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.

MIDNIGHT RIDER PART 18

A deafening crash shook the ground followed by a stunned silence.Hundreds of books,numerous ballads,parodies,sagas and phrases preserved for decades were scattered around the room in a huge precarious piles,burdened under heavy book cases.Thick haze of ancient dust enveloped the room,covering everything -dead or living.

          The premonitory looming silence was pierced by several loud sneezes.

''A....chooo guys are you a...chooo. OK?''Someone chocked.

Ac...hooo,A...chooo........

''Ye....ah!''

''Huh!''

Suddenly there were loud footsteps outside and moments later the door opened to glaring sunshine.

''Oh God!What the....''

Roha blinked in the blinding light to make out the appalled,thunderstruck features of the old librarian,who was looking like he was having aneumarysm.

''What did you do to this place,you little devils?''he shrieked,shaking his claw-like finger just under Roha's nose.

''Sir we didn't.....''Amish began,surfacing from pieces of broken lacquer and loose pages.

''Of course you did it!You ruined my beloved library!You ruthless,mediocre twerps!''he yelled.

Several loud shouts ensued from the corridor beyond.

''What was that noise?''

''What's going on here?''

''Was that an Earthquake?I swear the ground shook!''

Roha,Amish and Kyra were affixed in startled,unblinking gazes as more and more people crowded the place.

''C'mon children,get up!''Some of the onlookers came to their aid.

''They destroyed m.......my library.''The old man sobbed dryly.

''Don't be ridoculous Sukhwinderji!You too know that its impossible.''

''Yeah...they are just kids for crying out loud!''

''Even three fully grown men can't budge these bookcases for an inch!''

''Exactly!Its lucky they aren't hurt.They could've gotten killed!''

The crowd tried to reason out with the old man,but only to have dry cacophony from him,for all the effect they had.

Unperturbed from the surrounding chaos,Roha's mind raced.They had escaped another attempt to kill.It was time for desperate action,before innocent lives were put to danger.

I won't give up so easily!I will find what the hell is going on in this place.

She resolved determinedly,undeterred and stubborn.

MIDNIGHT RIDER PART 17

''What exactly are you trying to search?''Kyra asked curiously as she watched Roha rifling through dog-eared,degenerated pages of grubby books.

''I'm trying to learn as much as I can about the local history!''Roha replied absentmindedly,her nose almost touching the book that she was going through.

The three of them were seated on shabby chairs around a chipped,dust-covered table.Dust-motes floated in the room tn swirling vortex as skeins of dirty cobwbs hung from the ceiling which was in utter disrepair.The room was bathed in a dull grey light making it even more spooky and morbid.With books stacked in shelves from floor to ceiling,it was the most dingy room one would ever have the misfortune to come across!

''But what benefit will it...''Amish's words were drowned by a bang as someone shut the door,cutting off the only source of light and ventilation the room had.

''Someone has locked us in!''Amish ejaculated in disbelief.

''But why will anyone do that?''Kyra spluttered looking lost.

Her query was instantly answered by a loud metallic grind which hurt their ears.As they looked up at the source of the noise their blood froze.

The bulky,old bookshelf was tilting of its own accord,precisely inclining to the place where they stood petrified.The door was bolted,shutting the only way out.......

Roha stood stupefied for a fraction of second then her brain started whizzing.She had to find a way out,more than that she had to save her friend.As she looked around,the solution struck her mind like a bolt of lightening.She was going to save her friends.........

MIDNIGHT RIDER PART 16

Unknown to Roha,Amish and Kyra,there were people who were facing the  murderer's wrath for failing to finish off Roha.

''I asked you to kill the girl,then how did she escape?''he growled from the depth of shadows.

''B..boss I tried my level best and she would've surely died if her friends hadn't gotten in the way!But just give me one more chance,I'll definitely take her out this time.''the man pleaded.

''I never give second chances.Letting that girl survive is a moot point.She has become a liability.That mediocre,poking girl will die and this time...I'll do the kill!''the monster in him purred in anticipation.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

''Guys I'm going to the local library.''Roha anounced on the breakfast table.

Fred made a gagging sound.

''What the hell are you going there for?''he looked like he was seriously dubious regarding Roha's sanity.

''To get acquainted with a bit of local colors,obviously!''Roha said rolling her eyes.

''Seems like she hit her head on a rock or something yesterday.She's all barmy!''

Mrs.D'souza cleared her throat,looking stern.

''Ms.Sharma you may go as long as I've your words that you won't.....eh stray around.''She said affixing Roha with piercing gaze.

''Of course ma'am.''Roha affirmed obsequiesently.

''Ro wait!We'll also accompany you.''said Amish getting up from his chair followed by Kyra.

Roha looked exasperated.Being concerned was one thing,but now her friends were babying her .

''But guys there's no need.I'll take care of myself.Besides its not like you two will enjoy.You'll be bored so what's the...''

''They both are right.What with yesterday's incident,you need to be looked after.Now hurry up!I shall be expecting you before lunch.''

Mrs.D'souza said authoritatively,effectively stopping refutes.

MIDNIGHT RIDER PART 15

She sliced headlong through the surface of the  freezing water and then plunged deeper.She struggled to swim upwards but the icy water benumbed her.The rhythmic current tossed her around like a rag doll.Her lungs felt heavy and her body ached.She couldn't reach the surface of the stream.

