“A journey of thousand miles begins with a single step.”

- Lao-Tzu

-------------------

Gayatri's body was quivering and tears were streaming down her face repeatedly. She was running… running in hope to see her dear friend. “You couldn’t find me.” Her broken wails were ringing in her ears.

She didn't want to think negative but she couldn’t help but think of it. What if they really took her? What if she was really in danger? It was beyond her imagination. The mere thought of her wild cries were breaking her hopes more and more with each passing second.

No, she couldn’t let anything happen to her. She simply couldn’t.

She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't realize that her Anuradha jiji was shaking her. “Gayatri, gaaonwale gayeelan hain angrez janral ki haweli mein dhundhe. Tuho chal, gharwa mein akele mat reh. (Gayatri, all the villagers have gone to the English General’s mansion to search. You should also come along, don’t stay alone at home.)” She trembled at the mere mention of his name, sending jitters down her whole body. He was no less than a devil.

She was fearing exactly this, but no she couldn't be weak. At least not now when Snehlata needed her the most. “Let's go, Jiji.” She spoke with a little confidence. She couldn’t let any harm come to her best friend. She wouldn’t!

They ran, just hoping that their fear wouldn’t come true. She was still hoping to see Snehlata coming out from the orange orchard at the south east end of their village laughing and teasing Bholu, her little brother. But what was she actually hoping for? This was the reality, not any fiction!!!

Each passing minute felt like a decade. She was running to reach there as soon as possible, chanting the same mantra all the time, “Nothing will happen to her. Kuch naahi hoga uuka.” She tried to render all the strength she could muster to her breaking heart.

She could see her Bibhuti Kaka knocking the massive door of the Haveli continuously, still not receiving answers. And finally, the group of men did the thing that they should have done much earlier. They broke the door with all the strength they had in them.

She couldn't see her friend but she could hear her screams, her pleadings to leave her, begging mercy for her own dignity. But she could make out that the animal didn't pay even a trifle heed to her pleadings. They were quite late. Firstly, they had to save her from the clutches of that merciless white skinned monster.

“Lata…” She murmured helplessly as everyone ran towards the backyard from where the noise was coming.

And the scene that unfolded in front of her eyes, made her shudder in disgust. This was not happening, right? She just wished it to be a dream. How could the disgusting creep be so cruel?

She could see the villagers detach him from her and there she was… her best friend… shaking, crying and still screaming to leave her, at the same time trying to cover herself with all the scanty cloth she could clung onto. Whereas that petty excuse of a man was growing more ferocious, making her shiver even more.

Gayatri wasn't one to cry in front of many people, but she couldn't stop her tears. She just couldn’t. Walking towards Snehlata slowly, she kept whispering lightly, “Sshh Lata! Sshh!  Sab kuch theek hayee. Hum tohra ke bacha lele haee. (Everything is alright. We have saved you).” She sat in front of her on her knees.

“Humra paase mat aawa, hum haath jodte hayee. Humra ke chhor da!! (Don’t come near me, I beg of you. Please, leave me).” She started screaming in fear. Gayatri could feel her heart breaking seeing her best friend in such a condition. She tried to touch her, to make her understand that this monster would never touch her again.

But seeing Gayatri's hand approaching her shoulder, Snehlata stood up and ran towards the door while shouting the same few words, “HUMRA PAASE MAT AAWA. (Don’t come near me.)” And that made everyone present over there speechless in shock. It was quite clear, the girl was in a tremendous trauma.

Gayatri ran behind her trying to catch her. She was worried seeing her running in this state. She could make out that Snehlata was trembling. At last, when her best friend couldn’t take it anymore, she fell down at a distance away from Gayatri.

“LATA!!” Gayatri shouted while forcing her legs to run faster. Crouching beside her, she tried to take her into a hug. Snehlata was still trembling and mumbling ‘Don’t touch me’, even in her unconscious state.

------------------- 

“HELP ME, HELP ME!!”

Gayatri ran towards the direction of the room when she heard her best friend shouting in agony.

