The girls rolled their suitcases down the dimly lit corridor of Hillview Heritage, the wheels echoing against the wooden floor. The hallway smelled faintly of old books and sandalwood, the kind of scent that clung to old places with forgotten stories.
Their rooms were lined up along the west wing—three to a room. Prajwal, Swara, and Akshada were assigned Room 301. Apurva, Swarali, and Rutuja got Room 302. Khushi, Akshara, and Srushti had Room 303. And finally, Anushka, who had immediately declared, "I refuse to room with boring people," ended up in Room 304 with Khushi and Srushti, causing a reshuffle—but no one really minded.
"Yeh hotel thoda zyada vintage nahi hai?" Akshara said, dragging her bag in. "Like, it's cute, but also… kinda cursed?"
"Maybe that's the aesthetic," Swara replied, unlocking the door to Room 301 with a soft click.
The rooms were cozy but old. Wooden furniture, antique mirrors, thick curtains, and beds with embroidered quilts. The windows opened to a view of mist-covered pine trees, the sun hidden behind thick clouds.
"This is kinda...romantic?" Srushti said, tossing herself onto the bed.
Anushka winked. "If ghosts don't show up, I might just call my boyfriend here."
"Oh please," Khushi rolled her eyes. "Like he'd survive this vibe."
While the others unpacked and explored, Prajwal stood at the window, watching the fog settle. Her mind was still on the caretaker's warning. Room 309. Why specifically that room? She wasn't scared—curious, rather. Her gut told her this place had a story to tell.
Meanwhile, in Room 302, Apurva and Swarali were already arranging their books on the side table.
"We can revise bio after dinner," Swarali said.
"Are we seriously studying on a trip where we might get murdered by a ghost?" Rutuja asked, pulling her hoodie over her head.
"If we do, at least we'll die as toppers," Apurva replied with a smirk.
Downstairs, the girls gathered in the hotel's grand dining room for lunch. The long wooden table was set with brass plates and flickering candles.
"This is giving horror movie vibes," Swara whispered to Prajwal.
Akshada sat down confidently. "It's just old. People love making up ghost stories about places like this. I bet Room 309 is just locked because it's under renovation."
"Wanna bet?" Anushka grinned. "Let's go knock on the door tonight."
"Don't you dare!" Akshara said, clutching her fork like a weapon.
"Relax. I'll just say 'hello ghost, Anushka here. Single and ready to scream,'" she replied, making everyone burst into laughter.
But even through the laughter, an odd chill remained in the air. The waiter who served them looked nervous, always glancing toward the stairs. And the old grandfather clock in the corner ticked a little too loudly.
After lunch, the girls explored the hotel—taking pictures, recording reels, and joking around. The garden out back was covered in a light layer of snow. The air was crisp, and the cold bit at their fingers, but it didn't stop Akshada from striking fierce poses for Instagram.
Just as they were returning inside, a loud clang echoed through the hallway.
"Did someone drop something?" asked Rutuja.
"No," Swara said slowly. "It came from upstairs."
Everyone looked at the staircase that led to the upper floors. It was darker there, as if the shadows were heavier beyond the fourth step.
Prajwal stepped forward. "I'm going."
"Alone?!" Khushi squeaked.
"I'll come too," Akshada said. "We don't let our lead girl go solo."
Swara sighed and joined them. "Let's just check and come back."
The rest stayed back, anxiously watching as the trio climbed the stairs. Each step creaked, and the air turned colder.
They reached the third floor.
Silence.
Then a door creaked open by itself down the corridor.
It was Room 309.
The number was carved into the wood, but the paint was faded. The doorknob moved slightly—as if someone was slowly pulling it from the inside.
"Guys," Swara whispered. "Do you see that?"
They stood frozen, heartbeats loud in their ears.
Then—BAM!—the door slammed shut on its own.
The three girls ran downstairs without looking back.
"What happened?" Anushka asked, halfway through a packet of chips.
Prajwal didn't answer at first. Her mind was racing. The door had moved. The air had changed. And something deep inside her told her—this wasn't just an old hotel.
This was the beginning of something much bigger.
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