The Forest Cottage

17

Detective Files. 

Nancy and Jess were on their way to this Hawaiin resort. Nancy was the brown haired pretty one while Jess was the bit plump blonde. Both where best friends were from high school. Their father Mr Jason had arranged this trip for them to an Egyptian resort. Only in half an hours time their plane would land. After it landed they came out of the airport lounge to be recieved by the hotel employee. He was a dark skinned medium height Egyptian. He escorted them on their way. It was a half an hours drive. Once they reached the resort it was exotic looking with wild flowers around. " The smell of this magnolia flowers is, so nice.. " Jess said. " I know its ur favourite " Nancy replied.

Their room too was lovely overlooking the sea and lush green forest island. " We should take a, hike in the forests what you say " Jess said. " There must be wild animals out there! " Nancy said. Both of them got refreshed and ordered room service of hot soup and sandwich. 

Nancy decided to sleep early as she was tired after the travel. Jess too decided the same. 

In night as they were sleeping the weather outside had became stormy and rain was falling heavily. Nancy was feeling cold as she was reading a detective novel while Jess was fast asleep. It was very late in the night. Suddenly she heard whispers coming from outside the window! A layer of mist was on the windows full surface. As Nancy went close near it to inspect as to from where the noise was coming from. A sudden chill fell up in the room. 

Nancy slowly made her way towards the window and checked out. There was nothing there. But she was sure she had heard a whisper. A chill ran through her veins. 

She woke up Jess. " Get up Jess I think this resorts haunted, I heard some whispers coming from the window.. We are on the first floor sure it cant be some human. " Let me sleep and please you better go too and rest all ur these detective instincts " Jess was mumbling in her sleep.

" Okay I m retiring but I'm closing this window " said Nancy and went to her bed. No more sounds of whispers came. 

In late morning Jess was up and woked up Nancy . " Come on get up we have a lot of touring n sun tanning to do today " Jess said.

The bell boy came and delivered their breakfast and a coupon. On the coupon voucher was the photo of Brad the celebrity who was hoisting an event in the evening at the resort. " This is getting better see what's come up " said Jess handing the card to Nancy.

" Really this is good. So ofcourse you must have decided what to wear for the event as hes ur favourite actor " Nancy said.

" Yes I'm wearing my yellow dress in evening but now let's go tour this place " Jess told. " And what about you, what are you wearing " Jess asked Nancy. " Ofcourse i will be wearing my comfortable blue jeans and white shirt what else " Nancy said with a thump on her friends back.  " You are incorrigible " Bess was saying. Nancy laughed and said " please dont do anything over in front of Brad!  "

" In his last movie he was very good i saw it in premier " Jess said. " " And when he came out of his, lamousine and was signing autographs you almost tripped and fell on him. Alk the cameras caught it " Nancy said. 

It was evening. Both Nancy and Jess got ready to go for the event. In the afternoon both of them had taken a tour of the resort and the beach. From the antique shop Jess had bought a antique locket. 

Jess wore her yellow dress n Nancy a dark red long sleeved outfit. As Jess made Nancy change her mind.  " You have to look good when you meet Brad.  You cant go in casual in front of him Nancy " Jess was saying. The moon came up in the sky full and lovely. 

The gardens around the resort were decorated in glittering lights. There was campagne flowing lavishly all around. Jess quuckly took one glass from the waiter.  While Nancy preferred a soft drink. Brad the actor was all dressed up in a tuxedo and was greeting all the attendees. There were photographers too. Jess was too excited to meet him.

" Did you find anything odd when we were buying that antique pendant in the shop " asked Jess. Nancy said " you mean that guy who was standing beside you, yes he was kind of strange. I felt like he was stalking us. " Both Nancy and Jess were conversing at the corner. 

The atmosphere was full of heavy perfume scent. Brad gave a lovely smile to Nancy and Jess when they entered. Afterwards on the stage he gave a small speech. Rest of the evening went by quickly with all guests mingling. Jess took a selfie with him n got a bit drunk on the champagne. Nancy had to literally drag her from the event.

It was late in the night now as they were retreating to their rooms " Its that same weirdo from the shop c " Jess pointed out to the same man who was sitting in the lobby. " Do u think hes some serial killer " asked Jess. " U r just over imagining "Nancy said. " But I don't like the looks of him " Jess said. 

" Come on lets go to our room now we had a busy day " suggested Nancy n they both went up the lift. While the mystery man gave a smirk at them.

In the hotel room Nancy was ordering room service. She asked for a hot chicken soup as they had already eaten at the celebrity event.

