CHAPTER I

As the lights flickered and the shadows that grew, Footsteps I could hear in the dark haunted hill house, I paused for a moment and asked, "Who are you? ", I looked around, but none answered. Surrounded by the strange silence, I questioned again, "Who are you? "

A sudden chill that ran through my nerves as my eyes widened. Getting drawn to the person with a burnt face and draped in black, I screamed, "Go away!! Go away!! "And started running away. The person kept following me and it appeared in front of me as I stopped and said, "I have done nothing to you and neither have I harmed you, please leave me alone ..."

"No ..., You've tortured me till my death, physically and mentally, cheated on me many times and yet I have said nothing to you nor have I ever uttered anything to you. I waited long to take my revenge and today's my turn to take the revenge ", said the person draped in black

"No ... No... No... You've misunderstood me, I haven't harmed you, I don't even know you "my voice was shaking, and I ran as fast as I could from the back door of the hill house passing through a small forest towards the short hills which was fencing the hill house. The shadow haunted me till the end of the small forest within the compound wall of the haunting hill house. However, I jumped off the compound wall and continued to run deep into the forest until an old man who was grey-eyed stopped me.

"Hold it!! Where are you running? "He stopped me and asked as he looked deeply into my eyes

"I'm running to save my life, the house is haunted, and I can't even stay here. So many weird things happen here, Run!! ", My voice and breath were simultaneously shaking heavily as I responded to the old man. He then understood what I was trying to say and then he said, "I very well know the haunted house but now, you need to know something about this house and something's about your past "

"My past ?? ", it shocked me

"How am I supposed to have a relation with this house and what's my connection with this house that only you're aware of and I'm not ??, And how is my past supposed to relate with this house ?? ", I questioned the old man looking very puzzled

Looking towards the haunting hill house from a distance, the old man spoke, " That house has a long history, a regretful past, That story many not heard which..but people ain't aware of what exactly happened behind those four walls "

"Then, how do they say that it haunts this house without even knowing exactly what went wrong and who were those people? Who are they? What happened, I need to know! "

"Then you need to stop questioning "

"I'll...", I agreed to the old man that I'll stop questioning him and a lot

We started walking in the forest where the old man lived. He seems to know the entire history of the haunting hill house, the people, the events...etc, from the way he spoke initially in a very confident manner. I was sure that I'll get a few clues about the haunting hill house, as I wanted to write a horror story, but what happened was not as I had expected when we reach the old man's house

HE TURNED OUT TO BE ONE OF THOSE BEST ARTISTS IN THE PAST !!

It stunned me seeing the painting hung on both sides of the walls and so many canvases painted colourfully

"Seriously,!! Have you painted all these masterpieces? ", I questioned the old man

" Yes !! Very well !! I've made them all ", the old man replied smilingly

I was so amazed to see the beautiful paintings hung on both sides of the wall, as the hall just looked like an exhibition. Seeing the paintings hung on both sides, I exclaimed: "Wow!!, They're simply stunning !!"

"Well, these are just a few, Come along, I've got to show you some more!! ", The old man said as he took me upstairs to another room. We went upstairs to a private room where there were a lot of paintings being made of different themes; it amazed me after seeing these masterpieces, every painting had different meaning and emotion behind it

The old man was quite happy as he showed me his collection of the paintings being made. He was explaining every emotion and intention behind every painting. Every canvas filled with colours, for except one, covered with a white sheet of cloth, "why is that canvas covered with a sheet of cloth, Is it incomplete?? ", I questioned the old artist doubtingly

"No, it's not incomplete...But ..." He replied as his breath shook

"But, what ??.."

The man removed the cloth slowly, and what we saw was completely different. The painting was of a beautiful lady who looked similar to me, draped in red and sitting on a chaise lounge sofa with her lover beside her, which was being painted in the Hill House

"Doesn't she look a little similar to me ? ", I enquire the old man as I carefully examine the painting

"That's why I've got you here, to tell you about your past and answer all those questions you've asked me near the Haunting Hill House ", the old man answered

"Who am I ?, And how is it you know everything about this house so perfectly? And who is in this painting? Were you a witness for the events that took place in this house? And this painting just looks like it's being made a few days ago. Did you make this painting a few days ago? ", I started questioning the old man

" Again you started questioning? , raising his left eyebrow the old man answered, "Keep calm, I'll answer everything", he further continues to speak drawing his eyebrows closer which signalled me he was getting frustrated. A moment of silence was all around us then glancing at the painting he spoke, " I made this painting twenty-five years ago in this Hill House where two of them lived there happily "

