THE CALL OF DARKNESS

Fear consumed his mind. The howling of a dozen voices filled the room

They chanted words in an ancient language as they performed a ritual and bowed down to a huge dancing statue

The flames from the touches flickered, casting frightening shadows on the damp walls. It was the dance of death

Imminent. Slow. Desperate

" Let me go! Oh God, what have I done to deserve this?! " A man wailed

Slowly, a shadow approached him from under the hood, two eyes glinted with madness and cruelty. His gaze was intense and greedy

" Be quite! Is this how you meet your death. Accept it. Be humble and respectful while facing your fate! " The shadow said

Several hands roughly grabbed the man and threw him at the shadow's feet. He leaned over the man with his lips stretched into a smile

There was something terrifying in his grin, which made the man lower his head and burst into tears. Only then he realized that his death was inevitable

Smooth metal flashed in the shadow's hand. He raised his fist, with a dagger in it

" Take him! Take him! Oh Great One! " The shadow cried

A scarlet spray splattered the walls and the massive statue. There was a loud scream in the room

The chorus of voices began to sing louder. The shadows continued their dance.Then, there was nothing but darkness and female laughter

≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈

She opened her eyes and sat up startled. She looked around nervously, trying to figure out what was going on

Her head was buzzing as if it had been struck hard. It was hot and the sun was burning mercilessly

She was lying under a canopy, carefully sheltered from the sun's rays. It was noisy and crowded, but no one was paying attention to her

A man leaned over her, staring at her with a searching look. She shuddered, remembering the shadow from her dream

' What was that exactly? ' she thought

She jerked forward, instinctively defending herself. The man deftly dodged her blow while giving her a puzzled look. He frowned, perplexed while their eyes met

Letting out a sigh of relief, she realized that he was a completely different person. His face was calm and his grey eyes were emotionless

' Grey eyes? he doesn't seem to be from India ' she thought

" Are you Lakshmi Khan? " The man asked

' Wow, he speaks English '

" Yes " Lakshmi replied

Her voice sounded hoarse and uncertain. She cleared her throat, trying to stand up

" Yes! Laks Khan, that's me " she said

The man immediately moved closer to her, gently taking her by her elbow and helping her stand up

" Careful " he said

" You got hurt when you fainted "

" Fainted? " Lakshmi gave him a confused look

" Yes. Don't you remember? " the man asked

" I was following you when I saw you faint. The vendor was very scared "

" I'm just not sure whether he was scared for you or because you weren't going to buy anything "

Lakshmi racked her brain trying to remember the moments leading up to her fainting spells. Her gaze fell on the vendor, the owner of the canopy tent under which she was just lying

The elderly man observed them the entire time, smiling

" Sunstroke! Will the lady buy anything? "

He spoke to her in Hindi, a language spoken in most of India

Laks looked down at the stall, the jewelry laid out on it gleamed in the sunlight

' Such beautiful jewelleries '

That was why she had ended up in Calcutta's Bazaar. She wanted to get something to remember the city by before going to the British Embassy

" You said you were following me? " Laks asked looking back to the man

" Yes. My name is Harry Jones. I'm a military attaché "

" I'll be escorting your task force. Take what you need, and let's get going. They've been waiting for us for quite some time now " Harry said

The vendor smiled, he clearly didn't want them to leave empty handed

"Take your pick, madam "

" Ceylon Sapphires, Kashmir Emeralds, Rubies from Subramanya. Natural, not synthetic " He grinned

Even though Harry doesn't understand Hindi, he still grimaced at the Vendor's overeager tone

" Peddler " He spat

" Amir is no peddler " The vendor suddenly switched to English

" Amir only sells fine jewelry with natural stones! "

Laks fought back a smile, concentrating on what to pick for herself

' Emeralds. These green stones sparkle so beautifully in the sunlight ' she thought

" A noble stone. It suits you madam "

" Any stone will suit such a beautiful girl! "

Laks thanked Amir, paid him, and then proceeded to follow Harry

≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈

People were scurrying back and forth, preoccupied with their own lives, their voices lost in the din of the street

Beggars clung to well dressed men and women, pleading for at least one rupee

They reached out their thin arms, brazenly tugging at their sleeves, demanding attention and money

The locals briskly shoved the poor away from them, brushing off their clothes and quickening their pace

The eyes of the beggars lit up as they all looked at Lakshmi and Harry. It was far easier to beg a foreigner for money, rather than a local who could push back more confidently

Laks slowed down, unsure how to get around the small crowed of beggars that had gathered round her

Harry gently took her hand and led her through the crowd, shooing away the poorly dressed boys and girls

They were smart enough not to pester such a large and not friendly looking man

Laks could barely catch up with him. He had broad shoulders and a strong grip. She had no doubt that with him by her side, she was safe as if she was behind a strong wall

Harry walked with a perfectly straight back and his gaze fixed ahead of him. The impeccable way he carried himself made it immediately clear that he was a military man. He was perfect for their mission

" Are you here because of the missing British diplomat, too? " Laks asked

" Yes, same as you " He replied curtly

" I'm not familiar with the details of the case. Can you tell me more about it " Laks said

" You'll find out soon enough " Harry said

' So tight lipped '

" Still, I had to leave London on a rush. I couldn't even refuse. And now my younger brother is all alone in England. I dropped everything to come to India " she furrowed

" Fine, but I'll be brief " Harry said taking a breath

' God, getting him to talk is like pulling teeth '

" The British government sent a diplomat on an important mission in India. After the country gained independence from the British, about thirty years ago, we periodically send diplomat to monitor compliance with...Uh, some crucial provisions. As you already know, our diplomat is missing " Harry explained

" And we are going to look for him?" she asked

"Yes, together with other members of a task force " Harry said

They passed through the crowd of beggars and Harry let go of her hand

" So, you're a captain in the army? " Laks asked curiously

" Yes. And you're an indologist, I gathered " Harry said

" I have a degree in indology. But I have no work experience "

" No work experience? "

" None. I wasn't able to get any, due to some personal reasons " Laks said

" This is a very important matter. Personal reasons...An inexperienced indologist could ruin everything " Harry's face flushed with annoyance

" I am qualified enough to do my job. I have all the necessary knowledge and skills. That's why I was selected for this mission, same as you. Are you doubting your superior's decision? " Laks asked while Harry stared at her speechlessly

" Thought so! From now on, think before you speak captain, if you don't want to come across as arrogant or stupid " She said

" I apologize. My flight was long and it's gotten on my nerves. What were these personal reasons? " Harry asked while Laks brushed him off

" Problems at home. Someone had to run the family shop "

" I was the one who could do it. I had no choice "

" Family shop? " Harry furrowed his brow

" Indiangoods. They're in high demand in London " Laks said

The expression on Harry's face seemingly softened

They were almost at the embassy. He slowed down and started walking along side her

" Do you have family in India? " He asked

" No. My family moved to England long ago " she smiled

Harry nodded while they headed to the embassy gate