I caught the handle, wet with bloody finger prints. I flung open. I saw my Gran's body dripping with blood on the velvet carpet. Her eyes were closed. I remembered this scene. 10 years ago this same scene. I collapsed near the door. I couldn't move or stand up. I tried to crawl and reached out my hand for her. I held her head high, near my chest and hugged her. I busted out crying. I hugged her with all my strength. I suddenly felt the same fear, the same ethereal presence for a second and then vanished.

"A-aa... Sc...Sacr...Sacrlet..." I stopped crying and looked at Gran.

My Gran's eyes were half open and she was smiling.

"Hon, why are you crying?"

"Because you are hurt" I said.

"Hurt, no dear, no. I am not dying"

"What!? You're... you're not?"

"No dumb girl... I'm not"

"Then, why are...."

"Oh this, well I did get a cut on my... hand."

Saying this she got up without any support.

"But then the blood?" I asked her in fear and confusingly."

"Oh this, it isn't my blood it's the...the...the...," She stuck up. "The... attacker's. Yah the attacker's blood. You know your young Gran is black belt in judo, karate, kendo..." And 5 to 6 more she named which I didn't even know existed.

"So I have received a lot of black belts, should I remind you again?"

Gathering all my strength, I got up and hugged her slim body, which even at this age was very healthy, and busted out crying. She was confused at first but soon hugged me back and patted my head with her tender and wrinkled warm hand.

"I'm sorry Scarlet, I'm really very sorry for scaring you. But you should know what you are and whatever I have do till now was only for your safety."

I stepped back and questioned "My safety? What do you mean Gran?"

"I will tell you but when the time is right?"

"Ok...kay what do you know and please stop telling Rick Riodran's lines"

"I am not joking Scarlet, it's become serious now."

"What has become serious Gran?"

"For now forget what has happened and just hurry up and pack your bags, were are leaving."

" Where to and what's with the sudden urge to leave?"

"Scarlet I will tell you everything but now it isn't the time. Just hurry up, pack your bags and meet me in 20 minutes at the hall. Remember to take all your clothes, accessories and all daily usage items, leaving nothing behind that you wear every day. Okay? Go...go now!"

I ran towards my room and saw that it was in a mess too. I pulled out my suitcase down from my cupboard. I was not in a situation to think. My mind was blank. At this moment I couldn't even recall what my name was. All I knew was that I need to pack up. But it was strange. How sometimes Gran's words come to live like even a few days back what she told me to do was very convincing and not just me but anyone. When she gets serious it's like she gets some kind of energy to control others by her words.

In 20 minutes I meet her and then she broke a bomb on me.

"We were never coming back again. Forget everything and everyone who you met or knew, everyone and everything her grey beautiful eyes looked. Scary.

I protested. "What are you talking about? How can we leave just like that? No we can't! We just cannot leave.

She dropped her suitcase and marched towards me and held my shoulders.

"Listen young lady, I will answer all your questions but after we leave this town. And for now you are following my lead."

She snapped her fingers. My vision felt hazy. My head was heavy. I collapsed.

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I was beleaguer, any one of them I was done for. I started gaining consciousness slowly. A nostalgic smell of petrichor but it was very rare of rain in town, and that too in winter.

I got up held up my head straight or at least tried to. I felt like a drunk person after a hangout. And now I know that well. I noticed I was in a room which looked very girly in a way like totally childish and so was the bed. Then I noticed the side table. It had a photo of what??? Ha! That's was me when I was eight. And this was my room. Ha! We were in the country side. But how was it possible. It takes days to reach with all the travelling stuffing two or three mode of transport. The bedroom door slowly opened and there entered my Gran.

"Ah! See you are finally awake. See what I have prepared for you hon. It's your favourite Ratatouille (a spicy French stew).

"What? Wait are we really in our house near the country side?" I asked in astonishment.

"Well, yes it took you long but yes, yes we are."

"What? How did we get here? What's the time? What day is it? Which month? Wait... what year is it? Gran?

"Oh God, stop acting so melodramatic like those k-drama you see."

"What? K-drama? Ah! Okay. First of all don't ever blame k-drama. I love them! Forever and ever. Second, I'm not melodramatic, I'm...I'm...I'm shocked, scared, stunned, blank, feel like an idiot, lost and so many other things.

She smiled and patted my head, stood up and walked out. I was still expecting answer, but nothing, just nothing. I then stared at the hoy Ratatouille which was cooling down. I heard a load grumble from my stomach.

"Oh! Well after all I can't think on an empty stomach!"

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WITH LOVE, GAYATHRI &THRISHA