The Forest Cottage

4

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Later in the night. As Clara, was sleeping she heard some tapping sounds outside her window. She awoke up with a jolt. " What was that,  ofcourse it's not that man,  then it must be the tree branches. The wind is, blowing strongly. " She got up and opened the window more and saw something in the shrubs below. The moonlight was strong and she could make out that it was just a cat. " But then the tapping on the window must be because of the breeze only forget it i will go back to sleep " Clara said and returned back to her bed. 

Again she heard some sound. A shadows was there at the window. Clara got up with a jerk and started screaming. The shadow darted and jumped towards her bed. To her relief she saw that it was just a, cat. " So it came through the open window. This woods are really mysterious " Clara said and went back to sleep again. The next day she went to college in her blue jeans and white shirt. 

The day went by quickly. She was sitting through her lectures. Professor Mrs Maggie during hwr science class was discussing about chemicals when she interrupted and asked Clara, about the intruders incident. She had seen it on the news. " Clara i saw the hooded man who was caught last night in ur house by the cops. This same man was seen lurking at one of my friends house last year. But he escaped that time. " " Really you should have told me that before " Clara, replied. " But yoy never told it to anyine" Mrs Maggie said. " I did told to Joy and Greta. On that night Joy was with me " Clara said. " Whatever its resolved now so you pay attention ik class. Your grades are going down as you were not studying properly " Mrs Maggie said. 

When Clara, reached home. Her mother had baked some toasted bread with cheese. As they were eating dinner a news came on the television that the local man who used to break into peoples houses has escaped " the news reporter said. " Oh no this is not good. Now are going to take time to catch him again. We have got to be careful. Lock all the windows and doors. He may come here. But how did he exactly escape " Mrs, Nancy said. " In the jeep when one of the cops got out to check the tire or something he ran out " her father said. " Now that was very careless of the cops " Clara said with a, rising panic inside her. " I am not hungry i am going up " she said. " Allright now you be calm. The cops are searching for him. He may not make it too far on foot. So have ur dinner and go to sleep. I  have checked the doors. See in two days only they will catch him " Mrs, Nancy said. Clara retired to her room. And trief to read some book which she had brought from the college library. 

As she was reading. Greta called her and told her that Joy was planning a highway night ride the next night.  " Am sure you would be interested in it wouldn't you to remove your mind from that escaped intruder incident " Greta said. " I am not sure the last time see what happened on our camp trio " Clara, said. " This time we would be sitting inside the car so there is no problem." " Have you forgotten the wolf " Clara, said. " So are you coming or not finally say because i am definitely going " Greta told Clara. " Allright i am coming but check the working conditions of the car. I dont want some beake failure or tyre puncture then Joy will have to get out of the car which i dont want to happen okay. I will tell mother about this  " Clara, said and kept the phone down and continued with her reading. 

The next day she told her parents about it. They said it was a good idea. But told them to be careful and not to take any hitch hikers. Night came soon. It started raining a bit. Clara, wore her raincoat and went outside.  Joys car was standing outside and Grera was sitting beside. Quickly Clara got inside the car and they drove off away. Joy was driving very fast. " Dont you think you should slow down a bit " Clara, told him. Greta was busy in her listening to songs on her earphones. " Its okay i am not speeding that much and whats the point of night drive if we are not going fast " he said. The forests were all looming dark in the dim moonlight. And, from the open car window a chill breeze was blowing. Suddenly from behind them a patrol car was following them. " Now we will have to park aside " Joy said and halted. The patrol car stopped beside them. " So they were following us only " Clara said. " Ofcourse they were who else is here in these jungles driving now beside us " Joy replied. A, cop got out with a, flashlight torch and knocked on their car window. As Joy slided the window down. The cop said " what are you people doing in the forests at night time. " " Nothing we were just going for a, drive the three of us " Joy answered. " Quite a unique thing to do for enjoyment " cop said sarcastically. " And if your night rides over then why dont yoy return back " he added. " Sure we will " Joy said as the officer retreated back to his patrol car and they went off. Clara said " maybe hes right lets go back. " " Look how lovely the moon is looking lets drive more " Greta said. " Okay " Joy said and started the car. 

