The School

^The _{School_}

1. Introduction

There were four friends Aarav, Ayaan, Pragya and Julie. All of them were in their teens. They used to live in the same society, called The Hereditic Society. All of them had only one common question in their mind, that was, “Are ghosts real?”

Aarav was a boy of extreme patience. He was a kind boy. He had brown skin, jet-black hair and brown eyes. He always kept his hair untidy and wore transparent- plastic glasses, which were bigger for his eyes though he didn’t had power. He had a good sense of fashion and was cool.

Ayaan was the opposite of Aarav. He was not patient. But yes, he was a little kind, cool and arrogant. He had a golden-brown skin, black hair and black eyes. He always combed his hair. He used to follow Aarav, as he was not updated to the modern fashion style. He had a bolder voice than Aarav and was also humourless.

Pragya was too similar to Aarav. She was kind. She had black hair, reaching to the end of her waist. Her eyes were deep-black in colour and her skin tone matched Aarav’s. Her mood always  swinged according to the situation, she was in, but most of the time, cheerful. She was called the “Most Beautiful Teenage Girl In The Society”.

Julie had brown eyes, black hair and a light complexion compared to others. Her hair reached to some distance down to her shoulder. She was a quick-thinker and had intrest in current affairs, but she was also humourless like Ayaan.

2. New Place

‘I am getting tired’

‘Yeah, I am done with this stupid homework’

‘Why did the teachers gave us the homework, that too to write an essay. By the way, do you know that Pragya came first in the second terminal.’

‘Yes, I kn-... What?’

‘Yup’

‘If we are getting tired of this homework, what will we do in our boards Aarav!!!!!’

‘Oh, look, here come Pragya and Julie...’

‘Hi Ayaan, Hi Aarav’ wished the both of the girls.

‘Hi’ replied the boys.

‘Where you had been?’ said Aarav.

‘We had gone to visit an underwater aqua-’ said Pragya.

‘What? you have visited a place. Please give me your essay when it is comple-’ started Ayaan

 

 

‘The aquarium was closed. And we will never give our essay to anybody ever’ said Julie angrily, being the part of the conversation.

‘Anyway, I have a new place for our adventure.’ said Pragya.

‘What? Where is it? What is it?’ said Aarav.

‘It is a building which is situated across the lake,’ said Julie.

‘It might be too far,’ said Ayaan.

‘We might need a boat for that.’ said Aarav.

‘I know a person who rents a boat in this area. Actually, my Papa asked him and he said it was 2000 rupees.’ said Ayaan.

‘Ok, tomorrow we all will bring our pocket money and see how much it is. – Oh no! it is 5 p.m I have to study. See you tomorrow guys!!’ said Pragya.

‘I guess we should all go home’ suggested Aarav.

‘Yeah’ said Ayaan and all bid farewell to each other

Next day, they all met in the park. They had brought all the money they had. Aarav had brought ₹600, Ayaan had ₹200, Julie had ₹500 and Pragya had ₹400.

‘We are having ₹300 less.’ said Aarav miserably.

‘Wait a minute, Ayaan, for what reason did your Papa wanted a boat?’ questioned Pragya.

‘We needed it to reach an island, which is 20 km far from here.’ said Ayaan.

‘So, the price must be less as it is very far’ said Pragya.

‘You are so intelligent Pragya!’ said Aarav.

Later,

‘Where is the boat renter’s house?’ said Aarav wearily.

‘It is on the tenth floor on C2 section. But I feel something I am missing something about that uncle’ said Ayaan.

‘What! You are of his age?’ Julie said.

Except Ayaan all started laughing because he considered it as a lame joke. When they reached the tenth floor, they rang the bell. A kid nearly of their age came and called ‘Papa, some kids are there’.

3.  Mr. Gomes and his Son

‘Ah, Ayaan how are you? And you have also brought your friends. Where are my manners? Have a seat. You must be thirsty; I’ll bring some water.’

And he went to the kitchen to grab some glass of water.

‘Ayaan, do you know him?’ asked Pragya

‘Now I remember, when I was a kid probably 5 years old, I used to come in this house to play with his son Maxx. But when you all shifted, I didn’t talk to him and I broke my friendship and I never saw him after that day except today. Maxx came out of his room and was playing a game in his mobile.

Maxx had an ok-type-of expression in the four. He was of average height with messy black hair and dark eyes. His casual look—a navy-blue thin hoodie and black-cargo denim. He looked kind of daring. However, he was a little shy to people he didn’t know, often holding back his enthusiasm until he felt comfortable. This was the conclusion what the four could come to.

 ‘Hi, Maxx” said Ayaan suddenly.

