Storieo

Tag: crime

  • Beloved or not?

    Beloved or not?

    This story is about a retired woman who lives with her son and daughter. Her husband left her when her kids were young. Her life is not easy. Each day, there is one thing or another that disrupts her peace.

    Her daughter is older than her son. The daughter graduated from college and is in search of a job. Unfortunately, luck is never on her side. On the other hand, her son has yet to start college.

    The woman was forced to take an early retirement as her company was not working out. The only financial aid in the family was the pension she was getting. The money was enough for the household’s needs but not for her children’s.

    There was always a dispute between her children over who had taken more money from her. The son was working hard to meet his needs, but the daughter was not. The daughter did not like to work at all.

    Her relationship with her daughter is closer than that with her son. There was always an argument within one or two days over anything between her and her son. Her maid used to listen to everything very closely and knew everything that went around in that house.

    The son would mostly end up spending money on household things, but the daughter only spent money on herself. The mother was aware of this fact, but she still gave more money to her daughter than her son just because she was the older of the two.

    The son developed a feeling of loneliness and underconfidence. He started to believe that no matter how much he worked, he could not earn enough for himself. His life started to deteriorate as a result.

    Despite not doing much work, the daughter was very happy, as she had a lot of money to spend and her mother always supported her no matter what. The son started hating his sister because of this fact.

    The son would argue with her once or twice in a while for the money to spend, and this resulted in their already weak relationship worsening. Her son started to maintain his distance from her and her daughter.

    Some months later, her son left for college, for which he had to take a loan. The daughter went to work for a private firm, which didn’t pay her well enough. The mother was left all alone with herself and her maid.

    One day, a phone call was made to the son and the daughter that stated that the police had recovered the dead body of their murdered mother from their home. This left both siblings shocked, and they returned home.

    Days later, after the funeral, the post-mortem report came, which confirmed that the mother was murdered. The police took the siblings and the maid into custody. They were questioned about everything, from her pension to her relationships with everyone.

    After all the sessions, the police strongly suspected the son to be the killer. But there was no evidence to find him guilty. The least suspected was the daughter, as she maintained a good relationship with her mother.

    The maid was asked for more brief sessions as she was the one who visited the house more often than the son and daughter in the time of tragedy.

    Even after going through all these sessions, the police found it hard to catch the killer. To solve this case, the police checked and started to analyze all three suspects individually. There was no CCTV installed in or near their house.

    Starting with the maid, they found that the maid was present in other houses for household chores at the time of tragedy. The son was not attending his classes, and the daughter was on medical leave from her job. The police called the siblings for another session.

    The son stated that he had bunked the classes that day. The daughter, on the other hand, said she had a stomach ache that day, so she took a medical leave. The police confirmed that the siblings did not come home that day.

    The maid was now the prime suspect for the police. The police called the house owner of the house where the maid was working at the time of the murder. After going through the session, the police could not find any evidence that proved that the maid was the killer.

    After so many sessions and call-ups, the police took out the call details of the siblings. There was one number that was dialed more than the other numbers in the son’s call logs. There was a similar number in the call logs for the daughter. Both numbers were different.

    The police called the son first, as he was the prime suspect from the beginning. The son stated that the number was his girlfriend’s. He talked to her a lot and was hoping to marry her. The police let go of the son upon knowing this.

    Just as the son was leaving, a man came to the police station to talk to the police. That man identified himself as the milkman at the neighbor’s house. The milkman told the police that when he was leaving the neighbor’s house, he saw a man with his face covered go to his mother’s house. That came from a taxi.

    The police searched the area for the taxi, and they found it. The taxi driver stated that he picked up that man from the railway station. The man was not covering his face at that time. With the help of the railway station’s CCTV footage, the police were able to identify that man.

    That man was identified as the boyfriend of the daughter. The daughter was summoned to the police station for a brief session right away. The daughter stated that she was struggling with money as her boyfriend was not earning well either.

    The daughter accepted that she sent him to kill her mother so that she could later take the whole pension for herself and her boyfriend. She even stated that she considered never marrying him, as then she would not get the full pension for herself.