"You mean the person who looks similar to me and her lover ?", I questioned him, giving me a side look with his eye. The old man nodded his head with a yes, but internally his devilish intentions were bursting as if he were to murder someone who looked similar to me

"Wow !!, I can't believe that this painting was being made twenty-five years ago, It looks as though it's been a week ago or three days ago then how can prove that this was being made twenty-five years ago? And... What a lovely couple are they? ", smiling widely at the painting and trying to make an eye contact with the old man who stood beside me, but he moves away when I appreciate about the couple in the painting

" They look like they're made for each other, But Who are they Sir ?? ", I questioned the old man, A tear rolled down the old man's eye as he said "But that was ...." and suddenly The old painter's lips started shivering as he couldn't speak a word ahead

"That was what ??...., I questioned as I was getting confused, Next, We saw the colours of painting combining up by itself into a very awkward and scary expression of a person. In a moment or two, the man was being pushed suddenly towards the end of the room by a person who came out from the painting and roaring loudly seeing something very scary, I started running backwards and ran trying to save the old man but the minute it looked into my eye ..it calmed down and everything became normal within few seconds.

"Alas ..!! ...He disappeared...", The old man said as he was panting and took a long breath and trying to stand up but wasn't able to, "Are you alright, sir? You were being pushed too hard by him ", I questioned him as I was helping him stand up

"Yes, I'm alright...I'm fine ..", he answered politely, "Who was he?, And why did he attack you so harshly, but the minute he saw me he just calmed down and moved away ..what's the connection between every one of us? ", Once again, I questioned about the actual identity of the person who came out of the painting

Seeing the anxiety-filled in my eyes, the man said: "He's the connection to your past !!"

CHAPTER II

It shocked me as I hear that the old man say the person in the painting had a past life connection with me, "How ??", I sounded clueless with a wide mouth open

"It all started with a glimpse of her ...", The old man said and as he started narrating their story

It was on a sunny day in spring, She usually visits the library regularly to read a lot of books and novels from morning 10 am till dusk 6 pm, But particularly, on one fine sunny day, She came to the library, as usual, and was reading a book, completely focused in search of an answer to an ongoing battle in her mind and completely lost as her thoughts screamed and was unaware of the time

"Hello !! ", He said as he stood in front of her table quietly, She kept mum, unaware that everyone had left the library of the Hill House and it left her alone. She still kept mum turning the pages, "You there? ", He again asked a little sharply that got her back into reality from her own little world of books and plays as she saw him a few seconds later and said, "Oh !! Hello !! I didn't realize you're calling me ..I focused on finding an answer from this book despite that, I don't find it at all ", She said to the young person who was standing right in front of her "Relax, you'll get it soon .. probably I may help you out with it !! " ..he whispered

" No, that's alright..!! I'll help myself " she said and tried to search for the answer that she was seeking all this while from the book she was reading

"At this hour ...?? It's already 11 PM here !! ", He said as he pointed the clock to her

"11 PM ?? What ?? ", She said shockingly as she didn't realize the time

"Yes, and it's been since morning you've been here," he said, feeling concerned for her

"Oh !! No...I need to rush back home "

She quickly started packing her books in her bag and left the library back to her home

Back home, a thought that ran her nerve as she thought about him

He, A Calm and Composed person

A subtle smile that he wore always

Sharp yet polite tone

" Who is he ?? " , She thought, smiling unusually , " Oh ! Never mind, maybe he's someone who I've been knowing or never known ... or maybe I've seen him somewhere … anyway... let's sleep !! " the next day, she went to the library again

"Good Morning Sir !! ", the librarian greeted the prince who just entered the library a few minutes after her arrival . He sees the same girl whom he had spoken to last night in the library , his heartbeat ran as fast as it could as he could hear his own heartbeat , his mind describes the girl in a poetic form.

"She, Sweet and Innocent as she is ,

Deep bold eyes that allured deeply ,

Draped in peach

,Focused mind on the book in search of an answer to an ongoing battle in her mind "

In a blink his wandering mind came back to normal and he spoke to the librarian , "Sir, May I know who is sitting at the corner table with an enormous book? , "

The librarian replied to the prince "Sir, Oh !! She's Nell, She's a Writer, An Artist and just like you, She's an avid book reader, You'll always find her reading a lot of books, collecting stories the whole day !! After all, that's her task ...And yes !! She loves theatre as well !! "

It amused the prince that the girl sitting at the corner table loves theatre plays and reads a book for writing plays , he again enquired from the Librarian "Theatre plays !! And How are you aware of it she reads books for writing theatre plays and books ? "

"She comes here daily and reads books related to theatre, drama, fiction, poems, history, psychology...and her list is huge... Basically, she writes short stories, theatre plays and many of her plays have enacted by the famous theatre actors .." the librarian spoke softly as he gave a side look at the prince

"Oh !! Interesting !! ", He smiled and walked towards her where she is sitting at the table at the corner of the library and sat in front of her

" Hello Nell !! ", The prince said smilingly

She looked up at him. With a slight smile she said, "Hello !!"

