Round 3 - Team # 23 (Vibhuti & Manan) #ftc1516

The Visitor

Chapter I

One Last Drink

“A toast to life!” all shouted as they enjoyed their drinks. It was weekend night and it had become a ritual for all the police detectives to drink and enjoy their heart out. “The last rounds of drinks are on me,” announced one of them. He was a young man of thirty and most cheerful of them all. A junior detective, he was working on an unsolved murder case of a young girl. Everyone yelled, “Long live Reno!” and drank.

Everyone bade goodbye to each other, with only Reno staying. He thought of having one last drink of Whiskey Mac before calling it a day. At the bar counter he ordered his drink. While it was being made Reno took a look around and saw a beautiful lady sitting next to him. She was also waiting for her drink to be served. She looked blue. “Seems like she had a bad day,” Reno mused.

“Your drink, sir” the bartender’s voice took Reno by surprise. “What?” asked Reno, turning his gaze away from her. “Your drink, sir” repeated the bartender. “Yes, thank you,” mumbled Reno trying to hide his embarrassment. Reno took his drink and started sipping it.

The song that was playing in the bar was Whiskey Lullaby, which talked of love and death. “At last, my favourite track!” Reno exclaimed. “Mine too,” said the beautiful lady while staring into the void.  Reno again looked at her. There was something strange about her, which could not be explained but felt.

It was midnight and closing time. The bartender dimmed the lights signaling it was the last call. Reno paid for his drinks, picked up his jacket and left.

Chapter II

A Strange Rendezvous

Reno reached home about 1 AM. As he lay in bed he couldn’t help but think about the lady in the bar. He also thought about the murder scene where he with his team went for preliminary investigation. The dead body couldn’t be inspected by him as it was sent to the hospital on orders of his boss. With these thoughts Reno drifted off to sleep.

A strange creaking sound like someone walking on a wooden floor filled the room and gradually become persistent. Reno woke up with a start and switched on the lights, but he could see no one. “My mind must be playing tricks on me,” he thought, and went back to bed. Again there a sound but this time it was more prominent. It was a loud thump which came from under Reno’s bed.

Gradually it transformed into a screeching as if somebody was scratching their nails on the bed’s metal frame. Reno was alarmed and scared with his heartbeat racing fast. “I must be dreaming,” he muttered.

Everything suddenly stopped just as it started and there was quiet for a moment.  Then abruptly a faint sobbing sound filled his room. He couldn’t muster the courage to get out of his bed and explore the mysterious. He looked around in the dark baffled. There she was, peeking from behind the curtain, with long dishevelled hair, fiery red eyes and blood dripping fangs. She looked like a dammed hag said to wander between heaven and hell.

Floating midair, she stared at Reno. He tried to shout, but his voice was subdued by the shrill screaming voice of the entity, which amazingly vanished into thin air just as soon as she came close to him.  

Reno passed out for the rest of the night.

Chapter III

On The Other Side

Finally the sun rose and so did Reno. The frightful experience of the previous night still disturbed him. He was absorbed in his thoughts when his phone rang. It was an associate on the line. “Hey buddy, where are you? The boss is all in a fit asking for you!” he said. “Tell him I won’t be coming today. I’m sick,” Reno replied, and hung up the phone. After about an hour he managed to gather himself. Taking a sealed envelope with him, Reno walked out of the house. 

He walked on the streets aimlessly all day long. That evening he found himself in the same bar ordering a drink. Reno’s thoughtful gaze was fixed on the sealed envelope. He had barely started drinking, when the same woman whom Reno had noticed in the bar the previous day came and sat on the empty bar stool next to him.

Looking at him, she said unexpectedly, “Do you not know? She wants justice”. Reno looked at her with eyes that betrayed puzzlement. She continued, “You’ll see her before she leaves for the other side.” She got up, placed her business card on the counter and left. Reno was dumbstruck. He read the card lying on the counter. It stated: Miss Jones- The Psychic Medium.

Sure as hell, that night the entity returned to Reno as a beautiful girl dressed in all black. Her hair looked like a cascade of black waters, with her smoky eyes complementing her devilish beauty.

“What brings you here?” Reno asked warily, wiping his forehead soaking with cold sweat. “I never left,” she replied with a slight laugh placing her hand on Reno’s hand and told him the name of her murderer. “He will pay”, she said before fading into oblivion.

He said nothing but a runaway tear streaked his left cheek.  Reno finally knew.

The night went by peacefully.

Chapter IV

Beyond The Pale

Reno got to work early next morning. He decided to look up on the paranormal on the internet. “Damn, there are so many of them… witches, banshees, succubi…” he said smiling to himself.

His boss arrived just when Reno was turning off his computer. A bald, stout man of over forty, he was known for his connections with the powerful. “Ah Reno, here you are!” he exclaimed. “I hope you filed the closure report on that girl’s murder case… and oh, don’t you worry about the dead body. It’s all been taken care of” he said with a cunning smile. 

Reno said nothing but tore up the sealed letter he had been carrying with him, and threw it at his boss’ face. It was his promotion letter. “You don’t want a promotion, huh?” roared his boss. Reno didn’t speak. “You won’t get a second chance” he said, struggling to control his rage.

“Why did you kill her?” Reno asked suddenly. His boss was taken aback. “She got herself killed because she came to know something that she was not supposed to. No one will believe you!” this time he really screamed, more bragging than confessing. “You yourself will tell it to the people” Reno said quietly, pulling out his badge and tossing it on the table. “And as for the second chance, I don’t care. I quit” saying this he walked out in a huff.

A day later came the news of Reno’s boss dying of a massive heart attack. He had left behind a note revealing his involvement in the dead girl’s murder case and Reno’s sincere attempts to solve it. Reno was reinstated to the police department and granted a promotion. He got her body released, and performed the last rites as she had no known family.

“At last she got herself justice,” observed Reno drinking a few days later at the bar along with Miss Jones. “She was beautiful”, said Miss Jones wistfully. “I know”, Reno sighed.

The evening progressed as Whisky Lullaby played in the background.                                                    END.

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Rating - 126/200

Judges - Pankaj V. (Shaan), Mayank Sharma and Mohit Trendster

Total Rating (3 Rounds) - 409/600 (68.17%)

Round 3 - Team # 25 (Navneet & Vaibhav) #ftc1516

आदमखोर

'घनी अँधेरी रात में एक कार सुनसान रास्ते पर दौड़ी जा रही थी'

जिसमे कुछ दोस्त(अमन,निर्भय,विनय,मोहित) सैटरडे नाईट की पार्टी सेलिब्रेट करने मोहित के अंकल के फार्म हाउस पर जा रहे थे,लेकिन तभी घने बदलों में गड़गड़ाहट होने लगी !

अमन > लगता है बारिश होने वाली है !

निर्भय > कोई दिक्कत नहीं है भाई बह थोड़ी न जायेंगे 

'लेकिन शायद इनकी किस्मत में कुछ और ही लिखा था क्योंकि मुसीबत अकेले नहीं आती भाई बहन लेकर आती है वैसे ही बारिश के साथ तूफ़ान भी आ गया और दोस्तों को गाड़ी चलाने में दिक्कत होने लगी क्योंकि तूफान बहुत तेज और बारिश बहुत तेज थी '

विनय > गाड़ी थोड़ी देर कहीं पर रोक लेते हैं मौसम शांत होने पर चलेंगे (कहते हुए विनय गाड़ी सड़क पर एक किनारे लगा देता है और चारों दोस्त गाड़ी में बैठ कर गपशप करने लगते हैं)

मोहित गाड़ी से उतर कर झाड़ियों की तरफ पेशाब करने चला जाता है और उसे वहा पर एक खण्डहर सा मकान दिखाई देता है मोहित लौट कर वापस गाड़ी के पास आता है,

मोहित > भाई लगता है यहाँ पर कोई पुराना घर है चलो उधर ही चलते है शायद कोई भूत शूत मिल जाये और यहाँ गाडी में पड़े रहने से तो अच्छा ही है वैसे भी तूफ़ान अब शांत है बारिश के रुकने तक वेट कर लेते हैं ।।

बाकी तीनों एक साथ > चल चलते हैं मोहित बाबा भूतिया खण्डहर में 

चारों दोस्त उस मकान में जाते हैं और मकान में टहलने लगते हैं तभी उन्हें पके मांस की खुशबू आती है ,

विनय > यार यहाँ पर तो कोई दिख न रहा तो यहाँ खाना कौन बनाएगा !

