Marked By Darkness

Chapter 55- Unraveling the Darkness

Anshi's POV...

The drive back to Ruhi's house felt like a lifetime. The car was filled with an overwhelming silence, only broken by the occasional sound of the tires against the road. My mind raced, trying to piece everything together. Ruhan sat beside me, tense and focused, his hands gripping the steering wheel with a firm intensity.

I couldn't hold back anymore. I had to know everything.

“Ruhan,” I began cautiously, my voice breaking the quiet. “Hina is Ruhi’s twin sister. They were in an accident when they were fifteen. Ruhi doesn’t remember her because she forgot everything after the accident—and we thought it was for the best. Hina was jealous of Ruhi in every way, but Ruhi loved her. I’ve seen Hina try to hurt her... even after her death.”

Ruhan’s hands tightened on the wheel, the tension in the car growing thicker with every word.

“And the pendant Ruhi has,” I continued, “it was never hers. It belonged to Hina. Since the day Ruhi started wearing it, the strange things began again—like the pendant brought Hina’s spirit back to torment her.”

Ruhan didn't say anything for a while, but I could see he was processing everything I said. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and troubled.

“Hina’s jealousy wasn’t just about things or attention,” he said. “It was about me also.”

I blinked, stunned. “What do you mean?”

He exhaled deeply, as if admitting this was a weight off his chest. “Hina liked me. She tried to get my attention, but I never saw her that way. I avoided her, and she resented Ruhi for it. She blamed Ruhi for everything. But... it’s more than her jealousy. There’s something else. Something darker.”

I stared at him, not fully understanding. Something darker? What could be worse than a vengeful spirit?

We reached Ruhi's house and headed inside, immediately searching for the pendant. Ruhan moved quickly, opening drawers and rifling through Ruhi's belongings, while I stood frozen, replaying his words in my head. It wasn't just Hina something else was after Ruhi too.

“Got it,” Ruhan called, breaking my thoughts. I hurried over to him. He held the pendant in his hand, its gleaming "H" casting an eerie glow under the dim light.

“This pendant… it’s Hina’s,” I said, my voice trembling.

He nodded grimly.

“But what did you mean when you said there’s something darker?” I pressed. “What is it?”

Ruhan’s expression tightened as he explained, “The bungalow Ruhi was investigating—it’s cursed. And it’s not just any curse—it’s a death curse. Fifteen-year-old girls tied to that place have been disappearing for years. It started with the family who lived there. After their daughter died during a dark ritual, the curse began. Every girl connected to the bungalow since then has suffered the same fate.”

I felt a sickening drop in my stomach as the truth clicked into place. “That’s why the bungalow is after Ruhi. It wants her... just like it took Hina.”

Ruhan’s face darkened. “Exactly. But it’s worse. Hina isn’t acting alone. The bungalow itself is alive—its dark energy feeds her spirit, making her stronger. That’s how she was able to manipulate Esha and others.”

The weight of his words settled heavily on me. “Then how do we stop this? How do we save Ruhi?”

Ruhan began pacing, the pendant clutched tightly in his hand. “We need help. Someone who knows more about this curse—Ruhi’s mother might know something.”

I nodded, pulling out my phone to call her. The line rang and rang, but there was no answer. My frustration grew as I tried again and again.

“She’s not answering,” I muttered. “She hasn’t picked up since we left the hospital.”

Ruhan’s face paled, his eyes widening with sudden fear. “No. No, no, no…”

“What?” I asked, alarmed.

He turned to me, his voice shaking. "Hina knows everyone Ruhi cares about. And right now, with Ruhi unconscious and Esha safe at the hospital, her mom is the easiest target.”

A chill ran through me as realization dawned. “You’re saying Hina might be possessing Ruhi’s mom?”

Ruhan nodded, his face grim. “It’s possible. And if she is, we don’t have much time.”

Desperation clawed at me as I dialed again, my hands trembling. Still no answer. I felt panic creeping in, threatening to overwhelm me.

“I don’t have her aunt’s number,” I said helplessly. “How are we supposed to find her?”

Ruhan’s jaw tightened. “We need to find a way to get to her. If Hina's already inside her, we're running out of time.”

I looked at him, desperation in my voice. "Then what do we do now? How do we stop this?"

Ruhan's eyes locked onto mine, and I could see the determination burning behind us. "We have to go back to where it all started. The bungalow. We need to face whatever is there and stop Hina once and for all."

My heart sank. The bungalow. The very thought of returning there sent fear coursing through me. But Ruhan’s determination gave me strength. I met his gaze and nodded.

“Then let’s go,” I said. “Before it’s too late.”

With one final glance at Ruhi's room, we left the house, the pendant clutched tightly in Ruhan's hand. Our path was set, but the darkness we were heading into was like nothing we had ever faced before.