No one knows how many secrets, how many mysteries are hidden in the depth of nature. The deeper they go, the stronger becomes man’s curiosity to explore them. He never gives up unless he analyses these mysteries under the light of logics and reasons. For example when man heard the sound of thunder for the first time, he might have felt as if some unidentified supernatural power has come to alert. However he kept on exploring the truth behind these facts. As the facts were clear to him, all his imaginations took form of myths. These myths regarding the nature and its uncountable secrets travelled generations, decades. Even now when on the basis of scientific researches, man has reached to the moon and even explored the depths of the earth’s crust, those myths carry some importance. They exist to remind man that still there are some forbidden doors in the nature. The doors which should not be knocked.

 

North America, New York, Morning Glory Circle, #640 M Street. The last house on the left was sold out recently. The previous owner of the house, Stephen Harold had sold that house to Nicholas family at a very low price. For the new owner, Jack Nicholas, it was a honey deal. Nicholas family was all set to shift into that new house. And according to this story, it was the very day. With the truck filled with lot of boxes, reached Mr. Nicholas and his wife Agatha and their children, Tom and Nancy. The doors of the car opened.

                    “Children, you go and open the door. I just park the car in the garage backside. Here’s the key. Agatha, you check the boxes. Make sure those men lift them with care. There is a lot of fragile good inside those.”

                    “Alright honey. Hey kids, don’t run. Be careful.” – Agatha moved to the house following the children.

Keeping the boxes inside the house the laborers went away. It was now Agatha and the kids there. Jack was still in the back garage.

                    “Nancy, go find some switch board. The power must have gone. There should be the main switch somewhere.”

                    “Ok mom, I look for it.” – said Nancy. She was searching for the switch when all of a sudden her hand touched something. Next moment whole house was lightened. All of a sudden Agatha cried loudly. Listening to that Jack came running from the backside,

                    “What happened honey? Are you…” – the moment he saw it, he and the kids burst into laughter,

                    “Jeez, darling you scared the hell out of me. You see kids? No matter how much your mom has grown up. She still can’t stand a little lizard.”

                    “Jack, that was not funny.”

                    “Alright honey, I am going to meet the state agent who sold us this house. I got to inquire something to him about the previous owner of this house. You and children clean up a bit and then take some rest. I will be back in no time.” – said Jack.

                    “But what about that lizard honey?”

                    “Well, if it comes again, tell it that we already deposited the down payment for the house so legally, it is ours.” – and Jack went out laughing. Agatha and children started cleaning up the house.

Somewhere else Jack was sitting in the office of the state agent, Harry. They were talking over a cup of tea,

                    “See I know it is not mentioned in the attorney papers. But believe me. That is not going to be any issue.” – said Harry.

                    “Well thanks, Harry.” – said Jack, “Still I just want to know, for my own peace of mind. I came to know that there is a dispute over this property. I want to know all about it.”

                    “Sure, actually it was finalized that we should disclose everything to you once the deal is done. Actually the previous owner of this house, Mr. Stephen had inherited it. His father, Alfred Harold had made a will as per which after his death the whole of his property was to be divided equally into his sons – Stephen and Ernie. It was mentioned that if anything happens to any of his son then his property will be inherited by his family. In case he didn’t have a family, everything will be legally acquired by the other son. If both of them died leaving no inheritance behind then the property shall be donated to the church. After sometime, Ernie, the second son of Alfred died in a car crash. Everyone thought this had got to do something with Stephen. However there was no proof against him. Legally he was to acquire all of Ernie’s property when all of a sudden some mysterious lady appeared out of nowhere and with the help of certain documents and pictures, she proved herself to be the wife of Ernie. And so she got a legal inheritance over Ernie’s share. After that the lady was gone missing. After sometime we heard the news of death of Stephen’s wife. She was said to have committed suicide inside her house when Stephen was away. This all made Stephen lost his mind. He decided to sell out his house and move to some other place. And so he sold it to you.”

