MIDNIGHT RIDER PART 25

Everyone ran around searching every nook and crevice for the murderer,but he seemed to have disappeared.

Roha wandered off to the deserted,dilapidated section of the old building.

She walked around the old tapestries,unaware of the lurking threat.

Suddenly someone gripped her from behind,stifling her startled scream effortlessly.She was dragged into the gloom of a nearby room.

She struggled violently,but was no match to the man's muscles.

Suddenly inspiration hit her like a bolt of lightning.She reached for her pepper spray and attacked her assailant.

The man howled in agony and his grip slackened.

Roha took advantage of his momentary weakness and hit him with a rusted old bar that was the only thing nearby.But her parry was slow as the bar was too heavy for her to  lift.

Panting with her efforts, she aimed another blow,but the man caught the bar,holding it firmly.

His hold was pretty strong.Apparently he wasn't weakened at all by the burning and discomfort in his eyes.

The murderer snatched the bar,throwing it away effortlessly.

But they were unaware of the racket they had been creating.

A gun shot echoed in the room and the murderer slumped  groaning in agony.

Roha whirled around to see Commissioner Singhania with his gun levelled,glaring at the murderer.

The goons and their chief were immediately overpowered and the corrupt Sub-Inspector of Jalna was put behind the bars for his trechery.

Antiques costing millions were recovered and Roha,Amish and Kyra instantly became national heroes.

As for the ghost of  Sir Edmund Hathway a projector was found hidden in the bushes near the ancient culvert which narrated its own story.Jalna was free from the terror of the wicked old man that supposedly haunted the place for decades.

  Roha,Amish and Kyra are now waiting impatiently for the  bravery award that will be bestowed upon them by the President on 26th January.

                                                   THE  END

MIDNIGHT RIDER PART 24

Roha and Amish were gagged and tied,surrounded by the goons as their chief prowled before them.

''So,you thought you can hoodwink me and enter my own house,without me knowing did you,you foolish,poking kids?''he growled.

The duo shuddered,hoping that the cops will reach before they were harmed.

''I established my nexus,my business with so much of hardwork then how could I let imbeciles like you ruin it?..I tried to warn you but even that couldn't penetrate that thick skull of yours!''he suddenly leaned forward,clutching Roha.

''Tell me girl,did you think you and you sidekicks could outsmart me?''

Roha flinched,the murderer's foul breath making her squirmish.She gulped the lump that rose to her throat,her brain whizzing.

She needed to buy more time so that the police can reach.But How?she didn't know.

She glanced at Amish who looked equally petrified.She couldn't see a way out.They were smothered and tied with the goons glaring at them like eagles.A sense of total helplessness washed over her.

Roha was more worried and upset for Amish.After all she was the one who had allowed her friends to get involved due to her tenacity.

''But,you shall pay and gravely so.Nobody dares to mess with me!Your death will become another unsolved mystery that this place houses.''The murderer leered,aiming his gun at Roha.

''Good bye Roha Sharma!''

Roha closed her eyes,waiting for the pain.Beside her she could feel Amish struggling wildly to break free,yet she knew she had reached a sticky end.

There was no way out.

A loud  gun shot broke the prevalent silence......

After a few long moments,Roha opened her eyes dazed.She couldn't feel a thing.There was no searing pain.She looked up to see the murderer kneeling on the ground,doubled up with pain.

''Ro!Ami!''someone yelled and her eyes filled up to see Kyra dashing towards them.

''Are you two ok?''she asked frantically,trying to free them.

The room was  thronged by policemen who had overpowered the struggling men.

''Good job kids!I must say you've shown bravery beyond expectations.'' Commissioner Sighania patted them jovially.

''You guys reached on time, otherwise that crazy nutter would've killed Roha!''Amish said shakily.

Roha looked around,trying to catch a glimpse of the murderer who was no where in sight.

''That's all right!But where's their boss?''she frowned.

Everyone turned around.The murderer had disappeared,taking advantage of the chaos.....

MIDNIGHT RIDER PART 23

Acting reflexively,Roha pulled Amish in the adjoining ante room.They waited with bated breath as a man entered the hallway and glanced around cautiously.

''There's no one here...must be a stray cat or rat.''He called back.

Roha thanked Heavens profusely.They had avoided being caught just by a few seconds.

The man returned back.The duo peered around and tip-toed after him to reach a dimly lit room.

They hid behind the tattered blinds and listened intently.A rota of men thronged the place and were seated around a huge,chipped table.

''Make arrangements to send some of these baubles to Mumbai next week....We've got a very influential party showing interest.''The man who sat at the head ordered.

''Ok boss!''

''Hmm...and step up the vigil.Nobody should catch the whiff....We've to be especially careful since that prying girl has got the inkling.We can't afford a lackadaisical attitude....not until I take her out.''he leered in a deadly soft voice.

Roha shuddered and took an impromptu step back.