    The son was shocked to learn that his sister was behind all this.

    Greed can sometimes become so cruel that it makes you do things you will never recover from. Even though the daughter had a strong relationship with her mother and got more money than her brother from her mother, it was never enough for her.

    This tragic story teaches us that being materialistic can never be healthy. The more money we have, the more we crave it. Never let these things control you so that you become someone you never want to be.

  • Twisted Paths: Unraveling Crestwood’s Secrets

    Twisted Paths: Unraveling Crestwood’s Secrets

    In the small town of Crestwood, a mysterious crime spree unfolded, leaving its residents bewildered and law enforcement baffled. It all began with a peculiar series of thefts, seemingly unrelated but intricately connected.

    The first incident occurred at the local art gallery, where a priceless painting vanished without a trace. The police suspected an inside job, as the gallery’s security system had been expertly disabled. However, surveillance footage revealed a masked figure slipping through the sensors without triggering any alarms.

    Meanwhile, a prominent jewelry store was hit. Precious gems and rare diamonds vanished from their showcases, yet there were no signs of forced entry. The owner, Mr. Sullivan, had his suspicions and hired a private investigator, Lila Sinclair, to uncover the truth.

    As Lila delved deeper into the case, she discovered a clandestine underground network of criminals known as the “Twilight Syndicate.” Led by the enigmatic mastermind, Alexander Duval, the syndicate orchestrated audacious heists with unparalleled precision.

    But Lila’s investigation took an unexpected turn when she received an anonymous tip about a secret vault hidden beneath the town’s old library. Racing against time, Lila gathered a team of unlikely allies to break into the vault before the syndicate could get their hands on its contents.

    Inside the vault, they found a shocking revelation—a collection of confidential files implicating several influential individuals in the town, including Mayor Carlton. It appeared that the syndicate’s crimes were intricately connected to a grand conspiracy involving corruption at the highest levels of power.

    As Lila and her team unraveled the truth, they faced countless obstacles, including double-crosses, hidden agendas, and unexpected alliances. The lines between heroes and villains blurred, as even the most trusted allies had their own hidden motivations.

    In a climactic showdown, Lila confronted Duval, only to discover that he was merely a pawn in a larger game orchestrated by the very people she had trusted. With the truth exposed, the town erupted in chaos, and the power structures crumbled under the weight of their own deception.

    In the end, Crestwood was forever changed. The crimes, the conspiracy, and the ensuing fallout left an indelible mark on the town and its residents, teaching them that sometimes the greatest crimes are committed by those who appear virtuous and that the truth can be a double-edged sword, capable of both saving and destroying lives.

  • 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.

  • 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 Unknown

    Fear. Everyone fears some thing or the other.  An experience or a moment where you either do or die, this feeling in the pit of your stomach that a storm is about to hit. A storm that is unknown.

    Rick, a teenage boy who knows nothing about the wonders of life. A young man who has never feared the unknown never knew what was gonna hit him.  “Is anyone home?”, a voice came from outside of the door. Rick was alone at the house, his parents were out on a business trip for the night.

    “Who is it?”, asked the teenage boy. “You have a parcel”, said the mysterious man. “Just leave it there”, Rick then with a confused look on his face opened the door and found a box with an empty note on it. It was packed nicely with a sweet yellow ribbon on top, figured that it was a mail, Rick carefully opened the box just to find a book inside. The book looked more like a journal with a “DON’T OPEN IT” text written in bold letters. Why would someone send a parcel when they clearly don’t want you to open it. So many questions ran through Rick’s mind. Was it the delivery man who wrote it? Or was it the sender?

    He then finally opened the book and looked at the first page, “THE MAN FROM THE UNKNOWN” was written in red bold letters, turned to the second page. “The man has come from the unknown to find himself a friend. The man will peek at you, he will slowly then enter the home, he will look for you ,in the kitchen cabin, in your bedroom, and then your closet, your bathroom, under the dining, he will then find you”. ” The unknown man will have his new companion with him”.

