The evening light that day felt strangely unsettling. Just before the sun set, a reddish glow spread across the sky, as if someone had smeared blood across the horizon. As Rahul stepped off the bus, a cold wind sent a shiver down his spine.
The village was called Shalbon.
Many years ago, his grandfather had lived here. Rahul had visited once as a child, but most of those memories had faded away. Only one thing remained clear in his mind—a large, dark pond behind the house, and beside it, a strange, crumbling building.
And now, he had returned.
The reason?
His grandfather's death.
His parents lived in the city, and there was no one left to look after this old house. So Rahul had been sent here to stay for a few days and sort everything out.
But when the villagers heard that he would be staying there, something unusual appeared in their eyes—fear.
"Don't spend the night in that house, son…"
an old man had warned him.
Rahul had laughed it off.
"Why? Is it haunted or something?"
The old man didn't answer. He simply stared at him—his eyes hollow and distant.
As Rahul stood in front of the house, a strange heaviness pressed against his chest.
The iron gate was half-open, covered in rust. When he pushed it, it creaked loudly—
"Crrrreeeaaak…"
The sound was so harsh, it felt as if the house itself had let out a long, tired breath.
The walls were cracked, the windowpanes shattered. The front door stood slightly ajar, as if something inside was whispering—
"Come in…"
Rahul steadied himself.
"There's nothing to be afraid of… just nonsense," he muttered.
As he pushed the door open, a cold, damp smell rushed out. It was clear no one had stepped inside for years.
Dust covered the floor. Cobwebs hung from the corners. Broken furniture lay scattered around.
But then—
Something caught his eye.
A mirror.
It hung on the wall, old and unusual. Its frame was made of dark wood, carved with strange patterns. But what was truly unsettling—while everything else in the house was covered in dust, the mirror was perfectly clean.
Rahul slowly walked toward it.
He saw his reflection.
But something felt… wrong.
As he stared into his own eyes, it seemed like the reflection was moving just a little slower than him.
He raised his hand.
The reflection raised its hand too… but a second later.
Rahul stepped back, startled.
"What… was that?" he whispered.
Suddenly—
A sound came from behind him.
"Tap… tap… tap…"
As if someone was walking with wet feet.
Rahul turned around.
No one.
But the sound didn't stop. It was getting closer.
"Tap… tap… tap…"
His heart began to race.
He slowly turned back toward the mirror.
And then—
His blood ran cold.
Because he was no longer alone in the reflection.
Behind him stood a girl.
Her long hair covered her face. Her body was drenched, as if she had just emerged from water.
Rahul slowly turned around again.
No one.
When he looked back at the mirror—
The girl was now right behind him.
She leaned close to his ear…
And whispered softly—
"You have come back…"
Suddenly—
The mirror shattered.
"CRAAASH!"
Rahul screamed.
And everything went dark.