                                                                                                  Suddenly something slammed hard against her making her breath come out in bubbles.Immediately she was snared securely.She was pulled away deeper and deeper away from the surface and she knew she was about to die......

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Roha woke up feeling so warm and sleepy that she didn't want to open her eyes,wanting to drop off again.

''When will she come round?''She heard Kyra's hushed voice.She sounded like she had very bad cold.

''Who knows?Hopefully in a few.''Amish whispered anxiously.

She slowly opened her eyes and blinked in the dim light that flooded the room.She was immediately greeted by fervently relieved exclaimations.

''Ro!''

Roha slowly sat up with the help of Amish and Kyra.

''How are you feeling?''Kyra demanded concernedly.

''I'm fine guys. Chill!''

''Chill!!Do you know how worried we were?What was the need to go that near the edge?You know what,you are worst than toddlers,even they can take better care of themselves.What if something had happened to you?''

 

''Ami,I didn't fall on my own.''she hesitated and then dropped the bomb.

''Someone pushed me off the edge.''

''What!''Her revelation rendered Amish and Kyra  horrorstruck and appalled.

''S...someone tried to kill you!''Kyra looked aghast.

''Did you see his face?''Amish asked sharply.

''No..I didn't but whosoever he was,he was pretty strong and agile.Quite like a body-builder and at least 6 ft. tall.''

''Who could it be?I mean its so strange!We don't even know anyone that well here to inspire that kind of animosity?''Kyra shuddered.

''Except there are people who could be  behind this.Those goons.''Amish said darkly.

''But we didn't even go prying again!''

''But I did!''Roha interjected.

''Yes it all fits!Yesterday I went to that old bridge and that phantom or whatever it was,attacked me.Today I was targeted again.This could very possibly mean that ,that old story is being used as a disguise to hide something big.But....what is it?''Roha said thoughfully.

''Whatever it is but one thing is clear.Someone is getting really desperate,so we are going to stick to you like glue,not even a single toe out of the line you're putting.''Amish said stubbornly,looking thoroughly determined.

MIDNIGHT RIDER PART 14

'Ro!'someone screamed.Roha opened her eyes,but there was no one in front of her.The ghost of Sir Edmund Hathway had vanished in thin air!

'Ro are you Ok?'Amish yelled frantically.

'I..I am f..fine.'she replied shakily.

'But where did he go?'

'Who?'Kyra asked 'There is no one here beside us.'

'No,he was here,that old man...he....'

'Guys we can discuss this later.Right now we need to reach hotel as soon as possible or Mrs.D'souza will hamstring us.'Amish said solemnly,pulling Roha and Kyra along with him.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Did you actually see that phantom of Sir Edmund Hathway?'Kyra asked for what would have been hundredth time in an hour.

'If you ask this one more time,I am surely gonna chuck this vase on you!'Roha warned irritably.

'I am sorry,but I simply can't grapple with the idea of a ghost haunting this town.What with those goons,its pretty much icing on top!'Kyra muttered warily,looking fearful.

'Don't be a dickhead Ky! How on earth is a decade old dead lunatic supposed to be roaming about the streets now?'

The recent incident had thawed Amish and Kyra out.Sometimes some strange or a highly dangerous situation-as in the case of Roha-can restore your friendship and rendezvous with the ghost of a nutter officer was one of those things.

'Exactly!There has got to be some logic,an explaination to it that we are unable to see!'

'But Ro....you saw the ghost and so have many others.How can so many people be mistaken?'

'Ky,Indian mentality  is marred by superstitious dogmas.Its steeped so deep that at times we fail to see the mundane practicality in such situations.But if you look at it prudently,you'll see that superstitions in the present age of science and technology is pretty oxymoronic.'

'S are you planning to go back there and do a bit of sleuthing?'Amish asked quitely.

'Don't give her ideas Ami!How thick will Roha have to be to go back there?'

'I'm neither going back there,nor leaving it.'She gritted her teeth.

'I'll be damned if I don't find out what the heck is going on here.'Roha resolved,her face just as determined and obstinate as her voice.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thoroughly drained and sleepy after night's adventure,Roha,Amish and Kyra trudged lazily behind their gushing classmates.They were going atop hill Ratna which enjoyed a great penchant of being the most picturesque one in Jalna and the words couldn't have been truer!

                                                              Nestled in the lap of lush green maze, its foot was washed by the gurgling stream,which was deepest at the place as compared to anywhere in Jalna.The scarlet great orb in the sky had illuminated it with purest of gold,adorning it magnificently.The sight literally rendered them breathless,entranced by its beauty.

                                                             Soon everyone took to feverishly clicking their cameras,impatient to capture the scenery.Roha slowly walked around,taking pictures to cherish the memories forever.Lost as she was,isolated by quite a distance from her friends,she didn't notice a creepy shadow sneak behind her.

                                                                                                                       Suddenly she was grabbed from behind and smothered.She struggled desperately to free herself,but she was no match to the man's power.The stranger lifted her as effortlessly as if she were a rag doll and pushed her off the edge.With a bloodcurdling shriek,Roha tumbled down,to hit deep,icy water below.