The rain poured relentlessly as the group trudged down the slippery, muddy road. Their torches barely illuminated the path ahead, and every sound from the surrounding forest seemed amplified in the eerie silence.
"Mahi bhai, what do you mean we’re not alone?" Ashwin asked, glancing nervously over his shoulder.
Mahi didn’t respond immediately. His eyes remained fixed on the road ahead. "I’ll explain later. Right now, we need to find shelter."
"Shelter? In this storm?" Deepak muttered.
Just as the team began to lose hope, a faint light flickered in the distance. It looked like it was coming from a structure tucked between the trees.
"Is that… a house?" Rutu asked, squinting through the rain.
"It looks like a guesthouse" jinks said, his voice tinged with relief.
The group quickened their pace, their earlier exhaustion replaced by a surge of hope. As they drew closer, the building came into view. It was an old, weathered guesthouse with peeling paint and broken shingles. The sign above the door read ‘Hilltop Haven’ in faded letters.
"Doesn’t look very… inviting" Jaddu said, his usual confidence faltering.
"But it’s better than being out here" Mahi said firmly, stepping up to the door.
Mahi knocked, and the sound echoed ominously. Moments later, the door creaked open, revealing an elderly man with a lantern. He was hunched and wore a thick shawl over his shoulders.
"Yes?" the man asked, his voice gravelly.
"We’re stranded" Mahi explained. "Can we stay here for the night?"
The old man’s eyes swept over the group, lingering for a moment on Pathirana, who shifted uncomfortably. Finally, he nodded. "Come in."
The group stepped inside, grateful to be out of the rain. The interior of the guesthouse was dimly lit and smelled of damp wood. A large fireplace crackled faintly in the corner, its warmth a welcome reprieve.
"Make yourselves comfortable" the man said, gesturing to the sitting area. "I’ll prepare some tea."
"Thank you" Mahi said.
As the group settled down, they couldn’t shake the feeling that something was…off. The furniture looked ancient, and the walls were lined with faded photographs of people whose faces seemed to watch them.
"Is it just me, or does this place feel weird?" Tushar whispered to Ashwin.
"You’re not the only one" Ashwin replied, his eyes darting to the dark hallway leading deeper into the house.
Jaddu, however, seemed unfazed. He plopped down onto an old armchair and stretched out his legs. "See? I told you everything would be fine."
"Fine? We’re in the middle of nowhere, stuck in some creepy guesthouse with a man who looks like he’s stepped out of a horror movie!" Ashwin shot back.
Before Jaddu could retort, the old man returned with a tray of steaming cups. "Here" he said, placing it on the table.
"Thank you" jinks said politely, taking a cup.
As they sipped their tea, the man spoke. "You shouldn’t have been out tonight."
"Why not?" Sonu asked, his tone cautious.
The man’s gaze turned serious. "This mountain… it’s not safe after dark. People who come here at night often don’t leave."
The room fell silent.
"What do you mean?" Devon asked, setting his cup down.
The old man hesitated before answering. "There are… stories. Of travelers disappearing. Of strange sounds in the woods. Some say the mountain is cursed."
"Cursed?" Rutu repeated, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Don’t listen to him" Jaddu said, waving a hand dismissively. "It’s just an old tale to scare us."
But the uneasy expressions on the others faces suggested they weren’t so sure.
As the night wore on, the group decided to retire to their rooms. The old man led them upstairs, where they found a series of small, sparsely furnished rooms.
"You can stay here" he said. "But don’t leave your rooms after midnight."
"Why not?" Pathirana asked nervously.
The man didn’t answer. He simply turned and walked away, his lantern casting long shadows on the walls.
The storm continued to rage outside as the group settled into their rooms. But sleep didn’t come easily.
Around midnight, Rutu sat up in his bed, unable to shake the feeling that someone...or something...was watching him. He glanced at the window, where the rain lashed against the glass. And then he saw it...a figure standing just beyond the edge of the light.
"Who's there??" Rutu whispered, his voice trembling.
From the room next door, Sonu heard the faint sound of footsteps in the hallway.
"Who’s there?" he called out, but there was no response.
Suddenly, a loud bang echoed through the house, followed by a blood-curdling scream.
The group burst out of their rooms, their faces pale with fear.
"What was that?!" Deepak asked, clutching a flashlight.
"It came from downstairs" Mahi said, already heading toward the staircase.
"No, wait!" Ashwin said, grabbing his arm. "The old man said....."
But it was too late.
As the group descended the stairs, they were met with a chilling sight. The front door was wide open, swinging on its hinges. The old man was nowhere to be seen.
And in the middle of the room, carved into the wooden floor, was a single word:
LEAVE. IF YOU CAN.
