Second Lodge

Chapter 4

The team reached starline apartments at 10:20 am Saturday, the private secretary to chairman of credence group had given them the details regarding the location and apartment number of Mr. Mukesh. They parked the vehicle in an area where visitors allowed to park. Rexin filled visitor"s register.

101 C was closed, Ana rang the bell, amber colored door reflected their images upon it. Door opened slightly, while a figure of man appeared behind it, the smile was effortful. Tanned, handsome, a carbon framed specs gave him a geeky impression. He was in a sweat pants and half sleeved T-shirt. The stubbles in his face, shabby uncombed hairs could divulge his attitude towards personal grooming. He would be more handsome if had groomed properly, Ana thought. Mukesh politely welcomed his guests and asked them to sit.The apartment gave a feeling of huge hall rather than a living place, the furniture and other interior decorations were scanty.There were enough plastic chairs to accommodate all, there was a teapoy in the hall which had piles of newspaper and magazine.The team members started scanning for the photos of Riya, nothing hung on the wall.There weren’t any posters and photos, only n***d pink wall.

“I am alone here and if you want anything you can help yourself, I give you liberty”. Mukesh said.

“Would you mind if I make coffee for all of us Mr. Mukesh? Ana asked.

“Oh great … that is very kind of you miss”.

“Anamika, you can call me Ana”.

“Yes Miss Ana …thank you, the kitchen is one on the left”. Mukesh showed the way.

Ana went inside kitchen it was big with scanty utensils and cutleries. Secluded widower"s life was strange and quiet. But he was friendly in his appearance. Ana found a filter coffee maker which was in regular use. She began to prepare the coffee while men were sitting and introducing one another.

“I am reluctant to exhume the past, which I have buried years ago. But Daniel insisted, I could never decline.

“The Chairman is having a tough time with business I think. He said everything in jeopardy due to this haunting” Hemant said.

“The Mist valley is a mystical place and no place in world I have visited made me feel eerie than this place. There is something special about that place and Mansion, it"s not fully comprehensible by common mind, it"s a place where no living soul could exist peacefully. There are invisible entities lurking everywhere”.

Mean while Ana joined with tray of steaming cups filled with filter coffee.

“We are professional ghost hunters, you may be familiar with paranormal research. We have a professional approach towards these kinds of situation, we can’t straight away decide a place or house is haunted, first we have to hear the accounts of victims, then a background study of the haunted site, after verifying the veracity of claims we will start investigation using modern gadgets sensitive to catch the energy fluctuation, which could confirm a presence of paranormal activity.” The Team leader described.

“I warn you the place is not just haunted, its more than that”.

“What you mean by that”? Rexin asked.

“What is there in the House Mr.Mukesh”? Ana asked.

“A thing that never walked on earth in a living form, a demonic entity which is very diabolic and vengeful.”

“You are saying that the house is haunted by a Demon”? Noah asked.

Mukesh became silent and his eyes fixed on the roof and seem to be mulling something.” Before you start your investigation in Mist valley, there is another person you should meet. Dr.Prabhul Sarkar, he is in Munnar.

“Would you tell us your account? Naoh asked, it’s important for our further move” he said.

“I will not spare anything, wanted to lift the curse from that place.”

Noah took his black leathered scribbler book and Ana switched on the digital recorder, all team members sharpened their ears.

The man started to speak, his voice reverberated inside the apartment. The PARESK team eagerly recorded his version so that valuable leads to their case are expected from this ex-employee.