     Scared by the creepy book Rick closed it and thought it was just someone playing prank. “Knock knock”, a voice came not actually a knocking sound but an impression of it. Rick with a feared expression looked at the window in his bedroom to find two creepy eyes with a glimmer of red looking at him. The man from the window then in a horrid voice spoke, “The man has indeed found himself a new friend”.

  • Robbers’ Caught

    It was a hot summer day in Delhi. The streets were crowded with people going about their business. In the midst of all this activity, a young man named Rohit was hurrying along, his heart pounding with fear. He had just witnessed a terrible crime. He had seen a group of men rob a jewelry store and shoot the owner. Now, he was being chased by the robbers who wanted to silence him. He ran as fast as he could, weaving in and out of the crowds. He could hear the sound of footsteps behind him and knew that the robbers were getting closer.

    Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder and he screamed. But it was not the robbers who had caught him. It was a police officer who had been patrolling the area. He told the officer everything that had happened and the officer quickly called for backup. The robbers were soon caught and Rohit was hailed as a hero for his bravery.

    But even though he was safe now, He knew that he would never forget the terror of that day. He had come face to face with evil and had lived to tell the tale. He was shaken by the events of that day. He had never been in such a dangerous situation before and it had left him feeling vulnerable and scared. But he knew that he couldn’t let fear control him. He had to be strong and move on. The police were grateful for Rohit’s help in catching the robbers. They offered him protection and support, but Rohit refused. He didn’t want to live his life in fear, always looking over his shoulder.

    Instead, he decided to take action. He joined a local community group that worked to make the streets of Delhi safer. He spoke out about his experience and encouraged others to come forward if they had witnessed a crime. Rohit’s bravery inspired others and soon the community group grew in strength and numbers. They worked together to make their neighborhood a safer place to live.

    But even though he was proud of what he had accomplished, He never forgot the terror of that hot summer day in Delhi. It was a reminder of the evil that existed in the world and the need to stand up against it.

    In the end, Rohit’s bravery had not only saved his own life, but it had also helped to make the world a better place.

  • OBSESSED 

    OBSESSED 

    PRESENT DAY

    I never knew this day would come.

    I could hear his footsteps approaching near the cupboard I was hid in. Tears would not stop falling from my face. My heart was screaming and that’s when it hit me that the saying had been true ‘it is always the quiet ones’.

    ‘Aditi’ he said in a maniacally absurd voice.

    I just wished I could go back in time and make all of this right. That was all I could think of in what I think were the last moments of my life. I just wished I never met Ryan ever in my life. I just couldn’t stop myself from thinking what had happened over the past two months and what a mistake I’ve made in my life.

    2 MONTHS AGO

    ‘Ryan’ was the most beautiful word I had ever known in my life. He had a delicate face with soft features and piercing eyes. He changed my entire life in just a few minutes.

    We met through a mutual friend of ours for brunch and that’s when we started casually chatting up. I being an extrovert just wanted to adopt the introvert him and love him for the rest of his life. I kinda liked him and…

    Yeah. I just could not find words to describe him. That was how badly he had affected me.

    ‘Aditi you’re pretty’ he said. And nothing more.

    I could feel the blush creeping up in my cheeks.

    Ever since that day we chatted, video called and met up at weekends.

    The days went on and on. On one pleasant Saturday morning, we were at the beach looking at the sunrise and talking. I just bared my whole soul to him trusting him with my life.

    ‘Ryan I know you like me’. I said

    ‘Aditi I know you like me’. He said

    We looked into each other’s eyes and shared our first kiss drenching into the warm rays of the sun and in the depth of each other’s love.

    Ryan wanted us to move in together.

    ‘Too soon’ I said to Ryan.

    ‘I love you’ he said.

    The honeymoon phase of us living together was the most beautiful until he started placing restrictions on me. He stopped me from going outside with my friends.

    ‘I’m jealous’ he said.

    ‘That is so cute’ I said.

    But his demands started growing and I started to disobey him, feeling why the hell should I obey him in the first place.

    He started being abusive verbally. I forgave him. He became more commanding towards me; I still forgave until it reached to a point where I couldn’t take it anymore.

