The night air was heavy. Even though it was summer, a strange chill ran through the corridor as the girls quietly snuck back into the school.
Prajwal held the flashlight while Swara checked the route ahead. Akshada tiptoed behind them, gripping Rutuja's hand tightly.
Anushka muttered, "Why do I feel like I'm going to trip over a ghost and end up in some horror reel?"
Darshana rolled her eyes. "Just walk straight and stop making weird jokes."
Swarali and Apurva were unusually quiet, their faces serious. Akshara tried to smile, but even she was feeling nervous now.
Srushti led the way to the basement door. "Okay. Ready?"
"No," Akshada said instantly. "But let's go."
The door creaked open, and the dusty smell hit them again. The air felt heavier than before. As they climbed down the stairs, they noticed something new—a faint humming sound.
"Do you hear that?" Swara asked, stopping mid-step.
"Yes," Prajwal whispered. "It wasn't there before."
When they reached the bottom, Akshara's flashlight flickered.
"Oh no. Not now," she said, tapping it.
Suddenly, the lights went off completely.
A pale glow started appearing in the far end of the room.
"Guys…" Rutuja whispered. "That… that wasn't there before."
A figure stood near the wall—a girl in a school uniform. Her face was pale, eyes glowing faintly, and long black hair fell over her shoulders.
"Niyati Sharma," Swara said, almost like she recognized her.
The ghost turned and looked straight at them.
"You found me," the spirit whispered.
Everyone stood frozen.
"I waited," she said. "All these years… no one came back."
Prajwal gathered her courage. "What happened to you?"
Niyati's spirit looked sad. "I trusted someone I shouldn't have. He locked me here. I tried to escape, but… no one heard me. I died alone."
Anushka, unusually silent, stepped forward. "Then what do you want now?"
The ghost replied, "Peace."
"But how do we help you?" asked Apurva.
The ghost pointed toward a loose tile on the wall. "My diary… it has the truth."
They carefully pulled the tile out. Behind it was a small, worn diary.
As soon as Swara took it out, the glowing figure began to fade.
"Thank you," Niyati whispered. "Now… I can go."
And with that, she disappeared.
The lights returned.
Everyone stood in silence, taking in what just happened.
Darshana finally said, "Okay… I think I peed a little."
That broke the tension, and they all laughed, nervously but together.
"Let's go," Prajwal said, holding the diary. "We have answers now."
And as they walked out of the basement, hand in hand, they knew something had changed.
They weren't just students anymore.
They were the ones who gave justice to a forgotten soul.
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