Chapter 12
It was 11:45 at night.
The dense jungle was swallowed by fog. The air was cold, but it wasn’t silent — it carried a hidden scream, strung somewhere in the mist, a scream that only those who were afraid could hear.
Romi was running through the trees. Her breaths were broken, every step felt like the ground was slipping away. In her mind, only one image kept flashing — Sonal’s lifeless body, the raised spade in Oldman’s hand, and Joy’s lie.
From behind, Joy’s panicked voice echoed —
“Romi! Stop! Don’t think like that! I’m not your enemy… please!”
But Romi was beyond listening now. Her eyes were lost in another world altogether.
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🏚️ The Old House – same time
Mohan came running to the house. Sweat glistened on his face, fear blazed in his eyes.
He banged the door open and shouted —
“Roz! Sonam! Come out quickly! Where are you?”
Roz stepped out of the room. Her face looked as if it had melted. Eyes bloodshot, hair disheveled, lips trembling. She wasn’t the Roz Mohan had left just a few hours ago.
Her voice shook with rage and madness —
“You brought the doctor? No, right? Look at me! Look at my skin!”
Mohan stared at her in disbelief.
He whispered —
“Roz… you look so different…”
Then he suddenly screamed —
“We’re going to be killed! Oldman knows everything! He wants the money… he won’t let us live!”
Mohan tried to calm her —
“Roz, listen! We’ll find a doctor! The driver’s on his way… we just need to get out of here.”
But Roz’s eyes carried a terrifying gleam. She muttered —
“Sonal ran away… Sonam is in her room, worse off with Raj. And you… yes, you, Mohan… you’re still in this game. You go. I don’t know what’s happening here… but I want peace.”
Mohan grabbed her hand and shook her —
“Sonal didn’t run, Roz! Her bag is still here! And Raj is unconscious in there. Roz, we have to stay together… we can fight this!”
Roz only gave a mysterious laugh.
Mohan suddenly rushed toward Sonam’s room. Roz followed him. He banged on the door, but there was no answer. With force, he broke it open.
The sight inside froze him.
Sonam lay lifeless on the floor. Her breathing had stopped.
With trembling hands, Mohan checked her pulse — nothing.
His heart sank.
“How’s this possible…? No one has died from this poison yet… then Sonam…”
His eyes fell on a small bag beside her. A tiny empty medicine vial lay next to it. On the label it read — Allergic Medicine.
Mohan whispered —
“Roz… Sonam was telling the truth… that means…”
Roz said nothing. Only a strange laugh slipped from her lips.
Mohan stood up suddenly.
“Enough! No more, Roz! We’re leaving.”
He rushed to his room, grabbed the red bag, and pulled Roz by the hand.
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🪓 Outside the house – same time
Mohan pushed the door open. Roz trailed behind.
But as soon as they stepped out — Oldman stood there.
His eyes were blood-red, a spade in his hand, his face dripping with madness.
Mohan roared —
“Get out of our way!”
Without a word, Oldman swung at Mohan. The bag slipped from his hands to the ground. Mohan cried out in pain, but with all his strength, he shoved Oldman back.
Roz quickly snatched the bag and dashed toward the house.
Mohan yelled —
“Roz! Keep the door open! I’m right behind you!”
Roz ran inside. She opened the door… but then stopped.
She turned back and saw Mohan running, with Oldman chasing him.
A strange calmness spread across Roz’s face.
She whispered —
“Everyone leaves me… now it’s your turn too…”
CLICK!
Roz shut the door and locked it from inside.
Mohan pounded on it desperately.
“Roz! Have you gone mad? Open the door! I’ll die out here!!”
From inside came Roz’s voice — laughter mixed with sobbing —
“Everyone leaves… everyone leaves… everyone leaves… now it’s my turn…”
In that instant, Oldman appeared behind and drove the spade into Mohan’s chest.
Mohan’s body collapsed onto the ground.
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📷 Inside the house – by the window
Roz stood at the window, watching everything.
Tears streamed down her face. Her hands clutched the red bag tightly.
But on her face… a childlike madness had settled.
She whispered softly —
“Now I’m not alone anymore… everyone’s with me… everyone’s close…”
By Pooja Kumari
