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.

Anshi- Hina is Ruhi's twin sister. They had an accident when they were 15 years old. And Ruhi never remembered Hina. After the accident, she forgot her completely, and we thought it was for the best. Hina was jealous of her in every way, but Ruhi loved her. I've seen how Hina tried to hurt her even after her death.

Ruhan's grip tightened as I spoke.

Anshi- The pendant Ruhi has, it was never hers. It belonged to Hina. And ever since Ruhi got it, the strange things started 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.

Ruhan- Hina's jealousy wasn't just about material things or others. There was more... She was jealous of Ruhi because of me.

I turned to him, my heart pounding.

Anshi- What are you saying?

Ruhan took a deep breath and continued.

Ruhan- Hina liked me. She tried to get my attention, but I never looked her way. And she resented Ruhi for it. But it's not just her... There's something darker, more dangerous, involved in all of this.

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.

Ruhan- Got it.

His voice startled me out of my thoughts. I rushed over to him, and in his hand, he held the pendant, its familiar "H" gleaming coldly under the dim light.

Anshi- This pendant... it's Hina's.

Ruhan nodded grimly.

Anshi- But what did you mean when you said there's something darker? What is it?

Ruhan sighed, his expression tightening.

Ruhan- The bungalow Ruhi was investigating... It's cursed. And it's not just any curse-it's a death curse. That place takes 15 years old girls. It started with the family who lived there when their daughter died under mysterious circumstances after dark rituals. Since then, every girl connected to that bungalow has met the same fate.

I felt my stomach drop. Ruhi had already uncovered this truth. That's why the bungalow was after her. It wanted her, just like it had taken Hina.

Anshi- So, it's the bungalow and Hina working together? Both trying to claim Ruhi?

Ruhan- Yes. And now that Ruhi knows the truth, she's even more of a target. But there's something else... I think Hina is just one part of this. The bungalow itself is alive with dark energy, and Hina's spirit is feeding off it, growing stronger. That's why she's able to manipulate people like Esha.

I sank down onto the bed, overwhelmed.

Anshi- How do we stop them? How do we save Ruhi?

Ruhan's expression turned grim as he paced the room.

Anshi- We need help. We can't fight this alone. Ruhi's mother might know more, but she's not here.

Ruhan- Then call her now.

I dialed Ruhi's mom, but once again, no answer. Frustration gnawed at me.

Anshi- She's not answering, Ruhan. She hasn't picked up since the hospital.

Ruhan's face darkened with realization, his eyes widening in sudden fear.

Ruhan- No, no, no...
Anshi- What? What is it?

Ruhan turned to me, his voice shaking slightly.

Ruhan- Hina... Hina won't stop with just Ruhi. She'll go after everyone Ruhi loves. And since Esha, you, and I are all protected in some way, she'll go after her mom. If Ruhi's mom has been trying to protect her from Hina's truth, then she's a threat to Hina. And Hina needs a body to carry out her plans.

A chill shot through me as I realized what he was saying.

Anshi- You're saying Hina's spirit might be possessing Ruhi's mom?

Ruhan nodded grimly.

Ruhan- It's a possibility. She knows everyone Ruhi cares about. And right now, with Ruhi unconscious and Esha safe at the hospital, her mom is the easiest target.

My hands trembled as I dialed Ruhi's mom again, panic creeping into my voice. Still no answer. My heart raced, fear gripping me tighter with every second that passed.

Anshi- I don't have her aunt's number. How are we going to reach her?

Ruhan's face was etched with worry as he muttered under his breath.

Ruhan- 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.

Anshi- 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 them.

Ruhan- 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.

The air around us seemed to thicken as the weight of his words sank in. We were about to face something far more dangerous than we ever could have imagined. But if it meant saving Ruhi, we had no choice.

Anshi- Then let's go. 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.