‘Uh, hi Ayaan. How are you?’

‘I’m fine. Will you come with us? We are going to a place across the lake.’

The sound of breaking of glass and tray came. Suddenly Mr. Gomes started roaring.

‘You, you, you and You (he said pointing the kids) get out of my house. My son will never go to that FREAKING HAUNTED  building!’ and he pushed them out of his house.

The door had been shut down forcefully, and the sound of Mr. Gomes came, he sounded a bit frightened ‘Maxxie you will not go with them or they will bully you. You will be your Papa’s dear child. YES OR NO.’

‘Yes Papa,’ said Maxx, a little worried(as heard so).

 ‘What we will do to rent a boat’ said Ayaan miserably.

‘We can swim.’ suggested Julie.

‘Yeah, (sarcastically) we will swim that far,’ said Ayaan.

‘I was only joking!’ said Julie stepping out of their complex.

‘Don’t start again. Did you listen to what Mr. Gomes said? said Aarav.

‘What’ said Ayaan angrily.

‘It is a haunted place.’ said Aarav.

‘So’ said Julie who was also angry.

‘Do you remember what we always wanted to do?’ said Aarav trying to calm Ayaan.

‘To visit a haunted place!’ said Julie who had almost forgot about the argument and was excited.

‘But how will we get there?’ said Ayaan who had calmed down.

‘We will think about it. But obviously we will go there,’ said Aarav.

‘See you all next day’ said Pragya and she went her home.

‘Bye all’ said the other three and they also went to their respective homes.

 

4. The Boat

Next day, the four of them met at the park. They were unhappy because there was no proper idea of getting past by the lake. Suddenly Maxx came and said in a hurry-

 ‘I have talked to my Papa’s friend and he said that he will lend us a boat if we give him ₹1,700. Do you have the money? I know I have not contributed any money but I have bought some chips, cold drinks, sandwiches, Band-Aids, hot water in a thermos flask and many flares in case we will work in the dark, a torch, and some matches.’

‘How do you know about all this stuff’ said Ayaan who was shocked with the others.

‘I watch many adventure movies, and I have bought about 50 match boxes.’ said Maxx

‘It means 50 multiplied by 50 equals to 2500 matches minus 500 which will break or not light equals to 2000 matches!’ calculated Pragya.

‘Don’t flaunt your math skills, Pragya.’ said Julie.

‘But there’s a problem,’ said Maxx.

‘What?’ questioned Aarav.

‘Uncle Adam said he will lend us an electric boat but he will not come.’

‘What!!’ exclaimed the other four

‘Well, I can drive. I have seen him.’ said Maxx.

‘Okay, let’s go,’ said Aarav.

5. The story of Shadowhaven

The five of them went to the place where Maxx’s uncle was supposed to meet them. There was a boat and an envelope on it, it said

“Dear Maxxie,

                        I have bought the boat as you had requested me to do. But, let me tell you one thing that the place which you are going is very dangerous. It was a school for the children of Shadowhaven’s officials.

   As you know our town, RiverCity was ruled by a foreign town called Shadowhaven. They had increased taxes and gave no money to our people who worked under them. Our acestors were treated worst as slaves. All of the children of Shadowhaven official’s studied there. So they burned the school when they had their Annual Function on 13^th September 1985. So, both the children and the officials were burned to death.

  If you want to go after hearing all this stuff, please keep the money in the envelope. I will not tell your Papa about your adventure. Leave the envelope in the tree behind you.

Your uncle,

Adam Gomes”

6.  The creature

‘A goosebumps-giving story eh,’ said Aarav.

‘So sad, they burnt them alive’ said Julie miserably.

‘I’ll keep the money in the tree’s bark’ said Maxx and he kept the money in it.

‘Okay, let’s go,’ said Ayaan

They sat on the boat and untied the rope which was tied to a piece of log. Maxx started the boat and they were crossing the lake. There was an abandoned umbrella on the boat, Ayaan wanted to throw it, but Maxx said it might be his uncle’s.

‘By the way, Julie, how long will it take to cross the lake?’ said Maxx.

‘Probably 1 hour,’ said Julie.

        They had barely reached at the centre of river when-

‘LOOK AT THAT!’ said Aarav.

‘Oh no..’ said Maxx

‘WHAT IS THIS CREATURE!’ roared Ayaan.

It was a mysterious creature, which was a gelatinous transparent creature with long, thin tentacles. Its teeth were sharp and it was barely visible. It was visible only because of its teeth and sloggy eyes.

‘See at our shadows!’ said Julie.

‘How are they are standing on our boat,’ said Maxx.

The shadows of the five of them were making a hole in the boat. Ayaan wanted to grab one of them but his hand passed through them.

