CYNIC OR BELIEVER?

"Am I really doing things right? How can I just blindly come here? Though I googled and planned very well, how can I just pack my luggage and follow here? Is it really just because of the dream I came here or is there any other reason? I felt like some force drove me to come here, or it is just my imagination? If someone hears my story they will be thinking I am crazy! But what else can I do?" With lots of questions I leaned back on the seat. Soon, the station I need to go arrived and the train stopped. I took my luggage and got down. Suddenly, many cab drivers asked me where to go and come to their cabs. I replied them, "I need to go to 'The Belladonna Villa' which is in the Crackhead street." The moment they heard my sentence everyone stepped back. Some ignored me and went to other people's.

Suddenly one man called me to come to him. With some hesitations, I followed him. He stopped near a cab where almost no one was near. He questioned me if I am new here when I just nodded, he kept his hand in his head and said, "I expected!" "What do you mean?" Confusion clouded over my face. "You said the street name right? Well actually that isn't the name. It was known as 'Elm street' in the past. But from the past 10years it was changed into 'Crackhead street' because of the abandoned sorry the haunted house which is what you mentioned is there and the people who go to the streets will only the crackhead or unless then no one will go." I looked away because I know that is abandoned one and the haunted thing, I am not the one believes in these ghosts, supernatural and all... Call me 'Cynic'... I don't care! And yeah I know about this street thing because I googled everything about that. "I will give you double pay. Can you take me there?" "Your wish. I will drop you two streets before. If that's okay get in!" I sat inside as I mumbled, "Money do speak a lot."

I opened the window and watched the beautiful scenery outside. It was spring season. Each blossom confirmed the season. The driver asked, "Where are you from?" "From Country S." He suddenly pulled a break making me hit in front. He turned back and said, "Sorry... Sorry... I didn't mean to! I was quite shocked to hear that you are from Country S to here." I rubbed my forehead as I nodded. He turned back and started to drive. He again asked, "You really travelled nearly 19 hours to visit that haunted place?" I replied, "Well if you are talking about 'The Belladonna Villa', yeah my answer is 'Yes'." The next moment he asked, "Why tho'?" The curiosity in his eyes was visible. I leaned on the window allowing the cold breeze to pass me as I thought, "Why? Yeah, same question running in my mind. I just had a dream about that place life I am enjoying there with a family. Ain't I just an orphan? How come suddenly I have them as parents? Why did I call them Maa, Paa and Bro in my dream? That time I felt warmth... The warmth I have been longing for. But I started to hear many voices in my dreams. At first when I thought that I want an answer for these, I myself, found it silly. When I googled about it, I found it... The same address and the same house and the same name but was abandoned. Nobody uses it. I was stunned at first. But I was self-determined to find myself an answer. Answer for why does it come in my dreams? Was that really true? What is the connection between me and that? That small girl looked like how I was in my childhood, but when did I have a family? Wasn't I in orphanage? If the dream is true, where are my parents now? Why did they abandon me? Why don't I have any memory of them? Even if they abandon me here, the Country A, how come I end up in Country S? I need to connect all the dots to find the answer. When I thought where to start, I thought to start from the beginning... 'THE BELLADONNA VILLA'. This is the reason. Wasn't I a cynic? Then how come suddenly I believed such a dream and come here... If that's the question, I myself wondering, 'Why?' and 'How?' The voices that lingered in my ears or the warmth I received or the curiosity... I don't know which was the driving force that made me come here!" The driver called me, "Ma,am... Are you okay?" I gave a smile and said, "Just lost in my thoughts! Wake me up when we reach." He nodded his head and started to focus on the road as I went in deep slumber.

The driver woke me up and said that we are reached. I took my luggage out and paid him the double amount as per my words. He got the payment and said, "Turn the second right and walk further up to the last left and turn right. There you can see the haunted house. You can find it easier as that's the only house there. And Ma'am you still have time and chance to go back!" "Thanks for telling me the way!" With that, I started to walk. It was already 6 in the evening. The bright sky has turned into a dark one. I walked alone and alone. Soon I reached the place. I stood outside and took a total outlook of it. The house was like old and dark. The house was giant, and the door looked like a mouth to it. The windows of the glass were half broken. It was stained with dust. There was one tree near it. Well there was not even a single leaf it was only of branches. "Isn't it spring? Why there are no leaves and flowers?" Maybe there is no sufficient water for it to grow. I convinced myself and walked inside. I slightly push open the old brown door, I suddenly felt something and squat down covering myself. A cloud of bats flew out from inside. I took a deep breath and stood holding my phone tight. I went inside and looked around. Suddenly the door was shut. I tried to open but ended in vain. Some unknown fear grew in my heart. Neglecting that, I turned on my phone flashlight and went directly near the switch board. I knew some places inside this villa due to my dreams. I turned on the switch and suddenly the lights started to flicker on and off. Isn't it been many years, how come the lights still turn on? As the question wake up inside my mind, "I did it for you!", a voice came. What the heck! What is happening? Is someone already here? I shouted, " Is anyone here?" My voice echoed back louder than my real one for three times. The pearl like sweat started to drip off my face. Later, the harshness of fluorescent light lessen my sense of fear. I took a deep breathe and went further inside.