After having their soup both of them slept. Nancy did try to join in Jess with her soap watching but was founding it boring. After the heady events of the evening. As Jess was watching a little bit of a romance drama tv series. N slept in midway. Nancy got up n switched off the tv and slept. " Just like you to always doze off in between .. "

As Nancy slept. At midnight Nancy heard some footsteps outside their door. And the doorknob was rattling. " " Its not my imagination " she said. "Whose this whose trying to break in " she gasped. " She sure wanted to go out and check. Her sleuthing sense was nagging her. A chill ran through her. Something is going on here.

She jumped to double check the lock n then tried to sleep back as the rattling stopped. " No point in waking Jess up , she will only panic. Whats going on here in this hotel by the way " she was thinking.

Slowly sleep came to her. As outside the moon was full up in the sky with a few sparkling  stars scattered around it. And outside the man's shadow lingered for a while and then went away from there.

    ♡ ☆

Next day both Nancy and Jess woke up. The sun light was shining inside on their faces. 

" Today what have you planned to do " asked Jess. " Well we can go and see the area around here like a tourist " said Nancy. " Last night I heard someone trying to break in our hotel room " Nancy said. " What you are saying, is it that weird suspicious guy loitering around the lobby! I think we should inform the hotel security " Jess suggested.

" Will see if it happens again today then we will take some action " Nancy said.

" Let's have tea now, my head is aching " Nancy told. " I had a nice night of sleep though " Jess was drawling.

After having their breakfast of bacon and toast both of them got ready n went out with their hats on as it was very sunny. " Let's do some market hopping here I have heard there are some antique pieces worth buying " Jess was saying. " I'm thinking of buying an ouija board because there are some questions that I want to get answered " Nancy was thinking.

" Again that same guy see he's there standing near that stall " Jess pointed to the same weird guy.

" I think  enough of him, we dont want to worry about him on our holiday ok or suspecting that hes coming at our  room door in the night okay. Right now let's just buy a Ouija board n do a session tonight! Nancy said. " Isnt this a bit spooky this board and all " Jess remarked. " Who ypu you want to summon by the way " Jess quipped. " Maybe a murderers dead spirit or some ghost " Nancy said. " Im taking another room if you do all this stuff here. U are scary " Jess was saying a bit angrily. 

" But I am quite excited about this pointing towards a bracelet " Jess was saying as she went to to a stall and brought herself a transparent blue bracelet . The woman selling it said it was supposed to bring good luck to one who wears it. As always Jess was being herself. 

At night Nancy and Jess removed the ouija board. " Well it's almost 11 30 so switch off the lights and light some candle " Nancy told Jess.

" Do one thing, give this board to your cousin or some friend. Why you want to play it. Let's watch some nice suspensemovie instead " Jess told.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Jess opened it and gasped. It was Brad the actor himself. 

" Am I dreaming this " she said. " Here I think you forgot ur credit card at the event while you both were talking to me " " Really it all happened for the good then because you wouldn't be here if i hadnt losr my credit card at the event " Jess, said while tidying up her hair. Brad lauhged at this and said you're right. I think your face is familiar arent you that trippy girl from my premiere " Brad said. " Yes im its lucky we meet again " Jess said. Brad smiled and also gave her his visiting card and left. 

" So what you say we go ahead with the ouija board " asked Nancy. " No lets keep it for some other day " said Jess. " Right now im feeling dreamy with Brad giving me his card " Jess said. " Forget about ur dashing Brad now and focus on the board " Nancy said. " Doesnt hes little stubble makes him look more cute " Jess remarked. " Jess you do have a boyfriend back in town " Nancy was saying. " So that doesnt mean i shouldn't care about my favorite star " Jess said. " Yes you are right there but come and join me now here " Nancy remarked with a smirk. 

The next day both Nancy and Jess  packed their bags.  For returning home. As an urgent call had come from Nancys father that he had a minor heart attack. 

As they left their room to return home. Jess had an idea. " Let me meet last time Brad and come " she said.  " No we are already late, you have his number call him up " Nancy said. " Thars a good idea, too but i wouks eather see him personally " Jess, said. She returned very hyper saying " Brad as called us for one of his party in his hometown next  mont. He has invited you too " Jess said. ' Sure i will join you.  Ur infection has caught on me ans im beginning to like him too. ❤ " Nancy quipped. 

Later they took So they a cab to catch their flight for the return journey and boarded their plane. After two days of returning to their home town. Nancy got a call from one of her new friend wo Nancy had made in the hotel who were staying there too. That a, intruder    had tried to break in their same room in middle of the night.  He too was trying to open the doorknob. She got up n opened the door to see who it is and he entered and had hit one of the guest with a rod. Was not even a thief.  But he was arrested. 

