Whisper in the dark

Chapter 7

Ananya Sharma was deep into her investigation when the unsettling occurrences began to escalate. Her days at the hotel were fraught with strange incidents and mounting fears, each day adding to the growing sense of unease she felt.

That morning, Ananya had been in the hotel’s library, poring over old records and documents related to the hotel's history. The atmosphere in the library was oddly stifling, and she couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. As she was leafing through some particularly old and fragile newspapers, the lights overhead began to flicker erratically. She brushed it off as an issue with the wiring, but her discomfort grew.

Later, while making her way to the dining area for a late lunch, Ananya tripped over a loose floor tile. It wasn’t a severe fall, but it was enough to make her wince and attract the attention of nearby staff.

“Are you alright, Ms. Sharma?” a young waiter asked, concern evident in his voice.

“Yes, I’m fine,” Ananya replied, brushing herself off. “Just a minor mishap.”

The waiter offered a sympathetic smile before returning to his duties. Despite her attempt to downplay the incident, Ananya felt an unsettling chill. It seemed too coincidental to be an accident.

As she settled into a quiet corner of the dining area, her phone buzzed with an incoming call. The number was unfamiliar, but she answered it nonetheless.

“Hello?” she said, her voice tinged with curiosity and caution.

There was a pause before a distorted voice spoke. “You should leave while you still can. The hotel’s secrets are not meant for outsiders.”

The call ended abruptly, leaving Ananya with a cold sense of foreboding. She looked around the dining area, but no one seemed to be paying her any special attention. The cryptic message only fueled her determination to uncover the truth, but it also made her more wary.

Later that evening, as she was heading back to her room, she noticed something else unsettling. Her door handle felt unusually warm, and the lock seemed to have been tampered with. She hesitated before unlocking the door, feeling a growing sense of trepidation.

The room appeared intact, but the feeling of being watched persisted. She took a deep breath and decided to confront Raghav about the strange occurrences. If anyone could offer insights or explanations, it would be him—though he had been less than welcoming in their previous encounters.

The lobby was bustling with guests, giving the hotel a lively atmosphere. Ananya made her way to Raghav’s office, her mind racing with thoughts of the threatening note and the strange incidents.

Raghav was on the phone when she arrived, his authoritative tone filling the room. He motioned for her to sit, his expression a mix of irritation and curiosity.

“Ms. Sharma,” he said as he ended the call. “What brings you here this evening?”

Ananya took a deep breath. “Raghav, I need to talk to you about something important. Strange things have been happening to me—accidents, unsettling phone calls, and now, a threatening note.”

Raghav’s eyes narrowed. “A threatening note?”

“Yes,” Ananya replied, pulling the note from her bag and handing it to him. “It’s from an anonymous sender, warning me to leave the hotel.”

Raghav examined the note, his expression shifting from irritation to concern. “I see. These kinds of threats are serious. Have you experienced any other unusual incidents?”

Ananya nodded. “Yes, earlier today I tripped over a loose tile in the library, and the lights have been flickering. I can’t help but feel that someone is trying to scare me away.”

Raghav’s demeanor softened slightly. “If what you’re saying is true, then we need to address this immediately. I’ll have our security team investigate. In the meantime, it’s best if you stay in a different part of the hotel. I’ll arrange for a safer room for you.”

Ananya appreciated Raghav’s offer but remained cautious. “Thank you. I’ll take you up on that. But I need to know—why would someone want to drive me away? What are they trying to protect?”

Raghav’s expression grew pensive. “The hotel has a long history, and not all of it is pleasant. There are many who would prefer certain aspects of our past remain hidden. I’ll look into it and see if I can find out who might be behind these threats.”

As Raghav arranged for Ananya’s room change, he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to the situation than met the eye. He had always prided himself on maintaining a pristine reputation, but the recent events were unsettling.

Ananya was moved to a more secure part of the hotel, a room with enhanced security measures. She settled in, though her mind was restless. The recent threats and strange occurrences were taking a toll on her nerves.

Late that night, as Ananya lay in bed, her phone buzzed with another message from the anonymous number. She read it with a growing sense of dread: “You’ve been warned. If you continue, there will be consequences.”

The threats were becoming more ominous, and Ananya knew she was on the verge of uncovering something significant. The atmosphere around her was increasingly fraught with danger, and the unseen threat loomed ever closer.

The next morning, Ananya received a call from Raghav. “Ms. Sharma, I have some information that might help with your investigation. Meet me in my office when you’re ready.”

Ananya agreed and made her way to Raghav’s office, her thoughts filled with questions and apprehension. She hoped that Raghav’s insights might provide some clarity and offer a way to navigate the growing threats.

As she approached his office, she noticed a hotel staff member she had seen before—the one who had helped her after her fall—standing nearby. He gave her a brief, worried glance before quickly turning away.

Entering Raghav’s office, she found him waiting with a somber expression. “I’ve been reviewing the security footage and talking to the staff,” Raghav said. “There have been some irregularities, and I think I might have an idea about who could be behind these threats.”

Ananya’s heart raced. “Who do you think it is?”

Raghav hesitated before speaking. “I believe it might be someone with a vested interest in keeping the hotel’s past concealed. I’ll need you to be cautious and keep a low profile while we investigate further.”

Ananya nodded, appreciating the information. “I will. Thank you, Raghav.”

As she left his office, Ananya received another anonymous message: “You’ve been warned. If you continue, there will be consequences.”

The threats were escalating, and Ananya knew that time was running out. She was determined to see her investigation through to the end, but the danger was becoming increasingly palpable. The once luxurious hotel had transformed into a maze of hidden dangers, and Ananya was about to face its darkest secrets.