As they went ahead. More rain clouds came up in the sky. " I think lets return back Joy. Its going to rain more heavily " Clara said. Greta was enjoying the cool breeaze against her skin. And not caring about whether it was going to rain more heavily or not. " Okay we will take a turn back from here " Joy said. Suddenly Clara, saw some shadow among the forests. " I saw something there in the woods. Something is there " Clara said. " Its just the moonlight playing tricks on you Clara " Joy said. " This, is getting interesting. Stop the car we can take a look among the woods " Greta said. " Dont listen to her. Just drive away from here faster. I think this part of the woods are haunted or it could be that escaped prisoner " Clara said. " Allright we are returning only so dont think on this all now " Joy said. 

So they drove on. Suddenly the car stopped. Joy got down to examine it. Inspite of Clara telling him not to. " I think the engines heated up. We need water. Give me that water bottle and we will be out of here in a, jiffy as, soon as i pour cold water on it " Joy said. " Here take this bottle its half full. It will do. Be quick but " Clara said handing him the bottle. 

As Clara gave Joy the bottle. He was hidden behind the hood of the car. " Keep talking dont be silent " Greta said. " Its done now we can go in a, few minutes " Joy said. But Claras heart came in her throat when she saw the hooded man jump from the forest trees running towards them in the moonlight. " Hurry up Joy its him get inside fast " Clara shouted. Joy saw the figure and got inside the car fast and locked windows and doors. " Start the car " Greta screamed as hooded man was trying to break their glass with a, stone. " I am trying to start the car wait,  here it starting " Joy said and they zoomed away from there as Clara looked behind her at the hooded man. " Call the cops " Clara, said to Joy. " No net " Joy said. 

Later as they reached their house. It was near morning. " Okay we will leave now " Joy said to Clara. " And do call up the cops and you go and, sleep now. " " Really now again i will have ceck the bolrs and close the windows " Clara said while getting out of the car. She waved at her friends and went inside the hoyse. Her parents were sleeping and there was quietness all around. " I hope they catch him soon " Clara, was, saying as she went upstairs to her bedroom. 

Clara got up the next day. She came downstairs and sat for coffee. And told her parents about yesterday's night happenings. Her nother said " for a, few days you dont go out on such adventures, as, camping and night drives. That would be better. " " Yes you are, right " Clara, said. Her father told her " okay you hurry up i will drop you off at your college,  even i have to go to office its getting late. Tell Greta and Joy to come over here for sleepovers if you want. " " Okay this weekend maybe " Clara, said and got up. Later her father left her at her college. She sat through the lectures. " Maybe i should check up on this towns history more just for the sake of knowledge. In library some book must be there " Clara was thinking. " Where's your attention young girl " professor Maggie said to her. " Nothing i was, listening to the lecture only " Clara replied. " Didnt look like so to me " Mrs, Maggie said angrily. " Next time i want you paying attention or i call your parents " Mrs Maggie said and continued with her lecture. 

In the evening as Clara was having tea. Her mother had baked some choco chip cookies. And Tony her brother was sitting on the couch with a, glass of milk. Mrs Nancy said " Clara yesterday in a, holiday catalogue i saw a, france one week trip package why dont you go there in your holidays with Joy and Greta. The change of scenery will do you all good. " " Thats great i would love too. By the way there's nothing much to do here for us in these woody town " Clara, said. " Good ok so i will call the travel company and fix it. " " I will call up Joy and Greta and tell them " Clara, said and rushed to the phone. Both of them thought that it was a great idea for the summer holiday and decided to go for it. " They both are coming " Clara said gleefully. " And to top it the one week stay would be in a, french resort on the beach " Mrs Nancy said. " So pack your bags the flight is tomorrow " Mrs Nancy said. " Its all going so fast its, amazing " Clara said and rushed upstairs.

Very happily Clara packed her bags. Until now in movies she saw France now it was time for her to see it in real life. Greta called her up saing " pack lots of sun screen lotion an magazines." " That we can get in the book stalls and in the airplane too " Clara said. " Just think new memories would be created which we can share with the people here after we return " Greta said. " Joy is not packing much. He says hes a, light traveller but a camera hes sure taking to snap away pictures " Greta said. " I sure would like to see the Eiffel tower and visit the grape gardens there " Clara said wistfully. Tony came rushing into the room saying " i want some gift from there " he said. " Sure i will get you something how about a teddy bear or playgame " Clara asked. " I think i want the playgame more " Tony said as he sat on Claras, bed. 