She entered the room and saw her sitting there with her face in her hands and shivering badly. “Lata.” Gayatri whispered softly. But before she could say something more, Snehlata came running towards her and hugged her. Her own eyes started filling up with tears seeing her friend in such pain. “Sshh! Everything’s fine.”

“Gayatri he touched me here… And here, and here too! Gayatri I can't live like this. Gayatri, I will die!” She was speaking while hiccupping violently pointing at her hands, neck and chest. That was too much for her to bear!

“We have saved you Lata. Please, stop crying. Please. Bhool jaa jaune kucho hoilakh hai. (Just forget everything that has happened.)” Gayatri tried to console her in a helpless manner as it was like Snehlata wasn't hearing any of her words. She was just lost somewhere in her own world.

“Gayatri this pain, it’s intolerable. Please stop it!!” She screamed shaking Gayatri's shoulder who was numb with shock. Never in her dreams had she thought that she would see her best friend in such a vulnerable condition.

-------------------  

“AHHHH!!!”

She woke up with a jerk but closed her eyes immediately due to the bright sun rays streaming inside from the slightly opened window of the infirmary.

She held her head and a tear drop fell down from her eye thinking about the dream, rather the nightmare, she saw just now in her unconscious state. It was the harsh reality of her Ramnagar now and she was so helpless. It was like as if she was living the whole thing again.

‘Why am I even here?’, she pondered looking at the white ceiling. She tried to remember what happened that could result in her being unconscious but failed to gather anything out of her thoughts.

“Somebody was there. After that I ran… but what happened next?” She tried to concentrate but couldn't remember anything except the creepy feelings she felt every now and then.

“Miss, please don't put pressure on your mind. Doctor has told me to give you these medicines.” The nurse said giving her a small white tablet.

“Who treated me?” Gayatri asked looking at the medicine in nurse’s hand.

“A young doctor who has joined sometimes ago. Here is the pill. Please, have it.”

Gayatri fell asleep once again after having the medicine.

------------------- 

Dr. Harrison, couldn't even imagine the pain she was going through. She was trembling and shaking, and at the same time crying with silent tears. He could see she wanted someone… someone very dear to her.

He knew she was strong. Prof. Roy had told him various things about her as they treated her and she was lying there shivering in fear… Still trying to get a hold of herself even when unconscious.

He felt helpless seeing her that way. He wanted to help her… to do something and stop her nightmares but sadly he couldn't do anything except treating her. He knew it very well that they had to wait for her.

‘At least, he treated her.’ This single thought brought a tiny bit of relief to him but it vanished too soon when his brain decided to show the trembling image of the poor girl again. He clenched his fists unknowingly, all the time wondering why was he feeling that way.

Everybody present in the laboratory looked at their young doctor who kept frowning continuously and was in deep thoughts. They could see him struggling hard to control his feelings that were resurfacing at the most unexpected point of time.

Dr. Harrison shook his head for the fifth time in last two minutes trying to get rid of the image that his brain was hell bent on showing again and again. There was something terribly wrong with his brain. He could feel it.

He was so lost in that image of hers that he couldn’t even hear the peon addressing him.

“My lord, a telegram has come for you.”

He just nodded his head and took the telegram from his hands. And his mood instantly worsened. The previous thoughts about his patient was long forgotten and now he could only concentrate on the telegram in his hands… which was sent by ‘HER’.

------------------- 

Gayatri woke up to the shooting pain on the side of her head. She sat down holding her head and looked around. Soon enough she realized that she was still in the infirmary and it was almost evening then. She panicked yet again thinking about the reason she lost her consciousness.

She shook her head and the next moment saw a man talking to the nurse, “Ermm… Doctor Sahab?” She called.

Getting quite astonished, the man turned around and his eyes met with the girl who called him. But before he could say something she started blabbering. “Dhanyawaad (Thank you)… for saving my life and for treating me. I feel much better now, although I am having a headache but I am sure it will go away with time. Doctor Sahab...”

