While the girls were deep in discussion, brainstorming ideas for their next adventure, Aravali burst into the room, her eyes sparkling with excitement. In her hands, she held a remarkable device that she had been working on tirelessly. "Guys, check this out!" she exclaimed, proudly displaying her latest invention—a state-of-the-art ghost catcher that gleamed under the light.
Iaa, intrigued by the sight, leaned in closer and asked, "You actually finished it already?" Her voice was filled with a mix of surprise and admiration.
"Absolutely! It was surprisingly straightforward," Aravali replied, her enthusiasm palpable. "I spent hours studying the blueprint in the lab, and then I incorporated some cutting-edge technology that I discovered during my research. It's designed to not only capture ghosts but also analyze their energy signatures, which could help us understand them better."
Curious, Iaa held up another device, one that had been given to her by Kuwarjeet. "What about this one?" she inquired, her brow furrowing slightly as she examined the ghost catcher in her hands that was given by Kuwrjeet. It was a bit bulkier, with various buttons and lights that flickered ominously.
Aravali glanced at it and nodded thoughtfully. "Oh, that one? It's a backup plan. I haven't had the chance to test my own ghost catcher yet, so I wanted to be prepared just in case something goes wrong. You know how unpredictable these ghost encounters can be!"
Iaa nodded in understanding, her mind racing with possibilities. "That makes sense. It's always good to have a contingency plan. But I can't wait to see how yours performs! The features you added sound incredible."
Aravali beamed with pride, her heart swelling at the thought of their upcoming adventures. "Thanks! I really think this could change the game for us. Imagine capturing a ghost and learning about its history! We could uncover so many mysteries."
The girls exchanged excited glances, their imaginations running wild with the potential of what lay ahead. "Oh," Iaa said, her voice trailing off as she envisioned the thrilling escapades that awaited them.
As dawn broke the following day, the girls were bustling about, each immersed in their own preparations for the exciting day ahead. The air was filled with a sense of anticipation, and laughter echoed through the room as they shared stories and ideas about their upcoming adventure. Just as they were finalizing their plans, the door swung open, and Kuwarjeet stepped in, a warm smile on his face and a small, ornate bottle in his hand that glimmered in the morning light.
"Good morning, everyone!" he greeted cheerfully, his voice resonating with a comforting familiarity. The girls paused their chatter, turning their attention to him, curious about what he had brought. Kuwarjeet approached them, holding the bottle aloft as if it were a precious treasure. "I've brought something special for you all," he announced, his eyes twinkling with excitement.
He carefully uncorked the bottle, revealing a shimmering liquid that seemed to dance within its confines. "This is Holy water," he explained, his tone serious yet encouraging. "It's believed to protect you from negative energies and spirits that you might encounter on your journey. Here, drink some." He poured a small amount into each of their hands, the cool liquid glistening like liquid crystal.
The girls exchanged glances, a mix of intrigue and skepticism evident on their faces. Sita, took a sip first, her expression shifting from uncertainty to surprise. "Oh, thanks, Jeet uncle!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with gratitude. The others followed suit, each taking a sip and feeling a wave of warmth wash over them, as if they were enveloped in a protective embrace.
Kuwarjeet watched them with a satisfied smile, pleased to see their reactions. "It's not just about protection; it's also a reminder of the strength you possess within yourselves. Trust in your abilities, and this will enhance your courage," he said, his voice filled with wisdom. The girls nodded, feeling a renewed sense of confidence as they absorbed his words.
"No worries, now let's get you all ready to head out," Kuwarjeet said, his demeanor shifting to one of practicality. He gathered his things, ensuring that they had everything they needed for their adventure. The girls, now invigorated by the Holy water and Kuwarjeet's encouraging words, felt a surge of excitement as they prepared to embark on their journey, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead with newfound strength and unity.
After a while, the group of friends finally arrived at the imposing door of the old house, its weathered surface telling tales of years gone by. The air was thick with anticipation as they stood before it, each girl feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation.
"You ready, guys?" Iaa asked, her voice breaking the silence as she turned to her friends, her eyes sparkling with eagerness. Each of them nodded, their expressions a blend of determination and curiosity.
"I'll go first; I am the strongest," Shiva declared confidently, stepping forward with a sense of bravado. She reached for the door handle, her fingers brushing against the cool metal as she prepared to open it.
"Wait a second, Aravali," Iaa interjected, pulling out her sketchbook and pen, her focus shifting momentarily. "You'll be the last one to go since you might not be strong enough like us."
"OK," Aravali replied, a hint of disappointment in her voice, but she understood the reasoning behind Iaa's words.