                    “Well, it doesn’t seem to be such an issue. But are you sure that legally we won’t face any sort of trouble over the possession?”

                    “Well, that I can guarantee you. You don’t have to worry about it.”

                    “Thanks.”

On the other hand Agatha, Tom and Nancy were still cleaning up. Agatha was in kitchen whereas children were in the basement.

                    “Hey, Nancy. Look at this.” – Tom showed Nancy what he found inside the basement. He was holding a wooden board on which there were some strange engravings.

                    “What is this? Something magical may be.” – Tom said, looking at it.

                    “We can use it for playing. Hey, look at those.” – said Nancy, pointing at something. Tom looked in that direction and discovered some ancient sculptures lying there.

                    “What are these?”

All of a sudden Agatha called from kitchen. Hearing her voice children ran upstairs leaving those things there inside the basement.

By now it was evening. The house was cleaned and set. Jack returned back.

                    “Hi honey,” – Agatha came running from kitchen. They kissed.

                    “Hi dear. Wow ! The house looks great.” – said Jack.

                    “Guess what? I am preparing special meal for dinner. After all it is our first day in this new house.”

                    “Great honey ! Where are children?”

                    “They are in their rooms. They went into the basement in afternoon and brought something from there to play with.”

                 “Well, even I have to go once in the basement and check it. There are some old trunks lying here. I guess we can keep them in basement. There must be enough space down there.”

                    “Dear, you just arrived. Must be tired.”

                    “Yeah right. Anyways, I guess I just go and check once right after the dinner. It won’t take long.”

                    “Be careful, Tom and Nancy told me there is no light in basement yet.”

                 “Don’t worry honey. Tonight is full moon. I am sure moonlight will certainly reach to basement through the exhaust opening. That much light is enough for me to just have a look inside.”

Night was bright. Escorted by uncountable stars in the sky, the full moon was staring down at earth. Winds were blowing strongly. Everything was quiet. The only thing that could be heard in that silence was the sound of crickets. All of a sudden the silence was completely broken as something had fallen down.

                    “Ouchh ! I guess hit something. This basement is filled with too much junk.”

All of a sudden Jack felt has his foot hit something lying on the floor. Jack picked it up. It was a wooden board. On the board there were some strange markings which were not clearly visible in the dim moonlight approaching in the basement. Jack put the torch light on the board. As he did so, those strange markings automatically started to arrange into an alphabetical script. Soon it took form of a statement. Jack read it,

                    “It says, to the angel of Shallow Springs, I am still in the state of great remorse for Dominick went through this because of me. So I beg of heaven not to hold any of my evil doings against him. May the holy river of Shallow Springs bless upon his soul. I hereby, as the proof of my apology, am going to commit suicide. But I promise to return back to get Dominick his justice. Karenina, the princess of Holy Town.”

As soon as Jack finished a bright light flashed all over. Jack was shocked for a moment for he remembered Agatha saying that there was no light in the basement. He looked through the exhaust opening of the basement only to have discovered that it was still night outside but it was brighter than the day inside the basement. All of a sudden he heard a voice –

                    “Don’t be scared. There is nothing that you should fear of. This is indeed time to celebrate.”

It was a female voice.

                    “Who are you and what do you want? And by the way why can’t I see you?” – said Jack, looking here and there. The voice continued….

                    “You can’t see me. However you have read my statement which made me reveal myself to you. I am Karenina, the princess of Holy Town.”

                    “……………….” – Jack was still stunned as he didn’t know how to comment or react to this situation.

                    “Since you have read my statement, it is only you whom I can seek help from.”

                    “Help?”

                    “Yes, to get justice for Dominick.”

                    “I don’t get anything. Who is Dominick? What has gone wrong with him?”