Some dry leaves under her feet crackled loudly.The men looked up.

''Probably the wind.''The chief murmured,staring intently at the place where they stood.

''That's all for today.Let's go!''he added after a pause.The men stared at each other bewildered,the chief had called them merely for this information.It didn't tally at all with their previous dealings,but all the same they filed out without a word.

The kingpin followed their suit,pootling off insolently,feeling smug.

As soon as they went out of sight,Roha and Amish entered the room quitely and reached out for numerous crates stacked there.

''Oh my....''Roha gasped stunned.

The crates had some of the most magnificent antiques they had ever laid there eyes on.

''These must cost a fortune!''Amish whispered hoarsely,lifting an old,guilded  statue.

''They've been using this place to hide these stolen treasures and those grottoes to transport them at ease,for trade......Such a brilliant,well-thought out....''

But Roha was cut short by a contemptuous,menacing voice.

''And you're just as big abysmal gits!''

Roha and Amish froze as the men came striding into the room with their boss in the head.

They were cornered.........

MIDNIGHT RIDER PART 22

It seemed like hours ago,that Roha and Amish had left her.Kyra was tensed,freaking out for her friends.

The police force was still quite a distance away and will need half an hour to reach at the minimum.

The wait seemed eternal.She prayed incessantly for her friends well-being.

Roha and Amish were panting,entirely drained.They didn't how long they had been walking.

The tunnel seemed to stretch endlessly,serpenting through the underground.The ancient air penetrated their very bones,freezing them.Their teeth chattered,the sound reverberating eerily.

At last the path winded upwards and after walking a few more metres,they could see the faint glimmer of light.

Their breath hitched and they increased their pace.The destination wasn't far!

Suddenly the tunnel came to an abrupt halt and they could see the source of light. A huge rock was seemed to have been moved out of its place revealing a chipped, old door.It was ajar.

They glanced at each other nervously,looking undecided.

''I thing he got in through this...I..I'll peer in.''Amish said fidgetedly.

''Ok!''Roha gulped,holding the can of pepper spray that she had brought with her aloft.

Amish hunched and peeped in through the crack.

''I think its some type of underground room.The coast is clear.Let's go!''He whispered,getting up.

They both took a deep,calming breath and entered the room slowly.

It was dimly lit and covered in dust.Huge cartons were thrown here and there and straw was strewn on the floor.

''How will we get outside this place?''Amish asked,looking at Roha who was running her finger on the low ceiling.

''Here's a trap door.I hope its the way out.''She said nervously.

They slightly lifted the lid up and Amish peered through the crevice.

He found himself peering at dingy room.Skeins of dirty cobweb hung from the ceiling and a huge,wasted chandelier.Moonlight sifted in the room through a broken window and was the only source of light.The room was deserted,just as forbiding.

Amish lifted himself up carefully and reached out for Roha,pulling her up.

They dusted themselves and looked around curiously.

''Where are w......''

But Amish was cut short by loud footsteps.With their hearts hammering fit to burst,they stared panic-stricken at the adjoining passage.

Someone was coming.....

MIDNIGHT RIDER PART 21

Amish and Roha feared of having lost Pratap singh in the ancient grottoes,the man who knew the way through.But they were soon relieved.Apparently the men had shared the same worry and had blocked the other misleading ways with bis boulders.

They walked carefully on the slippery,rugged surface,their flash light cutting the prevalent darkness only a meter or two.

Long creepers hung from the rocky roof above and moss covered most of the surface,wherever water sipped through fissures.

A gust of cold wind seemed to be ensuing from somewhere deep within,chilling their spine.

''God!Its so cold.''Amish muttered,chafing his arm to keep warm.

''This is spooky!''Roha agreed nervously,eyeing the place apprehensively.

A sudden subtle noise stopped them in their tracks and the very next second Amish gagged Roha,stuffing his hand in her mouth.

''Shh Ro.Its nothing.''he whispered soothingly.

Roha stared aghast,trembling from head to toe as a huge snake slithered by just a few centimeters away.

''Come on,let's go!''Amish whispered as soon as the serpent vanished in gloom.

Roha was still rooted on the spot,looking petrified.

''Honestly girl!A man tried to drown you to death and you were as brave as a lion..now you're afraid of that snake who went away without any harm!''

Amish muttered exasperated,pulling Roha along.

They slipped and stumbled on the dicey,uneven floor.The path seemed to be getting narrower as they advanced.

All of a sudden an epiphany struck Roha like a bolt of lighting and she froze,clutching Amish's arm.

''What's wrong?''Amish asked bewildered.

''Ami,we're in those ancient tunnels that were used by the chieftains to thwart foriegn invasion....The nexus of discrete caves that are considered a perfectly brewed myth!''she hushed dazedly,astounded by her own discovery.

''What?''

