Nightfall...
The Highland Leaf – Restaurant & Inn...
A silver glow bathed the misty hills of Ooty as the full moon finally ascended into the sky.
Clouds hovered restlessly,
As if uneasy with what was about to unfold. An eerie stillness wrapped around The Highland Leaf – Restaurant & Inn, its windows shuttered, lights dimmed, and doors firmly locked.
Inside, the hotel was deserted —
No guests, no staff.
Rudra had declared a full day of leave and made sure every employee was safely sent home before sunset.
Only a handful remained within the building's walls —
Those he trusted with their lives.
Junoo, Amirtha, Shiva, Sandeep, Ravi, Guru Arvind, Anish and his family and Rudra himself were gathered inside the hidden surveillance room —
A secret chamber modified into a secure command post.
The room was small but well-equipped: glowing glyphs flickered softly across the floor, multiple monitors displayed security camera feeds from around the building,
And a single arcane console hummed quietly in the corner.
Helene stood near the back, partially phasing in and out as if the environment disturbed her ghostly form.
She floated close to the walls.
Hammy, now curled up on a pillow beside Rudra's shoulder, muttered softly while munching a nut.
"This doesn't feel cosy anymore. Nope. Not at all. Even my tail's on edge."
Helene, still flickering, replied in a faint, ethereal voice that only Rudra and she could understand,
"That's because he is near. I can feel him. Jack's spirit always hungers for fear… and the moon feeds him."
Everyone turned to her.
Rudra stepped forward, arms crossed, eyes narrowed.
"You said this room will hold him off."
Helene nodded.
Nod~
"Yes. He can't enter places that have been... 'changed' — altered from their original memory. It disrupts his path. But that doesn't mean he can't wait outside."
Amirtha furrowed her brow.
"So we're safe for now... but trapped."
Guru Arvind placed a hand on Rudra's shoulder.
"We've faced worse. If we can figure out why Jack is drawn here... maybe we can end this tonight."
Ravi broke the tension.
"So... just to clarify… this is supposed to be Rudra's birthday night, right?"
Hammy piped up, chewing noisily,
"Worst. Birthday. Ever."
That drew a small laugh from Sandeep, but it faded quickly.
Even though he couldn't understand its language, but looked at the human-like expression and mimicry of the Hammy.
Everyone's attention shifted to the screens, which began to flicker with interference.
Rudra turned serious.
"He's here."
One by one, the external security feeds glitched, static crackling across the screens —
Until finally, on the front gate camera, a faint silhouette appeared in the distance.
A bone-chilling wind swept through the hotel's front garden as the security monitors flickered violently once more.
Then, as if pulled from a haunting memory,
Jack appeared before the hotel gates.
He was tall and imposing, wearing a tattered British military uniform —
a relic from a time long past.
His head was bald, the skin leathery and pale under the moonlight.
A thick moustache curled under his nose, and a dark eyepatch covered his right eye.
Between his lips burned a thick, half-smoked cigar, its ember pulsing like a heartbeat in the dark.
He stood motionless for a second, exhaling smoke as he glared directly at the inn.
PUFF.
"____"
Then, without anyone touching the mechanism, the hotel's iron gate creaked open on its own.
Creak~
Inside the hidden surveillance room, Helene froze.
"____"
Her translucent form trembled as her wide, ghostly eyes locked onto the screen.
Slowly, as if compelled by instinct, she drifted closer to Rudra, her fear palpable.
"She never reacts like this..."
whispered Amirtha.
Pin-drop silence fell over the room as Jack took his first step onto the hotel grounds.
And then, he spoke —
His voice was gravelly, unnervingly calm.
"Helene... I know you're watching."
He took another puff from his cigar and looked up at the security camera —
as though he could see through it.
"____"
Helene didn't reply.
She clung closer to Rudra, her form flickering like a dying flame.
A dark smirk stretched across Jack's face.
Smirk~
"As expected. Hiding, like always. I'm not here for you."
He turned away, began walking toward the hotel entrance, and flicked ash from his cigar.
"I've come for something else tonight."
The others inside the room watched in horrified silence as Jack began his search —
Room by room, hall by hall.
Security screens showed him moving with unnatural grace, opening locked doors with invisible force.
But true to Helene's words, he never once approached the hidden surveillance room.
For the entire night,
Jack prowled the hotel, muttering to himself, occasionally chuckling, and leaving behind trails of cold mist and burnt cigar ash.
Finally, as the first light of dawn broke over the hills,
Jack stopped in the lobby.
AHHHHHHH!
He stood still for a moment… then let out a loud, inhuman screech, filled with rage and frustration —
A sound that made every light bulb in the hotel flicker.
And in the next instant… he vanished.
The room fell dead silent.
And then —
Slowly, everyone in the surveillance room let out a collective breath of relief.
"____"
"____"
"____"
Sigh~
Hammy broke the silence, tail twitching.
"Okay. Who's voting for never opening that gate again?"
Even Helene managed a small, nervous smile.