    ‘I’m leaving’ I said.

    ‘You are not going anywhere’ he screamed.

    He hit me in the head. I felt the world spinning and heard him screaming ‘I’m doing this for you’.

    My head felt heavy when I woke up and Ryan was nowhere to be found. I tried the door and windows but they were locked. I felt myself panicking not knowing what to do I ran into the kitchen picked the sharpest knife and hid in the cupboard.

    FLASHBACK ENDS

    RYAN RYAN RYAN RYAN was all my head could process. I never felt such a terror in my life. He stopped in front of the cupboard and inhaled a deep breath.

    He opened the door with a creepy smile. I smiled back apologized for my behavior. He lifted his arms for me.

    I stabbed him. I ran away after making his death seem like a suicide. No police enquiry happened and the case closed pretty quickly.

    A YEAR LATER

    Now standing in the same beach with another guy holding my hand where I shared my shared  first kiss with Ryan. I did not feel any regret. I protected myself from someone who wanted to hurt me. I accept it was wrong but I don’t know.

    I’m human. I have my emotions and my own feelings to process. Sometimes the wrong can feel right. Initially I had problems in dealing what I had done but with the right person by my side I just want to start afresh.  I’m happy. 

    I DO NOT FEEL ANY REGRET.

  • Murderous Artistic Deception

    In the quiet town of Elmwood, a mysterious murder shook the community to its core. Claire Peterson, a renowned local artist, was found dead in her studio under peculiar circumstances. The news spread like wildfire, and rumors began to circulate among the residents. Little did they know that the truth behind the murder would take them on a twisted journey.

    As the investigation commenced, the residents couldn’t help but speculate about the possible culprits. Claire’s estranged husband, David, became the prime suspect due to their troubled relationship. However, as the days went by, it became evident that David had an airtight alibi, leaving everyone perplexed.

    Meanwhile, Sarah Turner, Claire’s best friend, found herself burdened by guilt. She had been harboring a dark secret that could potentially unravel the entire case. Sarah knew about Claire’s affair with a mysterious man named Adrian. It was a secret Claire had entrusted to her, making her the only person who knew about it.

    Driven by remorse and the need for justice, Sarah took matters into her own hands. She started digging deeper into Claire’s life, determined to find the truth. The more she investigated, the clearer it became that Claire’s murder was far from a random act of violence.

    Unbeknownst to Sarah, Adrian was aware of her knowledge about the affair. Feeling threatened and desperate to protect his own secrets, he began to trail her every move. As Sarah delved further into the case, she found clues that pointed to a hidden underground art society in Elmwood.

    One fateful night, Sarah stumbled upon an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town. Inside, she discovered a secret gathering of artists, including Claire, who were involved in a series of illegal activities. The murder, it seemed, was connected to their dark world.

    Just as Sarah was about to expose the truth, she received an anonymous message, warning her to stop her investigation or face dire consequences. Fueled by her determination, she decided to confront Adrian directly, suspecting that he held the key to unraveling the mystery.

    But when Sarah arrived at Adrian’s residence, she was met with a chilling surprise. Adrian lay lifeless on the floor, a victim of the same murderer who had taken Claire’s life. The room was staged to make it appear as if Adrian had taken his own life, but Sarah saw through the deception.

    In a shocking turn of events, Sarah realized that the true mastermind behind the murders was none other than Claire herself. Her affair with Adrian had been a calculated ruse, designed to lure him into her web of deceit. Claire had meticulously planned the murders to protect the secrets of the underground art society, which had turned into a den of corruption.

    Sarah’s knowledge threatened to expose the society’s illicit activities, and Claire was willing to eliminate anyone who stood in her way. Now, Sarah found herself caught in a web of danger, unsure of who she could trust.

    Determined to bring justice to her friend and expose the truth, Sarah embarked on a dangerous game of cat and mouse with Claire. The final confrontation unfolded in Claire’s studio, where Sarah confronted her with the evidence she had gathered. The two engaged in a fierce struggle, each fighting for their own survival.

