Short-story

That’s the Spirit

Published

3 years ago

November 19, 2021

VOV Writer

Aliza
Shauraya International School

“Could you hear that”, said Henry in a surprised tone. Smith was neglectful of what Henry said.

“Could you hear that” repeated Henry, pointing towards the machine that kept looking after any paranormal activity? So, Henry, Smith and John were a team working for detecting any supernatural or paranoiac activity.

They received an unknown call the day before, suspecting it from an old building nearby, known for dubious activities. Anyone who enters the premises disappears, and when found after days, they never remember what had happened to them during those days.

Screams could be heard throughout the night as it was haunted. The neighbours were also tense and scared. The law enforcement agencies have been working for almost a decade in cracking such paranormal activities but no success.

John and his team decided to go to the building at midnight as these spirits peak during the night. They equipped themselves well with all safety measures and promised each other in solving the issue courageously.

With a muscular physique, John decided that he would enter the building first and install all the cameras and devices. Henry and Smith hesitated to let him go alone, but John firmly said, “If I didn’t come back in half an hour, go back.” Henry and Smith nodded, but they were sure that they would not return at any cost, not at all will they leave their friend alone

Quarter to an hour had passed, Henry and Smith were still waiting in their van, looking at the monitors. After getting no trace of John, they decided to look out for themselves. Carrying the bottles to catch the spirits, they entered the building, searched out the ground floor entirely but didn’t find John. However, they noticed that John had successfully installed the cameras and machines all over the floor. It was dark all around.

Suddenly Henry and Smith heard cats growling. They were scared for once, but after realising it was cats, they eased. Next, they went on to the first floor, there too, like the ground floor, all instruments were installed. Again, John was nowhere to be found. Suddenly they heard some strange noises. “Could you hear that?” said Henry pointing out towards the handy screen they were carrying? Smith turned towards Henry looking at the screen carefully. “Beep, Beep,” sounded the screen.

A human-like figure dressed in pure white clothes could be seen moving around the top floor. The physique was not of John but someone else. Both Smith and Henry decided to move towards the top floor directly. After rushing there, they could feel the presence of something unnatural and strange. They followed the direction where their equipment was installed and entered the room, which had opened doors. Both Henry and Smith went inside.

“Look there”, said Henry. They were astonished to see John hanging in the air as though someone had carried him from his neck. John was gasping for breath, a few more seconds, and he would die. Smith gathered his composure. Pointing out the bottle in John’s direction, he muttered, “Ashtala Bamaha, Boom Boom, Hash”.

John fell as if the grip of that spirit loosened around his neck. Something could be seen flying towards the bottles smith captured it and locked the bottle. It was a spirit of a man, forced to commit suicide by his enemies. His spirit could not get peace and started wandering in the building.

Henry and Smith ran towards John, who was lying unconscious on the floor. Henry made him have some water; he also splashed some drops of water on his face. John, when was conscious, was shocked to see what happened to him? He just remembered entering the room, and everything that happened after that was vague. His head was heavy, still gasping for breath. Both Henry and John picked him up and took him out of the building. All three could not be prouder with a bottle in the pocket as they had caught the spirit. Now the people could be able to live peacefully without any fear. They returned to their home.

“Seventeen”, John said, placing the bottle on the rack. John, Smith and Henry hugged each other and promised to keep on working hard.

“Hey, Get up, Get up”, said John’s mother. “You will be late for your school”. So, John got up after realizing all the incidents he saw were just a dream.

Short-story

Fury of Tomato

Published

1 year ago

August 16, 2023

VOV Writer

Advika Bhatnagar
Shikshantar School, Gurugram
Grade 3

Alice, a nine-year-old boy, lived in the countryside of Tinseltown with his Granny. He was a stubborn and edgy child. He liked to eat whatever he wanted and didn’t care much about Granny’s words. This made the old lady very sad.

“Granny, Granny, hunger pangs! I want pizza and chocolate ice cream for dinner,” said Alice

“Wait, child, I’m making delicious chicken soup, healthy multigrain bread, and a fresh salad,” answered Granny.

Alice got angry when he saw salad on the dining table. He yelled, “Again, cucumber, bell pepper, carrot, and tomato. Is that what I will eat? “No, no, no, never, not at all. No dinner tonight.” Granny got worried and left the house to get his favourite food.

Alice was all alone. In anger, he picked up the tomato and threw it at the wall. The red pulp of the tomato almost covered the mid-wall. He was shocked to see the pulp turning into a monster.

“Ha, Ha, Ha, you stubborn boy. Every day I see you trouble your Granny for food. When you hit me against the wall today, I felt hurt. I will teach you a lesson. I am the new king of vegetables. I rule the meals,” said the tomato monster. And then the monster followed him everywhere in the room.

Alice was so scared that he was running in different directions. Sitting under the table, he quietly prayed, “Oh God, please save me from this deadly monster.”

Alice rushed to his Granny’s room, wears her hat and robe. He picks up the embroidered, favourite napkin of the Granny and moves slowly towards the wall. He wipes the tomato pulp, and the monster disappears right away.

