Old Mr. Bisht was furious.

Furious would be an understatement. He would happily wring my neck if it didn’t mean leaving another dead body for him to clean up later. Nitin and I had been locked in my room with a guard posted outside. After we managed to drive away the khichkandi’s spirit, it left it’s mostly intact original body in order to make a quick getaway. Now we were suspected of murdering the poor girl. Not only that, but we were actually suspected of gruesomely torturing and murdering the poor girls with fire. Everyone at the hotel was avoiding us like the plague, and nobody was willing to believe that we had acted in self defence. I didn’t tell them that it was an evil spirit we were fighting off. No need to get committed to the asylum along with getting charged with murder.

Instead, I had fibbed a little and said that Vaishali had managed to sneak in Rohan’s room and tried to kill him. And we defended him.

“With what weapon did she attempt the murder?” Mr. Bisht had asked.

“…”

“Why didn’t you just overpower her with the two of you? She was alone and a woman to boot!” A vein throbbed in his temple, “Or are you two men that weak that you can’t subdue an unarmed woman?”

Well it’s not like we wanted to get bitten in half, Bisht Uncle, those teeth looked mighty sharp.

Nitin attempted to persuade Mr. Bisht, “Bisht Uncle, you have to believe us. She was going to..” Mr. Bisht waved a hand to cut him off. “It doesn’t matter what I believe. I’m handing you over the the Police when they arrive tomorrow. I suggest you think of a better story for them, unless you want to try the insanity plea. Stay in your room till then.” He stepped out of the room.

Nitin rounded on me as soon as he left, “ Why didn’t you tell him about the Kichkandi?”

I chuckled mirthlessly, “Because there is no proof bhai. You give me one solid evidence we can present to the others and I’ll follow your lead.” The corpse had turned back to normal after whatever unholy powers using it had abandoned it.

“I’m with you all the way bro, but I can’t say anything about that chickenshit Rohan. I’ll bet you a grand that bastard will mess everything up.” Nitin got up and sneaked towards the door, looked into the small keyhole. “That security guard is still camped out there in front of the door.”

“Which room is Rohan in?” I gestured at him to get away from the door. Nitin nodded and came back. He took out a cigarette and lit it up. “They took him down to guard’s quarters. Naina went with him.” He took a few drags and passed me his cigarette. The smooth tobacco smoke did wonders for my bleak mood. Truly, it would be the worst day of this world when a guy can’t share a smoke with his friend.

There was a small conversation going outside our room. Our guard was speaking to someone. Soon afterwards, there was a knock at the door. I got up to see who it was, Bhuvan Singh was standing outside holding a tray with tea on it, along with a plate of Coconut biscuits. This guy was the best.

“Sahab, have some tea.”, he turned towards the other guard, “Go take a break Shyam, stretch your legs while I serve tea.” He took out a Bidi and held it towards Shyam, who took it with a grateful nod and went away.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“What’s going on out there, Bhuvan Singh?” I picked up a clay cup of ginger tea, tea always tasted the best in these baked earth cups. I took the cigarette from Nitin and signalled him to light another one.

“Bisht Sahib is in his office with his brother Omveer. Omveer Bhaiji has brought another four men with him to the hotel. They have spears and knives, they are a really tough lot. Naina madam has gone over to Rohan bhaiya’s room to look after him.”

“Has he woken up yet?” I flicked some ash away. Bhuvan shook his head. “Ok Bhuvan, so here’s what we need to do now.” I gestured Nitin to come nearer. He took out another cigarette as we sat down and decided what we’d do next.

~

Rohan

My head was killing me as I gained consciousness. One moment, Vijay was speaking and the next I felt my face got hit by a hammer. I groaned as I tried to get up, but my head was still spinning. I heard rustling from my left and saw Naina getting up from a seat in the corner of the room.

“Naina… wha… “ she shushed me by placing her hand on my lips. It was freezing.

“Not Naina, beloved.” She said with a small smile as she came and sat on my bed, pulled my head into her lap. She started stroking my hear as she crooned a simple haunting melody. Rather than soothing me, it sent cold shivers down my spine.

“We’ve had our fight, now it’s time we reconciled.” She looked contrite, “I admit I got carried away when I came to your room earlier. But you were also at fault.”

I tried to brush her hand away but she caught mine in an iron grip instead. It felt like ice had covered it. Cold and unyielding. “I never want to see you again.” I growled.

Naina was crying now, but the tears were blood. They fell on my face and dripped down towards my mouth. I tried to spit them but she held my face with her other hand and she was so, soo.. strong. Why the hell is everyone so fucking strong. Is this bitch drinking steroids?

As she bled those tears in my mouth, I felt a deep ache building in me. It was a longing for pleasure, a desire to please the senses and all wants which my mind could think of. It also felt like everything around me was ash, every pleasure was an illusion, and this feeling just build up till it peaked in my head, almost inquiring something from me.

“We are meant to be one, my love. Forever and ever, till Shiva destroys this universe and Brahmna creates a new one.” She whispered as she wiped away her red tears, “Choose me like I chose you to be my lord and love.”

A deep drum sound rang out across creation, as my eyes rolled back and I saw bloody mist swirl around me and form into words.

Name- Not bestowed/Unearned

Karma- Chaotic (Beloved of the Kichkindi)

Chakras- N/A

Divine Alignment- N/A

Siddhis (Divine Arts)- N/A

Spirit Familiar- Choices Available

Parakram (Power)- 0.2

Manobal (Will)- 0.6

Atman (Soul)- 1

Universal Energy (Available)- 5

I force away my mind and focus on Naina.. No, Vaishali’s eyes. They had gained a demonic red tint. She had let go of me now, but I knew it was futile to try and get away. I could run away from humans, not whatever abomination she was right now. I hardened my heart because there was no way I was fighting or running my way out of this. I had to figure out a way.