Chapter 5 Got A Secret, Can You Keep It

VEER'S POV:

Mistakes are a part of life. We all have always been taught that our mistakes make us who we are, they help us become a better version of ourselves. Without mistakes, we would, just stay the same..... but sometimes, I think its better to just stay the same, because who knows what you might turn into.

Walking down the hallway of my college's dorm, my feet felt heavy. It was half past midnight so the hallway was dark, deserted and quiet. The only source of light was the full moon shining brightly in the night sky.

With a shovel in my left hand, I was walking like a zombie. It was as if I knew what I was about to do was wrong but my body was not in my control. The thirst I felt was rising and I knew only one thing could quench this thirst.

Reaching the door of my dorm room, I opened the door using my keys. In the darkness, the room seemed still. As I had anticipated my roommate, Carl was sleeping peacefully on his bed, which was on the right side of the room. He was lying on his side, with his face towards the wall. I walked and stood by the bed, watching him. In that moment, just for a second I felt a little pity for him but soon the urge was back.

'Kill him.' The voice whispered to me.

'I don't want to.' I tried to fight back.

'Kill him.' The voice urged again and I realized I had no choice.

The shovel trembled in my tremulous hands as I raised them over my head. I was going to do the most outrageous thing, and I was hesitant for that. But, as always, that hesitation didn't last long.

Flinging my hands in the air, I hit him on the head with the shovel. He did not move, but soon the pillow started soaking in his blood. The stench of iron filled my nostrils, and I grinned when I saw the blood soaking his pillow.

I reached over to pull him, so I could see his lifeless face but soon my delight turned into shock when I realised who I had just killed.

It wasn't my roommate, Carl, as I had thought.

It was Vivaan, my younger brother.

I stared at his pale face in horror when suddenly he opened his eyes and grabbed my arm.

I woke up with a jolt, breathing heavily. It took me a few seconds to make sense of my surroundings. I was lying on my bed in my room. The mystery novel which I was reading earlier was lying open on my chest.

I remembered that I had come back home from college last week.

My eyes travelled to the wall clock above the dressing table. The clock said three o'clock in the morning. Keeping the book on the nightstand, I sat on the edge of the bed. The window was open letting my room brighten up by the moonlight.

Even though this was just a dream, I was well aware that someday this nightmare could become a reality.

The guilt that I had subsided was back. I once again regretted going to that place even after being told by so many people not to.

'Why did I have to do this to myself!?' I thought.

This might have been just a dream and Vivaan, might still be alive but, it doesn't change the truth that I did kill my roommate.

He was dead and was lying at the bottom of the river that I threw him in. His family was looking all over for him, not realising that he will never come back.

Because of me.

Not just him, three other people will never come back home because of me.

In front of everyone, I acted like I had no idea where Carl was, even though I was the reason why he would never be back.

I was scared. I didn't wanna go to jail. I didn't want to spend my whole life getting punished for something I didn't even intent to do.

Carl was a great guy. I had known him only for a week but I could tell he was a nice guy. We weren't best of friends but I didn't hate him.

I know something is wrong with me otherwise I would have never done that. All of this started ever since I returned from that cursed place.

I know that I may come off as a cold hearted person when I say this, but honestly, I don't hate killing. It gives me a weird sense of control.

But I'm also aware that if I don't control myself, I will end up hurting the people I love. If I have to kill, I want to do it on my own terms and conditions. If I have to kill, I would rather choose someone who deserves it instead of someone innocent.

I come from a very weird family where death is not considered something sad. But in the real world, if I get caught, it might cause problems for me, so I need to get rid of this urge.

There's only one person who I know will understand me. I know he doesn't wants to see me right now, but I have to find him.

☘ ☘ ☘

PALAK'S POV:

DEATH.

It was the first thing that popped into my mind along with an image of someone being dragged as I tried to focus on my meditation.

It was around six in the morning and I was in my room, sitting on a yoga mat on the floor wearing my blue and white tie and dye yoga pants. Scrunching my face, I tried to remove that thought from my mind and focus on my meditation.

It is my daily routine to do yoga and meditation before getting ready for school. And even though holidays are going on, I still continue with my routine. I find that it helps me keep my mind at peace.

I had just begun my meditation, as usual, but today I was finding it very hard to concentrate. I had tried everything I could but something was blocking my mind.

Opening my eyes abruptly, I looked around. I knew something was there. Not in my room specifically, but out there.

And soon it is going to be in Lakeheart.

I could feel it's presence. But what was it? Nothing holy, I was sure.

'Should I talk to mom?' I thought.

'No, I shouldn't disturb her. I'll talk to her when she gets back from vacation next Friday,' I thought.

Now you must be wondering that what the hell is this girl talking about, right?

Well, will you believe me if I told you that I am a witch? Obviously, you wouldn't.

I mean why would you, right?

Witches aren't real.

But you are wrong. Witches are a hundred percent real and I am the live example. Well not just me, my whole family.

No one knows and even my friends aren't aware about this, but I'm not exactly who they think I am. I am sure that they have their doubts about me. Like how do I happen to know what they're thinking. Why I don't smile more often or at all. And why I'm always acting so mysterious around them.

Well the answer is that I belong to a family with a rich history of witchcraft and dark rituals. But when has being good at witchcraft ever benefited a woman. Hence, when they realised that Rajasthan isn't safe for them anymore my family decided to move from there.

"Never tell this to anyone!" My mother always tells me. And being the obedient daughter, I never do.

My mother was nine when her grandmother saw her talking to an invisible person and that's when she realised that she is also going to become a witch.

I was ten when I first realised that I could read people's minds.

My mother, knowing that this day would eventually come, had already prepared me. Unfortunately, even my mother couldn't tell which power I was going to develop first, so she just asked me to not be afraid and told me to come to her as soon as I felt something changing inside me.

At first I was confused but later I realised that I could choose whose mind I want to read. I had to look into their eyes and their eyes would tell me what was on their mind. It wasn't like as if I would look at someone and I would just know what they were thinking. If that were the case, my life would become hell.

Not knowing what the other person is thinking, is better sometimes.

Slowly, I started to gain other powers as well.

As the time passed, I learnt how to handle the secret and deal with being a witch. Now I often use my powers to freak people out, but not enough to let my secret out. It's just so fun to see their reaction.

I am not fully a witch yet, I need to practice a lot to unlock new powers, but having some supernatural powers has made me able to feel if there is some evil, demonic spirit around me.

And right now that feeling is very strong.