Black Clouds

Prologue

It was 11:55 pm, close to midnight. It was a night in early May, but it was still freezing. Maybe I was the only one who felt this way because I was the only one who felt this way because I was only in pajamas and a thin shirt. I could hear the winds blowing aggressively and the rustling of the trees was getting noisier and louder by the second, as if they were anxious and were warning us of the danger that lies ahead, with its jaws wide open.
Tonight, there was moon in the sky to lead us if we lost our way. It was a cold, windy and dark night.

I could hear the continuous croaking of the frogs somewhere in the wild, followed by the occasional hoot of an owl. But strangely, the hoot didn't sound like it invariably used to, it sounded distinct - more high-pitched, like a shriek. As if the owl itself was chary of whatever or whomever it had seen and taken up the task of warning the others on its shoulders.

I was petrified. The chilling wind, the utter darkness and the distinctive sounds of the trees and the animals sent shudders down my spine. Thick beads of sweat coated my face and neck and my hands went all clammy even when it was so incredibly chilly outside. My hair that was tied into a messy bun, now came loose, decorating my back with a long, curly black curtain. I could neither remember nor comprehend the reason why we came here anymore.

"Shreya, I- I don't think we should stay here anymore. Let's go."

I told my best friend, who was trying her best to cover herself up behind me.

"You are right. Let's- let's leave this place."

She responded, equally scared.

But little did we know that it wouldn't be such a cakewalk. Once you are trapped in the callous depths of abyss, there is a very small way to come out; once you enter that dark, abysmal chasm, it will be nearly impossible to save yourself.

As soon as I turned to walk towards the elevator, my hand that was gripping the wall tightly for support, felt a little off. I felt something wet on my hand, and I completely freaked out.

"Huh? Oh...Sh-Shreya... What is this? Why does my hand feel wet and... sticky?"

"What? What are you talking about Huma? It must be sweat."

She tried to reassure me but I wasn't able to believe her at that time.

"No Shreya, you don't understand. My hands have been sweaty all this while but I have never felt like this. This feeling, its different. Like something is sticking here."

I said, urgency and panic heavily lacing my tone.

"But how do we know what is it? We don't even have a torch."

"Get out your phone and switch on the flashlight. We will be able to see it then."

"Oh yeah, why didn't we think of that before."
Shreya said before she took out her phone and switched on the flashlight.

As soon as she directed the light on my hand on the wall, a loud gasps escaped from both of our mouths. The wetness was fiery red colour, thick and seemed to be freshly smeared to decorate the wall in a gore fashion - it was someone's blood.