1890s

A whole week had passed, and my patience was wearing thin as I eagerly awaited the arrival of the remaining files. The hospital had become my temporary residence, and it was taking a toll on my spirits. The air was heavy with the smell of antiseptics and medicines, and the uncomfortable hospital gowns didn't help either. The constant hustle and bustle of nurses and doctors only added to the suffocating atmosphere. The loneliness of staying here was becoming more and more evident both on my face and in my actions. I kept asking myself questions, trying to know myself better but thanks to the environment, it neither diverted me from my thoughts nor made me a bit closer to myself.

Despite the less-than-ideal conditions, my insatiable curiosity kept me going. I knew that there were more secrets to uncover, and I was determined to get to the bottom of these unsettling mysteries. So, I stayed in that sterile environment, clinging to the hope that the files would soon shed light on the dark and interconnected stories I had stumbled upon. The only thing that kept me sane this whole time.

One day, a familiar face brought a ray of hope into my hospital room. It was Mani, my loyal car driver, who had an uncanny talent for recounting gripping crime stories. His arrival filled me with anticipation, as I knew that he had intriguing tales in store. It was clear that Mani was equally eager to share what he had uncovered. I don't know how Mani has such a friend who fills him with these stories, nevertheless, I care less about it as well. Without wasting a moment, he hurried to my bedside, grabbed a nearby chair, and enthusiastically began, "Sir, you won't believe what I just found."

I leaned in, my interest piqued, ready to listen to the mysteries and revelations he had stumbled upon. Even in the confines of the hospital, the allure of a compelling crime story could not be denied, and Mani's presence was a welcome break from the boring and usual routine that had become my life during this recovery period. Containing my excitement, I encouraged him to continue. "Go on," I urged.

"I was pestering my friend to tell me more about these mass crimes, similar to the one that's happening now. And guess what he told me about the beginning of a series of murders that surged in the late 1890s."

His words sent shivers down my spine, and I felt a profound sense of achievement. With heightened interest, I nodded enthusiastically, urging him to continue.

"Apparently, in the year 1879, a notorious crime case emerged, involving a woman in her 30s who married several men and then murdered them by lacing their food with poison. Her sinister motive was to claim their inheritance and insurance money. She specifically targeted wealthy men, often the sole heirs of prosperous families. Using her charm, she would marry these men and, within just a few months, end their lives. She played the victim card, alleging infidelity on their part, with the support of their families, so she had no choice but to divorce them. After that, she would swiftly marry her next target and repeat the vicious cycle."

"Was she ever apprehended?" I inquired.

"Yes, she was indeed caught. But this is where the story becomes even more eerie and intriguing," Mani continued.

"Go on," I urged, my curiosity growing.

"After her arrest, the authorities thought they had put an end to a serial killer. However, they couldn't have foreseen the public outcry and the subsequent surge in crime rates. Soon, reports of similar murders started pouring in from neighboring states and even other countries. It seemed that this criminal's actions had inspired others to commit heinous acts for the sake of insurance money and inheritance. Somehow, she managed to escape from prison, and to this day, no one knows who helped her or how she achieved it. Once she was on the loose, these crimes gradually waned and eventually stopped, as if they had never occurred."

"Did anyone uncover what happened to her?" I asked.

"There are many theories, sir," Mani explained. "Some believe she resurfaced and founded a cult with fellow criminals. Others speculate that she died during her escape from prison. There's even a theory that she fled to another country, starting a new life with the money she had acquired. In truth, there are countless speculations."

"Mani, what's your hunch? What do you think happened to her?" I pressed.

Mani pondered for a moment before responding, "I have a gut feeling that she remained alive, but her ultimate fate remains a mystery. Sometime in the late 1890s, around 1898 to be precise, similar crimes resurfaced, involving kidnappings and murders, primarily targeting the wealthy. These continued for a couple of years, only to halt again until the 1920s. Some believe that the motives behind the 1920s murders were more driven by a sinister sense of euphoria rather than monetary gain."

As Mani delved deeper into the historical accounts of these chilling crimes, my mind raced with a multitude of thoughts and questions. The connection between the crimes of the late 1800s and the recent mass murders was becoming increasingly evident. It was as if the past had left its sinister mark on the present, and the mysterious woman from the late 1800s seemed to be a dark thread linking the horrors of different eras.