He was the same person whom she had seen last night at the library

" I suppose you've met me last night when there was no one at the library " , Nell reminded him about the meeting last night they've had at the library

"Yes,!! Exactly!! ", The prince smiled

" I'm Neil, The Prince of the Hill House !! ..I just got to know from the librarian that you're a short story writer and you've written many theatre plays as well and I've seen them ... I mean.. I just love them... every play has a meaning or a message to convey ...and look at me ...I can't even write one properly... Honestly, the amount of patience you have is just so amazing... !! "

He continued..." Also , I may be good at Acting or portraying what's been told me to do but seriously not too good or very good at writing stories or plays ....So..Will you...."

Overwhelming as it seemed to Nell , she interrupted him..." Thank you so much Sir for the kind appreciation for the plays you've seen , I'd love to write more stories and theatre plays , Truly Sir ... Thank you so much " , she said these words with a smile

" That's alright Nell , Please don't address me as Sir , I feel weird , Since we both belong to the same field of arts and are almost of the same age group You can call me Neil "

" Surely Mr Neil, Honestly I strongly feel that everyone's got their own strengths and weaknesses and no one is perfect, Also imperfections are good and it's completely alright to be imperfect.."

" Yes ..True fact, as this is ...So... Will you be here or would you mind me walking in the woods " - Neil asked

" Sure ... Probably..let's walk in the woods and collect some stories .." - Nell responded politely

They walked into the woods talking about their lives, childhood memories...etc ...and they walked till the lake ..."The sun's setting...I must leave .." - Nell said to Neil as she sees the Sun setting

" I believe you're on the opposite side of the lake .." - Neil asked

"Yes, I do ...I'll cross the bridge and go home , I stay in a cottage , So , Would you come along " - Nell questioned Neil

"Yes, definitely I'd love to but may not be today I believe you're getting late .." - Neil replied softly as he was concerned about Nell's safety

" Yes !! " - Nell assured him she'll be safe when she reaches her cottage

They hugged each other and Neil waved her a goodbye

"Bye ...!! Take Care !! ", Nell said this to Neil

Neil smiled as he heard these words from Nell and left the bridge for going home

From a far distance..they were being watched by someone whose devilish intentions are to ruin someone's life completely, And Neil too could sense that he was being watched by someone whom he's never met or ever seen He too left that place and went back to the Hill House

CHAPTER III

"Neil met Nell ...No ...Never " , He thought with a lot of jealousy and hate in his mind and As he was watching Neil and Nell who just left the bridge after meeting each other , "Nell is mine ", he said to himself and left to the cottage where he usually makes paintings. He made many paintings of Nell but never spoke to her face to face as he stalked her often from a distant.. "Those beautiful wavy locks suit you, Nell ... You're really beautiful my gorgeous girl, but the person with you, Ain't the right one ..I could be the one for you but you may not accept me ", He said this to himself as he saw the painting made of Nell adoring her beautiful appearance

Nik , He's The Devil with an evil mind and devilish intention, and yet he could transform himself from devil to human at any point of time, He Hypnotized people for his own benefit and sucked their blood completely till he made them energy less and old. Although he stayed miles away from the forest, people still feared him and about their own whereabouts.

Days, Months and years passed on, Nell and Neil grew closer and closer than their relationship grew stronger and stronger day by day, they loved each other truly and lived a happy married life at the Hill House until an unexpected twist had turned their lives completely upside down

After 3 months

A person dressed in deep blue clothes arrives at the Hill house with a heavy bag hung on his right shoulder, "Please let me in", He said to the gatekeeper of the Hill house

*Who are you? , I've not seen you before ", the gatekeeper replied decently

"I'm Mike, A Famous Artist hired by Mr Neil, The prince of the Hill House," Mike replied the gatekeeper of the Hill House

"Sure Sir you may proceed !! " - Gatekeeper responds to Mike as he opened the gates of the Hill House

"Thank You !! ", Mike thanked the gatekeeper with a devilish intention in his mind and As he walked towards the hill house from the gate, the roses in the garden withered away as he entered the hill house, Next, He used the dark winding staircase to reach Neil's library

"Hello, Sir !! ". Said, Mike , standing at the entrance of Neils library

"Oh !! Mr Mike !!, It's a pleasure of you being here, please take a seat here "- Neil welcomed Mike to his library as he was reading a book