निर्भय और मोहित इधर उधर देखते हुए एक कोने में एक स्टोव और कूकर पड़ा पाते हैं और बाकियों को बुलाते हैं,

अमन > भाई लगता है भोजन का इंतज़ाम इधर ही हो गया है हम लोगों का क्योंकि खाने का मालिक तो कहीं दिख नहीं रहा ! हा हा हा 

विनय आगे बढ़ के कुकर उठाता है और उसे खोलता है ! कुकर का ढक्कन हटते ही उसका दिल धक्क से रुक जाता है और आँखे फ़टी सी रह जाती हैं !

मोहित > ओये तुझे क्या हो गया स्टेचू क्यों बन गया ? (कहते हुए मोहित भी आगे बढ़ के कुकर में देखता है और उसका कलेजा मुंह को आ जाता है )

मोहित > अबे ये क्या है ! (निर्भय और अमन भी कुकर में देख कर दंग रह जाते हैं !)

'कुकर में इंसान का कलेजा पका पकाया रखा हुआ था साथ में 1 जोड़ी आँखे भी !'

तभी किसी के कदमों की आवाज सुनाई पड़ती है और चारों दोस्त कुकर वहीँ फेंक कर वहां से भाग जाते हैं ! सब जल्दी से गाडी में बैठ कर गाडी स्टार्ट करके वहां से निकल लेते हैं !

निर्भय > यार हमे पुलिस को खबर करनी होगी (कहते हुए निर्भय फोन लगाता है और पुलिस को घटना से अवगत कराता है )

'थोड़ी देर में सब इंस्पेक्टर रजत वहां पर पहुँच जाता है लेकिन किसी को वहां पर कुछ नहीं मिलता और SI रजत अगली बार भद्दा मजाक न करने की नसीहत देते हुए वापस लौट जाता है'

मोहित > यार इतनी जल्दी सब कैसे गायब हो सकता है !

अमन > कुछ समझ में नहीं आ रहा हमे इस मामले को खुद ही सुलझाना पड़ेगा वरना पता नहीं अगली बार कौन कुकर में पक रहा होगा

निर्भय > ठीक है फिलहाल हम सब फार्म हाउस पर चलते हैं और वहीं पर इस बारे में आगे सोचेंगे ।

थोड़ी देर में चारों फार्महाउस पर मौजूद थे और मोहित ने घटना की खबर अपने अंकल जितेंद्र को दे दी थी सो वो भी आ गए थे,मोहित के अंकल पेशे से मनोचिकित्सक थे सो उन्हें इस घटना में खासी दिलचस्पी पैदा हो गयी थी,

विनय ~ मुझे लगता है की हमे उस जगह पर नजर रखनी चाहिए शायद जिसने भी यह वहशियाना काम किया हो वो फिर से वहां आये ! क्योंकि पुलिस तो हमारी बात मजाक ही समझेगी

निर्भय ~ यार फिर भी  वहां जाना सही नहीं है ! साइको बन्दा लगता है और वैसे भी हमे नहीं पता की वहां है क्या !

जितेंद्र ~ मैंने ह्यूमन साइकोलॉजी पर काफी शोध किया है मुझे ऐसी कोई बीमारी नहीं मिली जिससे इंसान ही दूसरे इंसान को मारकर खा ले हाँ ऐसी बीमारियां जरूर हैं जिसमे इंसान।कभी कभी अपना ही मांस नोच लेता है ।

मोहित ~ यह जो कोई भी है वो इंसानों को पका के खा रहा है ! ऐसा भी हो सकता है की ये लोग हमारे बीच ही रहते हों और हमे पता भी नहीं है ,

अमन ~ यार तुम लोग समझो तुम्हे जो भी समझना है मैं एक बार फिर उस जगह जाऊँगा और वहीँ से पुलिस स्टेशन जाकर एक बार इंस्पेक्टर को समझाने की कोशिश करूँगा,शायद वो इस मुसीबत से निबटने में हमारी मदद कर दे ।

कहते हुवे अमन फार्महाउस से निकल जाता है ।

'अमन वापस उसी जगह पहुँचता है पर वहां पर कोई गाड़ी देखकर चौंक जाता है वह विनय को इस बारे में मेसेज करता है और उस मकान की तरफ बढ़ता है ! अंदर पहुँच के वो देखता है की प्लेट में मांस परोसा हुआ है साथ में  सक बियर की बोतल भी पड़ी हुई है ....... 

...फटाक sssss तभी किसी ने उसके सर पर पीछे से वार किया और उसका दिमाग अँधेरे में गुल हो गया ...

थोड़ी देर बाद अमन की आँखे खुलती हैं और वो खुद को रस्सी से उलटा टँगा पाता है और अपने सामने इंस्पेक्टर रजत को खड़ा देखता है ...

अमन ~ इंस्पेक्टर !

रजत ~ तुम्हे वापस नहीं आना चाहिए था बच्चे ! 

अमन ~ तो तुम ही वो आदमखोर दरिंदे हो  ?

रजत ~ हाँ मैं ही हूँ !

अमन ~ पर इंसानों को क्यों खाते हो इतना वहशीपन क्यों (अमन रजत को बातों में उलझाने की कोशिश कर रहा था ताकि समय रहते बाकी वहां पहुँच सकें )

रजत ~ वैसे मुझे तुम्हे बताने में कोई ख़ास दिलचस्पी नहीं है क्योंकि तुम्हे भी मेरी आंत पचा रही होगी कुछ समय बाद !

पर बता ही देता हूँ , दरअसल मैं और कुछ लोग अदालत से एक मानसिक रूप से विक्षिप्त मुजरिम को उसके डॉक्टर और फैमिली के साथ लेकर आ रहे थे पर जंगल में हमारी गाडी ख़राब हो गयी और हम मदद मांगने इसी मकान में रहने वाले एक शख्स के पास आये पर उसने हमे धोखे से कैद कर लिया और एक कमरे में बन्द कर दिया ! शायद वो भी इंसानों को खाता था उस बन्द कमरे में हमे भूखा रखा गया सिर्फ पानी की बोतले मिलती थी और खाना न मिलने की वजह हम बिलकुल बेकाबू और भूखे हो गए थे फिर उस बन्दे ने हमे कुछ कुछ मांस के कच्चे लोथड़े दिए जो किसी बच्चे के थे हम कई दिनों से भूखे थे तो हमने बिना सोचे उस लोथड़े को खा लिया पर वह हमे सिर्फ एक टुकड़ा देता था एक दिन वह बन्दा कमरे मे से उस कैदी को लेकर चला गया फिर अगले दिन हमे उसका लोथड़ा खाने को मिला  फिर उसने हमे कुछ दिन लोथड़ा नहीं दिया ,फिर हम धीरे धीरे एक दूसरे को ही मार कर खाने की सोचने लगे  मैंने उन सबको मार कर खा लिया !

अमन ~ राक्षस से भी बदतर हो तुम  

रजत ~ क्या करता पापी पेट का सवाल था ! फिर वहां से निकलने के लिए मैंने कई दिन बेहोश होने बेहोश होने का नाटक किया और जैसे ही वो बन्दा आया मैंने उसे भी मार डाला और उसे भी खा लिया यकीन मानों उसका गोश्त सबसे लजीज था।

अमन ~ तो अब तुम मुझे भी मारने वाले हो !

रजत ~ ओ हाँ बिलकुल वरना खाऊंगा क्या 

रजत ने बाहर जाकर गाडी में से एक बचर नाइफ निकाली और वापस मकान में आ गया .. पर अमन वहां नहीं था..

रजत वापस घुमा और फड़ाक Sssssss.... रजत दूर जा गिरा और सामने अमन,विनय,निर्भय और मोहित को पाया और चारों उसपर एक साथ पिल पड़े और थोड़ी देर बाद रजत हथकड़ियों में जकड़ा थाने ले जाया जा रहा था ।

आदमखोर दरिंदे का खात्मा हो गया था अब शायद किसी और को कुकर में पकने की जरूरत नही थी,

सभी दोस्त अपने - अपने घर निकल लिए,

अगले दिन अमन ने विनय को कॉल किया की उन्हें पुलिस स्टेशन में गवाही देने जाना है पर विनय का फ़ोन कई बार कोशिश करने पर भी नहीं उठा तो उसने बाइक निकाली और विनय के घर पहुँच गया और निर्भय को बताया की वो विनय के यहाँ जा रहा है और उसे पुलिस स्टेशन जाकर गवाही देने के लिए कहा ।

अमन विनय के घर पहुंचा तो घर खुला पड़ा था और फर्श पर खून के छींटे थे तभी उसे पीछे से किसी ने मारकर बेहोश कर दिया और थोड़ी देर बाद उसने खुद को विनय के साथ टेबल पर बंधा पाया पर फर्क इतना था की विनय का पेट चीरा हुआ था और उसके बॉडी के पार्ट कटे हुए थे ,

तभी उसकी नजर छुरा पकड़े शख्स पर गयी जो बड़े आराम से विनय की जांघ को काट रहा था और उसे देख कर अमन की आँखे फ़टी रह गयी !

