Chapter 10
Location: Forest Path
Time: 11:50 PM
The color had drained completely from Romi and Joy’s faces. They walked back with weary steps, as if struggling to escape a nightmare that still clung to their skin.
The air felt heavy. The dampness carried with it the stench of fear and the lingering shadow of death. Even the rustling leaves seemed as though they were guarding a secret.
Suddenly—
The sound of footsteps crunched from behind.
Romi’s breath hitched as she glanced at Joy.
Joy immediately tightened his grip on her hand and pulled her behind him. His voice broke as he whispered—
“W-wait… someone’s coming.”
Their hearts pounded so loud it echoed in their ears. The silence around them thickened, pressing down like a weight.
With trembling hands, Joy raised the flashlight forward. The beam landed directly on a face—
And their blood ran cold.
It was the Old Man.
He stood there, wordless. In his hands gleamed a sharp axe. The light caught on its edge, flashing like death itself standing before them.
The blade looked sharp enough to end everything in a single strike.
His clothes were still stained with blood. Blood that once belonged to his loyal companion—the dog he had loved the most.
His eyes were cold, piercing, and utterly devoid of emotion. As though he already knew… as though he had seen everything.
When he finally spoke, his voice was deep, chilling—like ice cracking through the air.
“What were you looking for… in my forest?”
Romi’s lips quivered, but no sound came. Joy’s sweat-soaked palm squeezed hers tighter.
The trees, the branches, even the very air seemed to be listening. The forest itself waited, as if demanding their answer.
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📖 Next Scene – Inside the House (Expanded Version)
Sonam lay collapsed on the floor, face pressed against the dirt, half-eaten sandwich stuck to her cheek. Her breaths came in broken gasps, and her eyes were wide with nothing but fear.
She whispered hoarsely—
“You all… you’ve gone mad…”
Roz towered over her. Her eyes burned with rage, her voice sharp like a blade.
“Why are you trembling so much, huh? This was your plan all along, wasn’t it? To drive us insane, then run away with the money and the jewels!”
Sonam’s tear-soaked lashes trembled. Her voice cracked, small and broken.
“No… it’s not true… believe me…”
Roz’s lips twisted into a cruel smile. Her tone cut like glass.
“Believe you? That’ll only happen… once the poison takes full effect. Just like it’s driving us mad… it’ll consume you too.”
Tears spilled down Sonam’s eyes. Her heartbeat thundered. She cried out in a desperate voice—
“Mad? You were always mad, Roz! Blinded by Raj’s love… you did everything he asked, no matter how wrong! And now… now this is your punishment. Do you understand?”
The veins on Roz’s face tightened. Madness sparked in her eyes, though the words seemed caught in her throat.
Sonam staggered, her voice shaking, broken by sobs.
“You have one weakness, Roz… you trust too easily. First Raj… and now… Mohan.”
Her breaths suddenly grew ragged. Her voice rasped, breaking apart as she clawed at her throat, itching and gasping.
Roz’s lips curled into a low, chilling laugh. Her eyes burned red.
“See that? It’s starting already. That’s proof enough… you were the one behind this.”
Sonam struggled to her feet, staggering toward the doorway. Terror clouded her tear-filled eyes. Just before reaching the door, she turned back, her trembling voice barely holding—
“Roz… do you even remember… where the Red Bag is?”
Roz froze. Her eyes widened.
“What do you mean? Why do you care?”
Sonam’s breaths were labored.
“I didn’t do this… but I saw. Mohan… yes, him! He took the bag into his room. He said you, Raj, and Roz were too broken to guard the money anymore. But the truth is different… He’s the one. He’s behind all of this. He’ll leave us… and run away with that bag… tomorrow morning.”
Roz screamed, voice breaking into fury—
“No! That’s a lie! The bag… the bag is in Raj’s room!”
Sonam stumbled to the door and slammed it shut with all her strength.
THUD!
Roz stood frozen. Tears welled in her eyes, burning with fire. But then—her lips curled. A sudden, manic laughter burst from her throat—loud, wild, echoing like madness itself.
Countinue......
By Pooja kumari
