legged snake which is a symbol of death according to a famous Korean legend, and since he was partly Korean he knew about it very well. He further explained that the man was adamant about getting that tattoo and so the old man designed it for him. At which Alyssa asked, “Do you remember any special thing about him? Any trait or characteristic?”. To which he replied, “Well, as far as I remember, he had a very peculiar way of speaking. He never pronounced the letter ‘H’ when he spoke, I remember this as we talked about it a lot while he was getting his tattoo, but that’s all I remember if it helps.” Alyssa’s face had turned pale after hearing the words, however, she pulled herself together and thanked the old man for his help. When I heard this, I was sure who was my uncle and the exact location where he could be found. We both were in utter disbelief and shock upon hearing this information. Upon reaching home, she instantly wrote a note, stating that the killer who committed the crime of killing his brother with his family 20 years back was none other than Mr. Brown with a photo of the old newspaper with the complete story and his address also. Then she ran to the post box to get it delivered to the police station. She was back in a flash and took out her diary and wrote, “I wish that the police believe my anonymous note and check Mr. Brown’s fingerprints so as to prove him as the murderer.” It happened exactly like that and he was soon arrested for his crimes. When Alyssa went to see him in jail she said only one thing, “The court will be easy on you if they give you death as punishment. If it were in my hands, then you wouldn’t have got such an easy escape ‘cause you don’t deserve it you monster! Had you been patient enough and a little kind you could have lived happily with your brother and his family by sharing the properties. But as it goes, you reap what you sow.” Then she left. I appeared in front of Mr. Brown aka my uncle and I swear he was shocked to see me, he said, “J-J-Jennie, yo-you’re here? H-How?” “Surprise! Yes, I am here, because of you, I had my whole life ahead of me, I was so happy with my family and you had to ruin all that. Now rot here in prison your life and see how it feels like to be without any kin. Not even God can save you now for your actions, if only you had generosity and kindness in your heart, you could have lived a peaceful and content life. But you know, Greed makes a man blind and foolish, and makes him easy prey for death…” I also followed Alyssa after giving him a good piece of my mind. “Alyssa, can I ask you for one last favour?” “Sure! Go ahead.” “You have been so helpful to me till now, the last thing I want is for you to use that diary and give him his punishment using that.” “How can I- “ “Please, I insist!” “Okay if you say so.” After she finished writing, I said, “You needn’t tell me what you wrote, as I know already. Now I must leave as Justice has been served. Thank you really for everything!” She said, “I’ll miss you!” I didn’t have the heart to reply as I know I would start crying, so I just smiled and went above and beyond the clouds. 

    The next day when she woke up, she saw many new diaries kept on the study table with different covers and designs but this time, all of them had many more pages and a quote on each one of them that said, “As promised, you have been rewarded, Whatever you write, shall come true, With peace in your mind, and purity in your heart, This power lies forever with you.”

  • The shadows of Himachal

    In the picturesque mountains of Himachal Pradesh, a quiet town nestled among the lush green valleys became the hunting ground for a notorious serial killer. Fear gripped the hearts of the townsfolk as the bodies of young women started appearing, their lives mercilessly snuffed out.

    With each murder, panic and paranoia spread like wildfire. The police, overwhelmed by the escalating crime spree, called in reinforcements from neighboring districts. Detective Arjun Singh, renowned for his unyielding resolve and sharp instincts, was assigned to the case.

    As Arjun delved into the investigation, he found himself immersed in a twisted game of cat and mouse. The killer’s methods were chillingly precise, leaving no trace or clue behind. His victims shared a haunting similarity—they were all young, independent women who had recently moved to the town.

    As the body count rose, Arjun began connecting the dots. He discovered that each victim had a shared connection: they had all frequented a small local café named “Moonlit Brews.” Determined to catch the killer, Arjun set up a stakeout outside the café, his eyes glued to the entrance.

    Days turned into weeks, and just as Arjun’s hope began to waver, he noticed a man lurking in the shadows near the café. Something about his demeanor raised the detective’s suspicion. With a racing heart, Arjun followed the man discreetly, observing his every move.

    The man, Vikram, was a seemingly ordinary resident of the town. But appearances can be deceiving. Arjun discreetly collected evidence, carefully documenting Vikram’s routine. One night, as Vikram ventured into the depths of the forest, Arjun followed him stealthily, determined to expose the killer’s dark secret.

