Announcement of the Medical Camp
The college auditorium buzzed with murmurs as Dr. Raman stood on the stage, his voice echoing through the mic.
> "Ayatan Institute will be organizing a free medical camp in Shunya Gaon, two hours outside Delhi."
Aarav leaned closer to Parth. "Free by name, full drama guaranteed."
Parth chuckled quietly, but his eyes flicked to Neel, who already looked uneasy.
Dr. Raman continued, "Pre-final and final-year students will handle patient care. First and second years will accompany them for hands-on exposure."
"Hands-on? More like ghost-on," Sia muttered beside Mira.
Parth heard that. He turned. "No one asked you, Cyclone."
"And no one invited your brooding, Bhagavad Gita-reading face either."
Neel sighed. "Here we go again."
---
Arrival at Shunya Gaon
The students descended from the buses into a sleepy village wrapped in strange silence. Shunya Gaon.
Parth glanced around. The place felt like a story left untold. A thin mist clung to the earth.
Villagers avoided eye contact.
> "This place feels like... it's holding its breath," Neel whispered.
Sia yanked her scarf tighter. "I'm convinced this is where horror movies are filmed."
They set up makeshift tents: one for vitals, one for check-ups, one for medication. Each student got a role.
Avni and Mira were on logistics. Aarav and Neel were assigned patient observation. Parth got pulled into history taking. Sia—somehow—was paired with Parth.
> "I'm filing a complaint," she grumbled.
> "Be my guest. The universe clearly hates both of us."
---
Villagers came slowly. Pale, unusually quiet. Some had odd rashes. Some didn't blink much.It looked like they barely survived a destructive tornado.
Aarav pulled Parth aside.
> "Why does everyone here feel... off?"
> "Because something is wrong. This isn't just poverty or illness. This is fear. Ancient fear."
Neel showed a strange symbol one of the kids had drawn.
> "This was on the tree near the water tank. Doesn't it look like the sigil on that glowing idol?"
Parth nodded. "Danava script. The older ones. We need to stay close. Don't split."
---
Around 4 PM, a girl named Isha from the 3rd year went missing.
Last seen near the back of the temple grounds. She was bringing medical supplies.
Her phone lay cracked near the stone idol of an unknown deity.
Crows circled overhead.
Sia stood frozen. "This is bad. Really bad. I know this fear."
Parth grabbed her wrist gently. "Stay with the group. Don't go off alone."
She nodded. For once, no sarcasm.
---
As night fell, they gathered under the central tent. Aarav found Avni restocking bandages.
He handed her a warm cup of ORS. "Drink. You've been at it all day."
She smiled. "You too. You look pale."
He touched his temple. "Headache. Dreams feel louder here."
Avni paused. "Like that day in the lab?"
Aarav looked at her.
> "Do you ever feel like we've met before? In fire. In war."
She looked down. Her fingers trembled. "I used to dream of you. Even before college."
Their eyes met.
Then—the temple bell rang. The one they were told never worked.
---
Inside the medical camp library tent, the trio sat together. A rare quiet moment.
Aarav smiled.
> "Despite everything... I'm glad I came here."
Parth nodded. Neel gave a soft "hmm."
Suddenly, Aarav stiffened. His hand clutched the table. He whispered—
> "Adharma chhaya… satya agnimaya..."
His eyes rolled back for a second.
Avni ran to him.
Parth gripped his shoulders. "Aarav!"
He came to, gasping.
> "They're not coming anymore. They're already here."
---