"Thank you, Sir !! " - Mike sat across Neil at the table of the library

"Mr Mike, Welcome to our Hill House, I'm very glad that you've come here and As you know that you're hired as an artist for the Hill House, Also, I have seen your paintings a lot in many exhibitions for which I really appreciate your hard work and the colours you have used and the themes you've painted, Everything is simply stunning and very different but I'd like to know who's that lady you've painted in the recent last exhibition I've seen which was 3 months ago " - Neil asked Mike

"She is my dream girl, the one whom I desire for the most but never came into my life" - Mike spoke confidently as if he has en knowing her since ages

"Hahaha ...Oh !! So , so you too you love fantasies and believe in fairy tales just like my wife Nell does " Neil chuckles as he finds that there's someone who to love fantasies, He further continued " And I'm sure she'll come into your life soon" - Neil said smilingly

"Definitely hoping for the right one to come in , So what would you like me to paint ? Or you're particular about any certain theme ..like Nature , Indian style , Expression…." - Mike questions Neil about his preferences, giving him ideas and options of themes for paintings

"Hmm...Well ..I'd prefer more into nature and portraits and definitely I love modern art as well which looks good when hung on the walls and of course, acrylic and oil paints is really something that I and my wife love the most, Come along, I'll show you"- Neil

They both go upstairs on the rooftop where the sunset can be visible where there's a small guest room on top as Neil opens the door of the guest room, "So, Mike, from here, you can easily see the sunrise and the sunset and this place is quite peaceful to make the paintings, as anyone from the Hill House will not disturb you "

" Sounds Interesting Sir , I'd love to be in a peaceful place and make painting..as you know that , with a disturbed state of mind you literally can't make paintings peacefully and that's the reason I stay miles away from the town area" , Mike says this as he looks deeply in Neil's eye trying to hypnotize him but Neil diverts his attention as he spoke, " So Mike I want you to stay here as you can keep all your belongings here and as you can see there are colours, canvas ... etc, all the things that you require is kept in the shelf next to the bed, Also if there's anything you require please don't hesitate, ask "

Suddenly a voice comes from a distance at the entrance of the rooftop, "Neil... Neil….Neil..Where are you ?", Nell comes to the entrance of the guest room where Neil and Mike are present.

"Honey, where have you been? , I've been searching for you in the entire house? " - Nell asked Neil as she was panting

"And " - Neil responded softly to Nell

"And, you're busy here !! " - Nell replied, wondering where her husband could be after searching for him in the whole Hill House

"Well, we're supposed to go for dinner tonight !! ", She continued

"My gorgeous darling, we're definitely going for dinner tonight but let me introduce you to the artist whom we've hired, and he's right here " - Neil spoke these words as he kept his hand on her shoulder

"Oh !! I see !! " - Nell glances at Mike's eye deeply as she notices something wrong with him and could sense his vibe but again diverted herself back to normal

"So I was showing him the guest room where he can peacefully make paintings, where he'll not be disturbed by anyone from our house , Also so he doesn't take much time to paint, probably he takes around ten minutes .." - Neil uttered these words to his wife Nell as he made her sure that they'll not be late for the dinner they've planned

Mike interrupted and spoke , "Well !!, Sir sorry to interrupt but I can make it tomorrow or after a few days when you're free so that there wouldn't be any rush "

"Hmm..Well that's alright Mr Mike , you don't need to make it tomorrow or some other day , How about today ? As you can sketch for now and fill the colours later on " he questioned the artist

"Alright Sir , I'll make the painting of yours and ma'am's in few minutes " the artist spoke as he started setting his canvas

"Oh !! That's amazing then why don't you make a painting of Nell " - Neil

"Now ?? " - Nell

"Yes !! "- Neil

"Sure, I'll be back in a few minutes ready " - Nell leaves the rooftop and gets to her room to get ready , 15 minutes later, Nell comes back dressed up in a red lace dress and makes herself comfortable by taking a seat on a chaise lounge sofa in the guest room where Mike does his paintings on the rooftop of the Hill house.

