Whisper in the dark

Chapter 6

The luxurious ambiance of Crescent Heights Hotel was markedly different from the tension simmering beneath its polished surface. The grand chandelier above the lobby cast a warm, golden glow over the marble floors and opulent furnishings, but the atmosphere was charged with unspoken conflict.

Ananya Sharma had spent the morning going through the documents she had found in the hotel’s old storage room. The meeting with the mysterious messenger the previous night had left her with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. She was scheduled to meet him later in the afternoon, but her investigation had already drawn the attention of Raghav Malhotra.

Ananya made her way to the hotel’s library, a quiet, dimly lit room filled with rows of books and historical artifacts. She had been granted access to the library by a kind-hearted staff member who was sympathetic to her cause, though unaware of the true extent of her investigation.

The library’s heavy oak doors creaked open as Ananya entered, the scent of old leather and polished wood filling the air. She settled into an armchair with a stack of old newspapers and documents, carefully combing through them for any mention of the asylum or suspicious incidents.

As she was deep in concentration, her phone buzzed. It was a message from the same unknown number: “Meet me at the old archives room. We need to talk.”

Ananya’s mind raced. The old archives room was located in a secluded part of the hotel’s basement, a place she had not yet explored. She glanced around, gathered her things, and headed toward the basement, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination.

Meanwhile, Raghav was in his office, dealing with the aftermath of the gala. The event had been a success, but the strain of managing such a high-profile affair was evident. He was reviewing a stack of reports when his assistant knocked and entered.

“Mr. Malhotra, we need to discuss Ms. Sharma,” the assistant said, glancing nervously at Raghav.

“What about her?” Raghav asked, looking up from his papers. His face was a mask of professional composure, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of irritation.

“She’s been asking a lot of questions about the hotel’s history,” the assistant replied. “Some of the staff have mentioned her inquiries, and it seems she’s been digging into areas we haven’t touched in years.”

Raghav’s expression hardened. “I see. And what exactly is she looking for?”

“She’s been particularly interested in the asylum’s past and any incidents related to it,” the assistant said. “Several guests have complained about her behavior. They feel uneasy with her around.”

Raghav’s jaw clenched. “I don’t like the idea of someone causing unrest in my hotel. Find out everything you can about her intentions. We need to address this before it gets out of hand.”

As Ananya reached the basement, she followed the directions provided by the mysterious message. The dimly lit corridor was lined with old storage rooms, their contents obscured by dust and shadows. She finally arrived at the old archives room, a heavy door marked with a faded sign.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the door. The room was filled with ancient files, yellowed documents, and musty books. The air was thick with the scent of aged paper. Ananya stepped inside, her flashlight illuminating the rows of boxes and file cabinets.

As she began to sift through the documents, a voice interrupted her concentration. “You must be Ms. Sharma.”

Ananya turned to see a man in his late fifties, dressed in a shabby suit that contrasted sharply with the luxury of the hotel. He looked nervous, his eyes darting around as if expecting someone to burst in at any moment.

“Yes, I am,” Ananya replied cautiously. “I received your message. What information do you have for me?”

The man glanced around the room, then pulled out a large, weathered folder from a nearby cabinet. “I’ve been working here for years, and I’ve seen things that don’t make sense. I know about the asylum’s past and the rumors surrounding the hotel.”

Ananya’s eyes widened with anticipation. “Tell me everything you know.”

The man took a deep breath. “The hotel was built on the grounds of an old asylum, but what most people don’t know is that the asylum was the site of numerous tragic events. There were disappearances and deaths, and the official records were often altered to cover up the truth.”

Ananya listened intently. “And how does this relate to my fiancé’s death?”

He hesitated, then continued, “I’ve heard whispers about a secret room in the hotel, one that was used to hide sensitive information. If you’re looking for answers, you need to find that room.”

Ananya’s heart raced. “Do you know where it is?”

The man shook his head. “No one does, but there are rumors about a hidden blueprint of the hotel. It might show the location of the secret room. If you can find it, you might uncover what you’re looking for.”

With that, the man quickly gathered his things and left the room, leaving Ananya alone with her thoughts. She searched through the old files, her mind racing with the implications of what she had just learned.

Minutes later, as she was about to give up, she noticed an old, dusty box tucked away in a corner. She pulled it out and opened it, revealing a collection of faded blueprints and architectural drawings. Among them was one document that caught her eye—an old blueprint of the hotel with several markings and annotations in red ink.

Ananya carefully unfolded the blueprint, her hands trembling. The markings indicated hidden passages and rooms that were not present in the current layout of the hotel. One of the annotations was particularly intriguing: “Restricted Area - Do Not Enter.”

Just then, she heard footsteps approaching. Panic surged through her as she quickly folded the blueprint and shoved it into her bag. She glanced around the room, searching for a place to hide, but before she could react, the door swung open.

Raghav stood in the doorway, his expression a mixture of anger and concern. “What are you doing here?”

Ananya’s heart pounded. “I was just looking through some old documents. I didn’t realize this was a restricted area.”

Raghav’s gaze was sharp. “I’ve been informed that you’ve been asking about sensitive information regarding the hotel. What’s your interest in these old records?”

“I’m trying to understand the history of this place,” Ananya said, trying to remain calm. “There are a lot of unanswered questions about what happened here.”

Raghav’s expression softened slightly, but he remained stern. “The past is full of stories and rumors. We focus on the present and the future here. I suggest you leave these matters alone.”

Ananya nodded, feeling a mix of frustration and determination. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you for your time.”

As she left the old archives room, Ananya’s mind was racing. She had found something significant but knew she needed more information to piece together the puzzle. Raghav’s presence had been unsettling, and she could sense that he was hiding something.

As Ananya walked away from the basement, her phone buzzed with a new message. It was from the same unknown number: “You’re getting closer to the truth. Be careful—there are those who want to keep the past buried. Meet me at the old storage room again tonight. We have more to discuss.”

The message left Ananya with a feeling of foreboding. She knew the investigation was getting dangerous, but she was determined to uncover the truth about her fiancé’s death and the dark secrets of Crescent Heights Hotel.