The next day they took their flight. And reached France airport. After baggage clearance they took a, cab to their resort. It was near late evening. All the city lights were on on. And were twinkling against the pink twilight sky. The air was crispy and people looked different. Many cafes passed by on their way. Open type with potted flowers on the side. The resort was in an isolated area and besides it was the beach. It had a, feeling of greenary and quiet all around. Clara took in a, deep breath. Greta was very excited. Joy took a, photo of the resort. There were colourful fountain on its, side. A guide came to collect their baggage and they followed him inside the lobby. The lobby was done up in light cream colour.With a corner of flowers at the side. 

A waiter came. With their drinks. It was a mixed fruit drink. Of pineapple and watermelon. The three of them drank it and took their room keys. Joy was in a, room beside them and Greta and Clara were in one room. The, baggage boy took their bags, up through the lift. When they reached their room it had, a, balcony wich overlooked the mountains and lakeside. There was, a, huge a flower tree in front of their window and the light purple flowers a, few of them had fallen in the balcony. To the right side was the beach side. " Lets order dinner. What will we have i think we should go for the fried chicken " Greta, said. " And dont forget the salad to go with it " Clara, told. As, Greta, was ordering room service Clara, went and, stood in the balcony. It was, a cool night. Up in the sky a, few, stars, were scattered and the moon was half glowing. She breathed in the flowers scented air andwas, already making plans, about tomorrow's venture. " Tomorrow we, we will go to the beach and in evening do a, tour of this quaint french town " she said. " The waiter has come be fast or dinner will get cold. Joy is, also coming " Greta called her. " Yes i am coming " Clara, said. The three of them sat down todinner then Joy left for his, room. And, Greta and Clara, also wore their nighties to sleep. " I have already planned what we, are doing tomorrow " Clara, said. " Sure we, will go along with it " Greta said. " The chicken had a, distinct french spicing to it dont youthink " Greta asked. " I loved it " Clara, replied. " Now, for some old french movie tp end the day " Clara said and switched on the television. A, classic movie was, playing on a, channel and they sat down to watch it. 

They slept away. In the middle of night Joy came to ask Clara, of she was sleeping and she said to him that ofcourse she was. Morning came they ordered a typical toasted toast on butter french breakfast. After having it with coffee they got ready for their days excursions. First it was the beach. It was, a mellow day. With a bit of clouds. " In evening its going to rain see. I like this country except that i wish people here would speak more of english " Clara, said. " Thats why i have brought withme a, small speak French handybook " Greta said. Under huge colourful umbrellas they sat on chairs. Joy with a, surf board was surfing on the waters. Clara, removed a, french fashion magazine and was flipping through it. " Shouldn't we be playing in the water too or something " Greta said. " Ofcourse after sometime " Clara said. A, two boys came towards them. " Hey we are, imean hes Jack and I am Troy we too are staying in the resort would you like tp play basketball with us " the blonde one said. Clara, saw that he was, cute with a, dimple and other one was, rustic type. " Sure we, would but we are in the mood for some sun tanning " Clara said. " Why ypu you dont just join us for some sun tanning " Greta said. " Not a bad idea " the blonde guy named Jack said. 

They joined them. Joy came back from surfing. " So who are this new guys introduce me to them " he said. " That is, Troy and Jack. They too are staying at resort " Clara said. " We are with two more girls Tricia and Lisa our friends they are in the restaurant we will introduce you to them later " Jack the dimpled one said. " So hows France going for you " Jack the rustic one asked. " We jyst arrived yesterday and still have not decided how to go about it exactly. We want to make this a memorable experience " Joy replied. " How about a hike in the woods " asked Troy. " We dont know about that " Clara was saying as two girls joined them. One was, a, curly haired brunette whose name was Tricia and the other plump one was Lisa. " Meet them they are our friends " Troy said. As the introductions were made Lisa, said " so are you guys joining us, for a, one day hike in the nearby forests but before that tonight there is, a music concert hete in which celebrity Ed jr is, coming " Tricia, said. " Oh wow i have seen his movies hes, handsome " Greta said. " A, chance to meet him who would miss out on that " Clara, said. " And as for your hiking we will join you. "