He was quite amused seeing how she was blabbering for a person who had just woken up after hours of unconsciousness. She was still blabbering. “Hum bahute dar gaye rahelee. Aapka bahot bahot dhanyawaad. Doctor Sahab, aap bahote ache hain. Humara ke nurse ji bataylan hain ke aap hamra ilaaj kiye hai. (I was so scared. Thank you very very much. Doctor Sahab, you’re very nice. The nurse has told me that you’ve treated me.)”

“The nurse told you?” He chuckled. He was surprised yet pretty amused.

“What else did she tell you?” He asked again and Gayatri furrowed her eyebrows a bit. But she couldn’t say anything else to him. After all, he had treated her and she owed him that much. And he could sense she was going to start again but before she could say something more, they heard a voice .

“I never knew you treated patients so well, Doctor Sahab!”

The man smiled looking at Dr. Harrison who had just entered the infirmary and murmured something in his ear before leaving the room. Gayatri narrowed her eyes as she saw them whispering. What was wrong with them and why was her doctor leaving?

And finally when he was gone, she turned her attention towards the man who was standing in front of her, looking amused. By the looks of him, she could tell he was another one of the doctors here. He was wearing a white apron too but what he said to the doctor who had treated her, was still a mystery to her.

“Aap kaun (Who are you)?” She asked with blazing eyes and Dr. Harrison raised an eyebrow looking at her with even more interest now.

“What?” Gayatri asked as she noticed him staring at her without answering her question.

“Nothing.” He chuckled. He had waited for this moment all day long and now when she was up he couldn’t keep that smile away from his face.

Gayatri took a deep breath as she looked at him with a slight scowl and the only words that came to her mind were… ‘Khadoos kahin ka’ (How rude)!!

------------------- 

*** THE FOLLOWING DAY ***

It was her first day in the college and she was completely awestruck seeing the beauty of the campus. It had the same effect on her as it had the first time she saw it and Gayatri wondered how long it would take her to get used to the view.

Having lived in a small village of Ramnagar for all her life, she was shocked to see a place as big as this. The huge pillars and the posters on the wall were one of a kind. Seeing the students hurrying towards their classes, it was like she was in an entirely different world. This was the world she could imagine only in her dreams.

It was like she was in her dreamland where she could be herself without getting pressurized by those orthodox people. She felt like a free bird there.

This, standing in that place gave her immense happiness that finally she could do something for the people who were close to her… finally, she could give them relief from that severe disease they had been fighting with for years now.

Gayatri was looking around the building trying not to show how nerve wrecking it was for her. Getting weird looks from some obnoxious people, she felt awkward.

She mentally thanked the Lord for Malobika. Malobika Sen, her new found friend who was even her roommate back there in the hostel, an ever smiling lady who was just a little younger to her. Her smile and sweet naughty talks were something Gayatri became fond of and they got along instantly.

They finally reached their first class and saw almost half of the class already full. She gave all of them a polite smile to which some of them returned with a small smile and others just rolled their eyes.

She sat on one of the empty seats with the feeling of awkwardness still lingering there because of the too many eyes focused on her but she wasn't the one to bow down her head. So, she decided to ignore their gazes. That was the best she could do.

Although it felt awkward sitting there, she was still feeling happy that finally she had escaped from all those barriers. She could finally take a sigh of relief.

As she was lost in her own thoughts, the professor arrived giving all of them a sweet smile and soon enough she became engrossed in the lecture.

------------------- 

“Gayatri, let's go outside. We have next lecture after an hour of free period.  Let’s have a look around the campus.” Malobika approached Gayatri excitedly.

Both of them left the classroom as they had a full hour to themselves and soon enough both were found sitting on a bench kept on the side of the ground. Taking a deep breath, Gayatri looked around and the next moment her eyes landed on the doctor who had treated her.

“Should I say thank you or not? Yesterday, that khadoos doctor made him leave the room. I should thank him now.” She thought. Yes, she should! After all, he treated her. Gayatri approached him slowly and called him gently, “Doctor Sahab?”

The man turned around furrowing his eyebrows in confusion but chuckled  immediately when he saw Gayatri standing behind him.