    In a climactic moment, Sarah managed to overpower Claire and reveal the truth to the world. As the authorities finally arrived at the scene, they were astonished by the depth of Claire’s deception. The town of Elmwood was forever changed, and Sarah became a symbol of resilience and courage.

    And so, in a town where the police were absent, it was the determination of one woman that brought a murderer to justice and restored peace to Elmwood. The events that unfolded would forever be etched in the memories of its residents, serving as a reminder that evil can lurk in the most unexpected places.

  • Love at First Touch

    Love at First Touch

    Selena did not find her love in the hills of daffodils neither it is a love at first sight. It is more than just any love story for her. She is not even sure that the person she loves also loves her back as she barely knows her. Dilemma and her conservative society restrict her to think about her love. She is even afraid to dream about even falling in love. In her society it is considered as a heinous crime and she being an obedient girl, cannot commit a crime. For her the values of her family are a priority and going against their value is not in her genes. She is wrapped up in a fear of isolation and shunning from her own family and society.

    The day Selena fell in love…

    It is a perfect day to not to come out of the house and pollute yourself with dirt and mud. However, things go out of your hands and make you do unavoidable things at unavoidable time in life. Selena has to leave her house in the darkest of the days as no excuses are accepted at her position. It is raining outside and there is puddle everywhere. There is mud and castles of mud building everywhere on the road. She has to cross everything and to take an auto. Her mother is worried whether she will be able to reach the college on time or not and without getting dirty. Selena is receiving calls every minute as she is the vice president of her department and an important meeting is going happen in the college premises. She even has to speak and represent her department in front of the principal of the college as the president of her department is out of station.

    Somehow she reaches the auto stand however, all wet and dirty and covered in mud and sand. She reaches the metro station without much of trouble after sitting in the auto. She enters the metro station and while she is climbing the stairs to board the metro a strange things happens to her. Another girl is climbing stairs with her. However, Selena does not pay much attention to it and climbs the stairs. The girl stands next to Selena and when metro arrived, they both boarded the metro at the same time. When they were entering the metro that girl’s hand and body touches Selena. Selena have never in her life felt something similar. She feels like it is love at first touch. It is weird coming from a girl’s mouth, but such things do happen and exist in this society.

    That girl’s hand is so soft and subtle that she forgets the surrounding and focuses on her alone. Selena’s eyes are moving in the direction of that girl’s movement. They have an eye contact and the chemistry says it all. The air around them changes and their eyes are saying more than they will ever say. The resistance and apologetic mindset to love the same sex is there. However, they are lost that are unable to notice that Selena has to get down at the following station. Selena’s phone starts ringing after such a long gap. She has to come back to the real world and understand that she has to get down at the next station. They look at each other for the one last time and bid goodbye from their eyes. There is certain undefined energy which is holding them together.

    She gets off at her station and leaves her new found love in the metro. Everything is flashing in front of her eyes and she can clearly make out that her future is full of problems and cons. She cannot think of any pro in her love and any further decision to make. She reaches the college a little late than usual. She attends the meeting and everything goes well. After the meeting, her friends ask her to go out and have lunch. She refuses and goes home directly. She is hoping to that girl again. However, nothing happens as she was hoping to happen.

    She reaches the home and day dreaming about that girl and her together. She has already planned everything and moving fast in her thinking. When suddenly it seems hollow as they are girls and they cannot live together in this society. Each day she misses that girl and fall more for her. However, lesbian love is banned and all her dreams are shattered. She can only dream and love her in her dreams.

  • Missing

    Missing

    One night in the dark woods take a dangerous turn for two people. 

     

    Eyes wide open in shock. The jaw slightly hanging open and frozen in time. Skin pale and bloodless and clothes all covered in mud and dirt. It was strange how still it was compared to my pounding and heaving chest.

    It was the first corpse I ever laid my eyes on. I couldn’t stop staring because I was so sure it would move again. I was used to seeing so much life in those eyes, it was hard to think otherwise.

    ‘Nandini.’