‘Ayaan, grab the umbrella,’ said Julie.

‘Why? It’s not raining,’ said Ayaan.

‘Block the sunlight so these shadows will be not there,’ said Julie.

‘I’ll try,’ said Ayaan. And he blocked the rays of the sun, the shadows disappeared.

‘Julie, how did you become so smart?’ said Pragya sarcastically.

After successfully blocking the shadows, the group found the building. The creature had dissapeared.

 

7.The Abandoned School

The mysterious building looked spooky with broken windows and old, whispering walls covered in algae. A twisted tower added to the eerie vibe, especially as the sunlight faded. The children when saw the broken building they were scared of what would be inside waiting for them after the creepy boat incident.

The entrance was adorned with broken windows and faded memories. Cautiously, the friends stepped onto the creaking floorboards, exploring the dark corridors. Everyone had a torch in their hands. As they explored the building, they reached a room full of books.

‘This is probably a library’ said Pragya.

‘Yes, I thought that also,’ said Ayaan.

Ayaan probably had forgot about his fight with Julie thought Aarav.

‘Yeah, yeah’ said Julie with an attitude.

They found a bookcase rather clean (because they didn’t want to search the messy and dirty ones). But Maxx said that the dirty and messy bookcases had something mysterious because he had seen it in movies.

All of them told him all movies aren’t real, but Maxx knew he would find it. As he had said, he found a diary in the messy bookcase.

The diary unfolded a sad story of the school. It stated that the officials of Shadowhaven had increased the taxes, leaving the people of RiverCity in poverty. In act of rebellion the people had threatened the people of that they will burn the school anytime. 

In last 6 pages there was a calendar. While turning the pages Maxx stopped on the page of September. It showed 13^th September was an Annual Function Day.

^’13^th September, the day when the school was burned.’ Maxx said.

‘Oh my god’ said Julie feeling sorry.

‘You are saying like there’s a ghost here’ “Woo, I am a ghoooossssst” said Ayaan laughing and mimicking a ghost sound.

        Suddenly, a cold wind blew through the room.

8. Sable Nightshade

 The atmosphere thickened as an otherworldly presence made itself known. The apparition of a girl in a tattered school uniform appeared.

Now echoed a sorrowful voice. The friends, paralyzed with fear witnessed the special entity fading away, leaving behind an overwhelming sense of sadness. The girl went outside the library.

The five of them followed the girl. The girl floating in the air slowly went to the principal office. The group climbed the stairs and when they reached the office they hid and saw a figure draped in tattered, shadowy Iron Grey robes. Their face was hidden behind a hood. Atmosphere around them was unnaturally cold. All of them were shivering.

The girl’s spirit was screaming and crying. ‘What happened my dear Marie?’ said an echoing voice.

The girl said in some other language which was the language of Shadowhaven thought Aarav.

‘Oh, there are some children in our building that too of RiverCity, ahh after a long time’ sneered the figure.

The figure saw the children’s shadow and growled ‘There are the children, catch them’. The children ran and entered a room which was black in colour and algae covering the walls. The children hid in an almirah from where they saw the creature whom they had seen in the lake going through the corridor. It seemed that the creature glowed.

Aarav whispered ‘I think that it is a type of amphibian.’

‘Now, what the hell is an amphibian’ whispered Ayaan.

‘It is a group of animals which can survive in both water and land but need a moist atmosphere. But here he means that it can survive in both water and land with or without a moist atmosphere,’ said Maxx.

‘That’s why I told you to pay attention in Biology class’ Pragya said.

They ran from the room when the creature passed the corridor. The creature turned back and started following them. The children increased their speed as so the creature. The creature disappeared. For their safety they again entered a room in which the hooded-figure seemed waiting for them.It said in its mystical voice

‘I see, my pet, the menacing Silent Drifter has met you. Oh, sorry, I have forgotten my manners after I became what I am now, for I am the governor or was of this town. Hello, I am Sable NightShade which contains the souls of all people who were burnt in this school.’

The so-called Silent Drifter went inside the figure called Sable NightShade.

Sable NightShade, the hooded figure, smiled menacingly. The more he smiled, colder the room went. The children knew the figure would never let them go home. Aarav hesitated but then said, ‘Umm, sorry s-s-sir, about your school.’

‘Why? Ok, let’s make a deal, all of you will persuade the people given in the list and their family to spend some time inside this beautiful school and I will kill them and will be able to complete my revenge.’

The figure gave an old paper to the children which had suddenly appeared on the air . The children saw that the names given in the list were names of their parents and some other random people. They also knew it would not let them live once they bring all the people here.