अमन को देखकर उस शख्स ने फुर्ती से मुस्कराते हुए उसके सर को धड़ से एक ही बार में अलग कर दिया और उसका तड़पने लगा ।।

अगले दिन मोहित किसी काम से अपने अंकल से मिलने उनके घर गया और वहां पर पहुँचने के बाद उसके अंकल ने उसे डिनर करके वापस जाने को कहा या वो चाहे तो आज रात यही रुक सकता है,पर मोहित ने खाना खाने से मना कर दिया पर अंकल के कहने पर उसने जबरन दो रोटियां खाली और रात को वहीं रुक गया ।

अगले दिन सुबह उसके अंकल की आँख खुली तो उन्होंने खुद को टेबल पर बंधा पाया और सामने छुरा पकड़े मुस्कुराते हुए मोहित को देखा 

मोहित ~ आपको मुझे कल खाना नहीं खिलाना चाहिए था देखिये आज आप मेरा खाना बनने जा रहे हैं !

जितेंद्र(अंकल) ~ पर क्यों !

मोहित ~ कल निर्भय ने मुझे बताया था की अमन विनय से मिलने उसके घर जा रहा था तो मैं भी वहां पहुँच गया और मैंने आपको देखा अमन और विनय को ले जाते हुए फिर मैंने आपका पीछा किया और आपके घर तक आया इससे पहले मैं कुछ कर पाता आपने पहले विनय और फिर अमन को मार दिया !

जितेंद्र ~ फिर तो मुझे पुलिस के हवाले कर दो !

मोहित ~ नहीं ! वहां क्यों ! मैं तो यहाँ आपको मारने यहाँ था मेरे दोस्तों का कत्ल करने के लिए पर आपने मुझे उनका ही मीट खिला दिया और मेरा टेस्ट अब बदल गया है और आज की डिश आप हैं !

मोहित ने छुरा हवा में उठा और पूरी ताकत से जितेंद्र के सीने में घोंप दिया थोड़ी देर बाद जितेंद्र कुकर में पक रहा था ।

    'समाप्त'

=======================

Rating - 114/200

Judges - Mayank Sharma, Mohit Trendster and Pankaj V. (Shaan)

Total Rating (3 Rounds) - 335/600 (55.83%)

Round 3 - Team # 01 (Giorgio & Dharmesh) #ftc1516

Persistence

Bright sunshine streams in through the window. Roosevelt lays on the couch, stretching his legs. Comfortable, he grins. His stomach rumble. Pizza. He picks up his smartphone and orders with just a text. Getting up, he bends over, his lower back cracks, making him grimace. He runs his hand through his hair, realizing it's somewhat greasy and resolving to wash it later that day, after pizza of course. Biding time, he starts to pick up the living room, opening the curtains wider on the window. As it gets later, it gets chillier. Bronson, his german shephard, trots into the room at the sound of his master moving about. Gorgeous, shiny coat, bright eyes. He cocks his head as if to say Hey, I get pizza too, right? The dog seems to have a sixth sense for pizza. 

There is a knock on the door, and Roosevelt shoots a sloppy grin at the dog. “Pizza time, bud.” He strolls over to the door, and as he goes to reach for the handle, a deep and gut wrenching fear takes hold of him. He turns to Bronson, who has backed into the corner, eyes wide, panting, spittle foaming on the edge of his mouth. He looks like he is about to seize up. Roosevelt turns and steps towards the dog. There is more knocking, loud and insistent. The dog skitters around the corner, running towards the bedroom. Shrugging, Roosevelt turns to the door. Again, electric dread seems to shoot from the door knob through his arm. Why didn't he use the doorbell? He asks himself. What the fuck, it's just pizza. Chill, dude. He reaches into his back pocket for his worn leather wallet. Pulling out a twenty, he unchains the door and opens it, abruptly stopping halfway.

“Can we use your phone? Our mom will be worried about us.” Roosevelt stares at the two children, both looking shyly at the ground. There is a male, probably twelve or so, holding the hand of a significantly younger girl, maybe five or six. Cold fear pools in his stomach. “I don't know if it's a good idea,” he says. “Why don't you tell me her number and I'll call her for you?”

“You must let us in. We're just children. We would like to call our mom.” The child has a high, clear voice, innocent and angelic sounding. 

“I don't think so.”

“LET US IN!” The voice is no longer angelic, but deep and masculine, echoey sounding and petrifying. 

“What the..?”

The child looks up, and the first thing Roosevelt notices is the carefree grin splashed across the boy's face. Just a boy, nothing more. Roosevelt looks past the boy's grin and takes in his brown hair hanging down past his mouth, his cute button nose, and his pitch black eyes. No whites, no pupils. It's as if he were wearing sclera lenses. 

“We don't have a gun or anything to hurt you with”. The innocent voice is back. “We can't come in unless you invite us.” It is at this point that the little girl looks up at him, black eyes shining, light reflecting off of them, dancing in the abyss. 

“Who are you?”

“We might be children.”

“You might be or you are?”

For a second the boy's shape seems to flicker, become fuzzy around the edges. The boy and girl turn as one to look at each other. It's as if they're speaking, in fact it's certain they're holding a conversation, although nobody says a word. The boy turns back to Roosevelt, blue eyes clear and innocent. 

“Please, sir, we're just children that want to call our mom. My sister needs to use the bathroom real bad. Our mom will worry. You should invite us in.” The girl turns to look at him as well, green eyes shining in the sun. 

“I can't let you in, what's your number and I'll call your mom.” He shakes himself internally, vowing to get a catscan at the earliest convenience. Roosevelt turns to grab paper off the counter, and as he looks back, two sets of black eyes stare at him, grins gone, a deep menacing scowl taking the place of the innocent face. 

“Let us in”. The boy stand on his tiptoes, staring directly into Roosevelt's eyes. In a dazed state, he pushes the door open, dread pooling from his stomach to his groins, something screaming at him to close the door, but everything's fuzzy, so fuzzy. He hears growling. Bronson is behind him. He snaps out of the reverie, slamming the door shut. The children walk to the window, staring in at him as he slides down the door, shaking and frantic. 

“I'm calling the police!” He lurches towards the couch, grabbing his phone and wrenching it from his charger. As he turns back, the children are walking away from him. Shortly after, the doorbell sounds. He creeps up, looking in the peephole.

==============================

Rating - 150/200

Total Rating (3 Rounds) - 415/600 (69.17%)

Judges - Mayank Sharma, Mohit Trendster and Pankaj Vijayvargiya

Round 3 - Team # 26 (Abhilash & Ashutosh) #ftc1516

Horror (Untitled)

             

        “chal bete geeta jaldi kar nahi to sab chillane lagenge…..” kaano me jhumke lagati hui Geeta khud se baatein karti aaine ke pass pahuchi.pura parivaar shaadi attend karne jaa raha tha.sabhi taiyaar the,geeta ko chhodkar.

        “uff!ye jhumke bhi na,kitna tang…..aaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!” achanak hi chikhi Geeta.turant hi  farsh par gir padi.uske halak se aawaz nikalni band ho gayi.chehre ka rang puri tarah se udd gaya.aankhein phati reh gayi.tabhi uska bhai Rakesh kamre me pahucha.

        “kya hua geeta?tu chikhi kyun?” Rakesh ne use samhalne ki koshish ki.

        “bh..bh..bhaiiyya! v…..vo aaine me….aaine me koi hai.” Geeta ne kanpte hatho se aaine ki aor ishara kiya.

        “aaine me ..??kya keh rahi ho aaine me bhala kaun ho sakta hai…….??”

        “n..n..nahi…v…vo aaine me b..b…bhoot ….” Uske hontho se ab shabd bhi nikalne mushkil ho rahe the.

        “hahahaha…….ye badhiya hai.tujhe aaj pata chala,mai to kab se keh raha tha ki tera chehra kisi bhoot se kam nahi.” Rakesh ne baat hansi me uda di.