    I looked up to see Akash standing on the opposite side of the corpse, panting just like me. He was studying my face just like I was studying the corpse. It was like he was waiting for me to breakdown and start crying or something. I didn’t know what I was supposed to cry about. It was a beautiful night actually – the sky was clear and the moon was full. The air was cold and brisk and I always loved the swirls of smoke that formed when we exhaled. It was one of the very rare things that I still enjoy.

    Akash and I were standing in a deserted part of this forest near a wooden cabin. When I say near, I actually have no idea where exactly and neither does anyone else, because none of us have ever been to this part of the forest before. It was really dark here but my eyes had become adjusted to it and I could make out Akash’s face from where I was standing.

    He looked exhausted and alert at the same time. His eyes were almost as wide as the corpse’s and his hair was in an absolute mess, standing at weird angles on his head. His face was shining a little from the sweat I think and he was rubbing his pale palms together frantically.

    ‘Nandini!’ He said louder, ‘Are you sure about this?’

    ‘Yes,’ I told him. ‘Let’s do this.’

    Of course I was sure about this. We just carried this huge corpse for so long to this spot along with two shovels. I’m not going anywhere without finishing what we came here for.

    The forest was filled with similar looking really old trees. They were all tall and the whole forest looked like a dream during daytime. But right now, it looked as lively as the corpse between Akash and myself. Apart from the crunching of the dry leaves under our feet, the chirping crickets and the ruffling of our clothes, I could only hear my own heart. We had chosen a spot right beside a thicker bigger tree and put down the body and shovels to catch our breaths.

    Akash probably thought I was having second thoughts and I was sure the same thing was going through his mind. But I wasn’t having second thoughts, I was thinking how the faint shadows of the tree-branches on the body made everything look so perfect. It seemed like the forest was inviting the dead too. Akash and I didn’t really seem to belong here. Our heavy breathing and flushed cheeks were disturbing the harmony of the night.

    Akash was the first one to start digging and I started soon after him. The shovels were heavy and old on their own, no doubt about that. On top of that, the soil was all dry and stubborn because of the winter air. The first few digs was awkward and useless, but I soon picked up a rhythm like Akash. We barely said a word to each other, but I was constantly thinking what could be going through his mind. I looked at his furrowed brows, all focused on the digging, as if he couldn’t possibly be thinking of anything else. But I know how far it was from the truth.

    He was thinking the same thing I was. He was thinking of all the ways he could’ve avoided this whole situation that we are in right now. He was thinking about how he never wanted any of this to happen, but he didn’t have anyone else to blame either. Neither did I. The digging was tiring us out so much more, now that we were slowly beginning to feel the weight of all the consequences.

    I kept looking back at the corpse frequently, half hoping it would come back to life. Even though that would actually worsen the whole situation but that’s the only thing that came to my mind. After we were almost done digging a shallow grave-like hollow, Akash and I looked at each other. There were some voices nearby.

    We didn’t need to say a word to each other to figure out what we should do. After quickly climbing out of the hollow, we both grabbed the corpse and pulled it to the hollow we made, until it fit inside. We kicked as much dirt and soil as we could on the corpse to somehow hide it as we could hear the voices getting closer. It seemed like there were a few men speaking softly to each other and they were now close enough for us to be able to see the light from their torches. They were directly coming towards us from behind the big tree.

    We ran towards the opposite direction to hide behind some other tree. We both ended up choosing the same tree and stood beside each other, with our backs on the bark. We were both now breathing louder than before and I had to hold my hands over my mouth to muffle the sound to some extent. I saw Akash trying to turn back and see who are coming as the footsteps came closer.

    I pulled him back as we heard a voice a lot closer than we expected it to – ‘Are you sure you saw them?’

    It was deep baritone which sounded like the voice of an older man. A different and younger voice replied, ‘Yes, I did see them here!’

    ‘Sir, no one ever comes here. It is impossible for kids to come wandering in so deep…’ Another older voice tried to explain. This one clearly sounded disinterested in the whole endeavour and did not believe the younger man.

    ‘But I know what I saw! There was a girl and a boy and they were carrying something big…’

    I looked at Akash and saw him staring back at me, mirroring the same fear in my heart. This was not supposed to happen. We had both made sure that no one saw us when we were coming here. We couldn’t even understand who this man is and how he saw us!