''Yeah....no wonder Pratap singh was so agitated when we pestered him about these tunnels!These people are doing something very illegitimate and big and are using the grottoes to efficiently carry out their wrong deeds....''She frowned.

''We need to be extremely careful.Whosoever is the kingpin,he's one hell of a brainy man!''She said darkly.

''Wow!I mean just imagine the implications of this discovery!''Amish ejaculated ecstatically,not paying heed to Roha's words.He staring wondrously in the surrounding.

''Its nice all right!''Roha said dismissively.

''But we need to get to the bottom of this thing.We shouldn't waste any more time.It seems,we've a mission which is brimming with deadly secrets in our hands.''

 

 

MIDNIGHT RIDER PART 20

Throughout the next day,Roha,Amish and Kyra stuck to Pratap singh like ants to sweet.They were determined to find proof and waited for a tiniest of folly on his part.

Kyra had already filled in her father-who was a reputed lawyer-with all the happenings- and who in turn had asked his friend,Commissioner Singhania to provide aid to the trio.Commissioner Singhania had sent an official request to the S.P  of the area to provide all possible help to nab the culprits.The police was probing the case thoroughly.

Disheartened not in the least by lack of any suspicious activity on Pratap singh's part,the trio followed him as he started for his house at night,where they got their first taste of success.Instead of going home,Pratap singh went towards the deserted Kalpa hills which they had visited just a few days ago.

Carefully climbing down the slopes,he inconspicously slid into the vale,sporadically throwing glances in the vicinity.

Roha,Amish and Kyra followed him surreptitiously,down the moonlit expanse,gasping for breath.

At last the man stopped on the outskirts of the thickets of primordial trees,silhouetted on the base of the hills.The night making it appear even more mysterious and ghostly.

To their utter astonishment,the man seconds later, disappeared in the gloom,as if he was swallowed by the very Earth itself.Stunned,the trio followed the suit and reached the place carefully.

The woods were silent and dark.Night birds cried shrilly,making them more fidgety.

''Where did he vanish?''Kyra asked apprehensively.

''I think he has gone through this.''Roha said quitely,pointing to a fissure,barely the size to allow entry of a grown man.

''What?He can't be....I mean he won't....guys its so scary looking!''she wailed,looking spooked.

''Shhh,don't make sound.....I'm going in there!''Roha said determinedly.

''Are you off your rockers?You'll enter this stupid place!''Kyra looked aghast.

''Be reasonable ky,we don't have any other option!We've got to catch that Pratap singh anyhow!''

''Ok!But you're not going alone.I'll come with you.''Amish said.

''But it will be dangerous!''

''Exactly!That's why you're not going alone and I don't wanna hear anything about it!''Amish whispered,ignoring Roha's protests.

''Kyra,you stay her...no listen!''he said forcefully as Kyra opened her mouth to argue.

''Someone needs to be here,otherwise police doesn't has a prayer to locate us!Just inform them OK!We'll be leaving our trail in there so that you can find us easily.This is the best option we've got now!''

''Ok guys,whatever you say,but please take care!''Kyra whispered,her eyes filled.

''Don't worry ky.We'll be back!We're hard nuts to crack!''Roha said trying to lighten up the mood.

''Lets go Ro or we'll lose him!''Amish hushed urgently.

Amish and Roha entered the narrow cavern,their elbows grazing on the rock.

The game had begin.........

MIDNIGHT RIDER PART 19

''Phew!That was a close shave!''Amish muttered.

They were huddled together in the hotel room,having escaped quite unscathed,except for a few scratches and bruises.

''I shudder to think what would've happened to us,if Roha hadn't thought of sticking to door!.....We would've turned into a bloody pretzel by now beneath those books!''Kyra shuddered still very pale in face.

''You know what guys,I think an insider is involved in creating all this mess,someone who knows us quite well.''Roha said biting her lips.

''What makes you think so?''

''Look at the happenings guys!Someone came and wrote that horrible graffiti in our room,along with a dead rabbit...Well,the key was with me and I precisely remember locking the door.Moreover,there were no signs of forcible break-in!That could only mean that whosoever got in,had the duplicate key,the one that hotel administration keeps and you know it very well that the hotel staff has access to those.''

''You're right!Why didn't we ponder on this before?''

''And today Pratap uncle and a few hotel staff were the only ones who knew that we were going to the public library apart from our group,of course!''

''PRATAP SINGH!!''Kyra suddenly yelled,making them jump.

''What?''

''Guys Pratap singh is our man!!Did you know trhat he's one of the guides that this hotel provides for its tourists?In nutshell,he's one of the employees,so that means he'll definitely have access to those keys!''She explained.

''You might be right,but we can't accuse him,until we've proof.''Amish pointed out the glitch.

''So we'll find it!''

''Find What?''

''The proof!I think ky is right!Pratap singh is definitely a bit dodgy.From now on I'll keep an eye on him and I'll be damned if I don't dig something out!''Roha resolved obstinately.