Sun Moon & Stars Volume II Call Of The Skull Men

CHAPTER 11

The digital clock on Sudha's table beeped. It was five in the morning. Faint light had started to drift in from the windows. Her phone buzzed in her pocket; the emergency staff calling for further instructions on cases she was handling. But Sudha at the moment didn't even feel the vibration of the device continuously poking her. She kept staring at Shomak in disbelieve.

"It's not true," she said slowly.

Shomak stepped back repeating, "I did it. It was me," still trying to cope up with the events of last night.

Sudha's mind acted on impulse. She lifted her hand slapping hard across his face. Then immediately regretted it. She gasped pulling her hand back "No!"

Sudha was not only devastated but also hurt. She was having difficulties accepting Shomak's abrupt confession. Certainly, her son was not someone to sexually assault and try to murder a woman but Ela's wounded body said otherwise. What bothered Sudha more was that the wounds inflicted on Ela's body were completely inhuman. She was surprised that Ela was still breathing. Surely her son couldn't have done that! Rather he cannot do that!

"How could you –"

"Aunt Sudha, stay away from him, he is possessed!" Nishi burst into her cabin. Girish, Ragnik and Mini right behind her. She quickly grabbed Sudha pulling her back as Girish marched forward throwing a handful of red coloured powder over Shomak.

However, it only made him cough. Girish sighed in relief though Shomak backed away frowning at him.

"No, he isn't. The vermillion mixed with red chilli would have made burns on his skin otherwise," Girish said. "It was indeed a great idea to call Aunt Sudha's secretary, Ragnik!" he added as he went near Shomak to look closely.

Possessed! Sudha's head started to throb. "What-What d-do you m-mean Nishi?" Sudha stuttered.

"She means that Shomak was under the influence of Hiralal's demon. He was possessed and that's the reason why he was temporarily in a state of comma." Girish explained. 

"For a Kaanthali demon to take over someone's body, it takes time. It is a kind of hibernating period when it syncs with the body's mind to keep it under its control. But I am confused. How did you manage to break through it?" Girish questioned.  

Shomak, though, was not in a condition to go back and analyze the horrible memories after getting almost burned on the night of his birthday at Bose Villa. The only memory that ripped his heart was what he had done to Ela.

"Girish, this is not the time, I suggest you come back tomorrow. Please search through Gorkel's note. We need more information here," Nishi held Girish's arm asking him to leave immediately. Noticing Shomak's condition Girish agreed.

Sudha's eyes widened in horror, No not my son! A voice screamed inside her head as she wanted to deny what Girish had said. "Nishi, Girish was – "

" – acting illogically. I'll explain everything later, I promise. I believe..."

They were interrupted by Sudha's secretary, who looked exhausted from covering up. "Mam," her secretary peeped in through the door and said, "I won't be able to hide this any longer. The morning shift staff will join soon and this might raise questions. We cannot delay the steps as per protocol. We have to call the police."

"No!" Sudha shouted.

"Maa, wait. She is right," Shomak protested.

"No, she is not. She doesn't know under what circumstances it happened. Shomak you were under..." Sudha trailed off noticing her secretary's presence. She strode towards him and shook him trying to pour her every word in Shomak's head but he was determined.