TANGLED IN THE SHADOWS

Part -24

As they were traveling, Ishan suddenly got carsick. "Can we stop for a moment? I need to wash my mouth," he said weakly.

Jadeja nodded and pulled over near a pond. "Alright, let's take a quick break."

Ishan stumbled out of the car, heading toward the pond. As he rinsed his mouth, he looked up and saw a woman in the shadows, holding a fish. The dim car lights flickered, revealing the shell bangles on her wrists.

His blood ran cold. "Shakchunni!" he whispered in horror.

Ishan bolted back toward the car, but the Shakchunni was faster. She stood before Rahul, her voice a haunting whisper, "Eat the fish, Rahul. It will make you healthy."

The sight of her eating the fish raw sent shivers down everyone's spine. Dhoni, regaining his composure, began to recite the mantras he remembered from the temple during bajanes. "Om Dum Durgaye Namaha," he chanted under his breath, removing his Goddess Durga locket and tossing it to Hardik. "Put this around Rahul's neck!"

Hardik fumbled but managed to secure the locket around Rahul. The Shakchunni shrieked, her eyes filled with rage and pain. "He is mine!" she screamed, her voice echoing through the night.

Jadeja, his voice steady despite the fear, joined in the chanting. "Om Dum Durgaye Namaha," he repeated, his eyes fixed on the Shakchunni.

Rahul, trembling, clung to Hardik. "I can't believe this is happening."

Hardik held him tighter. "We'll get through this. Just stay with me."

The Shakchunni tried to lunge at them, but the combined chanting of mantras held her back. Her screams of agony grew louder, more desperate, until finally, she vanished into the darkness.

Jadeja rushed to Dhoni, his voice filled with concern. "Are you okay, Mahi?"

Dhoni nodded, though he was visibly shaken. "Yeah, I'm fine. We need to keep moving."

Ishan, still pale, scrambled back into the car. "Let's go. We need to get out of here."

Krunal, eyes wide with fear, agreed. "Yeah, let's not waste any more time."

As they sped away, Rahul clutched Hardik tightly. "Thank you, Hardik. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Hardik kissed the top of his head. "You're safe with me. Always."

Jadeja kept glancing at Dhoni, a mixture of relief and guilt on his face. "Mahi, I'm sorry you had to be a part of this."

Dhoni squeezed his hand. "We're in this together, Ravindra. I wouldn't be anywhere else."

The night seemed darker and the road longer, but their resolve was stronger than ever. They knew the journey ahead was perilous, but they had each other, and that gave them the courage to face whatever horrors lay in wait.