“Woh, thank you for yesterday. I couldn't thank you properly due to that… khadoos doctor.” She said narrowing her eyes at her own last two words.

“Why are you calling him ‘doctor sahab’… ‘doctor sahab’?” Malobika interrupted her. “He is a friend of Dr. Dave Harrison.”

What?!!

Gayatri looked at her with confusion written all over her face. “You know Dr. Harrison. Don't you? He is really a kind hearted person and has a very warm personality.” Malobika said dreamil. “The next class is his. You’ll get to know after you see him. Everybody feels so excited when he teaches.”

Gayatri just kept nodding her head unknowingly but she had no idea who was the ‘Dave’ Malobika was talking about.

“It’s time for the class. Let’s go”, Malobika held her hand excitedly and almost dragged her to the class but not before bidding bye to the young man who was by now laughing at their banter. Truly his friend, Harrison had a good number of female admirers around.

------------------- 

Malobika nudged Gayatri making her wince amidst the crowd of some forty students who were passing strange glances at them. “What?” She whisper – shouted at her new friend getting slightly irritated.

“Where are you lost? Odike dakh. (See there). He has already arrived and is looking at you.” Malobika whispered back.

“Me?” Gayatri immediately looked up and saw that ‘khadoos aadmi’ from last night at infirmary staring at her with those hazel eyes filled with amusement. This was another of innumerable reasons she condemned these over haughty English people. They found everything about the countrymen funny.

“It’s your turn to say your name, Doctor Harrison is asking names.” Malobika informed her.

She nodded at her friend and stood up looking at him who was still chuckling at her lost nature. “My name is…” And she was interrupted by him suddenly.

“Gaya-aa-tree, right?” He smiled at her.

She was shocked. “How come you know my name Doctor sahab?” She couldn’t help but question back to which he laughed lightly. “I know everything, Lady. By the way my name is Dave Harrison. It’s a great pleasure meeting you Gaya-aa-tree. You can call me Doctor Harrison.” He nodded acknowledging her.

"Hum koi paudha thodei hai jo aap ‘Tree’ ‘Tree’ kar rhe hain..! Humra naam Gayatri hai. (I’m not a plant that you’re calling ne ‘Tree’ ‘Tree’. My name is Gayatri). GAYATRI. Naa ki Gaya-aaa-treeee.” She busted out severely irritated by now.

She highly wondered how her blood pressure was stable till now. Firstly, an Englishman and then a super nosy and over prided man who couldn’t even spell her name properly. She was highly angry by now.

Here, the man in question was now on full grinning mode seeing those cute frown on her brows. “Ok Gaya-aa-tree.” He obliged and the whole class chuckled this time. She was shocked at his audacity, he had teased her, that too in front of the entire class. Now she had to answer back.

She just gifted him one of her sarcastic sugar smile, “Ok Doctor Devv! The One who knows everything. Just like Brahma Dev, you know.” This had the whole class burst into another round of full fledged laughter in the entire class.

He, too, joined their laughter seeing her pronouncing his name incorrectly. He knew she was giving him the taste of his own medicine and he didn't want to admit but somewhere he liked it. It was fun around this new student.

------------------- 

“No matter how much I walk, eei college khatame naa hoite haee. (No matter how much I walk, this campus is never ending).” Gayatri was roaming around the campus thinking about her changed life. She missed her home terribly and her Anuradha jiji too. She couldn’t even write to her. Her in-laws would throw her out if they came to know that she had helped her in fleeing. She was suddenly feeling very much tensed.

Amidst all these she didn’t know where her feet stepped and she was at some isolated corner and she froze. Where was she now?

Hearing some whispers from an adjacent room she couldn't help her curiosity and proceeded to the direction on tiptoes.

“Yes, we all know about the left wing and don't worry no one will go there.” The voice was too familiar for her.

“But last time I saw someone there… It’s getting riskier. I think he is back.” Someone else spoke. Gayatri peeped a bit inside the room only to find a few men talking in whispering voices.

“So it’s not only me who is doubting it.” It was another man.