                    “I tell you. It happened centuries ago. I can’t be too certain about it but perhaps somewhere between 300 and 150 B.C. This area consisted of two major cities. Very beautiful, there was no other match for these two creations. Their boundaries were connected. One was named Shallow Springs and other was Holy Town. Shallow Springs was ruled by Harol who was commonly known as the angel of the Shallow Springs. Holy Town was ruled by Craptor. They both had friendly relations. Their relationship was leading to rapid growth and development of both the cities. But destiny wished for something else.

          Harol had two sons. Elder son was Phanton and younger one was called Dominick. Craptor had a son, Edger and a daughter Karenina. That was me. Both the kings wished to turn their friendship into relationship. The tradition was to marry off the elder son first so my marriage was fixed with Phanton, the elder son of Harol. I, however, was engaged with Dominick. Harol got the scent of it. To stop my affair with Dominick he fixed Dominick’s marriage with Katherine, the daughter of Spincino, the ruler of Sparrowland. Katherine did not agree with this for she was in love with my brother, Edger. As Edger came to know it, he tried to take on two birds with one stone. He even involved Phanton in this conspiracy. Phanton wanted me so badly that he agreed to conspire against his own brother. And together they were successful in killing Dominick. As Dominick was the only stone between, by removing him Phanton was to get me and Edger was to get Katherine. However my heart belonged to Dominick forever. I could never let anybody else acquire his rights on me. So I committed suicide. They buried my body inside the palace. Before dying I wrote a statement to my future father-in-law, Harol. The statement what you have just read.”

                    “So what help would you seek from me?”

                    “Do you know what happened to the previous owner of this house?”

                    “Yeah, I guess he went to Sen. Francisco after selling his old house to me when his wife committed….. you mean it was because of your curse?”

                    “You might have heard about a mysterious lady who came and inherited Ernie’s share by claiming to be his wife? That was my reflection. The only purpose for me to do that was to see how many people of Harold’s family were alive. Since they own the place, they would not be spared of my curse. I was looking for my revenge in the family line of Harold’s for I knew I would find it here. Edger and Katherine are reborn in Harold’s family. I already killed Katherine who was reborn as Stephen’s wife.”

                    “Well, that makes Stephen…”

                    “Edger.”

                    “So you want to kill Stephen now. But why didn’t you kill him right after you killed his wife?”

                    “Because it was necessary for this statement of mine to be revealed to someone. It was the only way Dominick’s spirit could be released. It is necessary that Stephen, like his wife, dies in this house. My curse is on this house so I can’t kill him unless he comes back here.”

                    “I won’t help you in committing murder. That story ended with that life. In this life Stephen has got nothing to do with you. You got no unfinished business here. On the contrary you have your hands stained with murder of Stephen’s wife.”

                    “The revenge of humans ends with life. The revenge of spirits goes after life. Now unless you bring Stephen here the curse won’t be over. Your wife and children are now a part of that curse too as you inhabited this house. If you want them safe you better bring Stephen here.”

                    “I can’t just go and kidnap Stephen and bring him here from Sen. Francisco. He will never come with me. He sold this house to me knowing that it is cursed. He won’t step back here.”

                    “Don’t worry. Just go and kidnap him. And bring him here.” – with this spirit of Karenina chanted loudly, “And nothing shall come your way.”

Agatha opened her eyes. It was a bright morning. She found that Jack was not on bed with her.

                    “Did he sleep in the basement last night?”

          And on the other hand someone was sitting in the state building office talking to the person in charge,

                    “I want to know the exact address.”

                    “Let me check our records sir. Oh, here it is. Note it down…”

On the other hand Agatha was talking to a police officer,

                    “He has gone missing since last night.”

                    “You didn’t try to get into basement when he didn’t return from there till late night?”

                    “Oh, I never knew. You see I have insomnia and I have to take sedative to sleep. I had taken soon after he went down to the basement.”

                    “Can I inspect your basement?”

                    “Sure.”

Sen. Francisco, a person came out of his apartment and took a cab,

                    “Third Avenue please.”