        “shut-up!!mai mazaak nahi kar rahi.usme koi chehra tha.bada hi bhayanak….”

        “lagta hai tera dimaag kharab ho gaya hai.chal hum sab phle hi late hogaye hai.teri bakwaas ke lie samay nahi hai.” Geeta ,Rakesh ko smjhana chahti thi lekin Rakesh uski baat ko gambhirata se nahi le raha tha.Rakesh ne Geeta ko kisi tarah samjhaya.geeta bhi maan gayi,shayad ye uska vaham hi tha.bahar nikalte huye achanak rakesh ka mobile  Baj utha usne geeta ko bahar ki aor bhej diya aur khud mobile me vyast hogaya.     Geeta aage badhi.vah bahar pahuchi.

        “aakhir aa hi gayi maharani! Kab se wait kar raha hu…kitna time lagati ho sajne-dhajne me.”

        “bh..bhaiyya.aa…aap yaha??” ek baar phir Geeta ki zubaan ladkhadane  lagi.jab usne apne Rakesh bhaiyya ko saamne se aate dekha.

        “to aur kaha rahunga.janti hai pure aadhe ghante se khada hu.mummy –papa sab chale gaye.ab mujhe bike pe raste bhar tujhe hi jhelna padega.”

        “lekin..aa..aap to vaha th..the..mere pass aaye the jab mai chikhi…..”

        “kyaaaa?????mai kab se yahi hu.aur kaun sa teri chikh yaha tak sunayi deti.chal bakwaas band kar  hum late ho chuke hai.”

        Geeta ke hat- paanv thande pad gaye.sehmi si vah andar ki aor jhanki .lekin use koi bhi aata nahi dikha.itne me rakesh ne ghar ko taala lagakar  use  bike par baithne ko kaha.besudh si vah bike me baith gayi aur raste bhar yahi sochti rahi ki abhi-abhi aakhir uske sath hua kya?achanak geeta ka dhyaan toota.

        “bhaiyya?ye hum kaun se raste se jaa rahe hai?”

        “shortcut hai !! iss time main road me bheed jyada rehti hai…ye road badhiya hai jyada bheed bhi nahi rehti aur kismat dekho aaj to koi bhi aa–jaa nahi raha.” 

Kuchh der shaant rahne ke baad Rakesh bola-“acha mai to yeh puchhna bhul hi gaya..tune bataya ki tu chikhi thi.kyun????”

Jawaab me Geeta ne use saari baat bata di.

        “hahahahahahahaha!!kya kahani bana leti hai tu bhi.acha ye bata….”

             “pucho??”

             “tujhe nahi lagta ki ab tak hume venue pahuch jana chahiye tha.”

            “tum leja hi rahe ho aise raste se.” geeta boli.

             “tu shayad bhul gayi ki  maine tujhe kaha tha ki ye shortcut hai.” Geeta ko Rakesh ki ye baat samajh nahi aayi .vah chup rahi.use samjh me nahi aa raha tha ki vah kya kahe.

            “ek baat aur bata.tujhe pura yakin hai jo ladka tere room me aaya tha aur mobile me call aane ke karan vahi ruk gaya vo tera bhaiyya nahi tha aur mai tera bhai hu??” ye shabd sunte hi geeta ka hath rakesh ke kandhe se hat gaya.sharir jaise sunn hogaya.uske honth kaanpne lage.usne aas pass dekha to use ahsaas hua ki pichhle 15 min. se ve ek hi jagah ke chakkar laga rahe hai.

             “bh..haiyya ……”

             Rakesh ka sar se lekar kamar tak ka bhaag puri tarah ulta Geeta ki aor ghum gaya aur usne do aawazo me kaa “bol behna.” aankhon ki putliya gayab thi ,khoon lage hontho se vah Geeta ki aor  dekh muskurane laga.Geeta ka dimaag sansana utha. Usi aankhein phat phat padne ko betaab ho uthi.

              “aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!”geeta ke gale se jordaar chikh nikli. bijli ka jhatka laga ho jaise vah bike se niche gir padi .bike ki raftaar jyada tez nahi thi isliye use jyada chot to nahi lagi,lekin iss jhatke ne uske hosh zaroor chhin liye.

              “mai kaha hu??” aankhein khulte hi geeta ka pahla sawaal yahi tha.

             “tum hospital me ho bete.” Ye geeta ki maa thi.papa bhi vahi the.geeta ki kuchh samajh nahi aa raha tha tab doctor andar aaye aur use relax hone ko kaha.uske papa ne bataya ki jab uske bhai ko phone kiya to unhe pata chala ki geeta use ghar me lock karke chali gayi hai.unhone phle rakesh ko  khola phir lagbhag do ghante geeta ko dhundha tabb kahi jakar vah uss sunsaan road par behoshi ki halat me  mili.usi samay  uska bhai ek poice wale ke sath undar pahucha.Rakesh ko dekh geeta ke  saamne phir vahi darawana chehra aane laga.vah chillane lagi.kisi ko bhi iska kaaran samajh me nahi aaya.doctor ne sabhi ko turant bahar jaane ko kaha.

             Geeta ne kuchh der aaram kiya. idhar police ne bhi geeta ki halat ko dekh kar usse puchh-tachh nahi ki. 

           “geeta…” ye aawaz sunkar jaise geeta uchhal padi .usne aankhein kholi.saamne uska sabse khaas dost  Aman khada tha.

            “maine usse dekha aman….maine use dekha,uski awaaz bhi suni. ”    geeta ne jhatt se aman ka hath pakad liya.

           “kiski baat ka rahi ho tum geeta kise dekha tumne?”

           “anita ko……….”

           “kya bakwas hai geeta,tumhara dimaag to kharab nahi hogaya…janti hona accident hua tha tum dono ka pahadi ilake me jaha ek car wale ki galati se tumhara balance bigad gaya aur…aur humne anita ko kho diya.tum bhi gambhir halat me thi……sar pe chhot lagi thi.…” iss baat ko yaad karte huye aman bhavook ho utha.anita uski khaas dost thi.shayad sirf dosti se kahi jyada tha inka rishta.

             “mai sach keh rahi hu aman.”

            ”dekho!shayad abhi bhi tumhe uss accident ka sadma laga hua hai.mere khayal se tumhe aaram karna chahiye mai baad me aata hu.” Geeta use samjhana chahti thi lekin yah baat vah bhi janti thi koi uski baat ka yakin nahi karega.aman vaha  se chala aaya.

         Thodi der baad dr. andar aaya.geeta ke injection ka time hogaya tha.

         ‘’ab kaisa feel kar rahi ho.” Dr. ne pucha.is par geeta  shaant rahi.dr. ne uski nas me injection lagana shuru kiya.

          “mai samajh sakta hu ki kaisa lagta hai jab koi  aapki baat ka yakin na karr to……..ye to acha hua ki tumne unhe mere sar ke ulta ghumne wali baat nahi batayi…nahi to……”

          ”d..d..doctor??” Geeta ki ki aankhein phir se phail gayi. Geeta apne bed se hilane ki koshish karne lagi lekin uske pure ang kaam karna band  kar chuke the.vah behosh ho gayi  jab aankhein khuli to dekha ki uske saamne koi nahi hai.pure room me laal color ki dim halki roshni thi.ek sannata sa chhaya tha.bas kuchh kutto ke rone ki aawaze aane lagi.

  Geeta  buri tarah ghabra gayi thi.usne chikhna shuru kar diya.vah lagataar apne maa-papa ko chillati rahi lekin vaha koi nahi aaya.tabhi kisi chiz ke girne ki aawaz hui.

    “kaun hai ?? kaun hai vaha?” geeta ka chehra darr se safed pad gaya tha .usme ab itni bhi himat nahi thi ki vah uthkar dekhein.ungliya chadar ko apne bich me masal rahi thi.tabhi achanak vah laal light bhi band ho gayi.geeta zor se chiki.lekin iss baar bhi koi nahi aaya.geeta kaanpne lagi.tabhi light wapas aa gayi.Geeta ko thodi si rahat mehsus hui.