"Can you make a painting of me and Neil together? " - Nell asks Mike as he was about to draw with a thin paint brush

"Sure Ma'am " - Mike answered

Neil stood beside Nell and Mike started making the painting of them, Although he wasn't ready to make one for both of them at the end, Mike made their painting after half an hour

"Sir, the painting is ready " - Mike exclaimed with joy

"Oh! Can we have a look at it " - Neil asks Mike

"Sure Sir " - Mike

Neil and Nell see their painting being made on the canvas as it surprised them both to see that within an hour how a masterpiece made with a lot of perfection

"Wow !! What a Masterpiece it is !! I really appreciate it " - Neil

"I look more beautiful in this painting and It's amazing " - Nell

"My love , You're exquisite be it a painting or in reality" , saying this to Nell , Neil Kissed her forehead

"Thank You, Love !! "

" Well !! Can we hang this in our room? " - Nell asked Mike

"Sure Ma'am, It's yours and Sir's " - Mike

"So can we leave for dinner? " - Neil

"Sure, We can !! " - Nell

Neil and Nell left the guest room with their painting to their room and then left the Hill House for the dinner happily

Meanwhile, at the Guest Room of the Hill House, he stood at the mirror and said to himself , "You seriously made their painting? Instead of yourself and Nell ??" , Strange as though it seems, He could see himself as the Vampire and not the Human , "Nik ..." , He said , "Oh No !! Mike !!... You're the Human ? " and starts laughing devilishly

"Nik..Mike...Mike..Nik...Nik...Mike...Mike...Nik...Nike...Mike...No...!!! None of them...But How about being Neil forever and getting closer to Nell ? .."

"Yes ..!! That'd be much better ..Nell is Mine ..You hear me, Neil ...She's never yours "...He Continued to speak to himself seeing the mirror reflection

"I heard you, Nik .." - Neil said this as he comes into the guest room where Nik stays

"And I've seen your devilish side as well , I'm shocked to see that you're a Vampire but not a Human " - Neil continued

Unaware of being overheard and watched, Nik turns around and says , "Damn it Neil !!, You get me wrong !! I'm a Human !! I'm Mike and You've hired me as an Artist " - Nik spoke these words as he knew internally that he was manipulating Neil by transforming himself back to the human form of Mike the artist

"You're manipulating me Nik " Neil said as he understood Nik's intention , he continued further by questioning him " I just saw your mirror reflection and you're not Mike , I could easily see that you're a devil and now you're trying to manipulate me in front of my eyes ? "

" Neil , I'm not lying I'm a human and not a devil you've mistaken me " , Nik pretends as if he was trying to ask an apology

"Whether you're Mike or Nik ...you're the Devil and you don't deserve to be here in my house ...Go Away you Devil !! " - Neil spoke harshly as it frustrated him and felt manipulated by Nik whom he hired and liked his art work for

"WOW !! Isn't it amazing Mr Neil !! You've approached the devil yourself and now you're commanding it to go away ?? , You've invited the devil yourself after seeing the painting and Now ..You're asking me to leave ? HOW ? " , Nik paused for a moment , then he continued , " I ask you ..HOW ?? ...Aren't you aware that my paintings are very Hypnotizing...They attract everyone to it and the colours I use catches attention within seconds and I use the same colours everywhere therefore , You and Nell are under my spell ...Don't you know that Devil's stronger than a Human ?? and you can't control the Devil ...So follow my order and Kill Nell " - Nik commands Neil which also angered him with the fact that Neil and Nell are together and they love each other deeply

"No ..I won't !! She's my love of my life and she'll stay with me forever and throughout my lifetime, Neither will you harm me nor will you even go closer to her and if you dare to get closer to my wife I shall not spare your life " - Neil uttered this as he's completely frustrated and realized that he's manipulated by Nik , he further continues , " I'd never knew that you would actually take help from a vampire and you were continuously transforming yourself from a human again and again to fulfil the desire of being a famous artist and gain fame ,I truly can't believe this , You're too inhuman , How can you just take an innocent life away from someone ? , Now You must die and this must end

Neil takes out a gun and tries shooting the Devil. He continues, "Go away, you devil ...You don't deserve to be here among us "

"Don't forget that you're trying to shoot the devil and the devil doesn't die " , Saying this devilishly, Nik Hypnotizes Neil in such a way that he falls down unconscious and dead on the floor

CHAPTER IV

"Oh !! damn !! Poor Nell !! She might wait for Neil...But Nik's really devilish ..he killed him ...How can he be so Inhuman ? - Shia asked the Old man

"Then what happened ?.." She questioned him

The old man continues narrating the story of events after the night when Nik hypnotised Neil

Nik transformed himself as Neil and kept everyone under his spell of control. Day by Day, One by One ..people started going missing or dying because of certain health issues in the Hill House ..Trees, Plants ..started withering ..and Seeing all this happen, Nell Couldn't tolerate this . She started missing those old days where she used to enjoy herself in the rose garden along with Neil . She could sense that Neil was being murdered ruthless and leaves the Hill House ..But Nik stops her , "Nell , Don't leave me ..I'm your love forever and ever "

