The Secrets of the Elements

Night Out

It was pouring outside; the weather gloomy.

Advika stared at the night sky standing in the balcony as Tej walked up to her with two cups of hot chocolate. "Thanks," she said, taking the cup. 

Ray, Maya, and Zarna were sitting on the creme colour sofa in the hall, scanning the internet on books related to the occult. 

"Why occult?" asked Tej and took a sip. "It will help us understand things better," replied Advika. "I hope it does otherwise I'll be forever-"

"Tej," interrupted Advika and turned to face him. "We've discussed this before."

"Hey, Adu, Tej, come look at this," called Zarna as Ray adjusted the screen of the laptop.

"There's this library, on the outskirts of the city, behind this temple," said Ray. 

An ancient temple with an orange flag hoisted on it stood behind a library.

"Looks like ruined by time," said Maya. "Yes, this temple is a beauty, but not taken care of," added Zarna. "Should we go here?" quizzed Ray and looked at his friends. "Yes, we should go," beamed Maya and rubbed her palms. "It will be risky," added Advika as she sat on the mat. "Yes, but it's worth it," said Maya looking at the screen.

"Okay, then, let's decide a day and-"

"Get set go," Ray interrupted Tej and high fived Zarna.

"Why don't we go now?" wondered Maya and turned around to look at Tej.  

This girl is crazy, thought Advika and shut her eyes sighing.

"Yes, we might not get this chance again," added Zarna. 

"Get ready then," said Tej and kept the cup on the table. Advika crossed her arms, giving Tej a disapproving look. He nodded his head and took a step closer to her. "She's right," he said. "I know you're against the breaking rules, but we should take this chance," persuaded Tej and kept his hand on her shoulder.

"Okay," she agreed.

"Woohoo! Finally, some adventure," Ray almost screamed. "Ray, where are the car keys? We should leave soon," added Maya trying to tie her curly hair into a bun. 

"Tej we don't know anything about this place. Do you understand how dangerous this can be guys?" Advika questioned. 

"But we're going there so that we can know the place," opposed Maya.

Advika nodded her head. "At this time of the night," she said, pointing at the wall clock hung above the LED TV across the sofa. 

11:00 p.m., it said.

Tej scratched his neck. "Let's do one thing," he suggested. "Let's go there and see we'll not get out of the car if we sense any danger. We'll visit in the morning, early morning then."

"I agree, we'll do that," said Ray. "I'll get the car keys."

Maya slightly smiled and lowered her gaze. 

Zarna tied her hair into a high bun walking towards Advika. "Girls," she chirped. "Let's go," she said as she pulled Advika and Maya with her, strolling towards the door.

                                                                                    ~~~~~~

Zarna rolled down the window as Tej stopped the car. It was pouring; thunder and lightning made the atmosphere eerie than it already was.

Advika rubbed her palms peeping out of the window.

An ancient, ruined temple was visible from the car. "Nobody in plain sight," said Ray as he looked around. Maya removed a small device which looked more like a cell phone. "Seriously, Maya," said Advika and nodded her head. "Wait," said Ray as he turned to look at the device. "Is this a..."

"Yes, this device can detect ghosts," said Maya with a smile.

"Might I ask, from where did you get this device?" questioned Advika. "She works in the supernatural studies department, Adu," remarked Zarna. "I bet you stole it," said Ray and winked. Maya giggled and punched him playfully.

"So, Maya," said Tej removing the seat belt. "Does your device detect any ghosts here, nearby? What's the range it works?"

"It can detect energies, negative energies up to a range of a few meters," revealed Maya and pressed a black button on the device.

"Negative," said Maya as a green light flashed on the small screen of the device. "After me," said Tej and stepped out of the car wearing his overcoat. The others followed.

"Doesn't it looks like the Khajuraho?" questioned Ray as he shielded his eyes from the rain. "Yes," nodded Zarna and pursed her thin lips.

Advika wore her spectacles and tied her hair into a ponytail. "Maya, I suggest you tie your hair," she said, looking at Maya who had left her shoulder-length curly hair open. Maya quickly took the bow on her wrist and struggled to tie her hair into a bun.

Tej locked the car, and they took a few steps towards the temple. "Any of you girls carrying a hairpin?" quizzed Ray flashing a bright smile. "Yes," replied Maya. "But why?"

"We have to break in the temple and library both," said Tej firmly.