And the cab went on. After sometime the person realized that the cab had taken wrong turn,

                    “Hey, where you going? That way doesn’t go to Third Avenue. That goes to the airport”

                    “So are we.”

                    “What do you mean? Who the hell are…” – as the person on driver’s seat turned back, the person on passenger’s seat was shocked as he recognized him,

                    “Jack. What are you doing here? And where are you taking me to?”

                    “I am here to take you back to my house. I mean your old house. I don’t have time to explain it.”

                    “I am not going to my old house ever again.”

To this Jack didn’t answer. He just kept on driving,

                    “I say pull over right now.”

                    “Good. Keep saying it.”

Soon they were inside the airport building.

                    “Here are your boarding passes. Have a happy journey.”

                   “You see madam. He has kidnapped me. He is taking me to New York forcefully. Just call the police.”

                    “Don’t worry sir. Everything is fine. Just proceed this way.”

Stephen couldn’t understand why no one was taking him seriously there. Same happened in the custom checking room. And even in the flight. Stephen kept on shouting that he was kidnapped. But no one took it seriously or did anything about it. Soon they landed in New York. Jack and Stephen came out of the airport and took a cab. As the cab was going on a police patrol car followed it. Hearing the siren the driver stopped the cab. Policemen approached to the cab,

                    “Hey, isn’t that the man who Officer Grant told, has gone missing since last night?”

                    “Well, I guess so. Let’s ask him.”

They came near the cab. Jack and Stephen got out of the car. As soon as cops came near to them, Stephen started shouting again,

                    “Officer, please help me. You got to help me. He has kidnapped me. He came all the way to Sen. Francisco to kidnap me and bring me here. Please arrest him.”

The officers looked at Stephen and then at Jack and they one of them said,

                    “Carry on sir. Don’t worry; we were just looking for some suspect. Sorry to stop you in the way.”

                    “Hey, what are you doing?” – Stephen was not getting it. Whoever tried to stop them had ended up in helping them further. And the taxi moved on the street.

Soon they were at the house. Agatha came running to Jack,

                    “Oh Jack, where were you? Where did you go last night? And,….and what is he doing here?”

In the reply Jack didn’t say anything. For he knew the final destination where he had to take Stephen,

                    “To the basement.”

They stepped into the basement. As soon as they entered down there the weather changed mysteriously outside. There was a full moon night that could easily be seen through the exhaust of the basement. North-west winds changed their direction and started moving towards south. By the time Agatha had called Officer Grant.

                    “Strange it is. I was also coming to you Mrs. Nicholas. There is something very strange that came to my knowledge. Today morning, Jack was seen in Sen. Francisco. He kidnapped Stephen from there and brought here. Stephen tried to seek help from the people but it was really strange that whosoever came near to them was kind of spellbound and ended helping Jack. Even he was spotted by our cops but they also couldn’t help it as they approached near to Jack. Anyways, I am coming to there.”

          Jack and Stephen were standing in the basement. All of a sudden a light flashed inside the basement and appeared a figure. She had her lips more pink than a fresh rose; her golden and curly hairs were trying to kiss her rosy cheeks. She was goddess of beauty, princess of Holy town – Karenina. She shouted like a thunder,

                    “Today I will get Dominick his justice and his spirit shall be free.”

Right at that moment Jack felt as if he came back into his senses,

                    “Stop Karenina, I won’t let you do it.”

                    “You think you could stop me? You forgot that it is me who made you bring him here. All the people you came across helped you only in kidnapping him. Because I had put a charm upon you. And now it’s time.”

By the time Agatha along with Tom and Nancy had stepped inside the basement. Officer Grant was also there. But he wasn’t able to decide what to do for he knew that he could not do anything about it, except for watching it.

                    A flash of thunder struck down. Jack rushed to push Stephen aside. At the same time Nancy who became very scared ran towards her father, ending up coming across the light wave. With a loud cry she fell down on floor and lost her conscious.