"My love and you ..No way !! you aren't the same person when I met and married you ..You've changed a lot these days ..I feel you're more disguised ..you ain't Neil but someone else ..whom I hate the most ..Whom I feared the most " - Nell spoke as she sounded angry , In addition, she further continues , " You ain't that person anymore like you used to be earlier , whenever I'm around you or when you're around me ..I feel uncomfortable, unloved ..unattentive ..I feel as if I hate myself ..I feel pain when you're around me ..You aren't Neil but someone in his form ..Tell me who you are ", Nell cried out her feelings

He takes Nell close to him as he cupped her face in his hands just the way how her husband used to do and he spoke "Honey , I'm Neil , your love and I still love you just the way I did when I married you ..These tears get me into pain ...Please don't cry " - Nik pretends to pacify her emotions as he knew Neil is dead and Nell only loves Neil , also he tried to keep Nell under his spell but she never got into his spell . He again tries to convince her by getting close to her and tries kissing her lip but Nell pushes him away as she said , "Don't you dare try to influence me or hypnotize me with your words your ways and approaches don't really work out with me , I know how my husband Neil convinces me , He does everything gently and never in hustle , you're definitely not my husband but someone else in his form , Don't you see what's happening around ?? Each and everyday people missing or dying or suicides that are happening at the Hill House , everyday we get bad news of someone's death and the killing pattern is the same with everyone , everyone's blood , drunk by the vampire , My rose garden has completely withered away .trees and plants have completely lost their lives , people get scared about their own whereabouts inside and outside the Hill House , A lot of things have Shattered these days and you're still ignoring these and keeping numb , Instead of sorting the issue , it's getting worse , It just looks like a pandemic happening around us "

Nell spoke these words as she was shedding tears, uninterruptedly Nik Keeps Mum as he doesn't have any answer to her pain . Catching Nik's shirt collar she uttered ,"You aren't the same person whom I'd known from years, You've changed ..and You aren't my love anymore , You don't even care about our life or saving anyone else's lives when they're in danger , tell me who you are ? Else ' I've my own way to investigate about you and you'll soon forget about your own self " , Nell wars Nik to reveal his real identity , But The devil doesn't accept failure so Nik couldn't control his anger anymore, due to which out of anger, he disclosed to Nell that , "I've been telling you a hundred times that I'm your love, I'm your husband and I'm not disguised person, But I believe you lack trust in me? , You don't trust me ? , I understand people are going missing and suicides are happening day by day and ..."

"And you're still calm " - Nell interrupted suddenly as her eyes widened looking deeply into Nik's eye trying to make eye contact , She continues further "And again you're still calm, you're just living as though nothing has ever happened ..How can you tolerate this ??? ,Honestly , Yes, I don't trust you anymore and you don't even deserve it as well , you don't even deserve to live with me or in my Hill house " , Saying this in the anger tone , Nell goes back to her bedroom from the rooftop of the Hill House

"I must plan something ", Nik thought after Nell left the rooftop

The same day , A few hours later, In the late evening, around 8 pm Nik goes to Nell's room and finds her seated on her sofa reading a book, He gets close to her and sweetly says , " Honey, Let's go out for dinner !!"

"No, I'm not interested " - Nell responded to Nik

"Oh ! Come on, Nell !! It's been long since we've gone out together anywhere and you seem depressed ..Come On...Let's go " - Nik again requests her to join for dinner and Nell doesn't pay attention to Nik's words and continues to read her book.

"Nell , Let's go out!!" - Nik again requests her, but she still continues to ignore him

"Nell ..." - Nik barked a bit to catch her attention

Nell gives a deep side look into Nik's eye and says, "Yes Nik ..tell me you're not Neil anymore "

Her words were a shock to Nik, " How did she even get to know my actual identity? " , Nik thought as his heart was pounding in his chest rapidly

"Nell , I'm Neil , I'm your husband and Who's Nik ? " - Nik spoke shakingly as he started stammering . Nell stands up from the sofa keeping the book beside her as she stood right in front of Nik bearing minimal distance between the two of them so that she can easily catch him red-handed while he speak , Moreover she started proving Nik that he's a devil as she spoke , "Nik's a Devil and Neil's a Human, Nik can disguise himself into anyone or any human to gain anything he desires, it could be a human , name or fame or plainly anything it desires . He even practices witchcraft, black magic, hypnosis, Faking himself to be an artist to gain name and fame but he actually relentlessly murdered people starting from hypnotizing them to drinking their blood and making paintings through their blood that he sucked " - Nell.