In night they went to the concert. It was, musical. Ed jr the celebrity of many movies was, there. Clara,  Greta Joy introduced themselves to him. He signed autographs got them and even took selfies, with them. " Dont you think personally he looks, more better " Greta, said. " Yes, sure he does and not only that but hes so friendly too " Clara, said. Clara, was bit surprised to see that Joy was, looking a, bit sullen in the attention they were showering upon him. Tricia, and Lisa, with Jack and Troy also arrived. Tricia, was, wearing a yellow mini dress while Lisa, was, in light blue long dress. As, for Clara, she had chosen to wear a, glimmering navy blue dress her mother had gifted on her birthday and Greta was, in a, cream colour tank top. Joy was in black blazer and Jack and Troy were wearing casuals. As far as Ed jr was concerned he was, in a black suit which suited him perfectly. As, they were having dinner of stuffed oysters a, waiter came and gave Clara a envelope. " Whats this " Clara, said while opening it. But the moment she opened and was reading it her face became whitish. Greta grabbed it and saw, what was written " I will make this, trip of yours to remember  " was typed in it. " What kind of sick joke this, is " Greta said. " Someone  is, either pranking or is black mailing us " Joy said with a wee worried expression on his face. Tricia, also saw, the envelope " wait let me ask the waiter who handed this to him " she said. But upon asking the waitet just said that a, man gave it to him and he was, wearing a, hood. " Has that man followed us, here " Clara almost shouted. " Its impossible " Joy said. " What hooded, man " Jack asked. " We, will tell you you later " Joy said. " I think we, should just forget it and enjoy our holiday " Lisa, said. " Yes, i agree with it " Troy said, and, asked the waiter to get them more champagne. 

As they had their champagne. A slow classic music was playing. " Lets go now tomorrow we have our hiking trail to do too and then some of town seeing " Clara, said. As, she was, getting Clara, screamed. " What happened " they were shocked to see her screaming. " There's a, scorpion in my purse " Clara, said and threw it. The manager and waiter came rushing " miss, are you alright " they asked. " It did not bite you no " Joy asked. " No " Clara, said. " But how did it came in ur purse or did someone put it in " Greta said. " Last time we were at the beach and my purse was lying on chair " Clara said still breathless. " Maybe there it must have entered " Tricia. " Its okay lets, go from here " Joy said and they all left.

Later the next day they went for a boat ride. It was, a, sunny day with bit of clouds in the sky. All seven of tem were enjoying the boat ride. Salty sea, breeze, was blowing in their face. " It feels, like as, if we, are flying " Clara, said. " Yes even as, a kid i had always enjoyed boat rides, with my dad " Joy said. Meanwhile Clara observed that Tricia was, standing bit too close to Joy. And Joy was, trying to get far away frim her. " Shes one flirter isnt she " Greta said to Clara. Below the watwr few fishes could also be seen. " Look at that blue fish " Lisa, pointed towards one. The sea water was shimmering. In the afternoon sunlight. Suddenly the boat gave a, jerk. " What was that " Lisa, exclaimed. And to their dismay slowly the boat started capsizing. " Hurry up its sinking. We should have had checked it before sailing on it. Jump into the water fast all of you " Joy shouted. " But i know onky a bit of swimming " Clara said. " I will help you " Joy said. " Call for help " Jack said. " Who will hear us, here " Troy told. " Wait i see a, boat far away look " Clara, said happily. It was a, ski boat. All of them started waving at it. As it came nearer all of them had jumped into the water. A guy was, driving it and he helped them get on his boat. " You came at a, good time or we would have had to swim till the shore " Clara said as all of them were drenched with water. " There are some towels wipe yourself i will take you all back to the shore " the guy who introduced himself as, Leonard said. He took them back to the shore. All of them had tea in the evening. Then in night Clara, decided to sleep early as they were still shaken from the boat experience. For sometime she sat in the balcony as a cool breeze was blowing on a moony night.

