Chapter 12: Possibilities

" So what we going to do today?," asked Raghav.

" Let's go to forest," said Shiva.

" Forest?,"

" Yes, the forest where that Policeman saw the spirit,"

" Why there?, the police have already investigated the entire area,"

" I know, I know, but who knows we may find something there,"

" You're right, let's try doing this too,"

" But is it allowed to visit that place?," Mohan asked.

" Yes, there's no problem, the police had done their investigation and now we can go there," said Raghav.

" Great, let's go," Shiva said.

The three boys entered the forest area. This forest was less dense compared to the forest on the other sides. On the north of the forest there was the Vasusthala Temple at some distance so the villagers used to call that area as Vasusthala Forest.

" Here we are," said Raghav.

Shiva looked around and observed the place carefully, any clues seemed to be hard to find in such place.

" The villagers don't cut the forest?," Mohan asked.

" No, we don't, because we believe in the legend that these were the first forest ever created and we wouldn't like to disrespect the goddess.

" Hmm, you're right,"

While the two boys were talking Shiva moved around the place searching for clues but he was unable to find any.

" Hey!," Raghav called. " Did you find something?,"

" No, not yet," said Shiva.

" I don't think we may be able to find something in here,"

Shiva came near the two boys and said.

" Hey Raghav where's that water cooler that the Policeman was talking about,"

" That water cooler..., come I'll show you,"

Raghav showed the water cooler. The water cooler stood under a big tree.

" See", said Raghav.

" According to the Policeman, Mr. Pandey and he drinks the water and goes to patrol on different sides,"

" The Policeman said that he went to the left side," Mohan spoke.

" Right, and then after walking at some distance he heard some noise," said Shiva to himself as he walked to the left.

Raghav and Mohan followed him.

" But how do we find the exact place where he saw the spirit," asked Raghav.

" Yes, it could be anywhere," said Mohan.

" Yes but we have an important piece of information which will lead us to the place," said Shiva.

" And what is that?," Raghav questioned.

Shiva turned to them," Look around, observe your surroundings and tell me how will you describe this place,"

" Umm..., this place, there are not many trees and the trees are at a distance from each other,"

" Right, and remember what that Policeman said,"

" What?,"

" He said that he followed the voice and reached a place where there were many trees,"

" Yes!, and he said that the spirit came out groove the trees,"

" That means we have to keep moving forward,"

The boys walked for some distance and reached the place which seemed like what the Policeman had described.

" I think this is the place," said Raghav.

" Perhaps," Shiva said and then looked around.

The place had had many threes and some of them were in grooves. Shiva looked around and found Vasusthala Temple at some distance to the north and Mr. Thackeray's godown at west, the front of the godown didn't have many trees but the back did.

" If what the Policeman had described is true then there's really a spirit here,"

" That's what I'm thinking, and as I said earlier, it is just my assumption that there is some killer,"

" But if we look at it the other way then we can have our answer,"

" What do you mean?,"

" I'm saying that perhaps the Policeman was lying about the spirit and he's from the killer's side,"

" Yes!, that could be!," said Mohan.

" Excellent, this thought came across my mind too but the Policeman is not lying,"

" How can you say that?,"

" He got fever after that incident,"

" I could be that he was just acting,"

" No he wasn't, after asking the details I touched his hand and thanked him, his hand was real hot which means that he really had fever,"

" I didn't noticed that, you're a genius Shiva!,"

" But if the Policeman was not lying then that means there really is a spirit and no killer," Mohan suggested.

" Perhaps that's true, but I think there's something that we are not able to see, there is something that we need to find out,"

" I think we should get out of this place before anyone sees us," said Raghav.

" Yeah, let's go,"

" Not from there," Shiva pointed to the Vasusthala Temple." No one will see us from that side,"

The three boys carefully made their way out of the forest and reached in front of the Vasusthala Temple. The place was quiet as no one in the village now dared to even roam around that place.

" We can't jump on any conclusions till Mr. Deshmukh comes back, if he does then there's no worry there is no killer but if he doesn't then we'll continue our investigation,"

" Sounds right," said Mohan.

" What shall we do till then?," asked Raghav.

" Just be alert, if you find something strange then tell me,"

" Okay,"

" See you tomorrow,"

" Yeah, bye,"

Shiva and Mohan left to their house while Raghav left for his. On their way Shiva and Mohan met Senior Inspector Mr. Kadam and Mr. Pandey. Mr. Kadam saw Shiva and called him.

" Shiva, how are you doing,"

" Doing great sir,"

" Oh don't call me sir, we're almost of same age,"

Mohan chuckled at that.

" Hey what happened, ain't am I?,"

" Surely you are!," said Shiva.

" And be careful, don't go near the Vasusthala Temple, I'm sure that you're aware of the situation, right?,"

" Yes I am,"

" The patrolling has been increased after one of our Policeman saw the spirit,"

Then Shiva remembered something.

" Did you find out who opened the door?,"

" The doors?, It's obvious, it was Raghu who opened the doors,"

" Raghu?," asked Shiva showing that he didn't knew much about the incident.

" Raghu, he was the cattleman who was fount hanging on one of the trees near the Vasusthala Temple,"

" How can you say that it was him who opened the doors?,"

" See, it's simple, it was only him who was around the temple, so it's logical to think that he opened the doors out of the curiosity,"

The policemen and the boys were unaware that someone was watching them from a distance hidden behind the trees.

" And who killed him?,"

" The spirit, it must have gone angry and killed him,"

" You're right,"

The Senior Inspector's phone rings and goes away attending the call.

" This man," Mr. Pandey laughed.

" What is it uncle?,"

" Earlier he did not use to believe that there is spirit, I told him many times but he refused to believe, then he did his investigation and now he believes,"

" I see,"

" These young men, they refuse to believe the old things, they question them but at the end, the truth is truth,"

" We shall go now, take care uncle,"

" Yeah, see you,"

Shiva looked back the two policemen sat into their vehicles and went away.

" Maybe I was wrong about the killer," said Shiva.

" You believe that there is some spirit?,"

" Yes, I mean, according to the circumstances,"

******

He struggled to open his eyes, it felt like he was asleep for years. He found himself surrounded by the dark, he couldn't move nor he could speak. He swept his gaze around. He had no idea where he was and how did he came here, he felt like he was devoured by the darkness. He was the police constable, Mr. Gajanan.