Marked By Darkness

Chapter 61- Unholy Confrontation

Anshi's eyes fluttered open, and the first thing she saw was Neil, his face filled with concern. Without hesitation, she threw her arms around him, sobbing uncontrollably into his chest. Neil held her tightly, his hand gently stroking her back as he tried to soothe her.

"It's okay, Anshi." Neil whispered softly. "You're safe now. I'm here."

Ruhan knelt beside them, his eyes searching Anshi's face. "Anshika, are you okay now?"

She slowly lifted her head from Neil's shoulder, her tear-streaked face filled with confusion and fear. Turning to Ruhan, her voice trembled as she spoke. "Ruhan... we need to hurry. Ruhi's mother is in danger. Hina... she possessed her."

Ruhan's expression darkened, his suspicions confirmed.

"And then she possessed you after that." Ruhan said, watching her reaction closely.

Anshi's face contorted in shock.

"Me? I was possessed by Hina?" She stammered, her voice filled with disbelief.

Ruhan nodded. "Yes. Hina was in your body. But now, it looks like she's left you."

Anshi was silent for a moment, her mind racing as she processed the information. She couldn't remember much, but the heaviness in her heart told her that something dark had been controlling her.

Esha broke the silence, her voice firm. "The important thing is that Anshi is safe now. But where's Hina?"

Ruhan's eyes flicked around the room, his mind racing. "We don't know. For now, we need to get to Father Daniel. Time's running out."

With that, the group quickly gathered themselves and made their way to where Father Daniel was preparing for the exorcism. The urgency in their steps was palpable, as each of them understood the gravity of what was at stake.

____

As they entered the room where Father Daniel and Elijah were, their eyes widened in shock. There, standing in front of Father Daniel, was Ruhi-or at least, what appeared to be her.

"Ruhi!" Sounak exclaimed with joy, rushing forward to embrace her. His face lit up with hope, believing that somehow Ruhi had been saved.

But before he could reach her, Father Daniel raised his hand sharply. "Don't," the priest warned, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. "That is not Ruhi."

Sounak stopped in his tracks, confusion and fear washing over him. "What do you mean? It's her... it's Ruhi!"

The figure turned slowly to face them, and though it wore Ruhi's face, the smile it gave was cold, unnatural. The darkness behind her eyes was unmistakable.

"She's not Ruhi." Father Daniel repeated, his voice grave. "She's Hina."

The group froze in horror as the realization sank in. Hina, the malevolent spirit who had been haunting them, had now taken full control of Ruhi's body. Her laughter echoed eerily around the room, a twisted sound that sent shivers down their spines.

Ruhan clenched his fists, his heart aching as he watched the woman he loved, now trapped and used as a vessel by the very spirit that sought to destroy her.

"We have to hurry." Father Daniel said, turning to Ruhan and the others. "If we don't act quickly, we'll lose Ruhi forever."

Esha took a step forward, her voice shaky but determined. "Father, tell us what we need to do. We can't let Hina win."

Father Daniel nodded, his gaze intense. "We need to begin the exorcism immediately. But this will not be easy. Hina has grown powerful-too powerful. The bond between her and Ruhi's body is strong."