"Alright, on the count of three," Shiva announced, her excitement palpable. "1... 2... 3!" With a swift motion, she pushed the door open, the creaking sound echoing in the stillness as she stepped inside, her heart racing with adrenaline.
"Wait, guys!" Sita called out, halting the others as they began to follow Shiva into the house. "It's not dusk yet; it's literally 11 am!"
"So?" Shiva asked, glancing back at Sita, her brow furrowing in confusion.
"It means the ghost is likely not here," Sita explained, her voice steady and thoughtful. "We have plenty of time to explore the house and search for their belongings. This way, Iaa can use her powers to connect with them and experience their point of view."
The group exchanged glances, the weight of Sita's words sinking in. They realized that this was not just an adventure; it was an opportunity to delve into the unknown, to uncover secrets hidden within the walls of the house. With renewed determination, they stepped inside, ready to face whatever awaited them in the shadows.
"Aravali nodded in agreement, her eyes shining with understanding as she said, 'You know, I think you're absolutely right about that.' Iaa, feeling a sense of relief and camaraderie, responded with a smile, 'Alright then, let's go with that plan!'"
While they wandered through the dimly lit corridors of the house, their footsteps echoing softly against the creaky wooden floorboards, they stumbled upon an old, dusty frame hanging askew on the wall. Inside the frame was a faded photograph of a small child, no older than five, clutching a worn teddy bear tightly to their chest. The child's innocent smile seemed to contrast sharply with the ominous words scrawled beneath the image in jagged, dark letters: "I WILL HAUNT YOU FOREVER." The sight sent a chill down their spines, igniting a mix of curiosity and apprehension as they contemplated the story behind the haunting message.
"The child in the photograph must be the ghost," Iaa said, her voice barely above a whisper as she studied the image intently. The faded features of the little boy, no older than five, tugged at her heartstrings, and she felt an inexplicable connection to him. "And look at that teddy bear he's holding; it seems like it must have belonged to him," she continued, her eyes glistening with empathy.
Shiva, standing beside her, nodded in agreement, her brow furrowed in thought. "It's so worn and loved; it must have been his favorite toy. I wonder what happened to him," she mused, her voice filled with a mix of curiosity and sadness.
Aravali, who had been examining the room, suddenly pointed toward the cabinet in the corner. "Look! The teddy bear is over there, just like the one in the picture!" she exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over as she gestured toward the dusty cabinet.
Iaa turned to her friends, her expression serious. "How much time do we have until dusk?" she asked, glancing at the window where the sun was still high in the sky.
Aravali checked her watch, her eyes widening slightly. "We have about seven and a half hours left," she replied, her voice tinged with urgency.
Iaa took a deep breath, contemplating their next move. "Should we go ahead and investigate further? This could be our chance to uncover the truth," she suggested, her determination shining through.
"Absolutely," Shiva chimed in, her confidence unwavering. "We can't let this opportunity slip away. We need to find out more about this child and the teddy bear. It feels like there's a story waiting for us to discover.
Iaa carefully retrieved a small, intricately designed book that Kuwarjeet had gifted her, its cover adorned with mystical symbols and a soft, worn texture that hinted at its age. This book contained valuable instructions on how to immerse herself in another entity's point of view, a skill she was eager to master for their upcoming adventure.
The first step outlined in the book instructed her to create a protective circle using salt, a substance believed to ward off negative energies. With steady hands, Iaa poured a fine line of salt onto the floor, meticulously forming a perfect circle large enough for her to sit comfortably within. She felt a sense of calm wash over her as she completed this task, knowing it was an essential part of the process.
Next, the book advised her to sit inside the circle and place the belonging of the person she wished to connect with on her lap or directly in front of her. Iaa chose a small, worn teddy bear that she had found in the dusty cabinet earlier, believing it to be significant to the child in the photograph they had discovered. She settled into the circle, cradling the teddy bear gently, feeling its softness against her skin.
The third step required her to chant a specific phrase three times: "Whoever's belonging is this, let me see your perspective." Iaa closed her eyes, focusing her thoughts and energy on the teddy bear as she repeated the chant, her voice steady and clear. With each repetition, she felt a deeper connection forming, as if the essence of the child was beginning to envelop her.
Finally, the last step emphasized the importance of safety during this process. Iaa was instructed to communicate with her friends, telling them to gently wake her if anything felt amiss or if she seemed to be in distress. She opened her eyes, looking at her friends with a serious expression, ensuring they understood the gravity of the situation. With everything in place, Iaa felt ready to embark on this extraordinary journey into another's perspective, eager to uncover the mysteries that lay ahead.
TO BE CONTINUED....