Marked By Darkness

Chapter 58- Locked Secrets

Ruhan's POV...

I stood outside the bungalow, its dark silhouette looming like a beast against the night sky. I glanced at my wristwatch - 9 p.m. Time was slipping away, and the tension hung thick in the air. Anshika, standing beside me, broke the silence.

Anshi- Ruhan, we don't have much time.

She said, her voice edged with worry.

Anshi- Why are we waiting for them? We're wasting time! Maybe we can't save Ruhi... Maybe there's no way to save her.

Her words echoed in my mind, but I didn't respond immediately. I kept his gaze on the road ahead, watching the darkness stretch far into the distance. Just as my patience began to wear thin, two sets of headlights appeared, cutting through the gloom. Within minutes, two cars came to a stop near us. Neil jumped out of one and ran toward Anshika.

Neil- Is everything okay? Are you alright?

Neil asked, his voice anxious.

Anshika hesitated, clearly still shaken.

Anshi- Yes, I'm fine.

She replied, though her tone wasn't convincing.

Esha stepped out of the other car and walked toward me.

Esha- What do we need to do now?

Esha asked, her eyes reflecting both fear and determination.

I was about to answer when my gaze fell on someone else.

Esha- Ah... Ruhan he is Sounak.

Sounak! The sight of him sent a wave of memories crashing into me. I remembered that day when Esha came to Ruhi's house, tears streaming down her face, telling Ruhi that Sounak had been in an accident and was in the hospital. The way Ruhi had cried, the way she had run to the hospital without hesitation-was this the person most important for her?

Pushing the thought aside, I subtly moved Esha away from the group and leaned in to whisper. Esha listened to all my words with surprisingly. She hesitated for a moment but then nodded.

Esha- Alright, I trust you.

We returned to the group, I taking charge.

Ruhan- We need to split up. Esha and I'll search one side of the house. Neil, Arav, and Sounak will search the other. We're looking for a letter, but stay sharp-there might be other clues.

Anshika spoke up suddenly, her voice strained.

Anshi- And what about me?

I shook his head.

Ruhan- You've already been through enough, Anshika. You should rest in the hallway. We'll handle this.

Anshika looked like she wanted to protest, but then she nodded. "Okay."

With the group divided, Me and Esha made our way inside the bungalow, the heavy doors creaking as they pushed them open. The inside was musty, filled with old furniture draped in dust, and the air felt heavy with an ominous presence. As we searched, my mind drifted back to my whispered conversation with Esha.

Flashback:

I said in a low, urgent voice.

Ruhan- Listen carefully. We'll tell everyone we're looking for a letter in this bungalow, but you and I will be searching for something else. My grandmother's diary. It's the key to breaking the spell and releasing Ruhi from this place. We can't tell anyone about the diary, especially not here. No one else can know.

Esha's eyes widened in surprise.

Esha- Why didn't you tell anyone?
Ruhan- Because Anshi's possessed.

I whispered, my voice tense.

Ruhan- Hina Ruhi's twin sister has taken control of her. Hina died when she was just 10 years old, but her spirit is still here. She and the bungalow have trapped Ruhi's spirit. If Hina finds out about the diary, she'll destroy it. We have to be careful. Hina works for the bungalow now, and she's trying to harm Ruhi. The only way to free Ruhi is by finding that diary.

Esha looked at me, stunned.

Esha- But how do you know all of this? How do you know Ruhi is trapped here? And how can a diary release her? And what do you mean by your grandmother?

Ruhan- Because that's where my grandmother wrote down everything about her rituals and spells.

I had replied.

Ruhan- She was a witch, and she's the reason why this bungalow is cursed. That diary is the key to breaking the spell Hina's spirit has over Ruhi. Esha this bungalow is Adamson's. And I'm the only son of adamson family. So I know everything about this bungalow and my grandmother.

Esha- But how did Ruhi get involved in all of this?

Esha had pressed, confused and overwhelmed by the revelations.

I had paused, my jaw clenched.

Ruhan- Ruhi is in danger because of her sister's connection to this place. If we don't find that diary, we might lose her.

Ruhan exhaled sharply.

Ruhan- I can't explain everything right now, Esha. We don't have time. You just have to trust me, okay?

Esha hesitated for a moment but then nodded.

Esha- Alright, I trust you.

End of Flashback:

I snapped out of my thoughts when Esha suddenly called me over. She was holding a small, old wooden box.

Esha- Look what I found.

She said, her voice barely containing her excitement.

I took the box from her hands, inspecting it closely. It was locked, the brass lock rusted with age.

Ruhan- It has to be in here.

I muttered, my heart racing.

Esha watched as I tried to pry the lock open, but it wouldn't budge. Frustrated, I looked at her.

Ruhan- Do you have a hairpin?

Esha blinked, then quickly pulled a pin from her hair and handed it to me. I knelt down, working the pin into the lock with practiced precision. After a few tense moments, there was a soft click. The lock popped open.

We both held our breath as I slowly lifted the lid of the box. Inside, nestled among old papers and trinkets, was a leather-bound diary. Its cover was cracked and worn, but I recognized it instantly.

Ruhan- This is it.

I whispered, my heart pounding in my chest. I turned to Esha, who was staring at the diary in disbelief.

Esha- We've found it.

Now, all us had to do was figure out how to use it before it was too late.

---