      Geeta shant hochuki thi..tabhi light phir se bujh gayi.lphir wapas aayi.dobara bujhi aur phir wapas aayi.yeahi silsila lagataar chalta raha.geeta apni himaat haar chuki thi. uske  sharir se pasine chhutne lage .usne khud ko bed se chipka liya.apne hatho aur pairo ko apne sharir se sataa liya. Aur chadar se khud  ko puri tarah dhak liya.kuchh der bad use ye ahsaas hua ki  shayad lights jalni-bujhni band ho gayi hai.usne aankhein kholi.uske thik saamne Anita baithi muskura rahi thi.ankho ki putliya gayab,chehre par shaitaani hansi.kapde aur jism khoon se sanaa hua tha.mar  chuki anita ko dekh geeta ki aankhein phati ki phati reh gayi.usne kaskar apni aankhein band kar li.phir usi tarah bed se chipak gayi aur kaapne lagi.

kaano me Anita ki aahatein saaf sunayi pad rahi thi.lekin Geeta ki himmat jawaab de chuki thi.Anita pass aa chuki thi.vah uskke pass aakar khadi hogayi.Anita  apna chehra geeta ke pass laayi.uske kaano me jaakar phusphusaane lagi.

        “utho geeta! apni best friend se nahi milogi.dekho mai tumse milne kitni door se aayi hu.tumhe lene aayi hu mai,chalogi naa mere sath” ye aaawaz jyada bhari aur darawani thi.lekin lehza Anita ka hi tha.Geeta ke hontho se siskiya nikalne lagi.

         “m….mujhe jaane do..pleasssssss……mujhe jaane do.” Geeta aankhein band kiye hi gidgidane lagi.achanak Anita ki aawaz band ho gayi sabkuchh shannt hogaya.Usne ankhein kholi to sab samanya  thA.kamre ki tube lights jal rahi thi. vah turant hi bistar se uthi aur apne pariwaar walo ke pass jane ke liye daudi.gallery me sabhi baithe huye dikhe.Anita ke parivar wale bhi aa chuke the. vah unki aor daudi.

 Achanak thahako ki aawaze gunjani shuru ho gayi.chaaro aor se bas thahako ki hi aawaze aane lagi.geeta idhar-udhar dekhne lagi  .jab uski nazar saamne ki aor padi to usne dekha family members,aman aur police uski aor thahake lagate badhte chale aarahe hai.hospital me aaye baaki log bejaan se baithe the.

dheere-dheere unn sabhi ke chehre se khoon behne lage.Geeta unn sabhi se door bhagne lagi.lekin darr me uske kadam jyada door naa daudh paaye.vah achanak hi gir padi.sabhi uske pass aate jaa rahe the.un sab ke chehre par haiwaniyat sawaar thi.

            “m…muhje maaf kar do..Anita ….m….mai tumse jalne lagi thi.m…mai tum…tumhe  Aman ke karib aata nahi dekh saki. Isliye tumhe uss….uss  pahadi se niche dhakka de diya…” geeta  rone lagi.uske itna kahte hi sab kuchh samanya hogaya use saamne sabhi samanya halat me dikhe.sabhi samajh gaye ki geeta ne accident ka jhutha natak kiya tha.taaki uspar koi shak naa kare.police ne uska confession sunte hi hirasat me le liya.

         Anita insaaf ke liye ab tak bhatak rahi thi.lekin ab uski aatma ko shanti mil gayi.ye sab-kuchh hone ke baad  aman ko laga jaise kisi ne use chhua ho.vah samjh gaya ki ye Anita thi jo use final good-bye keh rahi thi.

===================================

Rating - 110/200

Judges - Pankaj V. (Shaan), Mohit Trendster and Mayank Sharma

Total Rating (3 Rounds) - 323/600 (53.83%)

Round # 3 - Team # 12 (Frank & Mark) #ftc1516

"Let me save you..." 

Thunder crashed, making me leap out of bed, as lightning lit a small corner of the room. I leaped out stumbling into the darkness to pin the black cloth I kept over my windows. Breathing heavily I listened into the darkness... Silence. 

"Jesus.." I breathed.  Practically crying from the adrenaline. I held my face, running desperate, shaky fingers through my hair. 

How, how the hell did this happen? I thought. My being stuck, in my house, making myself into a hermit. Sleeping in an open space, no places to hide, no gaps, or anything obscuring my vision. 

Lightning once again roared outside my bedroom window, creating a purple luminescence through the fabric above my head. I gasped. No windows. Even my bed had no under to it. Just a large wood platform, completely nailed shut. Sometimes I could hear knocking from under there, maybe I sealed one of them up? 

"Heh..." I laughed. That would have been too good to be true. They can't be touched, can't be seen by most. I dont even know how I- 

"That fucking mirror!" I breathed in realization, tears now streaming down my cheeks. 

It happened about a month ago, when I moved into my new apartment. The rent was cheap, and the original owners left their belongings. One in particular, a large victorian mirror on the wall in the foyer. It was polished, new looking despite the era. It was beautiful. 

That night was pleasant, sleeping on the new mattress I had gotten to fit the bed frame. I didn't have much going there, so the thought of being able to move into a new life style, without any worries relaxed me. 

Until the scratching came. It started as an annoyance. Mice, maybe squirrels I thought. If it was rats i'd have to call pest control and I didn't want to have to do that. It got, worse though... So, so much worse. What once was a scratch became an ear piercing whine, a desperate cry for burst out of the walls, out of my head! It's sound was of wood complaining, being bent the wrong way, bone snapping teeth on teeth, glass on glass! It made my ears bleed, and my body sweat ice. 

It became so, unbearable one night, I rushed out of my room. Only to have the sound increase in volume! Then stop... As I reached the mirror. I could see my reflection, no surprise there... But I was smiling. Smiling with an ominous darkness that I knew couldn't be there, because of the windows behind me in the living room. 

    

"Wont you join us?" I said breaking the eerie silence. But from the mirror, from that thing in the mirror. I was taken aback, I couldn't speak, but my reflection had my voice. 

    

"Come with us Arthur..." It said, a black, clawlike hand reaching around it's- my shoulder! I could feel it, even though I looked at my own shoulder and nothing was there. I could feel it's fingernails raking my bear skin. 

    

"Let us save you.." It whispered in my ear softly. My eyes snapped back to the mirror! Black, twitching things crawled out of the darkness, crowding me, caressing me head to toe. There milked over eyes staring back at me through the glass... 

    

"Let us save you..." They repeated again, in those horrible little voices resonated throughout my room and head. One of their long fingertips cracked, twitching, snapping to a point, moving out of the mirror slowly, like a demented shadow.  It parted my lips, circling them with it's claw.

    

"Let us me save you Arthur..." It's whisper, more or less screeched in my ear. I panicked, kicking the mirror causing it to crack. There came a bellowing shriek from all around the room, now filled with this darkness. I ran, out of that apartment, I'm not sure how far now, it may have been another part of the city completely. But I wanted as far away from there as possible. Any hotel, or even cardboard box would do. Just not there.

    

I decided to go back there during the day after. The mirror had been cracked, as I expected. And there was no darkness in the room. 

I laughed, wondering what I was on last night. Looking into the mirror's reflection, I waved an arm, and of course so did the me on the other end. I continued to chuckle, until I noticed the black ink like handprint where the mirror had been cracked, a long thin hand, that seemed to bleed from the crack. But it was a print, left over by those... Things! 

    

It twitched, and what sounded like a hiss could be heard through the crack. I grabbed a chair from the kitchen... Smashing that glass monstrosity. 

I through what was left on a fire outside in the alley, hopefully it would help a poor homeless person find warmth that night. 

I left the next day, selling what ever was there and finding a new place. But that only helped for a while. I started seeing them, everywhere, in the corners of alleyways through windows, In gaps under my bed in my phone screen, trying to drown me in the very water I drank! Clawing at me from the shadows, making me bleed. All whispering... All in my reflection. 

That explains me now huh? The fabric on my windows, the open space, no where for them to hide. 

    I chuckled to myself, tears streaming down my face, seering the scratches on my arms and whist. Until the pain, mental and physical became, unbearable, and laughter turned to crying. 

Then silence... Silence that wasn't suppose to happen, A purple glow came from the fabric over my windows. S-silence... 

"Whats wrong..." A claw sapping and twitching came from the corner of my room, how! It's hand cracked and popped, as it peered out. 

"Let me help you... Let... Me save you..." It said, its teeth and lipless mouth grinning at me as its head snapped back and forth, back, b-back and forth. 

"T-turn... a.. round..." Another slimily squeezed ceilings corner, it's head cracked to look at me. 

"Come..." 

"Let me save you..." They crawled and slithered out from everywhere, behind every corner, every crevice of my room! They must have gotten through the window, the fabric, was, unpinned. I thought. 