    ‘Hey,’ said the second older voice, ‘you didn’t say they were carrying something before! You just said they were walking around.’

    ‘No, no,’ the younger voice tried to explain, ‘they were carrying something large and heavy like a dead body or something-‘

    ‘Now listen here,’ interrupted the first older voice, ‘you might be in the mood for some rubbish mystery story, but we’re not. No one ever comes here and no one is here. We’re going to escort you back to the main road and go back to doing our real jobs. Let’s go.’

    ‘You should consider yourself very lucky if we don’t smell alcohol in your breath,’ said the second voice as we could hear them start to walk away.

    ‘What? I’m not drunk! I am telling you the truth! Those two murdered someone and they were carrying the dead body into the woods to hide it!’

    ‘Did you see them murder anyone? Do you know them?’

    ‘No, but-‘

    ‘Then we’ll read the rest of your story in your novel. Let’s go!’

    ‘Lord knows what kind of stuff kids are into these days…’

    ‘You don’t understand, I’m telling you the truth!’

    ‘Ya, of course you are! Keep walking!’

    The voices slowly faded away along with the sound of the footsteps. But we stayed frozen in anxiety, with our backs glued to the tree. After a considerable amount of time passed and the voices were far away, I turned around. I saw that no one was around and tip toed back to the tree beside which we had left the corpse. I could feel Akash close behind me. It was unbelievable how close we came to getting caught.

    We both stood on either side and looked down in more shock than we had just recovered from. The shallow grave that we had dug was hollow. The corpse was gone.

    We stared back at each other, unable to make sense of what exactly happened and what we should do about it now. I was almost about to devise a plan to escape, when Akash suddenly broke the silence.

    ‘We have to go back to the cabin.’

    ‘Don’t be ridiculous.’ I cannot believe that he came up with that!

    ‘What’s your plan then?’

    ‘We search for it!’ I couldn’t think of anything else.

    ‘Oh ya? Where do you wanna start? There are no signs of the body being dragged or being moved in any way! Even our shovels are still here! How are you possibly going to look for it?’

    My eyes scanned the darkness around us in vain. I could realise that he was right and we literally had no idea how the corpse got out its own grave and disappeared. This is going to cost us really bad.

    ‘Nandini,’ Akash tried to convince me, clearly getting impatient. ‘We are not responsible for this. Let’s keep it that way and go back to the cabin before someone else sees us!’

    I quickly changed my mind and agreed, ‘You’re right.’

    We both grabbed our shovels and started jogging back towards the cabin. A sudden loud ringing startled us both. We looked at each other realising that it’s not coming from either of our phones, they were both on vibrate. Then Akash took out a different phone from inside his jacket – the dead man’s phone was ringing.

    Akash was about to throw it away, but I quickly grabbed it and answered it. He furiously mouthed at me, ‘What the hell-‘

    ‘Is it done?’ It was a calm and serious voice on the other end of the call. The caller-ID was blocked which is why he had no idea who it is.

    I kept holding the phone tightly to my ear but I didn’t say a word. Akash was looking at me with a big question mark on his face.

    ‘C’mon, do you have both their bodies?’ the voice was getting more eager, but clearly did not suspect that someone else had answered the call. I was waiting for this speaker to give up some more information before he realised he isn’t talking to the person whom he think he is.

    ‘Are Akash and Nandini dead or not?!’ The voice got louder and after a short pause he ran out of patience. ‘Fine, you stay where you are, I’m coming!’

    The call ended.

    I looked up at Akash and told him what I understood from this short phone call – ‘We are the ones with the target on our back, not him.’

    ‘We have to get out of here,’ Akash concluded after a while.

    He took the phone from my hand and smashed it on the ground and broke it. I watched all the tiny broken pieces, thinking about how our lives had become so volatile and how we have to leave behind everything we had earned.

    ‘It’s time to start running again, isn’t it?’ I asked Akash, but I already knew the answer.

    In reply he just took my hand and we started running towards the main road, never looking back.