The Psychological Enigma

I adjusted myself on the rear seat as my father drove precariously over the rough terrain. There had been a sporadic decline in the temperature and the daylight had dwindled significantly. I was captivated by the sight of the verdant landscape that encircled us. The old bungalow stood atop a hillock, amidst the desolate landscape.

We drove through the winding roadway and came to a halt a few meters ahead of the main gate leading to the bungalow. I aided my father in pulling down the luggage from the dickey. We were greeted by an overgrowth of bushes as we pushed open the creaking, old, rusted gate. The white walls of the bungalow had been bespangled by lichens. The twigs beneath our feet crackled as we walked over to the balcony. As we stood on the balcony, my father turned the knob and propelled the door open.

The interior of the bungalow had a tenebrous aura. An old, malfunctioning television had been placed on the wall overlooking the door. An intricately designed, golden clock stood on a pillar adjacent to it. An L-shaped black leather sofa had been placed perpendicular to the pillar. An oval-shaped table stood at the center of the living room. 

An eerie chill crept down my spine as I found myself in the midst of the dark and gloomy bungalow. The curtains had been pulled over and little light seeped into the house. A long, dark corridor opened to the right of the pillar. The corridor opened into the kitchen and two rooms on the way. It culminated into the master bedroom which overlooked the verdant landscape.

My father sighed as he put down the luggage on the floor.

"The house has lost its color after the demise of your grandparents. We have been here after a long time," my father said in a grief-stricken voice.

I slightly nodded. It had been six years since I had come here the last time. I was nine years old back then.

"Let's head to the rooms and freshen up," my mother broke the eerie silence which had begun to cloak the atmosphere.

My father nodded as we walked through the dimly-lit corridor. We were greeted by the grotesque portraits which hung on the walls on either side. We placed our luggage at the farthest corner of the master bed room. We soon had a bath and changed in to fresh clothes. We had been overcome by fatigue after a strenuous day. We longed for a rest which had been denied to us for a long time. My parents rested in the master bedroom, while I shifted to an another room.

The vicinity was cloaked by a sheet of absolute darkness after a few hours. I had been propelled out of my deep slumber by the susurration of the thunderstorm. I reached out for my slippers as I walked over to the room my parents had been resting in. But, they were not there! Sweat trickled down my forehead as an unknown dread crept through me. But just then, I shrieked as I was called by an intimidating voice. 

"Where are you Raghav!" my father called in a terrifying voice.

I turned around to find my parents. But, they had a hideous form. I shuddered at their sight. Their eyes were bulging out of their sockets, and blood was dripping down their body. They had disheveled hair and they had been grasping a dagger in their hand. I shuddered and my eyes dilated. Sweat trickled down my forehead as terror swept across me. I clung to the walls to support my wobbly legs. They were coming closer! closer! closer! My blood froze as death lurked a few inches away. 

But, I mustered my courage and supported my wobbly legs. I took refuge in the closest room and bolted it from inside. The door shook with the impact of their arms. They bellowed as they attempted to break open the door. Splinters of wood flew from the door with every impact. I whimpered as I sank into a corner of the room. I knew that the door would flow open any moment. I knew I had to do something, as I glanced at an axe which had been sprawled on the floor.

The door flung open with the final impact. The room had been shrouded by absolute darkness. They groped for their way as they looked around for me. As they turned around, I flung the axe from behind and decapitated their heads. Their screams reverberated through the desolate landscape as they struggled for life. Their blood had been splattered on the floor. I was soaked in their gore. I knelt down on the floor beside their decapitated bodies as a thick mist began to cloak the atmosphere.

My eyes fluttered as I regained consciousness after an indefinite period of time. The sun shone brightly and light seeped in through a window. I found myself in the kitchen as I was brought back to my senses. I shuddered at the sight of the decapitated bodies of my parents, which had been sprawled on the floor beside me. I was flabbergasted to find an axe in one of my arms. I regained my senses as I recalled what had befallen on our family the other night. I knew that I had committed a hideous crime. I was to blame for their death. But, it was too late. 

I screamed in affliction as I found myself in the midst of the desolate bungalow which had cloaked itself in oblivion.