“What!” Professor Roy screamed in a low voice. “Tar maane (You mean), he has indeed returned, that can't happen. We thought he was gone. He can’t come back! The students are highly unsafe. Seal the left wing. I will talk to the higher authorities.” He ordered in a firm voice.

Gayatri’s thoughts took a wide imagination while her heart started beating faster thinking about the mysterious ‘He’ they were talking about. It seemed highly confidential.

“Please Professor, I beg your pardon, don't shout and gentlemen, kindly keep your voices low. We cannot afford anybody to know about this incident.” A chaste English whisper was heard by her and after that they started talking in hushed voices.

Gayatri couldn't hear anything more. She felt pissed and annoyed but she still stood there wondering about how to talk to Prof. Roy about this matter. How to ask him who were they talking about? Who was this ‘HE’?

Before she could enter the room, she sensed the people exiting the room from the back door and the ones left still muttered something to each other. She knew Prof. Roy was still in the room but she simply didn't have the courage to ask him about this matter. The meeting was nearly ending.

And at last Professor Roy too left from there. She was alone, there wasn't a single human in her line of vision. She entered the vacant classroom hoping to find something, something that could give her a hint of what were they talking about. Something that would end her queries and something unexplained happened again.

A strange shivering chill suddenly passed her spine. She was highly shocked. It was felt by her again and it startled her even more, the sudden drop of temperature was worrying her. She knew it wasn’t normal and it scared her immensely.

Adding to it was a strong and strange scent of nicotine that was prevailing in the air that made her dizzy all of a sudden. Was anyone smoking in the college premises?

She wobbled on her feet trying to reach the door but due to dizziness she was imbalanced, but she wasn't the one to give up easily. She stood up again against the wall as a piercing throb passed her chest. She was feeling peculiar not having even basic clue what this sudden feeling was!

She just knew that somebody was pushing her with all might in the direction she never wanted to go again. It was like her feet were not in her control, he was changing her inner self effortlessly and she was uselessly trying.

"Gayatri ..." She could hear Malobika’s faint shout.

And something snapped off her! She didn’t know how she was standing back, fully balanced and normal.

“Where were you going ? Come with me. I am so tired re, let's go back to the hostel.” Gayatri nodded at her friend who had already come inside and soon they were out.

She glanced at the left wing once again which was just two corridors away and finally left. Nothing was normal in here and fear was seeding her heart terribly.

“You know Williams just got scolded because of teasing Meera and…” Malobika was in her own world gossiping but Gayatri was too busy to hear it. She had to know who was this ‘HE’ before it was too late.

-------------------

It was evening.

Dave entered the library to search for a book that he wanted to read. Almost after thirty minutes of searching and finding no luck, he turned but immediately halted looking at the new student 'Gaya-aa-Tree'.

He could see the frown lines on her forehead. She was concentrating pretty hard on whatever she was reading. He was amused and his lips stretched into a soft smile.

He was enjoying watching her… her yawning, her squinting eyes. And when she couldn’t understand something, she drifted to her dreamland slowly.

It was getting darker and the library was already half empty. Dave went towards her and called her. “Gaya-aa-Tree.”

No answer from her. He called her again. “Gaya-aa-tree.” A bit louder this time. And in answer she just grunted but didn't wake up.

He smiled seeing that but his smile vanished instantly when he realized she was not waking up. He had an idea about her not liking him, so he shook her shoulder reluctantly.

And within a moment she sat up like somebody had given her an electric shock. But she recovered quickly and gave him a weird glance.

“Its getting darker and the library is almost empty, so, I woke you up, Miss Gaya-aa-Tree.” Dave said carefully.

Still she didn't change her expressions and quickly got up with an annoyed look and left the library without giving him a second glance. To say, Dave was shocked would be an understatement.

“She could have at least thanked me.”  He murmured to himself before leaving the library as well.

--------------

Tossing and turning on the bed, Gayatri was feeling too restless as if somebody was watching her. It was nearly midnight and she could feel her headache coming back with full force. The temperature was slowly dropping all over again, exactly like it happened in that room, it was getting humid.

