THE MYSTERIOUS FRAGMENTS

CHAPTER 2: CALL TO FRIENDS

That night Rohan began to search about Hampi and found out it was a place covered with rich historical ruins and information about the earlier gods and goddesses. Hampi's atmosphere was spiritual and covered with temples and palaces of earlier Chola kings. As Rohan was searching about this, suddenly all the lights went off and he could hear the same scratching sound again but this time the sound was coming from beneath the bedroom. He was engulfed by sweat and thumping heartbeat. Suddenly he looked upwards and saw a shadow crawling upwards. He was so scared that he closed his eyes and waited for the shadow to disappear. After a while, the lights came and he could see on the floor red blood. It seemed as if they were going in a certain direction. He followed them and came to the bathroom. On opening the bathroom, he could see on the mirror it was written, ' YOU HAVE INVITED US AND TAKEN THE BAIT'. Rohan was unable to understand the sentence but at the same time, he was scared. Rohan came back to the bed and slept the remaining night. The next morning, he woke up on hearing the scream of Somu. Rohan was shocked to hear him. Somu came out of the bathroom hurriedly and asked him, ' Rohan Baba, did you went to the basement? Rohan looking here and there answered, 'No I didn't go to the basement. Somu said, ' I just saw the writings on the mirror. Please tell me the truth. Rohan confessed that he had gone that night to the basement. Somu hurriedly said to Rohan, please come with me. Somu went to the drawer and removing the turmeric went to the basement door and he spread the whole turmeric on the door entrance. I asked him why he was doing this. Somu said, ' I am spreading this so that they won't come'. Rohan didn't used to believe in paranormal activities but after the incidents occurring one after the other, he was forced to believe in all these rubbish things. After the lunch, he phoned one of his friends Rahul in Australia. He picked up the phone. Rohan burst into tears while talking. Rahul calmed him down and asked him about his trip to India. Rohan said that he feels as if he is caught in some entangled roots and trying harder to free himself but couldn't get out of it. After some time, he explained the whole situation to Rahul. Rahul said that there must be some paranormal activities involved in this. Rohan was stunned to hear this. He asked Rohan, ' On what basis are you saying this? Rahul said that his Grandfather was a paranormal activist and his grandfather used to tell him that doors or basements that are locked for various years carry some paranormal activities. Rohan was listening to Rahul with shocked ears. Rohan requested Rahul desperately to come here as he could not bear it anymore. Rahul assured him that he didn't need to worry about anything and that he would also bring Smith along with him. Smith also studied with them and that he had topped in archaeological science in their college. Rohan approved that he can bring along smith as he also trusted Smith a lot. Rohan eagerly began waiting for his friends to arrive. In Australia, Rahul explained the whole situation to Smith. He was also very concerned about Rohan. In Smith's difficult times, Rohan had helped him a lot and Smith thought this to be an opportunity to repay him back. They both came on Wednesday. Rohan had already shared his address with them. They both reached the farmhouse. On seeing, his friends he ran and embraced them and began sobbing loudly. They both calmed him down and they sat in the living room. Somu brought them some tea and snacks and went to his work. Smith asked him if he had told this incident to his parents. Rohan said that he didn't wanted them to worry about the situation so hadn't told any of this things. Rahul asked him if that caretaker Somu knows anything about this. Rohan said he thinks that the servant knows nothing and this was the biggest mistake for them. Smith asked that if we can just explore the basement and try to find more clues. Rohan said we can but only at night when Somu is not around till then we can just rest. Rohan called Somu and told him to escort his friends to the guest room. Once in their rooms, Smith told Rahul that the fragments must the clue and that we should go to Hampi. Rahul calmed him down saying that we shouldn't hurry and try to look for more clues. Suddenly Smith noticed something lying near the bed. He picked them and showed them to Rahul saying that these are red stones of coarse texture found only in Hampi. Rahul teased him saying that he was kidding, but he noticed the serious expression on his face. Smith said that the had once come to India and that to in Hampi. He studied the stones there and had also brought a sample of the stone to Australia. Rahul asked,' But how come this stone is here in Dehra in north side while Hampi is in far South? Smith said in a serious tone,' maybe that servant Somu knows something about this. Rahul said,' No I don't think so'. Smith explained him that some fifteen minutes ago, he wanted to go the washroom and while searching for the washroom I came to the kitchen, there I saw Somu behaving abnormally. Carefully noticing he saw that he was putting something in a red cloth and locking it in the kitchen cabinet. When I asked him about the washroom, he stood up wiping his sweaty face and said that it was on the right side of the drawing room. I thanked him and came back. Rahul was listening intently as his mouth fell open. They both were of the opinion that we should tell it to Rohan at the right time. Both decided to take a short nap and begin the work at night. It was eight when the three friends met in the dining room to have their dinner. After dinner, Smith took Rohan on the side and instructed him to tell Somu to leave at once as you want to spend time with your friends. Rohan looked puzzled and was about to ask him why but Smith just said,' DO AS I SAY'. Rohan did as he was told and Somu left for the outhouse. Just as he went, they both told Rohan everything that has happened. He was also shocked and he told them the day he had entered here, Somu looked suspicious. The clock strike the deadly hour of twelve and they all moved towards the basement with slow footsteps. There was deadly silence everywhere. They could only hear their breathing and heartbeat. Rohan opened the door and once again there was a sound of hinges creaking. Entering inside, a bat flew past them. They all got scared because of the sudden surprise. They began examining the room carefully not leaving any corner. The bedsheet was covered with blood, there were also some strange signs on the ground and in the corner of the room they found human skull and a hammer. Rohan got frightened saying that this was the same hammer in his grandfather's room but how did it reach here? Slowly the three friends started walking towards the cupboard from where they could hear strange sounds......