"What ?? What are you saying Nell , Have you .WHA....??" - Nik was completely shook as he hear the truth from Nell ,his voice was stammering and shaking

"I've seen you painting on a canvas and invoking the devilish energy simultaneously and you don't use red color but you use someone's blood and you combine blood with the rest of the other colors which create unique color and these colors have in all your paintings I've seen you mixing the blood with another colour of paint which results in a unique colour and these colours used everywhere Further , I've seen until today how you've been transforming yourself from Nik to Neil and hypnotizing people all around everywhere , I followed your footsteps everywhere possible I could to get proof but sometimes I'd not get them but I'd definitely doubt you behind every persons death and regarding how you've made money Obviously by selling the spelled paintings to innocent people at the exhibitions .Moreover ,you even made my painting with these colours and tried getting closer to me , Until today , you've never spoken to me face to face and you approached me using a malicious method to get closer to me ?? Is this the truth ?? " - Nell questioned Nik after lecturing him

"Nell .." - Nik tries to speak but Nell again interrupts

"No Nik , this is the truth. All these days you've been disguising and betraying me by being my husband, but actually you murdered him that night itself when me and Neil had come back from dinner a year ago ? ..Why have you done this, Nik? Why ? Just to get closer to me ?? " - Nell questioned him whereas Nik kept mum for a minute.

"I need an Answer Nik !! ..." - Nell interrupts the silence as she's angered by his malicious behaviour , Next , Nik gives a devilish smile and says, " Oh poor girl !! Poor chap !! Yes !! I'm Nik, The devil and I've murdered Neil for my benefit and that's just to get closer to you ...yes , just to get close to you I used this method !! I've never spoken to you before but I was a hell jealous when you met Neil and I was desiring for you always, you're exquisite , you've got a beautiful body that anyone would fall for , I made a lot of attempts to speak to you those days back in college and I tried impressing you a lot but you never cared for me ", Saying these words Nik twists Nell's Hand

"Stop It Nik ... You're hurting me " - Nell yells

"No ...I'm not ...I'm not hurting you ..But you've hurt me a lot ....since then ...You slowly became a famous story writer and left me behind unaware that I too wanted to be one .." and pushed Nell towards the window fiercely hurting her head

"Please leave me ...Please ..." - Nell pleads Nik to let her go

"The devil spares no one's life .It lets no one go off...the devil's always thirsty for blood and it wanted yours as well but never got it " - Nik spoke this as he got very close to Nell sniffing her

"No ...Please ...I beg you ...Please ..." - Nell cries

"Poor Chap " - he murmured to himself

"Nik , what do you desire ? " - Nell asked him

" Me.?? ..I only desire you and only you and only your body , your blood , I'm thirsty for you babe !! " - Nik says this as he paused for a moment , he then continued "I'll be waiting for you at the guestroom of the rooftop , get dressed well , I'm waiting for you but come quick , Don't let the devil wait long " and turns towards the entrance of the room

"Alright " , Nell said this and reaches out for a hunter weapon that is in the drawer next to the window

"Go away you Devil " - She said this and stabs Nik on his spine as Nik falls down unconscious and Nell runs away from there. She ran as fast as she could towards the entrance of the Hill House and the doors closes by itself

CHAPTER V

"Open the door...Please ..Someone...Please help me ..I need to get out of this place ", Nell bangs the door yelling out for help

"Open it ..." Nell shouts for help

"That door will not Open poor chap ", Nik spoke this in a fiercely devilish tone.

Shocked to hear him back, Nell turned around and said, " But I just killed you "

"No Human can kill The Devil.." - Nik grins like a vampire

"Nik...Please leave me,..I beg you ..I've never harmed you...Please leave me .." Nell cries out trying to escape from the Hill House and save her life from the Devil

"No ..My gorgeous baby !!... Now, I'll not spare you, sweetheart ." - Nik says this as he gets closer to Nell trying to hypnotize her , he continues further , "You've made me suffer and now it's my turn to make you one ..." , He says this and looks deeply into Nell's eye

He hypnotizes her and drank her blood completely which satiates his thirst and hunger for her and left the Hill house unaware that he's being watched

"later On..." - The Old man said ...

"Then what Happened ...?? " Shia asks and finds out that she's in a weird place

"Where am I ?", Shia talks to herself as she wakes up to a weird place, as she's surprised

"Hello !! Is anyone here?? ", She questioned again

"Don't worry, I'm here for you ", A person's voice said these words to her

"But I can't see you, Who are you? , What do you want from me ?" - Shia questioned the unknown voice

"I'm Neil, I know you can't see me but can hear me since two days you're lying here unconscious " - Neil spoke to Shia softly

" Two days ?? How's that possible Neil , That old man was talking about you all this while The vampire , how is it I'm lying here for two days ? I'm shook with this " - Shia questioned Neil as she felt that everything's happening differently and starts thinking that she's supposed to be in the cottage of the old man's house but how did she end up lying unconscious here , she continued asking further "How ??"