She sat there for some time. The lush trees were surrounding the resort. And smell of magnolia and tulip flowers filled all around her. Claras, phone rang. She picked it up. It was Joy. " Hey what do you think about doing seanse tomorrow with the other guys " he asked. " Its time to sleep and you are thinking and planning such things. Why do you always have such ideas " Clara, asked him. " I am just trying to do something fun for you " Joy said. " And you think talking with dead people is. Okay will see tomorrow about it. Now i am going to sleep. Goodnight " Clara, said and went inside. In night Clara, saw some strange dreams. In morning she forgot about it but. " I think its a good thing to take a, tour of the french town side " she said. And ordered pancakes in the morning through room service. 

" We, will go on a, sight seeing tour today and Joy says at night we should do seanse " Clara, repluedas she poured more chocolate, syrup on her pancakes. " My goodness a seanse. Really we should, leave it n Joy for thinking of such things. This boy is, really a, something " Greta said. Clara, laughed. " You are right and he involves all in it too. So lets get ready and, wake Joy up too if hes, sleeping " Clara said. It was a bit of a cloudy day. They went all dressed up accompanied by Joy. Tricia,  Lisa Troy and Jack joined them too. Their first stop was the eiffel towers. It looked lovely against the backdrop of the Paris city. " I feel like we are already in medieval times " Greta said. Their tour guide was explaining its history. And later they did some tour of the town side. " This is boring. We see all of this in movies. As im a native come to my house and we will plan something to do " Tricia said. " This is, exactly what i am saying " Joy added. So after some more sight seeing and buying few things they returned to the resort. " I am feeling afraid about the board. Lets just see some movies " Clara, said. " No ones, listening so lets just go along with it " Greta.

In night they all went to Tricias house. For the ouija board session. It was a rainy night and there was tunder accompanied by lightening. " A perfect setting for a seanse isnt it " Greta said. Tricias house was quite big with a mini garden at the front but in the darkness of the night what type of flowers were there couldn't be seen. In the hall there were lamplights on. " Where are your parents " asked Clara. " They have gone out of town for weekend so whole house is to ourselves " Tricia replied. " Here guys have some coke " Tricia said giving thrm a can of It each. Jack said " are we doing it here or in ur basement or in the bedroom. " " In Tricias bedroom we are doing it " Lisa told them. " Here are some candles " Troy said bringing two from the cabinet. " Now lets go upstairs " Tricia said. Suddenly the lights went out. " Now what was that Tricia. Do you have something to do with it " Lisa asked a bit frightened. " Of course not cant you see outside. Its a storm " Tricia said. " Again i am telling you cancel this thing and lets do something else " Greta said. " Stop wasting time and lets do it " Joy nudged them. " Greta is right i am with her and we both are leaving now " Clara, said angrily. " Okay you two both sit down and we will two do it upstairs " Troy said. " No we are not sitting down. Lets go Greta " Clara said. " Still who had sent that note in restaurant puzzle has not been solved " Clara, added.  " Okay guys dont get angry but that was me " Jack said laughing. " Not at all a good joke it was " Clara said to him. Claras phone rang. She picked it up it was her mother. " Thats good. So that hooded man was apprehended. Okay. Now we are at a friends place " Clara said on the phone. After cutting off her phone she told them about the news her mother had given her. " We heard it all " Joy said. " So goodluck with your plan we are leaving now for the resort " Clara, said taking Greta with her. Joy on seeing the two of them go joined them and they left. 

As they were leaving. The door bell rang. It was Tricias parents,  they had returned." How come you people unexpectedly came back " Tricia asked.  " You should be happy to see us! And it looks like you having a, party here. It was, a, sudden change of plans, for your dad. Introduce us, to your new friends " Tricias mother said. As she introduced them all. Her father said " i know you were planning on doing the board, session werent you. " " Yes we were but they dont want to do it so they are returning back to their resort " Tricia said gesturing towards Clara, and Greta. " Good ting you did. Last time this guys did something like that after that for few nights Tricia used to get up at nights screaming some mans name whom they had summoned " Tricias mother said. " But as its, such a, stormy weather outside it would be better if they slept tonight here " their father said. " Yes that would be fine " Jack and Troy said. Lisa, added  " and as we are not doing the board lets, just watch some movie then. "

They decided on telling. Each other stories. And so the tales followed. Told by all of them.