One of them pulled my face toward there's grinning madly! 

"Arthur." 

I kicked it, leaving a black stain on my foot, it stung! 

I screamed, running to the hall! Slamming the door behind me 

"Let us save you Arthur" they shrieked painfully "come with us" they scratched, scratched at the door to my bedroom. The dark closed in on me as there whispers in my head grew louder "Let us save you, let us help you relax."

"FUCK! YOU!" I screamed! Tripping stumbling, and landing. Right, in front, of the mirror. No, no, no, no I thought. 

"No! I burned you, I-" The things crawled out of the corners, cracks, and crevices of my old apartment... The one I left. There long fingers stretched for me, I couldn't move as my reflection was caressed, groped by these darkness... Just as there hands slid over my eyes, there fingers slowly sliding down my throat. They stopped...

I could see, something in the mirror. A person, the back of a person. The creatures attention turned, creeping toward the windows near the person standing there. They shivered. Could this person feel them? That thought quickly vanished, as the darkness reached through the windows, and cracks in the room. I pounded on the glass of the mirror.

"You need to move!" I shouted, "they're coming!"  

There long feature lightly touched the persons spine as they creeped from under them. Why were they attacking they only, then I saw it... The screen, they were looking at a screen! The reflection was attracting them! 

"Move!" I screamed, crying out. They seemed to react, if only suddenly. 

"Turn around! Look at me! Just run, just look at me, just come to the mirror!" Only a slight reaction. This person seemed to be reacting to my thoughts, they were reading me? Reading my thoughts on the screen! I could see them forming! So why weren't they listening! Things still crept closer!

"Just come, come to the mirror! TURN! AROUND! just..." 

Let me save you... 

============================

Rating - 149/200

Total Rating (3 Rounds) - 440/600 (73.33%)

Judges - Mohit Trendster, Pankaj V. and Mayank Sharma

Round 3 - Team # 20 (Behnam & Karan) #ftc1516

Double Knockout

बांधव जाने वाली सड़क पर आज काफी भीड़ एकत्रित हुयी पड़ी थी. गाँव के सभी युवक, बुज़ुर्ग और स्त्री वर्ग बाहर फैले खेतों के पास इख्ठा हुये आपस में बातें कर रहे थे, सबकी नज़र खेत में ध्वस्त पड़ी पुलिस जीप के उपर टिकी हुयी थीं. "उस पुलिस अफसरनी ने तीन घुसपैठिये मार गिराये पर ना जाने क्या आफत आ गयी की वो खुद भी काल की बलि चढ़ गयी", तम्बाकू का पैकेट हाथ में थामे एक युवक ने बोला। बुज़ुर्गों के झुंड में से सिगरेट का कश लगा रहे एक वृद्ध ने बोला, "जो हवलदार मारा गया वो पास के मोरेना गाँव का था, यह हादसा उसकी बगावत का नतीजा है."

दूर पगडंडी पर एक राहगीर चलते हुये उस पीपल के पेड़ के नीचे पहुँचा जहाँ सब बूढ़े - बुज़ुर्ग जमा थे. अपने पिठू बैग को नीचे रख वो बोल उठा.

 "क्या बात है चचा. इम्पोर्टेड सिगरेट,लगता है हुक्के का टेस्ट फीका पड़ गया."

वृद्ध - "अरे यह तो वो शहरी बाबू दे गये थे जो एम्बुलेंस के साथ यहाँ तफ्तीश के लिए आये थे. जो मारे गये उनके लिए खेत में एक पीली टेप लगा गये और हमें ये पीछे से आधी पीली डंडी पकड़ा गये ताकि हम भी कर्क रोग के साथ खाँस - खाँस कर मरें। तुम कौन हो बेटा? पहले तो कभी नहीं देखा तुम्हे!"

उस नौजवान के ऊतर से पूर्व ही हवा में धूल उड़ाता एक तांगा वहाँ आ रुका और उसके चालक ने ताशी नामक उस लड़के का बैग तांगे में लादा और उसे बैठा कर मोरेना गाँव की तरफ तांगा बढ़ा दिया।तांगे का चालक ताशी का मामा रोमी था. मोरेना उस ज़िले का एकमात्र गाँव था जो आबादी से काफी दूरी पर स्थित था. जैसे ही ताशी ने गाँव में प्रवेष किया, उसका ध्यान मोरेना के कच्चे - पक्के मकानों को चीरता हुया उस भव्य हवेली की तरफ गया जो उसकी मंज़िल थी. सेठ टोरा मल की वो हवेली एक काले राक्षस जैसे खड़ी हुयी थी. तभी वातावरण में फैला सन्नाटा ढोल की आवाज़ ने भंग किया, रोमी और ताशी से कुछ ही दूरी पर एक अघोरी जिसका शरीर काले रंग से पुता हुया था ढोल को पिटता चला जा रहा था, उसके पीछे दुल्हा - दुल्हन की जोड़ी चेहरे पर मायूसी लिए बढ़ रहे थे, उनके ठीक पीछे काली साड़ियों से लदी औरतें एक लहूलुहान आदमी को घसीटते ले जा रहीं थीं, और अंत में ४ पुरुष "राम नाम सत है" का नारे लगाते चल रहे थे. सबकी मंज़िल एक ही थी, टोरामल की हवेली।

 रोमी - "बहुत शुभ टाइम पर आये हो ताशी। आज रक्ष दिवस है. आज के दिन तुम भी अपने अंदर के शैतान को आज़ाद कर दो. काला जादू, टोना, टोटका मोरेना का अटूट हिस्सा बन चुके हैं. सेठ के पूर्वजों ने इस गाँव को सिखाया है कि मृत्यु को स्वीकार ही मोक्ष की प्राप्ति होगी. इसीलिए प्रत्येक रक्ष दिवस एक पुरुष की बलि दी जाती है. टोरामल के मुताबिक बुरी नज़र से बचने के लिए ये बलिदान आवश्यक है."

हवेली के बाहर एक तरफ मंडप सजा हुया था और दूसरी ओर खुद टोरामल खड़ग थामे एक भव्य शैतानी मूर्ति के सामने इंतज़ार कर रहे थे. ढोल की आवाज़ दूर तक गूंज रही थी. उस आदमी को लाकर टोरामल के सामने फेंक दिया गया.

टोरामल - "ख़ुशी मनायो जगतदास, तुम्हारे बेटे की शादी है, उसके लिए तोहफा तो बनता है. तुम घातक को अपना रख्त दे कर संसार के सभी दुःखों से मुक्ति पा लोगे."

टोरामल का खड़ग उठा लेकिन जगतदास हौंसला जुटा कर दौड़ने लगा, वो कुछ कदम ही दौड़ पाया था तभी लड़खड़ा कर गिर पड़ा. नरभक्षी जानवर के भांति अघोरी अपने शिकार पर झपटने के लिए तैयार था लेकिन टोरामल के इशारे ने उसे रोक दिया और उनका १२ साल का नाती शौर्य जो घातक की मूर्ति के साथ खड़ा था, जगतदास के समक्ष पहुँचा और उसके नन्हे हाथ जगतदास की गर्दन को कसने लगे, दुसरे ही क्षण असामनीय शक्ति का प्रदर्शन करते हुये शौर्य ने जगतदास का सर उखाड़ दिया, ख़ून के फ्वाहारे ने ज़मीन को लाल रंग से पोत दिया जिसमें जगतदास के माँस के लोथड़े भी शामिल थे. तभी ताशी के बैग में रखे वॉकी - टॉकी से एक मैसेज गूंजा।

"ताशी कम इन. हवेली में बारूद लगाया के नहीं!"

सबकी नज़रें ताशी की तरफ घूम चुकी थीं. ताशी के चेहरे का रंग उड़ गया, डगमगा रहीं लातों में थोड़ी सी जान डाल कर वो सरपट दौड़ पड़ा.