It was cold but she was sweating. That weird scent of nicotine again started lingering in the suffocating air of the room, draining all energy from her eventually. Her throat felt dry but she was too scared to go and drink water from the matka for it was kept in the other corner of the room.

But at last, mustering enough courage she sat on the bed and stood up slowly. She looked around and saw her roommate sleeping peacefully. A sudden realization hit her that the room was getting darker. The light which was coming from the balcony adjacent to their room was no more visible strangely.

Her heart was beating so fast that it took her by surprise. While gulping the water down her throat, she unconsciously looked towards the ceiling and the sight in front of her knocked the breath out of her body. It was like the ceiling was covered with grey- black ashes… Was something burning? It freaked the hell out of her!!

And even before she could get a hold of herself, the window suddenly swung open and she dropped the glass with a shriek. Ashes filled the air with strong gushes of wind. She held her head again and her head started aching again. She coughed profusely looking around. This was so weird and it just terrified her more .

And before she could take it anymore, she had fainted right there!

-------------------

A month had passed since that hair -raising incident. Gayatri didn't know when she had regained consciousness after that dreadful encounter. All she knew that she was lying helplessly near her bed when the soft rays of first sunlight touched her face.

She still couldn’t get over the feeling of being watched continuously. She felt the same chill from time to time. But somehow the things had started falling into place. She was trying to adjust to the new environment pretty well, but still she couldn’t take that awful smell of nicotine out of her mind.

She had started a new project with Prof. Roy and that Dr. Harrison regarding an effective remedy for cholera. This thought brought a bundle of happiness to her heart that now she could finally help her people.

Prof. Roy could see her urge and had decided there could be no better person than her in assisting him in this highly important work. She was in need of it and she would understand the importance of it.

-----------------

“Professor, can I have that book please?” Gayatri asked the professor politely. Prof. Bhagwant Chauhan sat on his chair dressed in his usual white dhoti and kurta with huge gold rimmed glasses resting on his nose.

“You want this book?” he asked her, to which she nodded confusingly.

“You know you’re not supposed to be here. Girls are for sitting at home and do the chores, and not for asking the books they won’t understand. I don’t understand why Prof Roy favors you so much.” He snapped at her.

She was shocked thinking about that awful notion again. She hated this feeling. Everybody was trying to discourage the girls, trying to stomp on their self-confidence instead of helping them.

They all were just the same, just in different facades!

That was why she wanted to know more, to show them that girls weren’t weak. That was why she was determined to find the remedy for cholera. She wouldn’t give up just because these peoples were telling her to! 

She really needed that book, it had the description of the medicine she needed to read about but because of that awful mentality she couldn't.

This was the reason she strived to learn more… to know more and nothing like this could discourage her.

-------------------

“Gayatri?” She came back to her sense when she heard her only friend, Malobika, calling her. She just couldn’t get the words of the professor out of her mind.

“Can you please help me in these? I can't understand the symptoms.”  Malobika asked and Gayatri nodded. And soon she got busy in explaining her.

On the other hand, Dave was remembering that ‘New Gayatri’ who was pissed when he called her ‘Gaya-aa-tree’. He was lost deep in his thoughts and was unknowingly looking at her, as she was busy explaining something to her friend. Her words rang in his head again and he chuckled seeing the cute frown on her forehead.

And when there Gayatri looked up and saw him grinning, something instantly snapped inside of her and she came storming towards him.

“Do you think it’s a joke? You will never understand what we Indians are going through! You don't even know the pain of losing someone you love. Here, we are trying to find a cure for cholera and you are chuckling and taking it lightly.” Gayatri shouted at him and left the laboratory leaving everyone shocked and more than anyone else… Dave.

“Ka samjha hayee uuh apna ke? Huhh, Angrez! (What does he think of himself? Typical Englishman!)”  She murmured walking angrily. This man was absolutely giving her a nerve-wreck.

-------------------

“Gayatri, did you hear the latest news going around?” Malobika asked Gayatri as she came running after her.

