What sort of trick is this?

The two creatures along with the herd of zombies became as still as statues. But why? If this is one of their plans to let our guard down then I am not falling for it. I took Jiya's hand in mine and headed for the exit.

I glanced back to notice those creatures and zombies starting to move.

Jiya must've noticed that too as she began chanting the Hanuman chalisa at her highest pitch, again.

Though it helped keeping them at a fair distance from our retreating forms, it did no good for my now sensitive ears.

Each syllable of her prayer was drilling into my eardrums making it irritating and painful. I bet if she continued like this my ears would bleed in no time. As we crossed the border of the mansion gate, Alisha and the boys locked the gate, ghost proofing it with the holy locket Jiya handed them.

Though it prevented the zombies but the two creatures were trying to climb up the gate, at a humanly slower pace.

Why couldn't they just stay in?

On top of that the continuous ringing of Jiya's prayers near my ears made it impossible to think straight. For once I wanted the two nuisances to stop following us and for my friend to shut up.

I closed my ears shut with my palms but it helped a little in preventing the irritation.

"Stop" I cried out as loudly as I could.

And apparently Jiya's prayers stopped. She fell silent, her eyes fixed on the two bodies hanging still midway, on the entrance gate.

"Not again. Let's go before they drop their act and start chasing us." I said.

With that all of us went in the direction that would lead us out of the woods. From the last time, I fairly remembered the way that lead to the town's police station, far away from the mansion.

_______________________________________

Halfway through the woods, we were escorted back home by a rescue team consisting of Jiya and my parents, two police officers, the head pandit (priest) of Maa Durga's temple in the town and two paramedics along with a rescue van.

We were taken straight to the hospital. Anika's body was taken for autopsy. Ritvik and Alisha sat together on a bench as Alisha kept consoling Ritvik.

Sonia, her boyfriend Ahem who's name I just remembered, Tia, Jiya and I were treated for minor injuries. Alisha and Ritvik hadn't suffered many injuries, hence they stayed in the waiting area to take Anika's body.

Tia told the authorities and our parents everything that had happened and accepted her fault in the mishap. I could tell she was dealing with her fair share of guilt. If not for her plans, Anika and and Rahul would still be alive.

Tia took the hardest blow to her ego tonight. All of us including the adults were smart enough to not blame her for that, including Ritvik. 

Because whatever happened, we were equally responsible for that. Especially me, as even after being well aware regarding the level of danger, I kept silent and consented to the group even though they barely had any idea what they were dealing with.

I knew Jiya was feeling the same guilt, at a more intense level though. She lost two friends today. I can only imagine how much guilt and melancholy she must be struggling with right now.

I stuck close to her trying to comfort her, but none can do. Only time can heal the wounds we suffered tonight at the hands of Midnight Mistress and her minions.

Ritvik and Alisha left with Anika's body the next morning. Not that he should drive at his current state of mind, but as Alisha volunteered to go with him, we were relieved.

I stayed at Jiya's house for the next couple of days until Tia, Sonia and Ahem left together. I knew Jiya would need the additional company for a few longer so I extended my stay for a week which further extended to another week.

During my stay, which was the longest in the past 6 years, Jiya's family treated me too well. In fact, they insisted I stay for another week.

Why wouldn't they? I practically saved their daughter and niece. Their words, not mine.

Jiya was more than thrilled to have me around for so long. And so was I.  Because this time, I was the one who needed her.

I was so close to losing her to the evil creatures which stirred something in me. A longing I had suppressed for quite some years. The thought of losing her made me feel vulnerable.

When she leaves for college, I'll surely be way too much upset than I initially thought I would. But at least I'll have the hope of meeting her again, alive. That's what matters the most.

I had a momentary idea of joining the same college as hers. But considering the amount of anxiety I would deal with each day thinking of my parents' wellbeing, I shrugged the idea off.

After I came back home, at dinner mom and dad insisted we have a detailed discussion about the incidents of that unfortunate night.

After telling them everything, I realised something myself.

"I think those two creatures must be vampires, don't you think? They were fast as wind, pale as a paper, cold as ice, had fangs and drank blood, in the exact manners as vampires do. Yes, they certainly were vampires." I concluded.

"Maybe. Don't tire yourself on those unnecessary thoughts." Dad exclaimed.

"But you people only wanted to discuss the unnecessary topic. What's the matter now?" I asked curiously.

It's weird how one minute they want me to talk about it and the next minute they don't.

"We just wanted to know everything that happened to you and how you're feeling about all this. Don't take it otherwise. It's better when you let it out. It helps to deal with the negative emotions." Mom replied.

Let mom be our personal shrink and she totally nails it. I bet she had already invited Jiya over for dinner tomorrow to talk with her as she did with me.

Frankly speaking, it's actually good to let it out.

"You sure you don't wanna start memorizing prayers. It practically saved you all." Dad prompted.

Even after all that has happened to him, he never lost his faith in God. I, on the other hand, never had it in me.

"Not all. And no. I am not going to become a devotee just because he saved a majority of number. No. He should have saved all of us." I retaliated. Dad looked disappointed. But it's not something I can help.

"Anyways, it's not up to me. Even God himself don't want me to worship him. I can't even recall a single sacred scripture no matter how hard I try. Not to mention how irritating it was to listen Jiya repeating them continuously over my head. I nearly lost my hearing." I reasoned.

To be honest, over the years Jiya forced me to memorize the Chalisa, I did actually memorize it by heart. I still remember every single word from it, not that I'll ever tell anyone. That had no connection with my faith but my learning ability.

But the problem was that each attempt I made to recite those words, I failed everytime. I would mess up a line or two in each trial, till date. So I am not really to be blamed here.

"Don't worry dad, I'll be fine. I won't take such a careless step ever again. I promise."

My words seemed to work a little in reducing the look of uncertainty they had. But they let the matter drop anyway. And I took a peaceful nap in a long while.

The next day, as expected, Jiya showed up at dinner with her dad acting as her chaperone. After dinner, her dad left as mom insisted for a sleepover. After he left, mom took her time doing her shrink magic over my friend. And the magic worked.

Though I think I overheard them talking about me. They were discussing on the fact that the vampires and zombies went on statue mode after I cried out "stop" twice.

Though both of them shrugged it off as a coincidence, but interpreting mom's worried expression I knew better.

Mom was trying to extract some connection out of that. I don't think there were any connections at all.