Though it was clear in the dream we can't just remember everything as it is! So I had some struggles in finding some places. I went to a room and tried to open it. If I am correct, this room should be the 'Memories room' which is full of portraits and frames. I pushed open the door. It was kinda stuck in between. I applied a little more force and open it fully. The dust came out and I sneezed hard. I went near one portrait and wiped off the dust with my hands and saw it was half torn. Only my childhood picture was there. I saw this portrait fully in my dreams, but I can't remember clearly now. I looked around and found everything like this. Only I am there. How can I find my family now? Not a single clue. Suddenly I felt something watery near my leg. I looked down only to see the pool of blood. I was startled. I can't even give up and run now. I need to follow this. I need to find what's happening. Gathering some courage, I walked following the path of blood. It took me to the bathroom tub. When I saw inside I saw myself died and the tub was full of blood. "What the heck is happening here? I am here. Then who is that? What's with this blood?" My legs started to shake, my whole body trembled in fear. I slowly wiped my sweat and saw the blood in my hands. I again swiped my forehead and found blood. I am sweating...sweating blood. My tears flow down through my cheeks. I wiped it with my arms as I found blood again. I am even crying blood. I kept my hands on my heart which is beating hard right now. I can't think of anything. I slowly stood and went outside that place. I held my phone tight and looked around. The bloody tears and the bloody sweat didn't stop.

Suddenly, I felt someone following me. The footsteps were clearly heard right after mine. I slowly turned back and found none. When I turn back to front I felt some black thing passing fast. Before I could process it, I felt someone pulling my leg. I saw a bloodful hand holding my left ankle. I screamed in horror. Suddenly, a voice echoed, "Come with me!" I looked around to see who was that, but none was there. The hand dragged my leg to another room. It was like it has full control over me. I went inside and the door on my back shut making a loud noise. I looked around and found everything flying in air. I am the only one who is under the control of gravity. The more I fear, the more I sweat. The more I sweat, the more I feel weak. So I controlled my fear and convinced myself 'I am just hallucinating.' I gain the control over my body and closed my eyes for a while. When I opened it, later a minute, found everything on the ground. I sighed in relief. All of a sudden, a voice echoed, making me startle, "You passed the test!" I looked around and around to see who was speaking. The voice again spoke, "Don't search for me. I am a spirit. In your language, a ghost." My face frowned as I make the 'Like I believe' face. Again the voice came, "I know you are a cynic, and you won't believe, but that's the truth. I guess all the things you passed and come through is the best example for it." Those words hit me hard. I think about everything. Well indeed it was damn true. So, the ghost things are for real! But...

The voice continued, "Guess, you understand the reality. Sit on the chair." I did as it said. "I am Belladonna!" "Myself, Asteria" I found it weird to talk with the ghost well it's not like… I mean I am sitting alone and talking which looks like I am mentally retarded or something. "I know. I even followed you for some months." "So, you are the one who comes in my dream?" "Yeah! It's me. That was some part of my childhood. Let me tell you the whole story." "Umm...short it please." "As you say! I had a blissful life with my parents and an elder brother. Everything was going smooth and happiness filled our life. Soon, a man came inside our house. He was my father's brother...my paternal uncle. A new member entered in life, so we all were happy. He lived with us. But little bit, we don't know his plan was to take over my father's assets. He captured us and brutally tortured and kill us. He even got my dad's signature and took all the properties under his name." "Sad to hear! But what it has to do with me?" "I want to avenge for our lives... I want to take revenge on him. I just can't accept that I just died. So my spirit doesn't go anywhere to heaven nor hell. I am roaming here...thirsty for his blood. So I think of all the possible ways. I learnt that there is seven people look alike in the world. So I spent my past ten years following the other six in which one of them is you. I selected two persons for my revenge and in which u were also one. Following you both, I found you are a cynic, and she is a believer. The curiosity triggers more in a cynic than a believer because the believer believes everything and won't have a thirst to search. But the Cynic is not like that, at least to prove that they are wrong, they will search for it... They will go and hunt for it. So I came in your dreams and flashed all my childhood incidents. The curiosity triggered in you and moreover you are an orphan which was advantage to me. I don't mean to use your weakness, but I can't help myself. I need someone to help me... Lend me their shoulder. Even if I flashed these incidents in her, she would believe and just think it is just a dream. That's why I chose you. I guess you got all your answers."

"Yeah! But... Why did you start to choose us? How can I revenge for you?" "He is your college professor. His name is 'Adam Clarke'. He is taking your class too right. I want you to kill him. I don't know how you will... But I want you to kill him. He is the culprit of the college girl cases happened in your college for the past 5 years. If it shouldn't happen with any other girl... Kill him!" "Huh... What are you saying? I can't believe. Even though, how can I kill him?" "KILL HIM! KILL HIM!" And so, the voice fade away. I tried to talk, but there was no response. The window slammed open and shut making large noises. The half window glasses broke down. I slowly get up and walked down and found the door of the villa open. I walked out. Was it all true? Was it everything happened? But why there is no blood in my hands? Was it all my imagination? But it felt so real! With many questions, I lost in my thought. All of the sudden, a paper flew and stick over my face. I grabbed it and saw a sentence written with blood, "ARE YOU A CYNIC OR A BELIEVER?"