Gayatri narrowed her eyes because she didn’t hear anything in particular. She could see people murmuring but she never noticed what they were talking about.

“No, I haven't.”  Gayatri answered as she continued walking.

“Then let me tell you. You know the corridor in the left wing of the administrative block. It is said that… that place is possessed.” Malobika said with a terrified expression and a shiver ran down Gayatri’s spine thinking about all the weird things that had been happening with her now-a-days.

It had been a month and she knew well where this left wing was. It was the same place where she was stranded on the first day and from then, strange things were happening around her.

“You are lying, aren't you?” Gayatri asked suddenly seeing her roommate as she tried not to laugh out loud. She could see the hidden heads of her classmates behind those huge pillars and silent shaking of Malobika’s shoulders. They were trying to fool her but she wasn’t a fool to actually believe them.

“I know you are trying to play a prank on me. Don't try it.” She said with a blank mask on her face.

“Ok! Ok, I am sorry. Sachii mein sorry.” Malobika side hugged Gayatri but she felt annoyed at how they were making fun of her sub consciousness. They shouldn't. She had a rough idea of what was happening now-a-days. She wasn’t sure but something was up which she supposed, had a link with that mysterious corridor of the left wing.

She shook her head trying to clear her head of all the unnecessary thoughts and went to find a quiet place to read the book that could somehow help her in concentrating. She was here to study and she needed to be clear about it.

-------------------

“I will see you tomorrow.” Gayatri said to one of her friends as she was walking out of the canteen. Dinner was done and she started reading the book that was left half-way.

After a few minutes of slow stroll, she halted as the sudden realization hit her that she has accidently entered there once again. The left wing corridor was once again calling her. Panic overtook her features as she turned around to go back but couldn't.

A clean piercing sound of glass shattering took her attention and now she was breathing heavily, all this thing were making her dizzy. The haunting  smell of nicotine was persistant once again. EVERYTHING was messing up and so was her mind. She knew she was in huge danger once again, she committee the mistake she had done on day one unknowingly. And then the unexpected happened.

She found herself walking. No, not by her will, rather with an intense force that shocked her. A small scream passed her throat as she tried to stop, she tried to turn, she tried to run. But she couldn't do anything. She was feeling helpless.

She shivered and tried to get out of the clasps of that force which was holding her but with each moment she was becoming more and more helpless.

She couldn't. Her brain was in an uncontrolled action, her throat was dried up by now and she tried to attract the attention of the few people she could see from the far sight but all was in vain. "Run!" Her heart screamed and she did it.

She ran with all her might trying to overpower the strength of the inevitable and next moment she was shocked even more.

She was being pulled outside the building by an unfathomable power. Her body was unmanageable and she found herself running out. She was sweating profusely and her entire frame shook with tremendous vulnerability...

“Koi hai... Humka bachao (Save me)!!!” She shouted but the area seemed to be too desolated. It was the backside of the main campus and her feet soon touched the green grass. She shivered and tried to get out of the hold of this happening but with each moment she was more helpless.

“Please Save me. Save me!!! Koi hai??” Her scream echoed in the silence of the night and tears clouded her eyes. The throbbing pain in her head was back once again. Clutching her head tightly with one hand and the book with other she tried to run, but the more she tried, the more she was magnetized towards the direction she had never been in her life. Queer sensations coursed through her veins.

She was forced up till a few step forward and then she collapsed. She was drained and not in a condition to fight back more. Her eyes quivered as her senses were losing themselves but not before witnessing a dark black silhouette floating. Her mind went numb at the sight of it and her body refused to react. Tremendous fear engulfed her heart and slowly her eyes closed. She was on verge of fainting.

All she could make out was that she was lying at the doorsteps of the small desolate OUTHOUSE at this hour of the night.

All alone, helpless.

Written by SilentReder for the group story writing contest hosted by freakswithus

We hope you enjoyed reading. Do leave your feedbacks and views down here. That would really mean a lot to us.

See you all on 15th July with the chapter 2. Till then stay blessed and happy reading.

With loads of love,
ARDUOUS SCRIBBLERS ❤️