The Night Out

It all started when we had gone back home for our winter vacation. Dad was posted in Lonavla, and needless to say that Ajay (my twin brother) and I were looking forward to visit a new place. The initial days were alright, we would go out for a walk every evening…real long walks. It was during one of the walks that we discovered that place. I must confess here that I am not the adventurous sort but with my brother around I had no choice but to be partner in crime! He certainly was brave! I mean who would dare to venture into a place like that! It was downright spooky!!!! A dilapidated building, no lights, and my brother wanted to explore the place. I really have no problem except for the fact that he insisted that I accompany him in his mission! I threatened to tell mom and dad, but he just whisked me away from there! I regretted telling him that I would tell mom and dad cos he got a better idea!!

‘Anu, I have this great idea”….Whoops, I pretended I had not heard him until he yanked the ear phone off!!! “ Lady, I am talking to you, do you mind” he told me breathlessly.

“What now”? I asked putting on the best disinterested look I could.

“ Guess what we can do”? ‘WE’…the word put in discomfort. I really was scared when he used these collective words.

“Arre ya, remember mom and dad are going for a party tonight”?

I nodded my head.

“ Why don’t we visit the place tonight”?

I almost choked on the chips I was munching! This was disaster. No way that he would con me into this. I nodded my head vigorously, the chips still in my mouth.

“No way am I going to accompany you” I screamed. “You can do this on your own, I’d rather get a decent sleep and be safe at home rather than venture to a place that looks right out of a horror film” . Hoping that I had succeeded in discouraging him I returned to listening to the songs, only to let him yank the earphones yet again!!

“Look, there is nothing to be scared of. We’ll go there for an hour or so and get back. Stop being a spoilt sport” he rattled.

I was not being a spoilt sport.

“Uh-oh” he added with that glint in his eyes “somebody is scared...Scaaareeeedddd”. I hated him for that look.

“And what makes you think so” I replied with a cold look. “ I am not scared”

“Oh yeah! Tell me about it” …” somebody is scared” he said again. He whistled as he walked out of the room.

“Alright smart alec! I am accompanying you tonight” I yelled back.

He popped his head “ Are you sure?”

“Yes, I am”... I said with a smug look on my face. I could have kicked myself for doing that, but there was no way that I would let him even remotely know that I was scared!

Our parents glanced suspiciously at us when they were leaving for dinner. It was not often that they saw us in our best behaviour.

“Lets go” I said, as soon as I heard the car start.

“You kidding” he said..” its just 7:30. I heard mom say that they would be back pretty late. So lets go later, say around 11:00”

Gulp! This certainly was not the way I had imagined it to be. He saw the look in my eyes and opened his mouth

“Shut up!” I shot back. “If you think I am backing out, you are mistaken. I am just going to my room, and I will be there. We can leave at whatever time you say” I shot back not giving him a chance to speak. I walked towards my room and cuddled up in the bed, with the book I was half way through.

It was dark outside. To top it all there was no moon. A picture perfect sight for a horror movie, I thought to myself. I had to literally run to keep pace with my brother. If only he could walk a little slowly. I muttered curses to him under my breath. Why did he have to do this to me?

He looked at the house as we jumped over the gate. We walked toward the door, I held his hand. This was eerie. Why did I have to put on the brave front I wondered. What if we saw something? He turned the handle of the door. It refused to budge. “Damn” I heard him mutter in disgust. I was elated. I guess I could not have asked for anything better! We could go back now. Before I could say anything, he turned and walked towards the windows beckoning me to follow him. I followed him meekly. He let out a scream in delight making me jump out of my skin! He had found a broken window.

He put his hand in to unlock the window so that we could climb in easily.

I swallowed hard and muttered a prayer in hope to ward away evil spirits if there were any. I walked in beside him. He looked at the winding staircase with that longing look in his eyes. I stood as close as I could next to him.

“You wait here, while I go and check if we can go in the rooms” he said and before I could react he was marching rapidly towards the room.

I looked around, scared. Why could he not take me with him? It would have been better than standing alone in the huge hall. The walls were bare.

Hold on… Was I hallucinating or did I actually see a shadow move across the room. I closed my eyes and just stood there. I opened my eyes slowly, hoping that it was my imagination. Cold breeze through the broken window sent shivers down my spine.

I moved away from the window.

Wait…was that my imagination or did I actually hear footsteps behind me? I turned back and there was nothing behind me. I walked towards the centre of the room…what was that? I heard the footsteps again. This was getting worst than I had probably imagined. I walked towards the room my brother had gallantly walked in only to be greeted with no one around. I panicked now. This was not funny at all. All alone in the huge house and an absconding brother was not someone really looked forward to. I walked towards the stair case, hoping to scream for my brother. This was pathetic, I heard the footsteps again as I walked towards the stair case.

“Ajay, is that you”? I tried to shout, but a whisper escaped my lips.

I waited with bated breath for an answer.

No reply. I had tears in my eyes. I could picture myself probably in the clutches of an evil ogre and die a brave death as I battled for life. Tears welled up as I made an imaginary will of my belongings. Could give the CD’s to my brother. My books to Payal, my best friend in school.

I let out an agonising scream as I felt a rat scamper across my feet. Creepy crawly creatures were not something I would love to encounter even during the day. I flashed my torch on the flight of stairs, and took a deep breath as I took the first step. It creaked under my weight. I walked as slowly as I could, I would have probably reached halfway when I heard those footsteps yet once again. I turned around too see a shadow follow me. I froze with fear. The shadow neared and to my horror I realised it was not Ajay. I let out a piercing scream and in my fright dropped the torch I was holding. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me and I reached the top of the stairs only to realise that if I should have scooted down instead. Talk of giving competition to Jim Carey and Jeff Daniels.

The footsteps were very close now. I looked around and I could distinctly make out another room in the darkness. I tip toed towards the door. The handle turned and I walked in as slowly as I could. I was quiet, and moved towards the corner of the room and crouched behind the bed. It must have been over five minutes. The room was musty and had cobwebs. I tried to brush a few, but was not really successful. I could feel a sneeze creeping in. Not now I said to myself. Wrong timing!!! I let out a yawn, and almost immediately the door opened. The yawn turned into a coughing fit that I could not stop. I got up and ran at towards the other end only to hear the footsteps grow louder. I tripped over the carpet and fell down, this time the footsteps were next to me. I let out yet another scream.

I instantly felt a cold hand on my shoulder

“Get up” The voice commanded.

“Get up you fool, or else we will not be able to do anything”

“No”….I screamed “Leave me alone. Please let me go. I promise I will not come here again. Please let me go.” I had tears rolling down my cheeks now.

“Get up, or else we cannot go” The hand was shaking me almost violently now.

THUD… I rolled on the floor, only to realise that it was Ajay who was waking me up.

“Do you want to sleep for ever or what”? he said angrily. “I have been trying to wake you up from the last 10 minutes, but you were out like a log”. “Hurry up or else we will not be able to make it back in time” he said in a temper.

I let out a nervous giggle. I walked towards the bathroom and giggled uncontrollably. This was funny I thought to myself. A dream ..all over a dream!!! I looked at the mirror and my giggles stopped almost instantly. I let out a piercing scream when I saw cobwebs on my head.

The next thing I remember was waking up with my parents looking down anxiously at me, while my twin chose to stand at the corner of the room casting a not so amused look at me. I am sure that he thought I was enacting it all out!!!!!!

PS… I still have no clue about how the cobweb got there

PPS my brother never got the cd’s and payal never got the books