I grab a chair nearby and offer it to him. I take one for myself sit facing him and nod my head indicating to begin his story.

He let out a devilish laugh. "Curiosity can kill you know!"

His laugh immediately stops when he saw my facial expression unchanged.

"Ok ok... without making it late, I will tell you." He drags his chair closer to me and watches my eyes like a criminal etching its prey.

" I am Prajakta's nephew, the only relative who knows she is here. Do you even know that she will be considered evil if our family get to know her?"

"What? " I shout.

He smirks at my reaction and looks away from me.

"What do you mean by that?" I ask again.

"Just inform her that I can make her life miserable if she does something against my plan." His ferocious green eyes show all the symptoms of vexing.

"Trrrriiiiiiing" the bell rings.

"There goes the bell. I have to go now. But this won't end here.."

"What can you all do? You guys are just mere beginners." And he flees.

When I open the door of our room, I see Pratz staring at the window. His arrival must have brought disturbing memories back.

"Pratz, I -"

"Stop talking about it, Rewa. Let's head out to the class. It's getting late."

She walks ahead and I follow her.

Mrs Brigid goes on taking the class on how the wizards and witches found out magic whereas I look at frustrated Pratz. Ace and Crio are fighting like kids. Tay's eyelashes begin to touch each other and will teleport to her dream world soon. Aarya and Sia have chosen Magic materials instead of History but for Sneha, history is her love. She knows everything about magic and its origin. It's like she is revising the whole concept again.

I book my seat near the window. It's winter and the window is frosted but the sun rays reflecting inside keep us warm. From the window comes a refreshing flow of air, enlivening the senses and relaxing the breath.

I take a deep breath and listen to Mrs Brigid's lecture.

"From 6000 miles from here, there was an island in the place called Montwana which was filled with rainbow colours of tropical fruits and the soft sand could soothe your feet while you walk. There is a magic to the island, you feel it in every atom of your being as a kind of sixth sense."

"Which is that island?" A lean boy stands and ask.

"It is the Montwana Island or popularly known as 'The Island of unconscious Men"

Alright! I have heard a lot about it. It's the island where the man who enters the island turns unconscious and dies if not found within 4 days. The most mysterious thing there is it only affects men. Yes! Only MEN!!

She continues.

"But at first, Montwana Island was not at all like how you have heard now. The people were so gentle and happy that any foreigner will be welcomed grandly. This was taken as a disadvantage by A Dutch of Denmark during the era of the Roman empire."

"He and his men were welcomed grandly to the Montwana Island. He became so close to the head of the island who people called 'The Chief' . The Chief has magic and is also experienced in all types of magic. One day, the Dutch planned to kill him and transfer the power of the chief into his body. The Chief found out but it was too late. Before the last breath of The Chief, he cursed the Dutch and his men to stay unconscious for the rest of their life. The native people escaped the island after the murder of the Chief but why it is affected to any men who enter the island is still a mystery."

"So we girls can go and enjoy our holidays there?" Laila, the rich girl shows off.

" Isn't there a place called Tinkle here, madam? I have heard it from my friend that it is also a cursed place." Tay suddenly wakes up rubbing her eyes.

"As per my knowledge, both are cursed by the same person at the same time. So if we find a solution for one place, the other place can be out of curse too. But it can also be a myth. Who knows." Mrs Brigid takes off her spectacles and cleans them with a liquid. She keeps it back.

"This is the end of our class, students. See you all tomorrow."

Soon after we left the class, Aarya came running towards me.

"I got another message using this symbol. Do you know what it means?" She asks.

"I am still finding it out, Aarya. Wait! I found the same symbols on the ceiling and the book we found on Mr Arijaado's table!! We finally can find some clues from these places. "

I call Pratz to accompany us but she resists joining. A layer of unsettling emotions is expressed on her face.

We, the IKR wink club rush to the first floor to get the book. Maybe this can be a major lead to mysteries wandering around us. Who knows until we find it out.

As we walk ahead to Mr Arijaado's room, we heard a nostalgic song coming up from the room.

Singing lyrics that rewire the brain for greater joy and self-esteem is all part of what heals a human being and why folks come to listen. Maybe because of that, he too sings this melancholy song for his beloved.

The footsteps are now closest to where we are standing.

We will be caught anytime. I look at my friends and they share the same frightened look. We can't go back either as it is now blocked by a warden who is having to communicate with the chef

We can see him keeping his right foot on the stairs.

Just then, Sneha turns around and tilts all the frames hanging on the wall.

"Are you mad, Sneha? What the hell are you doing? " Shouts Tay.

"Maybe there will be someway here. I can see a vague footprint along this way." Sneha replies.

The footsteps are getting closer when Sia pulls me from behind immediately.

It takes me to the darkest room filled with high-pitched squeaks of the mice. A smell arouses from the room and I am sure, I know this.

Aarya and Ace are searching through the walls for the switch. Searching in a darksome world is indeed a hard task.

"I brought the phone. I will on the flashlight." Sia looks at the phone. "But only 7% left."

The flashlight from the mobile phone is enough to give 110° wideness.

The gramophone. Yes, we have reached the secret room! Wait...do we have 2 entries to this place?

"Search for the book named 'Agenzia'. Make it quick guys. We have very few minutes in our hands." I recall the name of the book.

"Even my phone charge says the same. It can't eliminate for more than 4 minutes."

"Uhm..guys, I can hear the enraged voice of someone. Why are we getting it every time? They should also teach us how to escape from staffs." Crio is more likely talking to herself.

"Oh no. How to get out? Pratz was the one who solved the puzzle and open the door but we have come the other way. " I am thinking hard to escape and others too.

"I am getting scared."  Ace is in panic.

"Got the book!" Claims Aarya.

"Now find out the exit." Tay tries to find clues everywhere.

At least Althea would know the answer. I wish she or Pratz was here.

"Is anyone inside?" A woman's pleasant voice.

"I am asking it again. Is anyone there?" She asks again.

Tay signals everyone to keep mum. We obey her.

"Replying or not, I am coming in."