THE UNKNOWN PART II a paranormal story

THE UNKNOWN PART II- a paranormal short story

For the First part read THE UNKNOWN: a paranormal short story

That did not stop me from looking further.  We had a few stray mountain dogs for company, who kept.  following us here and there for biscuits. We kept moving on the road, that led to a lonely viewpoint. It was getting dark, however, we had dogs for company and an odd couple strolling on the road ahead with sticks to beat anyone who came their way.

At last, we came across a resort, huge one who was ready to offer us chicken pakoras and chilly chicken. We were on top of the world. We were asked to wait for an hour for the delivery. They don’t have Swiggy on the hills, do they?

We kept scampering here and there, along the empty road that leads to the viewpoint ahead of us and to the ruins of a fort on our left. Four of us were courageous at our best, or so we showed the way to the other two.

Silence had its own beauty.

We took off on the hilly path to our left, amidst bushes and pine trees. In awe of the beauty of the jungle and the swaying trees in the wind.  Pat was the more revolting of the lot, with a penchant for the unknown. So, was me, the other one.  So, we picked up some dead branches to use as protection, in case a wild animal jumped out of the bushes. The path ahead was muddy from the rains that lashed the place, a day ago.

We travelled for 5-10 minutes deeper until we could not find the means to go head. The path started getting softer and softer. We still had a stray as a company on the lower side of the road. We decided to go back, as it was getting darker. It was already 6 pm.  We huddled together and started to talk about our evening plans when we saw the stray staring at something in the bushes. He would forge head one instance and the next instance, he ran back to us and did this for quite some time.

I was noticing his actions and behaviour as I knew dogs for almost 12 years in my life, and knew about the sensory powers of animals.

I decided to leave the place and advised my team to do the same. The dog never left our side, all the time and kept staring to the bushes. He came back, with us to the busier, inhabited part of the village, that was packed with homestays.

So, it was 7 pm, already. We decided to go ahead with our evening party, with some drinks and pakoras, for company. Discussions after various daily affairs started, some of us discussed how our bosses were, back in the office and some avoided the topic. Time flew, our phones were charging with the help of an adaptor, as there was one plug point in each room.

After, about an hour the lights went off. We had dinner when at around 11 pm, a minor altercation broke out in between two members, Pat was amongst them. Both started discussing office politics and a quarrel started.  It was resolved, as quickly as it started. And, we headed for our rooms for a good night’s sleep.

However, our short-lived retirement plans were interrupted as we heard cries and loud voices from Pat’s room. The homestay was a wooden one, creaked and made hushed voices appear louder, in the eerie silence of the night. Suddenly, his friend came knocking at our door, saying that Pat was literally in tears over the argument.

We went to his room, for about thrice to pacify him and tried to make him lie down in bed. He listened to us and agreed each time. After ten minutes passed, we were again back in our room to catch up on our sleep.  This is when it all started.  Pat started howling, for no rhyme or reason. We were afraid, he would wake up the entire place.

the unknown - a paranormal story

His howls grew louder and louder.

He started behaving oddly like in a trance. We were quite scared; who wouldn’t be at 1 am at night. We actually held on to him from all sides, otherwise, he might have jumped from the verandah itself.

He started mouthing irrational things and said, somebody was calling him. He had to go, he had to leave the world behind, it was time to say adieu. Amidst all these, two other guests from the room below came to our room and threatened us with dire consequences, if all this did not end. They branded us as nuisance making, alcoholics. I and Rob said sorry and promised to control the situation. The guests, supposedly army people assured us, the if we did not control the situation, they would take it in their hands.

I was shivering, not knowing what to do, standing in the silent wooden verandah with no courage left to see Pat, like that. I kept mouthing mantras, both Indian and Egyptian. Being a firm believer in the gods and goddesses, that was the only respite for me. Pat, suddenly started having breathing problems. I rushed to my room, to get the inhaler. Yes, I carry one always, due to sudden breathing problems. On my treks and explorations, I do always carry one.  Pat was a little in peace, after inhaling the vapours of the potent medicine. However, he kept asking all of us, to allow him to leave. But, how could we?

I stood outside the room and started rewinding my thoughts to the evening, we left behind. The stray dog suddenly came to my mind. Something was terribly wrong. I went into flashback mode. I told the same to Rob and Danny. Rob and I went downstairs, to put matters into the army’s hand, as we could no longer control it.

Knock, knock, knock. “We need your help. Please open the door, we pleaded.”

The two men came out, from the respective ground floor rooms.

I said “there is something occult, about the problem. It was no longer human”. They gave cold stares as if I was talking rubbish or had gone out of my mind. Amidst, all this melee, the hosts also visited us and scolded us, as we pleaded for help and co-operation. I also told the lady of the house, about the occult angle, but she laughed it off. They labelled us ‘Hooligans’.

My husband Danny, came to me and said, Pat, is going to die tonight. I saw the bleak future of our trip, ahead of me. I started visualizing a jail, police officers, recording statements and the repercussions, back home. That instance, we decided to take Pat to the hospital. Our, hosts were kind enough to help us with a car, at an additional cost of course, as it was not in the itinerary.

Around, that time, four of us went ahead, boarded the car and left for the nearest hospital. I and Danny stayed back for the time and retired to our rooms, with just a candle for company.

 

Author’s Note– An Ex-HR and currently a struggling Beauty, Wellness and Lifestyle Entrepreneur, with certification in Reiki practice and a Diploma in Psychological Counselling. I am mentioning my qualifications specifically for this story because I have made certain remarks in this article. Readers should know why and how I am eligible enough to comment on something that is beyond science – spiritual or psychological, it really can’t be defined. It is a learning for me as well, a practical case of my studies.

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