Seance

Four teenage friends holding their hands on Ouija board trying to call Spirits to enquire the location of treasure hidden inside nearby Aranyaka forest.

Circled around Spirit board, team of 4 among are 2 Boys and 2 girls of age 18 plan to place their fingers on planchette during the séance. They are calling unknown ghost for help in their exploration of gold and other jewels. They lit the 9 candles circum the talking board.

“Guys, what if vengeful spirit appears before us!, then we are doomed” cried Prachithi.

Rithika was already quivering with fear.

Prachiti, the idea was yours to use Ouija to summon Spirit, now you are scaring Rithika, - exclaimed Shivam.

“Girls go any far to get ornaments and jewellery, even go beyond to cheat their boyfriends” – humoured Madhav.

‘Shut Up, I will slap you’ angrily said Prachithi.

.‘Cool down my love, Madhav is just arousing you’ – by saying Shivam calmed down Prachithi. They both are in love with each other.

Enough guys, let’s not waste any more time, it’s already been midnight. That too… Friday the 13th past 12. – shouted Rithika. She is already sweating in monsoon climate. Rain thunders are storming across the area outside home of Rithika, where these teens performing séance in first floor.

All are suddenly jolted for few seconds with a cuckoo sound heard from a Westminster mantel Clock which chums every hour. Now it’s 12 midnight.

Madhav laughed aloud – see all your faces, looks funny when got scared.

Without further delay, all the four placed their pointing fingers on heart-shaped wooden piece and started loudly summoning the ghost - ----

Behold O nameless mighty Spirit

We mayeth not know your existence

Unveil the treasure point place

Blessed us with fruit of valuable gold

Unknown force moved the finger placed planchette across letter and numbers on Ouija boards ----

S-T-O-N-E-0-W-E-L-L

What’s this mean? Is this a name? Aforesaid Prachithi.

It probably a clue – mentioned Madhav.

Friends, looks like this pointing towards a circular stones on mountainous hilltop bordered Aranyaka forest. – As Shivam pointing towards cloudy distant mountain visible across window.

Stop this nonsense guys, looks to me someone moved the pointer deliberately to scare me. – panicked Rithika.

Okay okay guys listen now, this Sunday; we plan for trekking through jungle – express his thought by Mandhav.

This going to be a day long journey, we need to be ready with necessary items to carry – said Shivam.

Well, I will prepare and pack meals for all. – said Prachithi.

What if any animal attack us! Don’t you think we are risking our lives guys? Might we need a guide – expressed Rithika.

“You are just a scared puppy dear. I know these jungles. My grandpa used to take me in my childhood”. – recounted Madhav.

Next day around 9 AM, all friends commenced their journey towards stone-circled mountain through the jungles of Aranyaka.

Jungle is full of vivid with distinct birds and animals like monkeys, snakes, frogs, etc.

Hey guys, what if a tiger attack us – afraid Rithika holding a medium height stick for protection.

There are no wild Cats in this forest baby – said Madhav. He has liking for Rithika. He loves her innocence.

After a walk of 9 miles across the forest, they finally reached the outskirts of jungle where long walled mountain barrier their journey. Now it’s going to be night. Time is 18:30. Arduous jaunt prompt them to pitch tent to stay during the dark. They nailed a big size tent of 65 Sq. feet (240 * 220 cms) to accommodate four.

All four friends were much starved. Now time was 20:20. They had lunch around 13:13 but bellied out due to fag out trip. They made a triangular campfire against beating cool weather and also to heat up cold food made in the morning.

Shivam opened a bottle of beer out from his backpack and shampooed on everyone. This irritated Prachithi as she is unware of his plan. He calmed her by kissing her on cheeks. Rithika felt shy and blushed. Madhav had smooch her on lips by taking advantage of situation. Two pairs made love to each other that night.

Being too tired and physical exhaust, they started at 10:10 next day climb towards little mountain.

After climbing for 4 hours at 14:14, they reached atop a mountain of 9 triangular long boulder Stone Rocks circled around. With the help of spade brought with them, they started digging the ground at the bottom of each rock.

After sometime of digging, Shivam noticed “0” (Zero) symbol engraved on one of the Rocks. He summoned his friends who were occupied in digging. ‘Friends, you see the here is a marking. We might find something’.

Everyone started digging at that place. Around 2 meters of unearthing the soil, they finally found gold and other jewellery. Their joy knew no bounds. Time was 15:15. Prachithi pocketed all gold in a shoulder bag. When they finally started leaving, a thought crossed on Madhav’s mind of séance.

Friends, do you remember STONE-0-WELL? – said Madhav. Yes, we found our treasure at a stone marked by zero – exclaimed Shivam. Exactly, there might be a well nearby where we can find more of jewels – joyed Prachithi. Don’t be greedy guys, we might get into trouble – in fear said Rithika. Don’t be scared dear, am here to protect you. – teased Madhav.

Another mile walk outwards marked stone lead them to a small shallow dried out well with steps inside. madhav bought compass with him showed him west direction. Fearfully after some heated discussions, they finally climbed down the 9 circled spaced steps inside the well. It was completely dark with some foul smell. Rithika showered torchlight. Time was 16:16. After a walk of 900 meters underground dark tunnel below the well, they come across a small room where they found same wide ‘0’ mark written with stained dried blood on the wall. There were strange paintings of animals, flying saucers and extra-terrestrials on wall. Immediately, they started digging down the zero marking. Alas! They found a skeleton instead of jewels. Rithika cried out.

A ghost arose from the skeleton dust. Suddenly the room was filled with cool wind. They all heard a weird thunder boom, signalling it was raining outside. With his pointed dusted hand, ghost levitated Prachithi on air whom carrying bag of gold. Jewels was sucked out of pouch bag and magnetically studded to ethereal ghost.

Roar laugh of ghost scared the teenagers. Now ghost assumed a form with studded jewels. Don’t be afraid of me children. I won’t harm you. – assured Ghost. Let me tell my story.

Ghost started narrating his story. I am Sudhanshu. I was a thief. I stole these jewels in a museum in nearby town a 18 years ago. While I was running away from police into this Aranyaka forest, I got bullet shot on my shoulder. Somehow I reached this mountain, buried these jewels under one of rocks and marked the huge stone with zero, so I shouldn’t get confuse when I came back. I hid inside this well. I was bleeding, tired, unable to move, finally gave up my efforts to go back. I realized that am going to die, so I marked same ‘zero’ here if anyone find my gold might have hope to bring back to me here or find me through trail of my blood on the way. Before I died, I made a curse of those who will stole my gold, will be land into misfortune. Luckily though séance, am able to contact you kids.

As you give back my jewels, I would love to give a single boon before I completely vanish – told the ghost.

Teanagers discussed together for some time and finally expressed their desire – “Dear Sir, we want to live a rich and comfortable life. Our friendship bond last forever”.

‘Thathastu’ – blessed by spectre Sudhanshu before disappear into thin air.