Cursed

Knowing more

Ann's POV

"Hey, Anwesha! Can you please open the door?" I heard a familiar voice and recalled its Ridhima's. I let a loud sign of relief. It felt like hearing her voice brought me back to life. 

"Yeah...yeah coming!" I replied and I walked towards the door. Her voice was more like a whisper but she sounded agitated.

"Hey, Ridhima!" I said as I opened the door, "Is everything okay? You sound a little worried!"   

"Yeah everything is fine, but there is something I need to tell you." She said, her voice unsettled and she looked distressed.

"What is it Ridhima?" I asked feeling a bit confused. 

"I'm gonna tell you but first let me in!" She said when I realized I was standing in front of the door blocking her access to my room.

"Oh! Sorry!" I apologized and immediately stepped aside and let her in. She walked in and closed the door behind us. 

"Okay, so what happened?" I asked her as she took a seat on my bed.

"I know I might sound crazy but I think that girl who attacked us was possessed!" 

"Oh! Well I umm...I also think that she was, and she looked like my friend Pamela," I replied, looking away at the window, my voice much calmer than her's.

"What you know her! Why haven't you said me before?" She asked almost jumping on my bed. 

I sighed as I sat beside her. "What would I have said to you! I thought you wouldn't believe me!" I replied my voice barely audible. 

"Hey! Look at me," she said as she lifted my head to look at her, "I trust you." She said putting her hand on my shoulder. I looked at her, her mesmerizing big black eyes looked assuring, she smiled and I smiled back.

She got up from the bed and went beside the large open window, the long white curtains were flowing with the loud wind, looking outside at the dark night. It was drizzling lightly.

"When I was a kid" she spoke her voice soft, there was nostalgia in her eyes. "I used to live with my grandparents in a small town over the hills. It was a beautiful place. I never got to know my parents properly cause they died when I was just a few months old in a car accident that took place in the Manan forest!" I looked up at her startled. I don't know what to say.

She sighed and continued, her eyes were still looking outside, "My grandparents always used to say that the Manan forest is haunted. Many innocent people have lost their lives in the forest. No one knows why though. Some say there is an old cemetery that is cursed. Some say there was an old orphanage in the town," She said and turned back at me, "it is closed now. Those children drowned in a lake in the forest which has turned black and it is called Dark Waters which is believed by most to be cursed. But no one knows the real reason. Everyone always says to keep away from there. As I grew up the rumors about the forest almost disappeared. But people naturally avoided that forest. I wanted to explore and also know what caused the accident of my parents. Their bodies were never found nor the car.

So one day without telling anyone I walked into the Manan forest. It was so dense and creepy. I was scared but curious too. As I was walking through the moist forest floor I heard a melancholy piano tune. I followed the sound. It was so tempting but sad. Following the sound, I found myself in the backyard of a huge mansion. It was the Snow Mansion where you used to live." She spoke looking at me. I stared blankly at her.

"I looked awestruck at the huge mansion in front of me. There was a huge tree in the backyard. Following the melody, I looked up. The tune was coming from the attic. I wanted to explore. I was about to walk inside the house when I heard a faint whisper of a woman. Don't go!  The voice sounded very familiar and then I recalled it was the voice of my mother's. I turned around from where the voice came but couldn't find anyone.

I was scared but at the same time, I wanted to hear this voice once more. 

"Mom!" I asked, but in vain, there was no reply. I knew she was dead but there was some part of me who still believed that she lived. Sighing I turned towards the old dilapidated mansion and realized the tune was gone. There was a err silence everywhere that was slowly engulfing me. Only the rustling of leaves due to the cold wind could be heard. I really felt scared. The sun was setting in a distance and I know it would become dark very soon. So I ran away. Ran away from the house, the forest and never turned back." She spoke sighing.

"As I returned home I asked my grandma about the house in the woods. I learned from her that a sweet family used to live there many years ago. It was called the Snow Mansion. But unfortunately, the mother died due to tuberculosis and after the death, the whole family committed suicide. Their housemaid buried them in the old Cemetery of the Manan forest and she was never seen after that. It was said that their death brought the curse over the Manan forest and no one lived in that house after their death. But I wondered who was the one playing piano in the attic.

A few years later when I was in college the house was bought by a couple. They had no children. That's what everyone knew. They always kept to themselves and never got socialized. After few days they were missing and two unknown dead bodies of two little girls, probably sisters were found hanged in one of the trees at the back of the house. A few days later the dead body of the couple was found floating in the stream that separated the house and the Manan forest. No one knew what happened. It is all a mystery.

The house was left uninhabited after that incident. And as time passed on people eventually started forgetting everything. Then you all came and bought that house and now your lives are in danger. There is something that wants to be found and someone is trying to stop it. We need to find it out. It's the only way out." She spoke her voice a bit desperate.

Sighing I got up and went towards her. 

"Why are you doing this?" I asked putting my hand on her shoulder.

"Cause I still believe my parents are alive and I will find them!" She replied with determination in her voice, "When we heard about your case, no one in the station was willing to work on this, everyone was scared, but I volunteered, I really need to know what happened."  And there is a small girl I dream about, ever since I walked in that forest. She has green emerald-like eyes. Every day she comes to my dream and asks me for help! I want to help her. I want to know what happened!" She replied turning around.

"We can never be out of this!" I sighed. "No, we will!" She replied giving me strength and support. Listening to Ridhima, I felt encouraged, Yes, I will save you all! I mentally promised myself and a sudden feeling of courage surrounded me.

"Then are you with me in this?" I asked looking at her with determination in my eyes. 

"Yes, I am!" She replied nodding her head once.

"So let's end this!" I replied my voice much strong and determined.

Hey, my dear readers. I hope you are doing well. I believe you will like this chapter. Please do vote, comment and share.

Love you all, and thank you for being there for me.
-Anusree