टोरामल - "भाग कर कहाँ जायोगे घुसपैठिए। घातक के इस क्षेत्र में तुम्हें पाताल भी छिपने की जगह नहीं देगा। अघोरी, रात होने में १ घंटा बाकी है, इस सपोले को ढूंढ कर ला. पूर्णमासी की ये रात हम इसके ख़ून से स्नान करेंगे।"

रात के अँधेरे ने मोरेना को गटक लिया। सबकी नज़र बचा कर ताशी छुपते - छुपते वापिस हवेली की तरफ अपना रास्ता बना रहा था. ताशी का मोरेना में आने का एक मकसद था, उसे टोरामल की हत्या करने के लिए वहाँ भेजा गया था, और उसने भेजने वाला था नरेश जिसकी बीवी पोलियो कैंप लगाने मोरेना आयी थी पर कभी वापिस नहीं लौटी। नरेश ने छानबीन के बाद पता लगाया कि मोरेना एक काली विधवा बस्ती मानी जाती है जहाँ घातक नामक शैतान की पूजा की जाती है और घातक अपनी हैवानी शक्ति उसी औरत को देता है जो अपने परिवार के सभी मर्दों का अंत कर दे. आज पूर्णमासी की रात, घातक की रात थी.

ताशी के वॉकी - टॉकी पर नरेश का संदेश आया.

नरेश - "ज़मीन पर चलते रहोगे तो मौत ढूंढ लेगी। मैं जिस छत के ऊपर टोर्च घुमा रहा हूँ, वहाँ पहुँचो।"

प्रतिशोध की आग तब तक जलती रहती है जब तक इंतकाम की बौछार उसे शाँत ना कर दे. नरेश ने ५ साल इस बदले का इंतज़ार किया था, इसीलिए वो मोरेना को तबाह करने के लिए बेताब था. ताशी एक छत पर टोर्च की रौशनी देख वहाँ चढ़ पहुँचा।

ताशी - "प्लान फ़ैल हो गया है. टोरा की हवेली के भीतर तो दूर अगर हम उसके आँगन में भी पहुँच गये तब भी वहाँ हमारे कंकाल ही गढ़ेंगे! इस वक़्त मोरेना के हर कदम पर मौत का पहरा है. हमें वापिस चले जाना चाहिए, फिर कभी आ कर इस गाँव को शमशान  बना देंगे!"

नरेश - "मैंने ५ साल अपनी बीवी की याद में काटे हैं, इन दरिन्दों ने उसे कफ़न भी नसीब नहीं होने दिया होगा। तुम्हे जाना है तो जायो, अगर आज रात मेरी चिता जलेगी तो उसकी लपटों में ये गाँव भी राख होगा।"

नरेश ने अपनी बात पूरी ही की थी की तभी छत की इंटों को तोड़ते हुये दो हाथ उभरे और उसके पैरों को जकड़ लिया! ताशी कुछ कर पता उस से पहले ही नरेश का शरीर छत को तोड़ता हुया नीचे जा गिरा। अपने सामने का नज़ारा देख नरेश के होश उड़ गये. उसके सामने उसकी बीवी सीमा डायन की तरह खड़ी थी. सीमा के बिखरे बाल उसके पैरों को छू रहे थे, उसके पैर उलटे हुये पड़े थे, मर्दाना आवाज़ में उसने बोला।

सीमा - "अधूरी हूँ मैं पति परमेश्वर, घातक को तुम्हारा चढ़ावा चाहिए तभी पूर्ण बनूँगी मैं!"

नरेश - "ताशी अपने मकसद को पूरा कर, भाग ताशी, भाग."

छतों को कूदता  फांदता ताशी वापिस हवेली की ओर बढ़ गया. इधर सीमा की बाँहें नरेश को अपने शिंकजे में जकड़ चुकी थीं. उसके बाल नरेश की गर्दन को कस चुके थे. अपनी हड्डियों की चरमराहट नरेश के कानों तक गूंज रही थी.

सीमा - "सालगिरह मुबारक हो प्रिय!"

इतना कहते ही सीमा ने अपने दाँत नरेश के चेहरे में गाढ़ दिये, नरेश का खून सीमा की काली साड़ी पर टपकता चला गया. अपनी पूरी हिम्मत जुटा कर नरेश ने अपनी जेब में हाथ डाला और डेटोनेटर का बटन दबा दिया।

नरेश - "और तुम्हें मौत मुबारक हो सीमा!"

नरेश की छाती से बंधी विस्फोटक जैकेट में 'क्लिक' की आवाज़ हुयी और दोनों के परखच्चे उड़ गये. ताशी अब तक घातक की मूर्ति के सामने था पर हवेली के आँगन की मिट्टी ज़ोर - ज़ोर से हिलने लगी, उस में से विभित्स व अधजले सिर उभरने लगे, उन में से एक सिर उछल कर ताशी के पैरों पर चिपक गया  और देखते ही देखते उसके नुकीले दाँतो ने ताशी के पैर काट खाये। अधमरा हुया ताशी घातक के सामने लेटा दर्द से कराह रहा था, उसकी आँखें बार - बार अपने पैरों के स्थान पर हड्डियों को देख कर फटी जा रही थीं. अँधेरे के सीने को चीरते हुए टोरामल, रोमी, अघोरी और शौर्य ताशी के सामने आ खड़े हुये।

टोरामल - "टोरा टर्र - टर्र करता कोई मेंढक नहीं जो तुझ जैसों के हाथों मारा जाएगा! मैं वो अजगर हूँ जो तेरे जैसे अनगिनत सपोलों को उनकी हड्डियों समेत निगल जायूं, घातक को ५०० मर्दों का रख्त पीना है तब जा कर मैं घातक का हिस्सा बन पायूँगा लेकिन एक राज़ की बात बातयूं, अब तक २९९ आदमजात को मार कर शौर्य घातक का अंश पा चुका है. वो घातक है!"

अघोरी ने नाचना शुरू कर दिया। उसके तांडव से धरा हिल उठी थी, शौर्य की जीभ ताशी के कलाई पर लिपट गयी और उसकी चमड़ी के अंदर समाने लग गयी, ताशी की चीखें दूर - दूर तक गूँज रही थीं. अगले ही पल ताशी की चमड़ी उसके शरीर से फट कर अलग होने लग गयी तभी "पिं" की एक तेज़ आवाज़ हुयी और एक बड़े धमाके ने रात के अँधेरे को रोशन कर दिया। दरअसल हवेली पहुँचते वक़्त ताशी ने टाइम बम एक्टिवेट कर दिया था. घातक के टुकड़े - टुकड़े हो गये थे.

===========================

Rating - 154/200

Judges - Mayank Sharma, Mohit Trendster and Pankaj V. (Shaan)

Total Rating (3 Rounds) - 442/600 (73.67%)

Round 3 - Team # 06 (Manabendra & Rahul) #ftc1516

Salvation

Heavy snow had dressed everything in neighborhood in white. The streets were empty. But not Dr.Ranjana's office. 

Dr.Ranjana,with Ph.D in Psychotherapy,sat on single-seated Recliner-Sofa opposite to a depressed,silent man lying on 

couch.

Dr.Ranjana:-The death of those MARCOS-commandos on Bombay-High oil-rig 1-year ago was not your fault. You couldn't have 

done anything to save them. They sacrificed their lives so that a big attack could be averted. 

Captain:-I couldn't save him either. It's as if my life is marred with failures. I feel deep pain in my heart.

Dr.Ranjana:-Ah..yes..the boy! I heard about it in the news. (pauses)Tell me from begining.

Captain:-It all started a week ago. I had just reached my home after our session. It was around 7:00PM when I heard 

somebody's cry. I put my trench-coat,hat and ran out to check. 5-houses away,2-men were forcefully dragging a kid in 

black-van. Seeing me,one of the goon started firing.None of the bullets hit me but it gave them sufficient time to escape. 

I dialled City-Police-Station number and went inside the boy's house. The residents--Husband and Wife,were brutally 

murdered. Soon,police arrived. They started canvassing the area. A sketch-artist drew kidnapper's face according to my 

specification.

Dr.Ranjana:- Quite a memory you've Captain.

Captain-Manabendra:-Yeah. 3-days later,I was again called at Police-Station. Inspector.Karan was worried. It turned out 

that kidnapped kid Suman's parents were murdered using a knife that belong to cult Brotherhood. It had been terrorizing 

Shimla for past 6-years. I was asked to help with the case,as I had witnessed the incident and my training-expertise. Each 

year,they would kidnap and then kill young boys in September. There was no pattern of kidnapping except that kids were 

murdered on dates matching their age. Suman,aged 13,was going to die on 13thSeptember. We had only 3 days to find him. We 

were wondering what to do next,when police-station phone rang. It was from coroner's office who revealed a startling 

information. The kidnapper Franklin-D'Souza had committed suicide 2-days ago.

Dr.Ranjana:-He too? As many as 5-people have killed themselves in past 3-weeks. Was he Brotherhood member?

Captain:-To investigate this,we went to Mr.Franklin-D'Souza's house. We started to look for every minute details. 