My time in the hospital has taken on a whole new meaning. It's not just about healing my body anymore. It's about something much bigger, a burning desire to uncover the truth behind a series of connected crimes. Every day, I eagerly await Mani's visits, feeling a mix of hope and anxiety. I want to learn more about the mysterious woman and the terrible crimes that have haunted us for decades. This mystery has become my driving force for getting better with each passing day.

I understand that some might wonder why I'm so fixated on these old cases. It might seem like they're in the past, but I can't let go of this nagging feeling. I believe in the instincts of an investigator, and mine tells me that there's more to these cases than meets the eye. I'm determined to solve this unsolved puzzle and bring closure to the victims and their families. It's my mission, and it gives my recovery a newfound purpose. Every small detail I uncover is a step closer to unraveling the truth, and I won't stop until I do.

In the weeks that followed, Mani diligently collected information from historical records, newspaper archives, and accounts of the crimes that had plagued India in the late 1800s and early 1900s. His tireless efforts provided a clearer picture of the chilling events that had unfolded during those times.

The woman, who had gained notoriety as a serial spouse-killer, was named Ha Ri. Her ability to manipulate and charm her victims was the stuff of legend. She targeted wealthy men who were often the sole heirs of prosperous families. Ha Ri would marry these men, winning their trust and affection, and within a few months, she would take their lives using poison. Her modus operandi was to claim their inheritance and insurance money, leaving her victims with no time to suspect her true motives.

Ha Ri's cunning didn't end with the murders. After killing her husband, she would play the victim card, alleging infidelity on their part, with the support of their families. This tactic ensured that she had no choice but to divorce them, allowing her to swiftly move on to her next target and repeat the macabre cycle.

It was in the year 1879 that Ha Ri was finally apprehended by the authorities. She was tried and found guilty of multiple counts of murder. Her conviction should have marked the end of her reign of terror. However, the true extent of her influence and the legacy of fear she left behind soon became apparent.

As word of Ha Ri's capture and conviction spread, the public breathed a collective sigh of relief. Yet, this sense of security was short-lived. Rather than deterring potential criminals, this case seemed to have had the opposite effect. Reports of similar murders began to surface from neighboring states, each bearing a haunting resemblance to her crimes.

It was as if her actions had inspired a wave of copycat killers, individuals who saw the potential for financial gain through murder. The cases multiplied rapidly, extending beyond the borders of the state and even the country. What was once a contained nightmare in one region had transformed into a widespread epidemic of violence and greed.

The sheer audacity and brutality of these crimes were unprecedented. Wealthy individuals, often the sole heirs to vast fortunes, were kidnapped, murdered, and dispossessed of their wealth. These heinous acts for the sake of insurance money and inheritance became alarmingly common. Kidnappings and extortion had become the order of the day, instilling fear and uncertainty in the hearts of the wealthy.

Then, as if by some coincidence, Ha Ri herself managed to escape from prison, leaving a trail of questions in her wake. How she achieved her escape, and who may have assisted her, remained shrouded in mystery. Her reappearance was greeted with a resurgence of these horrific crimes as if her return had breathed new life into the criminal underworld.

The authorities were baffled and overwhelmed by the sudden surge in crime rates. It was as if the actions of this one woman had set a precedent that others were all too willing to follow. The public was consumed by fear, and the very concept of safety was eroding.

She vanished once again. Her ultimate fate remained unknown. There were countless theories regarding her destiny. Some speculated that she had resurfaced and founded a cult with like-minded criminals. Others believed she had perished during her escape from prison, while certain theories suggested that she had fled to another country, where she started a new life with the money she had acquired.

As Mani shared this dark historical account, it was impossible to ignore the eerie parallels to the recent mass murders. The way Ha Ri's actions had incited a surge of violence and greed among copycat criminals mirrored the present circumstances.

"Mani, what happened in the 1920s that you mentioned earlier?" I asked, my mind racing with the need to understand these interconnected events.