Aarav gulped his voice shaky. ‘You want us to bring these people here, just to… to... kill them?’

Sable Nightshade’s voice turned menacingly calm, ‘That’s right, little one. Fulfill this task, and I may consider sparing you.’

‘Why are you giving death to those innocent people? It was your fault only to increase the taxes’ said Julie, a little scared.

‘MY FAULT? The people, innocent?’ questioned Sable NightShade. ’It was the government who increased the taxes, and you talk about being innocent, those children were INNOCENT!!!!!’

‘Sorry sir, but we will not accept this deal of yours. We are children and we do not want to be murderers’ said Maxx firmly.

‘THEN ALL OF YOU ARE IN TROUBLE NOW!’ roared Sable NightShade. Everybody’s face turned pale.

9. The Escape

Suddenly, the walls of the room began to close in, the temperature dropping even more. The children huddled together, unsure of what to do. The shadows around them started to shift, forming twisted shapes that seemed ready to grab them. Aarav got a cut in his thigh in the run but others were safe.

Julie, ever the quick thinker, shouted, ‘Run!’

They bolted from the room, sprinting down the dark corridors as Sable Nightshade’s eerie laughter echoed behind them. The building seemed to come alive, with doors slamming shut and shadows lunging at them.

‘Where do we go?’ Maxx yelled his voice barely audible over the noise.

‘The boat!’ Aarav shouted back. ‘We have to get back to the boat!’

The five of them rushed through the school’s broken entrance and sprinted towards the lake. Behind them, they could hear the faint whispers of the spirits and the soft slither of the creature, the Silent Drifter, following them. The boat came into view, and they leaped inside, frantically untying it from the shore. They throwed the flares at the back

Maxx started the engine, and they sped off across the lake, the dark waters churning beneath them. None of them dared to look back, but they could feel Sable Nightshade’s presence, watching them from the shore. They had a great relief as they had finally escaped the monster, Sable NightShade.

‘Oh we escaped, wow’ said Ayaan, a bit bored.

‘Should we tell anyone about this?’

‘No Pragya,’ said Ayaan ‘we shouldn’t, but think, our ancestors had killed over 1000 people.’

‘Don’t start this topic, bro’ said Maxx. The others also agreed.

‘Yeah, it sounds weird talking about our ancestors like that’ said Pragya.

All of them reached the banks, and they saw Maxx’s uncle was there, struggling, to take money from the envelope, as he was a little afraid as he was talking to Maxx’s Papa. The phone was in speaker-

‘Hey Adam, where is Maxx? You told that he was with you, where is he?’ said his Papa.

‘Umm, he is a little bit depressed; he doesn’t want to talk to you. I think you shouted much yesterday.’ said Uncle Adam.

Just as he was about to go, Maxx called ‘Uncle Adam, Uncle Adam! I am here!’ His uncle was glad to see him. He moved his lips; the others wondered what he was saying. Then Mr. Gomes’ voice came, "Maxx are you there? Please, talk to me beta, I am sorry for shouting at you.’

Maxx quickly understood what his uncle was trying to say. He quickly grabbed the mobile from his uncle’s hand and spoke ‘Yes, papa. I am sorry without telling you this morning, I came here. However, Papa I have a request, I wanted you to not to tell Ayaan and his friend’s parents about their plan. Today they offered me to play with them!’

‘No, no Maxx, I am sorry. Come on, I have made some special food items. In addition, I have some guests invited and their children, which includes Ayaan and his friends. And I will also not tell their parents about their haunted plan’

All of them grinned. Max hanged up the phone and told his uncle to get to the apartment as quickly as possible in his car, because he did not want to miss the delicious dinner that was waiting for him. In the way, the children told what had happened to them to Uncle Adam. He was having goose bumps every minute. They had some snacks in the car. Aarav put on the Band-Aid on his thigh as it was still bleeding.

‘What about the matchsticks’ said Maxx.

‘Means 50 multiplied by 50 equals to 2500 matches minus 500 which will break or not light equals to 2000 matches! Now it is zero’ said Julie, trying to mimic Pragya.

‘¡Ha-ha, what a joke! LOL! Comedian Julie’ said Pragya sarcastically.

Maxx now was the most cheerful one, because of not what he had done but because he had friends, not one of them, but four. He enjoyed having friends. Uncle Adam was the shocked one, thinking about something else because he didn’t thought that they would be alive. Was it the part of his plan? Who was Sable NightShade? Was it Maxx’s uncle dressed as it? Then who was Silent Drifter? Was it a gadget or a real creature? How were the shadows able to stand in the boat? There are many questions in yours and my mind, including the most important one, WILL IT RETURN? What is your conclusion?