    In the depths of the forest, Arjun witnessed Vikram in the act. A chilling realization gripped him—it was Vikram who had been orchestrating the terror that plagued the town. With his heart pounding, Arjun apprehended Vikram, his hands stained with the blood of innocent lives.

    As the sun rose on a new day, the town’s terror lifted, replaced by a somber sense of relief. The once picturesque town began to heal, though the scars of the past would always remain.

    Detective Arjun Singh, hailed as a hero, had finally brought an end to the reign of the serial killer. But he knew all too well that the darkness lurking within the human soul could never truly be eradicated. The memory of those lost would forever haunt the town, reminding its inhabitants of the fragility of life and the importance of staying vigilant.

    As the years passed, the story of the Himachal Pradesh serial killer faded from the headlines, becoming a chilling legend whispered among locals. But the memory of Detective Arjun Singh’s unwavering determination remained, a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who fight to keep darkness at bay.

  • Death, Doom and Deceits

    Those who have lost know the pain of suffering. Meena has lost a lot. She lost her only daughter; she lost her beloved grandson and was yet again facing a loss which usually hurt the most. She lost her spouse, Jamal. Her husband and granddaughter were the only people who provided her comfort. They kept her sane. Now, it was just her and Lekha, her granddaughter, against the world.

    The pungent smell of death was heavy in the room. The beauty of the lavish house was overshadowed by the white of the guests, the white of the widow and the white of the cloth Jamal was wrapped in.

    There was a hush of whispers when Meena stood unmoving near the podium mic. She was expected to say a few words in memory of her husband. She seemed to be at a loss for words, rendering her uncharacteristically quiet. Being familiar with the dilemma her grandmother was facing, Lekha took over and delivered the eulogy for Jamal.

    “My grandfather was a wise man,” she said, “He was the backbone of our family. He provided for us. We all will forever mourn for him.”

    As soon as Lekha finished, she ran outside to catch a breath of fresh air. She could barely breathe. Everyone classified that as a sign of remorse and gave her the space she required. Lekha sat on the bench outside their house. The same bench Jamal often sat on to read his daily newspaper.

    Just as the Lekha was about to head back in, she noticed the shadow of a man near the gate. She could not clearly see the man, but he seemed huge. Sensing eyes on him, he fled before Lekha could recognize him. Lekha convinced herself that it was nothing out of the ordinary and headed back inside.

    A few days had passed since the death of Jamal. There was complete silence in the Bohra house. Both Meena and Lekha always seemed to be lost in a haze of memories, at least that is what everyone assumed.

    Meena had the sudden thought of looking at Jamal’s will. She opened Jamal’s wardrobe to look for the keys to his safe only to come up empty handed. The keys were missing. This arose panic in Meena. Those keys were the only way to access Jamal’s will and money. She started frantically searching for it. She roped Lekha into helping her find the keys.

    They were mid-search when the house bell rang. Lekha opened the door to find police standing at their doorstep. She side stepped to let them in and called her grandmother to cater to the needs of the policemen.

    “Your husband died of heart attack, yes?” the policeman asked Meena.

    “Yes, sir. He had already passed out by the time we got to him,” answered Meena.

    “Ma’am, upon further introspection of the autopsy report, a high amount of digoxin was found in his body, which eventually lead to his cardiac arrest,” the policeman informed.

    Meena and Lekha appeared perplexed upon hearing this new information.

    “Any suspects?” they asked.

    “None,” whispered Meena.

    The policemen left behind an iota of confusion and fear within the pair. An impending doom settled on their head.

    The police continued with their investigation, while Meena and Lekha continued with their life. Lekha had forgotten about the mystery man she saw on the day of Jamal’s funeral until she saw him again. Up close, this time.

    Lekha often took strolls in their garden once Meena was asleep. Hoping do the same that day, she put on her shoes and had barely closed the door when she felt the presence of the man. Before she could yell or notify her grandmother, the man cornered her into the wall next to their door and placed his hands over her mouth.

    “Remember me, doll?” asked the man in a thick raspy voice.

    Meena could smell the cigarettes in his breath. She remembered that voice. She could never forget the feel of those vile callous palms. She had never known a man as cruel as him before her grandfather introduced her to him. Varin Parikh – the man her grandfather sold her to.

    “I finally have you at my mercy, doll. Your grandfather died before he could hand over our agreement papers to me. You for money. What a shame, isn’t it?” he rasped.

