Rita's POV

I went to my bed thinking about the incident that has happened to me today. This place is a bit creepy!! I said to myself while pulling the cozy blanket covering my legs while I sat on my bed leaning against the headboard.

There is a basement door that is locked and I don't know why Arundhati has asked me not to open it. She looked a little uneasy when I asked her about it. What could be the reason? I asked myself all the while looking out of the window that was facing my bed, staring at the dark night sky. There is a huge tree in our backyard whose branches tap against the glasses of the window of my room, sometimes even making an eerie scratching sound. It was windy outside, the shadow of the rustling branches and the leaves against the long white curtains of the windows gave it an uncanny look.

After sending a good night text to my daughter I kept my phone by the bedside table and laid down on the soft warm bed wrapping myself under the cozy blanket. 

Today when I was dusting the library of the house I found a very spooky, ragged old doll there. The library had many old books covered with dirt and dust. Arundhati said that the last owner of the house must have left these books in the library. Although she hasn't got much clear idea about it either. The library was quite big and on one corner of the room there was a couch and a small table covered in white sheets. Beside the couch, there was a rocking chair on which the doll was seated. There was a fireplace behind the rocking chair and the couch, completely covered in dust, there were still few wood pieces unburned or slightly burned lying among the ashes. This place needs a lot of cleaning. I thought as I sighed looking around. There was a big mirror covered with white cloth, which was situated beside the rocking chair. 

The mirror was kept in between the fireplace and the couch as a support for it to stand on the ground. I wondered why would somebody keep a mirror on the ground rather than fixing it to the wall. The mirror was kept in an angular way, facing the rocking chair. It was kinda weird. Staying alone in this house made me feel uneasy, it's not like I was afraid or something about staying alone, I have stayed alone in most places, but something here feels a bit unsettling, it kind of makes me feel agitated. I wish Arundhati or Anwesha was here. I thought as I looked out from one of the huge windows of the library to find Shallow jumping around on the lush green grass trying to follow a beautiful blue butterfly. I smiled looking at him, his carefree joy made me feel at ease. Well, I got shallow with me. I thought as I shrugged off the uneasiness and concentrated on my work. 

There was a cupboard on the corner of the room too. The whole room looked dilapidated and covered with dust. It seemed like it has been ages since anyone has stepped inside this room. So tying my hair up in a bun I started dusting and cleaning the room. All the while the doll was sitting on the rocking chair. Although I tried to indulge myself completely in my work, the presence of that doll in the room made me feel tensed and apprehensive. As if it's not just a doll but it has life. I stared at its eyes. It was dark black, its presence was kind of menacing. I have never seen such a doll in my life with that dreary ominous black eyes. It was in a dilapidated state, broken and its dress was torn. 

A chill ran down my spine as I stared into its dark black eyes. I turned my gaze away from it, trying to avoid its unsettling presence, and continued my work. When I was finally done I inspected the room. It looked completely new, neat, and tidy. I even brought in the flower vases which were laying in the boxes which Arundhati and Ann brought, and placed them on the mantlepiece, giving it an elegant look. Arundhati told me that they haven't got much time after shifting here, so there were still a few stuffs that needed to be unpacked and arranged. It looked much neat and elegant around except for the doll. It was completely out of place. My gaze caught the big mirror that was situated facing the rocking chair. It was still covered with a white cloth. I must have forgotten to remove its covers. I thought as I went over to the mirror and removed the cloth to reveal the most beautiful mirror I have ever seen. From its look, I was sure it was an antique mirror. Its glass reflected the morning light brightly. The design around the edges was so sophisticated. It was so clean and spotless.

I stood in front of it, looking at my reflection when I noticed the doll behind me sitting on the rocking chair. I turned around to look at the doll and decided to keep it in the cupboard that was situated at one of the corners of the room. I checked the drawers, they were empty and unlocked. So I shifted the doll in one of the drawers.

I went on dusting the books and after I was finally done I went to take a warm bath. It was cold today so the warm bath was rather rejuvenating. Changing into a pair of comfortable and warm clothes I went to the kitchen to make some lunch for myself. After I was done eating, I took Shallow with me and went out for a walk through the town. There was a nice park situated at the center of the market area. All children were playing there. I roamed around a bit with Shallow. There were few small shops which sold beautiful earing, I tried on a few and thought of buying one for my daughter. She would love it! I thought as I held on to the small paper bag with the earring beaming with joy as I walked around through the almost empty alleyways reaching a much quieter place with very few people around. 

This place is quite less populated than the main town. I said to myself while returning after taking a stroll through the empty streets. All of a sudden my gaze caught hold of a small cafe that was hanging at the edge of the mountain. It looked very alluring and I would actually love to try some hot coffee on this cold afternoon. Moreover, I loved coffee, so I walked inside the cozy cafe. There were few students sitting at one corner, talking and laughing among themselves and enjoying their cup of coffee and snacks. I went over to the counter and ordered my favorite latte and some cookies for shallow. I sat by the window, looking over the mountains. After I was done I returned to the main market area to take the bus to the base of the mountain road. Arundhati had already informed me that there were no buses or public transport of any sort that could take me to our house, the furthest they would come was till the base of the mountain road. 

