The shadow of death

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Every day, Kartik returned home exhausted from a long day of driving his auto-rickshaw. Unmarried and living with his parents, he had a comforting routine. After dinner, he would chat and scroll through his mobile until sleep finally embraced him. But on this fateful night, something extraordinary and terrifying would shatter the tranquility of his life.

Despite his weariness, Kartik found himself engrossed in a lively chat with someone. The messages flowed effortlessly, and he lost track of time. An hour passed before he realized the impending early morning and reluctantly bid his chat partner goodbye. Settling into bed, Kartik's tired eyes closed, seeking rest.

Around 2 o'clock, an urgent need pulled Kartik from his slumber. Half-awake, he stumbled towards the restroom, but a peculiar sight caught his eye. A massive shadow loomed on the ground outside, seemingly emanating from an impossibly tall figure walking on the road. 

Fear gripped him, jolting him fully awake. Frozen in awe, Kartik witnessed a man as tall as a five-floor building passing through the lane. The sight was surreal and bone-chilling. The stranger's gaze was fixed elsewhere, unaware of Kartik's presence. Struggling to comprehend the reality before him, Kartik stood still, trying to convince himself it was not a dream.

But it was real, and the mysterious figure vanished as swiftly as he appeared. Kartik returned to his room, shaken to the core. His mother slept on the other bed, but he hesitated to disturb her with this inexplicable encounter. Sleep eluded him for the rest of the night as he pondered the haunting vision.

The next morning, Kartik awoke with a raging fever. His mother was alarmed by his condition, witnessing her son uttering incoherent words. The medical intervention offered no respite; Kartik's health deteriorated rapidly, baffling the doctors. A week passed, and his condition remained critical.

In a moment of clarity, Kartik shared the chilling incident with his mother. As she listened to the harrowing tale, a revelation struck her—this was not an ordinary occurrence. It seemed Kartik had encountered something otherworldly, and conventional medicine could not heal him.

Desperate for a remedy, Kartik's family sought the help of a spiritual healer. Their hope clung to the possibility of freeing Kartik from the grasp of this ghostly possession. Time wore on, and the family's desperation grew. The burden of witnessing their loved one's suffering took an emotional toll on everyone. They longed to restore the vibrant, happy Kartik they once knew.

The spiritual healer who came to Kartik's aid was a gentle and wise soul, known for their deep connection to the spiritual realm. He had dedicated his life to studying ancient traditions and mystical practices, seeking to bring comfort and healing to those in need.

As the healer stepped into Kartik's home, his presence exuded a sense of calm and compassion. He could feel the heaviness that hung in the air, the weight of unseen forces that had taken hold of Kartik's spirit. With a reassuring smile, the healer greeted Kartik's anxious family, understanding the pain they carried within their hearts.

Sitting by Kartik's bedside, the healer gently held his trembling hand, feeling the turmoil that raged within him. He spoke softly, encouraging Kartik to share his experience, offering a safe space for him to open up about the haunting glimpse he had encountered that night.

Listening attentively, the healer acknowledged the gravity of Kartik's ordeal. He knew that mere medicine could not mend the wounds inflicted by supernatural encounters. The healer understood that rituals and ceremonies were essential to unshackle Kartik's soul from the malevolent grip.

The rituals began with cleansing ceremonies to purify the space where Kartik resided. Incense wafted through the air, and sacred chants filled the room, creating an atmosphere of protection. The healer sprinkled holy water to cleanse the energies that lingered, seeking to dispel the negative influences that had taken root.

With the utmost respect for the spiritual realms, the healer performed elaborate invocations, calling upon benevolent spirits to guide them in their mission to heal Kartik. He believed that light could conquer darkness, and with this profound belief, the spiritual healer embarked on the journey to liberate Kartik's tormented soul.

During the rituals, Kartik's family surrounded him, their hearts intertwined in hope and faith. The healer emphasized the importance of their collective love and support, underscoring how unity could provide strength during these trying times. Together, they formed a circle of healing, where the energy of love and care intertwined with the spiritual forces invoked by the healer.

Prayers echoed through the room, reverberating with emotions that transcended the physical realm. The healer called upon divine intervention to grant Kartik solace and release from the grip of the malevolent entity that had haunted him since that fateful night.

The rituals continued for days, as the healer painstakingly worked to disentangle the malevolent presence from Kartik's essence. Through each ceremony, he poured his heart and soul into the task at hand, knowing that the stakes were nothing less than Kartik's life and peace.

During moments of despair, the healer held the family close, offering words of comfort and encouragement. He reminded Kartik's loved ones to trust in the healing power of divine love, assuring them that even in the darkest times, a glimmer of hope could spark profound transformation.

As the days turned into weeks, the rituals gradually seemed to make a difference. Kartik's fever began to subside, and moments of clarity broke through the haze of torment. Yet, the healer remained vigilant, knowing that spiritual battles were not always won in a single stroke.

Then, one gloomy afternoon, Kartik's eyes radiated a newfound serenity. He spoke with a voice that carried a sense of resolution, as if he had faced the shadows within and found a flicker of inner peace. The healer sensed a shift in the energies surrounding Kartik, a sign that the rituals had taken root within his soul.

But even with this glimmer of hope, the healer knew that the road to recovery would be long and uncertain. He encouraged Kartik's family to continue supporting him through his healing journey, understanding that emotional wounds took time to mend.

In the end, the spiritual healer left Kartik's home with a heart full of gratitude for the opportunity to bring light into the darkness. He knew that the battle against malevolent forces was an ongoing one, but he had faith that Kartik's newfound resilience would guide him through life's challenges.

As they departed, the healer left a message of hope: that love, faith, and the strength of the human spirit could triumph even in the face of the unknown. And while the scars of the haunting glimpse would never fully fade, he believed that with love and support, Kartik could rise above his ordeal and find solace in the arms of his loving family.

The spiritual healer's visit had left an indelible mark on Kartik's family, reminding them of the power of compassion, faith, and the incredible resilience of the human spirit. Their lives were forever changed, not only by the tragedy they had endured but also by the profound connection they had experienced during the rituals.

As they looked towards the future, they knew that the memory of Kartik would forever hold a special place in their hearts, serving as a poignant reminder of the importance of cherishing every moment and embracing the strength that lay within the bonds of love.

Six months later, on a gloomy day, tragedy struck. Kartik took his own life, leaving his family shattered and heartbroken. The pain of his loss would forever linger in their hearts, a wound that could never heal completely.

The possession by a malevolent entity had inflicted irreversible damage, not only on Kartik but on all who loved him. The haunting glimpse he had experienced had unraveled his soul, leading to a devastating end.

Emotionally scarred, the family struggled to come to terms with the tragedy. The questions lingered, haunting them like a ghost from the past. Could they have done more? How could they have saved him? The grief was overwhelming, threatening to consume them entirely.

In the end, Kartik's story serves as a haunting reminder of the fragility of life and the deep impact that supernatural encounters can have on vulnerable souls. It reminds us of the importance of addressing mental health and the unyielding support needed during trying times.