" Was it that same suspicious guy who was following us there " Jess asked.  ".Yes i think so .. " Nancy said.  " It was, a half solved mystery for me as we had to return home as father called us " Nancy said. 

" Whatever there will always be more cases coming your way to solve in future.  Atleast we had some good time there " Jess replied.

" Yes Ned called today on my phone regarding some theft that took place in his neighbor hood " Nancy said. " See already something has come up for you .. " Jess said.

The Tale

It was a lovely evening. With a cool breeze blowing and summer magnolia flowers in full bloom in Daisys backyard. She was reading her favourite gothic romance mystery novel and was having her lemon tea. 

Her phone buzzed, it was her granny. she picked up. " Listen Daisy are you coming tonight or not. Its been a long awhile you have not been here. " Sure i am coming to visit you in my car now " Daisy said and got up to get dressed. " No wait you come tomorrow in morning. Its no moon night. Dont travel alone now " her granny told her" " You are being superstitious nothing will happen " Daisy laughed. But then a lingering thought came to her " its a no moon night and its a long drive through the forests. Should i go tomorrow or today to visit granny. Superstitious me she chided herself. "

After wearing her green lemon colour dress she left her house. And locking the front door. " Have i forgotten something. Yes the car keys. " Daisy said and got inside the house and took it. A weird sensation she was having about the trip though. Its not like she was first time making this trip. But in night sure she had not travelled before.

She started on her journey.  It was a full moon night and she reached her grandma house after one hour of driving through the forests on a windy weather.  All the trees were blowing in the breeze. 

After she reached her granny house. Her grandmother had just made dinner and was, waiting for her on the porch. 

" Dear you came i was waiting for you.  U shouldn't be driving in such a, weather at night " daisys grandmother said reproachfully. 

" What have you made by the way " Daisy asked.  " Its chicken chesse sandwhich and some white wine.  " " Yes ur food is, always good " Daisy remarked.

" So have you found someone or not " her granny asked. " Not yet " Daisy said wistfully. And all other topics they talked on. 

After talking and having dinner in the garden. Daisy got up to go. " Wait where are you going its 11 in the night.  You can sleep and go tomorrow. Its not safe to drive in thenight all alone " granny said. 

" How can wild animals enter a closed car from the forests " Daisy asked.  " And what if your car breaks down in middle of the road and im not just talking about wild animals here. Its, a no moon night Daisy " her granny said. 

" Please don't be superstitious and believe in ghosts. I have to go because tomorrow morning i have a, meeting and i have to prepare.  And by the way it would be fun driving in the night through the fotests on a moonlit night!  Daisy said.

" Always the impulsive one arent you. Okay so dont forget to lock the cardoors.  And no hitch hikers. " " Give me a, call on the way..  " her granny said. " Sure i will call you after i reach home " Daisy said.  " And if some problems happen on the way call me " granny told Daisy.  " Dont worry " Daisy said. 

And so Daisy left on her return journey. 

After some time of driving.  Daisy started to feel drowsy.  " I should have listened to granny's and stayed there only for the night. Like a, fool i took this journey. " Not one human being and car could be seen for miles. I am all alone here. 

The forest was looming all dark around her. " Hope my car doesn't breaks down now " she told herself with a, shiver. Her tyres screehed and the car halted. She got out to check what it was. Her engine had heated up.  So she got out and poured some water on it and again started her car. From distance wild animals were making noises. After some time of driving suddenly she saw a woman on the side of the road.  " Whats, this woman doing in the jungles.  But when' she came nearer what she saw made her heart froze. That her feet were opposite. And a sinister smile on her face.  She was like a shadow. Not a human being. 

Daisys heart froze.  She was not a human being.  She drove on faster somehow breathlessly. She tried calling her granny.  But it was coming out of network. Maybe she had slept. Then in the rear view she saw the same woman siting in her backseat!

She couldnt believe it.  How can the woman get inside the car. The temperature in the car dropped.  Daisy was shivering. It was a spirit roaming the forests. And she did not heeded her grannys word to not travel. 

Daisy amost felt faint.  But somehow she did kept on driving. The woman vanished from the backseat. 

In a blur she drove and reached her house and falered and fell on the bed. She couldn't open the lock with her key as her hands were trembling. Next day she had a fever. She called her granny and told her everything about it. 

Her grandmother said " thats why i was warning you.  I have heard some rumours about that patch of the forests. But you always took it as, a joke. Now next time you wont be driving too late in the night.  One good thing happened out of all this " she said. " Next time you come here you stay here.  But you are brave to keep driving inspite of that ghostly sighting " her granny said. 

" Yes i know and to think i never believed in ghosts. Now in night i check the locks on my door " Daisy said as she was holding a cup of warm tea in her hands.