    Lekha howled into his palm. She remembered that moment as clear as day when her own grandfather signed her over to that man for money. She remembered the cruel smile on both their faces as they watched her beg for her freedom.

    She had started spiraling into that web of darkness when she suddenly felt the pressure of his hands loosen. She opened her eyes when she heard the thud of his body hitting the ground. There she stood; Lekha’s savior, her guardian angel, Meena.

    “I knew you hid those keys for a reason,” said Meena to Lekha.

    Meena had hit Varin with a bat on his head. Lekha slid down the wall. Meena kicked Varin’s lifeless body aside and sat down next to Lekha. They held hands in the same way they did as they watched Jamal convulse and die of heart attack. It truly was them against the world.

    “Men,” Meena sighed as they both broke out into maniacal laughter.

  • Tragic weeding 

    Hundreds of people gathered a lavish wedding party in India to witness the marriage of two families. The wedding took place in an opulent hotel in the middle of the city, and the bride and groom came from rich families.

    The party continued throughout the night as the guests danced and enjoyed delectable fare. But when one of the visitors, Mr. Gupta, was discovered dead in his hotel room, the atmosphere became gloomy.

    When the police were summoned to look into the matter, they found that Mr. Gupta had been killed by strangulation. Furniture was flipped over, and there were personal items strewn over the room.

    When Detective Raj was given the case, he started interviewing the visitors right away.

    He learned that Mr. Gupta had entered into a business arrangement with Mr. Singh, the groom’s father.

    Detective Raj started looking into Mr. Singh’s family after developing suspicions of criminal activity. He learned that Mr. Singh’s brother Arjun had a reason for wanting to murder Mr. Gupta. Arjun had made a significant investment in Mr. Gupta’s company, but no returns had been made.

    Arjun was detained by Detective Raj, who accused him of murder. Arjun enticed Mr. Gupta to his hotel room on the pretence of discussing their business arrangement, it was discovered during the trial. Once inside, Arjun killed Mr. Gupta by strangling him to death while making it appear as though a heist went awry.

    Arjun received a life sentence after being proved guilty. The tragedy ruined the wedding, but Detective Raj’s commitment to cracking the case allowed for justice to be done.

    The incident acted as a warning that injustice will always win out in the end and that greed may have horrible repercussions.

  • Krishna!

    Krishna , a boy from mathura, is on his way to take a bath in the nearby lake with three of his friends. They go to the lake and are about to get inside water for bath and they smell something strange. The smell really gets stronger . So , Mithun, one of the friends, goes to the other side to have a look . He finds out that a cow is lying dead on the ground. He immediately calls his friends and other villagers . Through word of mouth, it is known that the reason for the cow’s death is that it was raped and everybody in the village was very tense and shocked by such an occurrence. Baldev Goswami , the zamindar(homeowner) of Mathura region, assigned this case to local police as this is the third such occurrence. Police began the investigation . Vibhish , a middle-aged drunkard from Mathura, is the primary suspect. Police go through CCTV footage of streets where cattle usually roam and the places which are closer to the lake. Meanwhile, these four friends are very curious and they begin their own investigation.

    They decide to start their investigation from vibhish . So , they go to Vibhish’s house . Vibhish’s wife, seeing these boys coming towards the house , quickly goes into the house and locks it from inside. These boys rush towards the door and start asking her “baabhi why did you run after seeing us” . She (sobbing) tells them to not ask anything about her husband and tells them go away. These boys don’t understand why is she behaving in such a way and leave from that place. Krishna is not happy because the start did not go well. Vibhish is also missing, as reported by his wife at the local police station. Next day these boys while going to landlord’s house to check about the investigation, on the way they find a huge crowd gathering at Vibhish’s house. Vibhish’s wife mridhula is found by hung herself. Nath comes there and tells everyone that he saw Vibhish killing his wife and he is the reason behind the animals rape. All the villagers decide to kill vibhish . But they don’t know his presence. They approach the police and explain what mithun had told them.

    Police initially believed until Krishna comes up with the truth. When police listen to villagers and send them back by telling them the investigation will start. Krishna, who is in search of Vibhish , finds him at the warehouse in the corner of the village . Vibhish is tied up to a chair with blood on his face. Krishna goes and unties him and knows the real truth. The mind behind all these is “mithun” . He was the one who found the dead cow’s place correctly when other friends were struggling. He was the one who said mridhula to commit suicide. This spreads to every villager and they punish mithul by placing him in front of a bull and tied up….