Suddenly,I came across his Study-Table. For some reasons,it seemed quite odd. It was as if I had seen that table before. I 

found a button hidden cautiously under the chair,pressing which a secret-compartment opened in the table. In it there was 

an ancient book whose cover contained tattoos of Brotherhood!

Dr.Ranjana:-So,Mr.D'Souza was Brotherhood-member after all.

Captain:-To gain more insight on motives and methodology of brotherhood,we read the book. It turns out Brotherhood 

worships a demon Kalala who was killed by the local-gods centuries ago. They believe,they can revive him,reincarnation if 

you may. To do so they have to perform a ritual and kill 7 kids under age of 14 in month of Septemeber when Kalala was 

killed. Suman is going to be last victim and to complete ritual,5-members must also sacrifice themselves.

Dr.Ranjana:-Doesn't it looked like a cliched motive. I have seen dozens of movie where a cult tries to "revive their 

gods". Reincarnation as a conept is not bad. Think about it, being born again to serve humanity. I consider this to be a 

boon.

Captain:Doc, I believe if someone is worthy enough, one life is enough to serve human-cause.

We also found an image of elements---Sand,Moon,Water and Blood with cryptic-verse that indicated the location of their 

ritual-site. "Like the phoenix, master shall rise in shadows of four-elements bathing in blood of light-souls". Light-

souls here meant the children. We had to find out what four-elements junction was. Luckily,that wasn't necessary. 

Inspector.Karan found a certain type of mould in Mr.D'Souza's boots. The stench from mould screamed of The-Barogh-Tunnel,a 

haunted tunnel. What place can be better for hiding than a haunted place where nobody goes.

Thereafter,along with 20-armed police-men we went to The-Barogh-Tunnel. Upon reaching,Brotherhood-members started firing 

at us. The surrounding area of Barogh-Tunnel has lots of hiding-place. The Brotherhood members were aware of those 

locations. Shootout lasted for several-hours. Eventually,they were all killed. We entered the tunnel and started walking 

along the old,rusted railway-tracks. The torch-light was only thing lightening the black tunnel. We kept walking and 

eventually came out of other end. Surprised,We tracked back the tunnel,again we didn't find anything. However,I noticed 

the oddness in lever-switch at mouth of tunnel that was used in old days to manually switch the track. The tracks were 

very old and rusted. But corrosion on lever-switch was very-less. Inspector.Karan,with all his might,pulled the lever. A 

boulder right in middle of tunnel moved to pave the way for secret-room. Again, inside the room,I had deja-vu 

feeling...like...like I had been there before. We had almost saved Suman. But our happiness was short-lived. The secret-

room was filled with all types of tantric-totems and symbols. Right in the middle was a burnt body of kid. We couldn't 

save Suman. With his blood,message was carved---"You failed Captain-Manabendra just like last year"

Captain-Manabendra took a deep breath.

Dr.Ranjana:-Captain,these past events,they are merely a distraction. Your improvement ha...

Captain-Manabendra had a moment and suddenly he jumped in delight.

Captain:-Yes,it makes sense...I'll do exactly that.

Dr.Ranjana:-(more-confused)What are you talking about?

Captain-Manabendra didn't answered her. Instead,he started dialling Inspector.Karan's number.

Captain:-Suman is still alive Inspector! The body that we found was a decoy. The sacrifice is going to happen tonight.

They burnt the body so that we cannot identify him,contrary to previous murders where kids were not burnt. I think the boy 

who died must be someone from a follower's family. If they are ready to kill themselves,then they are deranged enough to 

sacrifice their own children. Now the question that remains is where is their ritual-site.

Inspector.Karan:-Captain,story mentioned in Brotherhood-book has striking resemblance to one my mother used to tell me 

when I was small. A demon was killed by local-gods in place,now known as Chadwick-Falls. But the problem is that,the base 

of fall is junction of 3-elements---Sand from ground,Water from falls and Blood as in Suman. What about Moon though?

Captain:-(excitingly)You can get the moon's reflection.

Inspector.Karan:-(lowering-volume)We've found the location. But we don't know whom to trust. For all we know,anyone can be 

Brotherhood-member.

Captain:-I agree with you. If we move now,we can make it to Chadwick-Falls by night-fall. Meet me at Heun-village.

Captain:-You're right Dr.Ranjana. Dwelling on the past only brings more pain. I couldn't have saved them. 

Dr.Ranjana:-Finally! But you don't have time. Hurry! Save the kid,Save yourself.

Chadwick-Falls is situated in middle of dense forest. The forest starts from remote Heun-village. The paths are very 

narrow and dusty,hence upon reaching Heun-Village,they had to cover the distance by foot. The howls of wolves grew louder 

as they ventured deep into the forest. After half-hour walk they could see the base of Chadwick-Falls from distance. 5 

Brotherhood-members were standing in circle,around unconscious Suman,who was lying in shallow water of Chadwick-Falls. The 

moon was shining brightly on Suman. The brotherhood members were chanting some verses. A priest with Axe proceeded to kill 

Suman. However,a bullet in his head stopped him from even reaching close to the boy. Seeing this,remaining 5-members 

started to flee,but trained naval-officer Captain-Manabendra and Inspector.Karan arrested all of them.

Captain:-Are you all right?

There was no response. As he proceeded to untie the unconscious kid,he received the biggest shock of his life. He started 

sweating profusely. It was as if he had seen a ghost. The kid had face of MARCOS Major.

Captain-Manabendra:-Its not possible!

Kid:-Thank you for saving me! 

Suddenly,from all directions sea-water rushed in. The trees,fall,Inspector.Karan----all started to dissolve. In no time 

there was water everywhere. The fierce water formed a whirlpool beneath him,sucking Captain-Manabendra in it. There was no 

point in fighting the whirlpool. He quietly surrendered and closed his eyes.

Captain-Manabendra didn't know how much time had passed,when he opened his eyes. He was lying on solid white ground in an 

empty realm filled with white light. There was no begining,no end,except for a gray sphere hovering some distance from 

him. He touched it which then transformed into Dr.Ranjana.

Dr.Ranjana:-Congratulation! You're now ready to move on!

Captain-Manabendra:-Wai..wha..what?Move on? Where am I?

Dr.Ranjana:-While returning from Dr.Ranjana's session last-week,you had heart-attack. You died!

Captain-Manabendra:-I don't understand. If I died,then this whole search for kidnapped kid...what was that?

Dr.Ranjana:-Every person in his lifetime obtains a baggage which he carries for his entire life and in death too. For some 

sit's hatred,for some grief and so on. For you,it was regret. So when someone dies,in order to move on,he need to shed 

that baggage,for which he is given one last chance. We call it Trial. For you,it was saving child version of Major and 

realizating that you couldn't have done anything to save original him. Once,someone completes Trial,I visit them.

Captain-Manabendra:-But it all seemed too real.

Dr.Ranjana:-Obviously. The whole Trial scenario was formed by your memories. That's why all the places and people seemed 

familiar to you.

Captain-Manabendra:-So,if I'm dead,then are you god? And this place,is it heaven?hell?

Dr.Ranjana:-I am just a Guide. And this place is both heaven and hell. We call this place Canvas. Your trial was your 

hell.

Captain:-So now what?

Guide clicked her fingers. Two-closed doors,red and blue colored appeared behind her.

Guide:-You can stay here as long as you want. It's your heaven. Whatever you wanted,you can have in here. Promotion to 

Admiral of fleet or a happy family...perhaps lost love. Just by thinking,you can transform this place into your most 

beautiful memory. Think about you're happiest moment.

Captain did exactly that. Suddenly,Canvas transformed into his childhood home.

Guide:-Stay here as long as you want. Once you're ready,choose one of these doors. They will be here even when I'm gone.

Captain:-What's behind them? 

Guide:-The blue door will give you rebirth as new person. This red-door is especially for you. Time in Canvas is faster 

than outer world. It has only been 7-minutes since your death. Red-door bring you back to life. But hurry,it will only 

last for next 4-minutes. 

Captain:-This place...this..this Canvas is fake. How can I stay here after knowing that.

Guide:-You can have anything you want.

Captain:-I've made my decision.

Captain moved forward. He turned the door-knob. A flash of light covered him. Whole Canvas disappeared.

===============================

Rating - 140/200

Judges - Pankaj V. (Shaan), Mayank Sharma and Mohit Trendster

Total Rating (3 Rounds) - 385/600 (64.17%)