Mani continued, "In the 1920s, there was another wave of these types of crimes, sir. But this time, they appeared to have different motives. The kidnappings and murders seemed driven by a sinister sense of euphoria rather than solely for financial gain. They were marked by extreme brutality and a level of violence that left the public horrified. Many believed that a sense of sadistic pleasure motivated the perpetrators."

"Was Ha Ri involved in these crimes as well?" I questioned, wondering if she had resurfaced once more.

Mani's face turned grave as he replied, "There's no evidence to suggest that she was involved in the crimes of the 1920s, sir. It's unclear if her influence extended to these new criminals or if these were independent acts. What is known is that the motives behind the crimes of the 1920s appeared to be different from those in the late 1800s."

As I absorbed the chilling accounts provided by Mani, it was evident that the crimes of the past were intricately connected to the recent mass murders. While Ha Ri may not have been directly involved in the later acts, her dark legacy of murder and manipulation left an indelible mark on India's history. The interconnectedness of these crimes was a testament to the enduring impact of one woman's reign of terror and the disturbing inspiration she had inadvertently provided to those who followed.

The hospital room had become a hub of revelations and mysteries. The weight of the past bore down on me, and the need for answers intensified. I was determined to uncover the truth and bring an end to the horrors that had haunted India for decades. The chilling stories from history had cast a long shadow over the present, and it was a shadow that needed to be dispelled.

With each new piece of information, the puzzle grew clearer, and the links between the crimes became more defined. But there were still missing pieces, and I knew that the final chapters of this dark narrative were yet to be revealed.

As Mani and I delved into the chilling tales of crimes from India's past, our conversation gained momentum. But our discussion was abruptly interrupted by my mother's arrival at the hospital. She was a deeply concerned woman, who visited the nearby temples daily, sincerely praying for my swift recovery. Her prayers, however, held an additional pledge – a plea that I would refrain from entangling myself in the somber and perplexing cases that seemed to consume my thoughts.

Mani, understanding the gravity of the situation, withdrew discreetly, leaving my mother and me in privacy. As I looked at her, I couldn't help but be moved by her loving concern. Her face bore the marks of love, anxiety, and hope. She couldn't comprehend why I was so drawn to these unsettling stories, and the worry in her eyes was unmistakable.

In the quiet moments that followed, as I watched my mother, I found myself contemplating the notion of destiny. What had compelled those mysterious files to come into my possession? Why was I so profoundly captivated by these grim stories? It was as if there were invisible hands guiding me, urging me to uncover the truths hidden within these dark enigmas.

I acknowledged my mother's concerns and fears. She had always been my unwavering support, the anchor that steadied me in turbulent times. Her love and prayers fortified me and provided the strength to navigate the challenging path I had chosen.

Though the journey ahead was fraught with complexities and uncertainties, I was determined to honor my mother's wishes while also recognizing the strong pull of these mysteries. The mysteries of the past were strongly intertwined with the present, and I felt an unshakable responsibility to unearth the truths concealed within these chilling files.

As my mother left the room, her parting words were a heartfelt plea for my well-being, a plea I couldn't ignore. The silence that descended upon the hospital room was laden with the weight of the past, the expectations of the future, and the enigmas that bound them together.

As the weeks went by, I stuck to my daily routine in that hospital room. I eagerly awaited Mani's visits, knowing he'd bring more stories and secrets to light. My determination to uncover the truth never wavered, and the mysteries of the past and present kept pulling me closer, like a mysterious puzzle I needed to solve.

During moments of quiet contemplation, I found myself wondering about fate and purpose. Was my curiosity about these mysteries just a passing interest, or was there a bigger reason guiding me along this intricate path?

I knew exactly what made me get myself into this, the urge to be a part of this case...but why? the question haunted me rigorously and yet I had no answer. I tried to be more and more patient with myself and let the mystery unfold on its own.

Even though the future remained uncertain, and the mysteries far from being unraveled, one thing was absolutely clear. I was unwavering in my commitment to see this journey through to the end. The people who suffered in the past and those enduring pain in the present deserved nothing less than the complete truth. I felt a deep responsibility to bring closure to these cases and justice to the victims, no matter how enigmatic or challenging the path ahead might be.