Rudra looked toward the monitors, serious.
He was in deep thought about what Jack had previously talked about.
Earlier that night,
As Jack's spirit wandered through the hotel halls,
Rudra and the others had picked up on something strange —
a name Jack had uttered while muttering to himself:
"Ayenpuram... You think I've forgotten? You left me to rot there."
The name stuck in Rudra's mind like a thorn.
After Jack vanished with the sunrise and the group had calmed down,
Rudra turned to Helene, who was still visibly shaken.
"Helene... Ayenpuram. Does that name mean anything to you?"
Helene looked up, her ghostly eyes wide.
"It was... the village Jack oversaw when he was alive. He was posted there during the colonial times. It was said to be land filled with dangerous rebels even before he arrived..."
Guru Arvind folded his arms, his brow furrowed.
"A place tied to Jack's life... and death. If we want to understand him, we must start there."
Rudra nodded solemnly.
"Then we go to Ayenpuram."
Immediately, Rudra pulled out his phone.
With Shiva, Sandeep, and Ravi gathered around, they began searching.
"Found it,"
Ravi muttered, pointing to the screen.
"It's a remote village, deep in the forest. It doesn't even have proper road access... but Google Maps picked up a trail leading close to it."
Sandeep added,
"Looks like this village is a haunted one, according to the villagers."
Rudra's eyes narrowed.
"Perfect. That's where our answers lie."
Guru Arvind placed a hand on Rudra's shoulder.
"If you're going there... be ready. The past has long arms. And this place might not just hold Jack's history… but his unfinished vengeance."
As the tension from Jack's departure and the looming mystery of Ayenpuram still lingered in the air, the first light of dawn began to seep through the windows.
The group sat in silence, minds clouded with the weight of what lay ahead.
"____"
"____"
"____"
Suddenly, Ravi stood up and, without a word, grabbed Rudra's hand.
"Ravi?"
Rudra blinked in surprise.
"What—?"
But Ravi didn't answer.
"____"
With a determined expression, he pulled Rudra away from the group, startling everyone.
Rudra stumbled behind him, confused, glancing back at Guru Arvind, Helene, and the others.
"Where are you taking me?"
Rudra asked, half-laughing, half-worried.
The others stood and began to follow —
Sandeep, Amirtha, Junoo, and Shiva —
Each of them suddenly smiled in understanding.
Only Ravi didn't look back.
He opened the door to one of the rooms —
Decorated with hand-drawn banners, strings of fairy lights, and a small cake placed on the centre table.
Balloons clung to the ceiling, and a few awkwardly shaped paper hats sat on a side tray.
There was even a garland of fresh flowers arranged hastily around Rudra's name, spelt in paper letters on the wall.
Rudra stood frozen.
"____"
"…This…"
Ravi finally turned, his eyes a little glassy but full of emotion.
"We planned this."
He said softly.
"Me, Sandeep, Shiva, Amirtha… Junoo helped us too. Before all this Jack madness happened… we were going to surprise you."
Sandeep stepped forward with a small grin.
Grin~
"We even argued over what cake to get."
Amirtha chuckled.
Chuckle~
"Shiva wanted chocolate. Ravi insisted on butterscotch."
"And we settled on marble,"
Junoo said, holding up the cake box with a smile.
Ravi continued, his voice more serious now.
"Back in the orphanage… birthdays weren't just birthdays, Rudra. They were reminders we mattered. That someone remembered we existed. And this year… we wanted you to feel that too."
Rudra looked at them, his eyes softening, throat tightening.
In the middle of danger, ghosts, and enemies…
This moment shone like a warm light in the darkness.
He stepped forward, gently placing a hand on Ravi's shoulder.
"Thank you,"
He said, voice low with emotion.
"Truly. This… means more than I can say."
Sandeep handed him a party hat.
"Then shut up and put this on."
Laughter erupted through the room, even from Junoo and Amirtha.
Even Helene, still slightly translucent, floated to the doorway, smiling faintly.
And so, for a few precious moments, the questions about Ayenpuram, the fear of Jack, and the weight of destiny faded.
The birthday celebration was in full swing as Rudra stood before the cake,
The soft glow of candles danced in his eyes.
Surrounded by his closest friends—
Sandeep, Shiva, Ravi, Amirtha, and Junoo—
He smiled and made a silent wish before cutting the first slice.
But before he could even lift the piece,
Sandeep grinned mischievously and slammed a chunk of cake into Rudra's face.
The others burst into laughter, quickly joining in and smearing more frosting over him.
The room filled with cheerful chaos, the kind only true friendships could create.
In the midst of the laughter,
Rudra suddenly froze as a familiar chime echoed in his mind—
The tone only he could hear.
[DING...]
[Congratulations, Rudra! You have reached the age of 20.
Birthday Reward: Sanjeevani Leaves ×4
Description: A rare and mystical herb with divine properties. Can heal any disease and revive someone from the brink of death.]
Rudra's eyes widened.
