Help Us

The first name that popped in Martin's mind was Vanessa. After having so many conversations with Vanessa, Martin knew that she is related to or at least knows people who have knowledge of magic. Karan and him went to the college library and texted Vanessa too. It was past 10 in the night and very few students were there in the library. Although they wanted to go somewhere more quiet, Martin couldn't think of one. 

The trio chose the corner table for their discussion. Martin explained the whole situation to her. She immediately understood, "this is dark magic. Didn't you feel something? Pain somewhere?" While they both were conversing, Karan was listening and questioning himself, "do all these things exist? Dark Magic!" Martin went on, "yes, yes, I felt pain in my forehead all of a sudden in the evening. It was very sharp and unbearable." 

Vanessa said, "hmm, I see, did you go somewhere?" 

"I went to Brian's home, why?"

"Maybe someone felt your aura and came to know about your abilities. It wants to take you, own you."

Karan interrupted, "what abilities?"

Vanessa got disturbed and said in a somewhat frustrated tone, "you didn't tell him. Is it okay to involve him in these situations?" 

Martin defended his friend, "he is trustworthy…", paused and continued, "I think so."

Vanessa continued, giving a piece of advice, "firstly, we need to visit my mother. She is a psychic. She can help with all these. And carry that thing along," pointing at the zipped packet containing a human finger.

The next day, they all skipped classes and went to Newlands, Vanessa's hometown. Diana was prepared beforehand, she welcomed and served them with the eatables from the bakery her daughter works at. Diana can see the past and future and even dangers around that person by touching their hands. She meditated and did rituals, as a result she gained this power. "Martin, give me your hand." She held Martin's hand and closed her eyes. 

She saw a woman from the back, performing witchcraft in front of fire flames. She poked a pin inside the voodoo doll while chanting some mantras. Shortly after, she fell short of blood to perform further rituals so she disguised herself as a man from head to toe, unrecognizable as a woman. She went to a shore searching for a source of human blood and saw a drunkard. She took out her knife and began chasing him down. The drunkard pleaded for his life to be spared, but was lashed with a knife on his jaw. While trying to save himself, he lost his little finger. Alas, the drunkard lost his life, all his efforts went in vain. The woman took the little finger with herself. She extracted the blood out of that man until not a single drop was left in his body. She put that finger in his room with magic to make him feel uneasy and frightened. And the woman succeeded in doing so, as Martin was easily frightened, this was something out of the blue experienced by him. 

Diana opened her eyes and looked at the students, and uttered, "someone has an eye on you all, be careful." "Can't you find out who it is?" Vanessa inquired. "I'm sorry, but I am sure that you have come face-to-face with this person in the past. She is aware of the powers," Diana said this much and became quiet. 

"It's afternoon already, I think you all should go back to your hostel. I couldn't prepare lunch because I was in haste but it was nice meeting your friends, Vanessa. And also one more thing, the black magic is powerful at night and at its peak at midnight. Be careful and be conscious of the things you come in contact with, as they may contain dark energy." While the other two went outside the house, Vanessa asked her mother, "something's wrong right? Your condition doesn't seem good at all. Tell me." 

"No child, I'm alright. My blood pressure is low, due to which I'm sweating. I forgot to take the pill in the morning today. I'm all okay," she tried to convince her kid to not accompany her that day. Vanessa went out of the house notwithstanding that something was definitely off.

"Let's have lunch in a restaurant," Karan said as if nothing had just happened. 

"Your friend is strange, seriously," Vanessa said followed by a nod of acceptance from Martin.

"I'll pay," it was the first time Martin saw Karan offer to pay.

Soon after he said that, both of them agreed and sprinted inside a restaurant to find a table. Vanessa picked up the menu and continued to pick up the most expensive dishes out of it. "If I have an opportunity to eat the food I dreamt of but had no one to pay for me, then let me not refuse this chance," Vanessa thought. "Guys, I'm offering to pay doesn't mean that I am wealthy," Karan said, receiving only ignorance. 

Vanessa's eyes glittered as she saw the warm, freshly baked lasagnas, pizzas approaching towards her. She dug into the food, "slowly", was Martin's response while Karan gave her a side eye. 

Satisfied by the mouth-watering dish and the awakening of her inner child's soul, she began interrogating, "what's your name by the way, I have never asked?" 

"Karan is my name."

Vanessa remembered something and said excitedly, "I said the same way when I met Martin, 'Vanessa is my name'. My name is Vanessa actually. We both were acquainted before joining the college." 

"I actually know your name. But only your name."

"How do you know? He talks about me?"

Martin gave a look while separating the pizza piece from the rest. "No, never. When did I ever?"

"I heard her name for the first time from your mouth. You forgot. Who else knows her except you? Even 

Brian doesn't know."

"I guess my name is being spread unconsciously," Vanessa uttered.