Storyy Hut

My toes wriggled in my boots, a smile playing on my lips as I stood at the entrance of my new flat, the one I’d just leased. From the day I first went downtown with all its vibrant hues and sweet commotion bustling with activity, I longed to move to this part of the city. When I found a decent apartment near the square at an incredible rent, I knew I couldn’t let the opportunity slide. I opened the door to let the musky air out and stepped inside. It was a typical two-bedroom apartment with its enormous white walls begging to be decorated. The place was still empty, but the movers were to arrive any second. It was a modest bargain, understandable given the price, but this prime location made up for it. I turned on the fan and, taking in a deep breath, slumped against the wall. I relished the scene of the empty apartment, my body tingling with a sense of achievement. I had managed to get a place to stay in a decent neighborhood, all by myself. Despite initial apprehensions about the

  Year – 2003: Jayant was returning from the cold, picturesque town of Manali after dropping off his passengers, a newlywed couple on holiday. Their incessant stoppages, coupled with the endless queue of cars around the time-honored settlement nestled within the enchanting Himalayas, meant he had to depart at dusk. The crimson hue of the sunset was a sweet foreboding of the imminent hours of darkness and the menacing phenomena that these revered ancient hills brought with them. Jayant, despite being conditioned by his orthodox family, had never been a keen follower of spirituality, but he had heard his share of tales of spirits haunting the woods of these mystical hills. As the path ahead of him twisted and turned, he smiled at the recollection of such creations of the mind. The first leg of the journey went comfortably; he even managed a stopover at a roadside eatery attached to a small motel. There, he met Sajan Singh, a fellow trucker out on a commercial assignment in these lone

As I sat up in bed, the realization of the nightmare's grim reality weighed heavily on my mind, grappling with a mix of fear and curiosity. How could something so hauntingly vivid surpass the realm of dreams and manifest itself in this waking reality? This question wildly swirled around in my brain, pushing me to the verge of losing my mind . My mind frantically searched for a justification or a possibility that could explain this abnormal occurrence but the exercise went futile… I had a plethora of questions but all the just answers seemed elusive. Just then the alarm clock beeped besides me, dragging me out of this trance. “Today is a special day; please don’t ruin it” I reminded myself as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and rose unsteadily onto my feet. The room felt different now, charged with an eerie energy that made my skin prickle with unease. By the time I had freshened up and put-on the baggiest pullover I owned to hide my bruised-up wrist, a marvelous odor fill

My 16th birthday was just around the corner and my parents, undoubtedly knowing how much the day meant to me decided to throw a party for all of my friends at none other than Uncle Ben’s restaurant which was a small place owned by my father’s friend, Mr. Ben. Talking about the restaurant, it was a decent sized place, nothing too remarkable, with its basement utilized as a separate area for celebrations especially birthdays however the fact that it was located far from the city, amidst the woods and adjacent to the eerie mountainous highway was rather exciting after all, I didn’t mind getting a little scared. The night before the big day was filled with anticipation as I snuggled into bed with utter bliss. However, I had trouble drifting off to sleep in the dimly lit and a heavily clouded night. I listened intently to the light showers of rain outside the window as the wind howled and trees rustled. Eventually, a moment of silence prevailed, allowing my mind to finally give

In the picturesque town of Shimla, which is located in the Indian hills of the state of Himachal Pradesh, it was a brisk autumn night. The leaves had started to change their shade, casting a warm golden and crimson hue over the landscape and I, for one, couldn't help but be drawn towards the alluring aroma of adventure that was in the air as I leisurely strolled along the crowded Mall Road, captivated by the vibrant energy and the melodic chatter of passersby. Then, amid the lively atmosphere, a strange sight caught my eye: a new bar hidden among the charming storefronts. I was drawn in by its vintage exterior, which promised an adventure and a lively atmosphere within its enigmatic walls. I hesitated for a moment, intrigued but eager for a break from the bustle of daily life. I then made the rash decision to enter this unfamiliar establishment, completely unaware of the enigmatic journey that awaited me beyond its doors, with an inquisitive smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

Profound silence had engulfed the room. I sat at the table with a heavy heart… my gaze affixed on a sheet of paper with the English alphabets laid in front of me. I looked up… on my either side sat Kenji and Ichiro whose eyes were keenly fixated upon the same piece of paper. I gulped. “Do you really wish to do this?” I asked partly expecting them to forego this adventure. They didn’t speak but much to my dismay Ichiro plainly nodded, his brow filled with sweat and his nostrils flared. I shifted my gaze to Kenji who sat with an unusual composure. I looked intently for any signs of uneasiness but couldn’t make out any. “Let’s review the rules once” Kenji Spoke raising his eyes to look at both of us “You go first, Jake” “We keep our fingers on the coin calling out to kokkuri san” “We take turns asking questions” “Don’t leave the coin until the game is finished” Ichiro spoke in a grim voice "Once the game is finished… we spend the coin” I concluded. “Good… Seems like we are good to go