Alice gets the lesson of his life to value all food. He vows to take care of Granny, as her belongings protect him. When she was back, he hugged her and said, “I love you so much. I will eat whatever you cook for me.”

The writer attended Takhte Writers & Publishers’ Story Writing Writeshop at Kalasthali, Gurugram.

Photo Courtesy – Andre Taissin (xRUJcUTEp6Y) Unsplash

Short-story

#Anecdotes of India@75

Published

2 years ago

June 2, 2022

VOV Writer

India, an enigmatic and epochal country, has an unparalleled and flourishing cultural legacy, which we are proud to represent. It is steadfast and unyielding, and it will never be lost to future generations. This year marks the 75th anniversary of India’s independence.

Writers are synonymous with bringing about a renaissance, whether literary or social; they function as negotiators to mediate the country’s social and cultural difficulties and, at times, become reformists. They have a legendary imagination, a distinct voice, flawless creative control of wordplay, and the ability to represent reality.

Takhte Writers & Publishers in collaboration with StoryMirror launch the literary contest ‘Anecdotes of India@75′

‘Anecdotes of India@75’ acknowledge the unacknowledged. It could be a person or an incident adding to national ethos, and you as a writer feel that others should know about it. So, start thinking, exploring and writing it in a stimulating story.

Rules:

Participants have to submit their content on the above theme.
Winners will be decided on the basis of editorial scores.
Participants should submit their original content. There is no limit to the number of content to be submitted.
There is no word limit.
There is no participation fee.

Categories: Story

Languages: English, Hindi

Prizes:

Top 2 winners will be felicitated with the Coffee Table Book of Rs2500/- authored by Takhte Writers
Top 20 winners in each language will be published in an ebook by StoryMirror.
Winners will receive digital certificates of appreciation.
All participants will receive a digital participation certificate.

Submission phase – May 29, 2022, to June 28, 2022

Declaration of Result: August 11, 2022

Contact:
Email: takhtevov@gmail.com
Phone/ WhatsApp: +91 9311845524

Short-story

Twisha and Alex on Moon

Published

3 years ago

April 18, 2022

VOV Writer

Reyaansh Bhardwaj
Scottish High International School
Gurugram
Grade 4

Alex was in his science lab carrying out his usual experiments. But, this time, he had thought of making a robot, which he wanted to gift to King Andrew during his birthday celebration. At that moment, Twisha came into the lab with Oreo.

Twisha, a year younger than Alex, is a sweet, pretty and short-tempered cousin. She asked Alex about his new experiment and shared her thoughts about going to the Moon.

Alex said, “Wow! Moon. I know you always wanted to go there. However, right now, going to the moon is more like a dream as we do not have a spacecraft. One day, I will take you to the moon”.

“One day! Seriously Alex. It doesn’t seem that near now. I surely want to go now,” said Twisha.

“Oh, Twisha! Don’t lose heart. I just remembered that Dr Peter is a Rocket scientist. He lives in the U.S.A, and I’ll talk to him about it,” said Alex.

Twisha replied, “Don’t make it tough. I will take you there.”

Alex was wonderstruck and astonished and teased her, “You are not a scientist. Are you a magician? HA HA HA HA HA HA.”

Twisha frowned. Seeing her annoyed, Alex said, “Ok, ok, so when are we going? How are we going? For how long are we going? What are we taking along?

Oreo heard the word going. He whined as if he should not be forgotten in their plans.

Twisha replied, “So many questions in one go. Bro, relax. We’ll go after two days on the full moon night.“

Twisha patted Oreo and said, “My Lil pup, I’m sorry you can’t go this time, but I’ll treat you with your favourite bone and peanut butter.”

As planned, on the full moon night, they both go on the terrace; Twisha asks Alex to lie down on the spread carpet. It was attractive, multicoloured with stars on it

Alex gets grumpy, “Are you serious. Is this your plan? Just lying down, and we’ll reach the Moon.”

“Have patience, this carpet has magical powers, and it will take us to the moon,” said Twisha. Her mind is burdened and overworking how to calm Alex and end his curiosity. Then, as in a trance-like state, she can take him and bring him back quickly.

Twisha picks up the crystal ball and asks him to focus on it and take deep breaths.

In no time, Alex exclaims, “Wowww! We have finally landed. It’s giant. Twisha, you know other names of Moon, its Luna, Selena or say Artemis. Moon is the only natural satellite of our planet and the second brightest object in the sky after the sun. Any object on the Moon will weigh six times less than on Earth. It rests on the tallest mountain, the Mons Huygens. Twisha, you would have read too, that Neil Armstrong was the first person to set foot on the Moon.”

Alex, for hours, kept gaping and looking around in awe. He is surprised that Twisha has not spoken and asks her, “Hey! Why are you not saying anything? You also know so much. So you should share your learnings.”

Twisha giggles and pats Alex’s shoulder, “Hey, Bro, how are you doing? I think you completely enjoyed your visit to the Moon.” Alex rubbed his eyes and looked at her with his mouth open.

Photo Courtesy – aron-visuals-unsplash