A Short Ghost Story

This story is true.

It was time for me to go to my new office. The time was 11.45 pm. The world was probably resting but I had to go to meet this queer new boss at that hour. I more than desperately needed that job. I would not like to go into details as to why I took up such a strange job that demanded employees to work every night for just three hours…due to personal reasons but the fact that they were paying handsomely tempted me. I threw caution to the wind as I reached the office. It was a huge building. I had never seen it before although I often crossed this area. Suddenly, I was reminded of one of the obnoxious clauses attached to this job. I was supposed to be unafraid of everything on the first day of office.

I thought of returning to the safety of my apartment. But I had no money. What would I live on for a month? I had to go to work atleast for one month. I shrugged and entered the quiet building. There was no one inside.. no receptionist…no HR..nothing. A shrill voice directed me to take the lift. I opened my mouth to ask a question. ‘No Questions’, said the dictatorial voice. I took the lift, thankfully, the lift was crowded. I thought, I knew some of the people. I had seen them on Television perhaps. One of them was a famous Bollywood director or probably a look-alike! Nobody seemed to be interested in talking. The voice directed me towards the ‘Dark Room’ at the end of the corridor. I had this funny feeling that a prank was being played on me…it was some farcical tv show or probably my acquaintances had come together to make a fool of me. All this was surreal but it was happening to me. I peeped at one of the rooms and saw people busily typing something. I sighed with relief. I was here to do some writing stuff, perhaps!

I entered the dark room. A lady stood in the dark…only her silhouette was visible. She appeared very familiar. I sat on a nearby chair. She sat too. I said hello…she mimicked me in a shrill voice. I got scared but I had to keep my nerves. I lifted a hand to wipe sweat…she did exactly the same thing. I was about to stand and run….when I saw real words crawling across the wall as if someone was typing on the giant wall. It said…it was my turn for a nightmarish dream. They said they were kidnappers of Subconscious and Nightmare writers. I looked back at the lady sitting against me. Her face was lighted now. My mirror image! She was Me! Only I was crying and she was smiling viciously. I ran and ran and ran…I don’t know how I reached my apartment.

Someone was sleeping soundly on my bed, I drew away the blanket, I got the shock of my life …I was sleeping in there…smiling that vicious smile of mine!