"____"
'Sanjeevani Leaves…?'
This was no ordinary reward.
It was the stuff of legends.
He blinked at the notification, stunned.
In all the time he had lived with the system, it had never once acknowledged his birthday—
Let alone given him a gift.
A soft, warm smile crept onto his face beneath the smudges of cake.
'Thank you…'
He thought, not just to the system—
But to the life he had now.
A life filled with chaos, danger… and people who truly cared.
And for once, he allowed himself to just enjoy the moment.
After the chaotic yet joyful birthday cake battle, the celebration moved into a quieter phase—
Gift giving.
Rudra, wiping frosting from his face and still chuckling, was handed a small, carefully wrapped box by Amirtha.
Chuckle~
"Open it."
She said with a warm smile.
Inside, nestled in velvet, was a sleek Rolex watch, its black and gold design subtle yet elegant.
"Something timeless for someone who always runs out of time,"
Amirtha said teasingly.
Rudra gave a soft laugh, genuinely touched.
Next came Junoo, who handed him a bright, oddly shaped bundle.
When Rudra unwrapped it, he found a squishy doll—
An adorable, exaggerated squirrel that looked suspiciously like Hammy.
"It's stress relief."
Junoo said seriously.
"Or at least something to remind you of your tiny troublemaker."
Rudra grinned, holding it up.
"Hammy's going to be jealous."
Then came Sandeep, Ravi, and Shiva, who huddled together, grinning like they were guarding a secret treasure.
"We have a big surprise for you."
Ravi said.
"But…"
Sandeep continued.
"…we can't give it to you just yet,"
Shiva finished.
Rudra raised an eyebrow.
"That sounds suspicious."
"Trust us,"
They all said in unison.
Guru Arvind, standing quietly near the back, stepped forward with a small black key.
He handed it to Rudra without a word.
Rudra looked at the key, then at him questioningly.
"It's parked outside."
Arvind said calmly.
"A Royal Enfield, black. I thought it was time you had your own ride."
Rudra's jaw dropped.
"____"
"Guruji… you didn't have to—"
"I know,"
Arvind interrupted,
"But I wanted to."
The final group was Anish and his family.
They stepped forward, looking a little embarrassed.
"We… didn't know it was your birthday."
Anish admitted, rubbing the back of his neck.
"If we had known, we'd have brought something proper."
His wife added quickly.
Instead, they offered an envelope with some money—
An old tradition, but heartfelt.
"It's just a small token,"
Anish said.
"For all you've done for us… and for keeping us safe."
Rudra smiled, accepting it with a small bow.
"Your presence and blessings are more than enough."
As he stood among friends and new family, surrounded by laughter, gifts, and good intentions,
Rudra felt something—peace.
The day slipped back into routine as the hotel reopened and the staff returned to work.
Guests trickled in, and the usual sounds of clinking cutlery and murmured conversations brought back the hum of normalcy.
Yet beneath the calm surface, something was brewing.
As evening approached,
Shiva, Sandeep, and Ravi huddled together in one of the rooms, whispering and laughing like schoolboys with a secret.
They soon cornered Rudra and handed him a brand-new outfit—
Stylish, a bit too flashy for his usual taste,
But definitely something meant for a night out.
"Put this on."
Shiva said with a grin that bordered on mischievous.
"Why does this shirt sparkle?"
Rudra asked, eyeing the fabric suspiciously.
"Just wear it, bro."
Ravi insisted.
"Trust us. You'll look great."
Before Rudra could protest, they practically shoved him into the bathroom to change.
When he stepped out, looking mildly confused and definitely overdressed for a normal evening, they cheered.
"Perfect!"
Sandeep clapped his hands.
"Now let's go!"
As they made their way to the front, they ran into Junoo and Amirtha, who raised their eyebrows the moment they saw Rudra in the flashy outfit.
"And where exactly are you three taking him dressed like that?"
Junoo asked suspiciously, arms folded.
Shiva, Ravi, and Sandeep immediately looked in different directions, avoiding her gaze like guilty teenagers.
"We're just… You know… going out to look around,"
Ravi mumbled.
"Yeah, just out for a bit of air,"
Added Sandeep, far too quickly.
"Won't be long,"
Shiva said, trying to sound casual but failing miserably.
Amirtha narrowed her eyes.
"You three are terrible liars."
But before she could press further, they had already half-dragged Rudra out the door, waving awkwardly as they disappeared down the steps.
They made a beeline for the parking lot, where Ravi held up a familiar set of keys with a proud smile.
"Courtesy of Guru Arvind,"
He said, dangling the keys to the car.
"Wait—where are we going?"
Rudra asked, glancing between them.
"You'll see,"
Shiva said with a wink as he climbed into the passenger seat.
Wink~
"Just enjoy the ride, birthday boy."
**********************************************************************************************************************************************************
(Author's POV)
(A/N):
Thanks for reading the chapter!
Please give a review!!! And power stone!!!
Which will motivate me more?