                    “Nancy.” – Jack and Agatha ran towards her. Little Tom was scared enough that he ran upstairs. Agatha and Jack checked Nancy’s pulse. She was no more. Her little heart had stopped. Her breaths were frozen.

Karenina stared at them and immediately glanced back to Stephen who was slowly regressing towards the staircase, trying to attempt an escape out of the house.

                    “This won’t work.” – shouted Karenina.

Next moment another light wave struck from the sky, aiming at Stephen. All of a sudden Jack picked up the wooden board and threw it towards Stephen. The board came between Stephen and the striking light wave. Next moment the board was turned into ashes and right after that the a voice echoed in the basement,

                    “Stop that Karenina.”

Karenina immediately recognized the voice and bowed down. Another spirit appeared in the air. This was spirit of an old man, dressed like a king.

                    “My lord,” – said Karenina, “Please accept greetings from your daughter-in-law.”

                    “He is Harol?” – thought Jack, “Father of Dominick.”

                    “My daughter,” – said Harol, “It is time you put this to end. You must know that Dominick’s spirit wasn’t released because he was betrayed and killed by his own brother Phanton. But because you committed suicide. Dominick was so attached to you that his spirit couldn’t detach from your statement that you were committing suicide. And somehow it was my fault too. Knowing that you love Dominick and not Phanton, I deliberately fixed your marriage with Phanton. Love is above all customs, above all traditions. I must have known. Now that the statement you made is destroyed by none other than you, Dominick’s spirit is set free. But I afraid your spirit won’t be able to meet Dominick again as you have committed a sin, killing a little innocent girl even though you didn’t intend to do so. Dominick will now reborn again but you won’t be allowed to reborn for centuries unless your sin is washed away by your guilt.”

                    “My lord, I am really guilty for what I did. But I don’t want to live separately from Dominick for another long eternal space. Already I have spent endless time waiting for him. Shouldn’t that time be paid back to me?”

                    “Hmm, there is only one solution to it, as I see.” – and with this Harol and Karenina disappeared. The light was also gone. For a moment everyone became quiet. After a long silent, finally Officer Grant said to Stephen,

                    “I guess you might wish to return now.”

                    “Yes.” – said Stephen. Then Officer Grant turned towards Jack and Agatha who were still in state of shock.

                    “I just can’t begin to imagine what pain you are experiencing. But I can only….”

Before he could finish, Nancy stood up, rubbing her eyes and yawning,

                    “Dad, what’s going on here? Why I am in the basement?”

Jack and Agatha, out of joy ran towards Nancy and hugged her,

                    “Mom, Dad. Please, you are hugging me in front of strangers.”

And they all started laughing.

                    “I guess finally the curse is over and Karenina, as her apology, returned our daughter’s life to us.” – said Jack.

                    And everything went back to normal. Jack and Agatha were living joyful life in that house along with their children who slowly grew up. And after 20 years,

                    “So Mr. Douglas, what have you thought about it?”

                    “Well, I tell you Mr. Nicholas, who are we to decide between the true lovers? When my son Marc told me that he liked your daughter Nancy, I had decided to talk to you.”

                    “Well, Children these days guide their own life, their own future. We must understand this and help them in that.”

                    “By the way, where are they?”

                    “Oh, Marc took Nancy to show his room. I guess they want to talk in alone.” – said Mr. Douglas, taking a puff of his cigar.

And inside the bedroom were sitting Marc and Nancy, holding each other in arms and kissing,

                    “I have always loved you dear.”

                    “Me too.”

                    “When I first saw you in college, I immediately realized that you are the one. That we are made for each other.”

                    “We have waited this moment for so long.”

                    “Now it’s time we share it.” – and with that Nancy and Marc kissed passionately. And between their kisses their trembling lips whispered to each other,

                    “Oh, Dominick.”

                    “Karenina, I love you.”