"Try to come back before it gets dark, it's... it's kind of dangerous to walk through the woods after sundown!" I recalled what she said as I got down from the bus.   

The setting sun peeked behind the tall trees as I walked with Shallow through the woods. The leaves were rustling with the wind. Although it was pleasant yet it felt a bit unsettling. Shallow too seemed anxious. Shrugging off the thought I hurried back home with Shallow before it got dark. 

Shallow seemed quite happy today. As we returned home, he ran to his small cozy round cushion bed which was kept by the couch in the parlor and curled up in it like a ball. I smiled at him while walking inside the house. It was around 7:30 p.m when I came downstairs after freshening up. I went to the kitchen to prepare some tea for myself when I looked out of the window, it was completely dark outside. Carrying my cup of tea in one hand and some biscuits in the other I walked back to the parlor wondering what to do. 

I never liked watching T.V so I decided to read some storybooks. The library of this house had an amazing collection of novels which I had already explored in the morning so I went to that room to read something interesting. As I was going through the books from the selves there was a slight movement in the room that caught my attention. I turned around towards the direction of the movement and was completely perplexed and shocked to find that the doll that I myself have kept inside the drawer of the cupboard, was sitting on the rocking chair, its head tilted towards me, looking at me with its dark black sinister eyes.........

Even now while I am recalling it, laying on my bed, I could feel shiver ran down my spine. All of a sudden a shrill cry bought me back to reality. Who is shouting? I asked myself, completely puzzled. It seems that the sound was coming from ahead in the corridor. Isn't that where Arundhati's room is situated? I thought as I jumped out of the bed and hurried out of the room to find Ann and Pihu running towards Arundhati's room. 

"What is the matter Ann and Pihu?" I asked them while following the cry. 

"I don't know!" They replied in unison. "All of a sudden we heard the sound of sis's horrified cry!" Ann said while knocking on the door of Arundhati's room.

"Hey sis what happened?" She asked banging on the door. But we got no answer. Just her shrill cry echoed through the hallway. 

"Open the damn door sis! Why are you screaming?" Ann asked, her voice worried while trying desperately to open the door. It was shut locked. So we decided to break open the door. With all our strength we pushed on the door and finally managed to break the door open. The wooden door flung open revealing the dark room, the large window facing the door was wide open, the long white curtains flew with the cold wind gushing in making the room freezing.

Amidst the dark, our gaze found Arundhati couched at the corner of the room. We ran over to her. 

"Hey..hey...What happened sis?" Ann asked her with a fearful and concerned voice. Trying to lift her face which she kept buried in her hands.

"Ther..there is a.. de..a..dead body!" She said with a trembling and scared voice while pointing towards the open window. Tears rolled down her cheeks. She looked terrified. 

"What ! A dead body!" Pihu shouted with fear prominent on her face. She looked over at Ann for some logical explanation. Honestly, I too got scared, a dead body!

Ann went over to the open window and so did I. But there was nothing. I looked over at Ann, feeling completely confused. She looked worried, there was fear reflected on her face as if something happened that she anticipated yet hoped it wouldn't. There was a tinge of hopelessness evident in her eyes. Taking a deep breath Ann turned around and walked back to Arundhati. 

"It's okay sis!" she spoke trying to calm Arundhati down. "There is nothing there anymore!" She said, her voice was breaking a bit, she looked sad, I guess seeing her sister like this made her feel in pain. Arundhati engulfed her in a hug and cried on her shoulder, she was still trembling in fear. 

"It's okay... everything will be okay..." Ann kept on saying the same thing over and over while holding her sister. Although she was telling it to calm Arundhati down yet it felt as if she was also reassuring herself. 

"What's going on?" Pihu asked her confused and worried and so was I. Something terrible must have happened I thought as I brought some water for Arundhati. She looked pale and devastated, slowly she calmed down a bit, and I helped Ann to take Arundhati to her room. Pihu helped us too.

After Arundhati went off to sleep Ann came over to us and told us all the spooky affairs of this house that has happened with them. Tears were threatening to roll down her cheeks while she told us. She looked so helpless. I went over to her and hugged her and asked her not to worry cause I was going to be with them. They helped me at my most desperate time, if it wasn't for Arundhati, I don't know what I would have done. This was the least I could do for them. 

"You idiots, I was so worried!" Pihu complained as we looked at her, she looked all teared up. Ann smiled a bit and outstretched her hand for Pihu to join us.

"Don't make me so worried, I can't see you guys crying!" she spoke, sobbing as she hugged us.

"Sorry..." Ann whispered.

"Idiot!" Pihu replied.

We promised each other that no matter what happens and we will face it together.

Hello, my dear readers. Please keep voting and commenting and supporting me as you do. You readers are just amazing!

-Anusree