"The Old man whom you were talking to , the person who was telling you about my past and who showed you his paintings in his cottage is none other than Nik himself who murdered me and you relentlessly in our past life " - Neil reveals the truth of Nik

"Me and You ?? How ?? " - Shia was clueless and had many questions hovering around her mind

"Yes, you were Nell my wife, twenty-five years ago were my love, and I loved you deeply, I witnessed you being hypnotized and murdered ruthlessly by him,...But I'm sorry that I couldn't save you and Today he's targeting to kill you again because you tried to murder him " - Neil talks to shia about Nik

"But his thirst satiated by having my blood. Now what he wants ?" Shia questioned Neil

"Your soul , He wants to keep your body to have the physical pleasures with you which you had with me in your past life , He wants to keep you under his spell and separate us "

"So, you mean to say that Nik is still alive and practicing hypnosis and black magic? " - Shia questioned surprisingly

"Yes, it is ...he..." - Neil

"But he's a Devil and we can't kill him " - Shia

"He's grown old ..I'm sure his powers might have doubled? " - Shia continued

"No, it has not ..since 25 years after Nell's death he lost half of his powers and became more of a cursed person. He tried regaining his powers back, but He failed ..he cannot transform himself much but can hypnotize people which doesn't last for long as he thinks .." - Neil.

"Then ?? " - Shia

"The only way out is ..." - Neil

Nik interrupted as Shia and Neil were conversing with each other , "Good Morning Girl !! I'm glad that you've woken up after two long days of sleep ..you were so interested in the story that you slept deeply "

"Hmm..." - Shia murmured

"Anyway, I've got you a pie to eat...Please have it...It's delicious ..and your favorite too ..Apple pie .." - Nik offers the apple pie with lot of excitement

Neil senses that the apple pie in Nik's hand has already being spelled with poison and tries to stop Shia from having it

"Thank You !! But I don't have pie " - Shia refuses to have the pie

"I've especially made this for you dear...Please have it .." - Nik pretends to request her to have the pie as she's woken up from a long sleep , Internally he had a cruel intention towards offering the pie as he wanted to keep her under his spell and achieve his devilish intentions

"I'm not any way related to you and I dislike pies...Thanks anyway ..!! , I need to leave .." - Shia refuse it entirely as she is dislikes the taste of Apple pie

"But where are you leaving to ?? " - Nik questions Shia as he senses that she's up to something

Shia stood up and leaves the cave towards the Hill House where she finds out the actual truth about Nik, hidden in a corner of the room at the Rooftop of the Hill House

Shia finds a hunter hidden and few words written lightly on it , she was sure that the clue carved on the hunter will help her kill the devil , she said to herself "So this is it !! "

Within a moment or two , She heard a person behind her and turns around, shocked to see Nik right behind her "HaHaHa...So you thought you'd kill me " , Nik grin at Shia as he was confident that she can't murder him he further continued ,"Yes, I'm the Devil and Murdered many people, even Neil and Nell and ended their story as well ..I was the one who disguised as Neil and stayed with Nell just to get closer to her ..I use blood as my colors and hypnotized people and Now It's your turn for me to hypnotize you and take your blood young lady!!" ,He smiled devilishly as he said these words to Shia :

"You can't do anything to me, Nik "- Shia responded strongly, and she pauses for a moment and looks deeply into Nik's eye and stabs him right away in his chest and Nik falls down completely dead and starts burning into flames.

Shia leaves the Hill House quickly, saving herself from the fire, and starts running as fast as she could. Finally she came to the entrance of the bridge where Neil was waiting for her.

"Neil, You're here !! " - Shia

"Yes !! " - Neil

"My time is nearing ..I need to leave " - Neil continued

"But why ?? " - Shia

"I'm Set free, completely awake for a new journey...Thank you ....Thank you so much, Shia, for setting me free from this devil, you're truly my love ..I wish you all the good luck and happiness and I hope you become a Famous writer and live a very Happy Life...Good Bye and God Bless !! " - Neil

Saying these words to Shia , Neil disappears in the white light for a new journey

"Shia...Shia ....Where have you been?? Are you Alright??" - Ron says this as he comes running to Shia

"Hey !! Ron !! I'm Alright..I Just got lost and ..." - Shia

"And what about the mystery of the Hill House you were searching for everywhere?? "- Ron

"Sorted "- Shia

"What?? "- Ron

"Oh Nevermind.!! Let's go camping!! "- Shia

And they left the place