Burnt Painting

Horror

I felt someone's hand over my cheek, my body stiffened and i pressed my physique inside the soft material. I am trying to renovate my lashes but can't, the headache is beating the hell out me and my ankles are sensing flames with iciness.

My fingers reached to grab the wrist of Vansh, that painting frame. As soon as my phalanx touched the soft skin my body relaxed, it's Sara. Stirring my head, my lips sanctioned a sob, sorry sobs!!

"Riddhima, baccha, open your eyes" i heard her pleadings, i am sure her eyes will be reflecting the objects due to the moisture.

[ Baccha- child]

I jerked opened my eyes and smiled, smiled because i am safe now. I curled my arms around her and tugged the familiar soul, "Sara" i cried out.

I felt the palms rubbing my back and fingers trailing on the strips of my hairs, i am home now !! We left eachother and her hands forwarded me a glass of water, my lips perceived the warmness of the lukewarm water.

I felt the mattress beside me submerged downwards and i felt the gaze tearing through my flesh, i craned my spine and meet her optics : "Riddhima, why were you screaming while sleeping??"

Sleeping?? I was downstairs, right?

My forehead contoured, "You didn't found me downstairs?"

"No, when i came you were screaming and hurting your own ankles by scratching them at the edge of the bed. What's wrong with you, girl?"

I am not going to tell her anything, i don't want her to take unnecessary stress for me, the pain is in my side and i need to bear it myself, alone. But, was i dreaming?

" Nothing, Sara. Just saw an unpleasant dream "

I knew she is not convinced but she will never ask me questions further, she knows i need time and that's why she is my best friend.

***

I am staring at Kabir who is distributing the banners and flags for the rally. Did it just slipped away from my cerebellum to make you aware that i also do rallies to contribute the society. We youths do oppose and make people aware of the inhumane activities that is polluting the society.

Kabir, a friend of ours who is also a part of this group, he does corporate job but when it's about standing for the justice you will find him at the first.

Rallies never meant to destroy the public or private properties because nothing comes for free and destroying these abiotic resources just like going again of sustainable development . Words kills more than weapons. We always took care that our contribution never erected any type of problem for the public.

It's 4pm now and everyone has gathered, i and Sara stood at the first and kabir behind us to assist the youth at the back. Today our rally is all about Sex education.

In India, while talking about sex education, much emphasis is given on teenage pregnancy and HIV/AIDS infection. It has often been observed that there is lack of awareness not only with regard to 'homosexuality' but also 'menstruation'. In spite of having discussions around teenage pregnancy, there is also a lack of awareness around safe sex. Despite the current growing awareness around child sexual abuse, there are still very little attempts taken by schools to incorporate the understanding of difference between the non-sexual and sexual touch. A study conducted by the Indian Ministry of Women and Childr Development and carried out by UNICEF and Prayas, a non-governmental organization provides us insight about these issues. They interviewed 12,247 children and 2324 young adults in 13 Indian states. The study revealed that a shocking 53% of children between the ages of 5 and 12 have been sexually abused. Most often, this abuse was perpetrated by parents, legal guardians or close members of the family. Further, the study disturbingly notes that more than half of all these cases of sexual abuse and rape go unreported.

Sex education for the teenagers is essential part of learning but still we are lagging behind because of some illogical taboos. And this is why some public rallies are required for the community.

We started the rally from the market and will be ending near the next end of the market.

***

Snuggling in my duvet i covered my profile, after lot of protests Sara returned to her house she was not ready to leave me lone. I didn't made an effort to switch off the lights for two reasons, one i am afraid and second-

I am afraid!!

I sighed and turned my frame for a comforting position and caressed bella's face. Bella, my soft toy which i gifted myself on my last birthday, indeed i am a toy fetish. " Good night, bella" i closed my eyes yearning for a bright day.

***

I head moved a bit due to the irksome noise, ignoring them i examined for bella, my hands came empty. Folding my shape in 90⁰ i rested my back on the headrest, grabbing the drinking glass i looked side ways for the sound. My ears sought the way and my mind instructed to look at the sizeable shelf of the room and something bizzare bit detectable catched my attention.

Someone up there !!

My index finger scratched my thumb and fluid started oozing out, my frame adhered to the headrest. Something fell on my lap, looking down i found nothing but pure horror. That bella, the cotton is out now, one eye is missing, the toy was pulled apart from the middle and most noticeable the blood that was present on it's attire. No no, this is not my bella, i hand swooped the dwarf to a corner and my pupils flashed towards the frame again.

His back is facing me, he is staring at the wall. I thrusted my fist inside my mouth to prevent it fron making any kind of sound, i was choking myself. I saw the body making some movement, my legs pressed against my chest.

He turned his neck backwards, his face, his face was smudged with blood strains, and he was holding a knife in his hand. His face was reflecting a smirk, a devil smirk. He raised the knife and-

Threw the knife towards me, my head turned in flex and the knife inserted inside the wooden headrest. My eyes stared at the blood dipped knife and when again turned towards the shelf, there was no one!!

No no, please !
No!!

I again passed out.

To be continued...
Well this is the biggest chapter i ever wrote so don't forget to give your reviews, i would love to read those.