Back Home

"Now who's tired?" said Maya as she offered her hand to Ray who was lying down on the sand. He took her hand and sat upright. "We should be in the car, it's almost 4," said Advika. 

"And the car will teleport us back home?" wondered Maya. "No, the book will," said Advika. Tej unlocked the car, "c'mon in guys," he called.

"Advika, mind sitting in the front seat, I'm a bit tired, so will sleep in the backseat," said Ray. "And where do you think we'll sit, on your head?" said Maya and walked past him. 

Advika sat beside Tej, who sat on the driver's seat. Zarna sat between Ray and Maya in the backseat. Tej helped Advika with the seat belt and then put on his seat belt.

"Ouch," said Maya as the car shook violently. An electrical storm broke out with great fury. Advika clutched Tej's hand as the clouds thundered. He pursed his lips as her nails touched his skin. Tej held her hand. "Easy," he said.

The car rose in the air; the windows covered with sand. 

In the blink of an eye, the car landed with a thud on the ground.

Maya got out of the car at once. "Thank God," she said. "Who were those guys? How will we know?" wondered Ray and stretched his arms. "Why would anybody follow us or come to this place?" said Zarna sitting inside the car. "Aren't you guys getting out?" asked Ray. "We aren't home, we're just back to our world," said Advika.

"Yeah, right," said Ray and sat in the car. Maya followed.

                                                                    ~~~~~~

"You promised to get them," said an elderly man. He wore a full-length black tunic with long sleeves and a stand-up collar. His red pupils sent a shiver down Daksh's spine as he stood in front of the man with his head bowed.

There was an unnatural greyness in his skin. His silvery shoulder-length hair left open; his teeth as sharp as a blade; his lips black.

"Master... Azazel" stammered Daksh. "I'm trying-"

"I don't want your tries," the man screamed and hit his fist on the stone table between them. The table cracked; Daksh shivered.

"I want all five of them, alive," he whispered as he came near Daksh and squeezed his shoulders. "Go," he commanded.

Daksh bowed down and walked out of the dungeon.

                                                                         ~~~~~~

Advika threw herself on the bed and closed her eyes. Her phone vibrated. The name Sweety flashed on the screen. Advika smiled and read her message. 

Sweety: Hey babe, let's catch up this weekend.

Advika: Sure, at our favourite Dan's cafe. This Sunday at 5 eve.

Sweety: Okay, see you soon!

Her phone rang. It was Tej.

"Hey, Tej, all good? You just dropped me home," she said and stood in front of the mirror fidgeting with her hair. "Yes," answered Tej. "You left your clip in my car, again," he said playing with the clip.

"Oh, I... I'll take it the next time we meet," she said. "Okay, yeah, I'll keep it... with me," he said staring at the clip. "Okay, bye," she said and kept the phone. 

"Dude, what's wrong with you?" said Tej to himself and walked towards the door of his house. 

                                                                 ~~~~~~

"This is the magical bowl, Master Daksh," said the old man leaning on his stick. 

Daksh walked towards a stone table; a golden bowl filled with water was kept on it. He saw his reflection in the water and glanced at the old man. 

"I don't know the exact method to invoke its powers," said the old man and adjusted his round spectacles. "That I'll find out," said Daksh and turned to face the old man. "The next time the five come here, don't let them escape," he gritted at the old man and walked out of the room.

He climbed the stairs that led him to the womb chamber of the temple. It was a secret underground room which only the old man and Daksh knew about. 

The old man climbed the stairs slowly, one by one. Daksh let out a sigh. "Could you hurry up!" he yelled.