The Shrouded Relic  The southern beaches were warm, their golden sands beckoning travelers with their tranquil beauty. Gregg and Valerie, a newly married couple, made it a tradition to visit these shores at least twice a year. For them, the beaches offered not just relaxation but a chance to escape into a dream-like realm of serenity. Each visit, they rented a secluded villa by the sea, indulging in the exquisite local dishes and letting the rhythm of the waves lull them into blissful contentment.  The mornings greeted them with cool breezes, and the sea shimmered like glass under the rising sun. They often waded into the water as far as they dared, laughing like children before collapsing onto the powdery sand to bask under the sun. Gregg relished the smoky flavor of barbecued fish and shrimps, while Valerie preferred to sit under the stars, weaving dreams of their future together.  On their final day, as they strolled along the shoreline, the couple came across an antiq...

 The Whisper of Wills -  Chapter 2  As I prepared for a short journey, a familiar presence stood at the door—it was Rathu. He always had a question or two for me, whether it was about my return for lunch, tea, or dinner. His concern was unwavering, ensuring I never left the bungalow without gladness or an empty stomach. His skills in the kitchen were unmatched; he could whip up traditional sweets of rice flour, coconut treacle, and cashews that seemed almost magical in their taste.  Today, though, his eyes held a peculiar sharpness, as though seeking answers I had not yet given. "Will you be back for lunch, sir?" he asked, his voice tinged with something I couldn’t quite place.  "Yes, but it’ll be a late one," I replied, pulling my sweater tighter.  “It’s quite cold today, sir,” he remarked, his gaze lingering on me with an unusual curiosity, almost as if he knew more than he let on.  “I know,” I said, pausing briefly. “But I must visit the tea factory...

Veins of Dread At exactly 7 p.m,Kris latched the tools into the storeroom—though calling it a storeroom was generous. It was more like a hollowed-out bunker of rust and cobwebs, two cramped rooms filled with peculiar equipment, all as worn as relics from a past life. He’d need them for the new vegetable plot, a project that was already paying off in strange ways. This venture with his childhood friend Ross had brought in more money than he'd expected, as if the earth itself was eager to share its riches—almost too eager.  The business was booming, bringing in enough for both families to live comfortably and dream bigger. With new acres to their name, Kris and Ross expanded into a landscape so wide and open it felt like their very own kingdom. The air was tranquil, almost enchanted, with no other homes or signs of life for miles—just pure, unbroken wilderness. Ross’s place sat at the far end, barely visible through the trees, but they met each day without fail, gathering with a hand...

Ulama's last Screech The world exists, and as humans, we lead our lives filled with daily struggles, punctuated by the most unexpected and unsettling moments. Life can be cruel—not just to man, but to all beings. Imagine waking up in the dead of night to eerie sounds that claw at the edges of your sanity, or to disturbances that make the environment feel suffocating and alien. Misfortunes unfold without warning, and you realize the earth is not just ours but is shared with others—beings unseen, invisible, yet ever-present.  They could be perched silently on your ceiling fan, their shadowy forms twisting unnaturally in the dim light, or crouched in the dark corners of your room, their hollow eyes watching your every move. Don’t dare look under your bed, where unseen hands might reach for you, or spend too much time in front of the mirror, where your reflection might not mimic you anymore. And whatever you do, never make plans at dusk, for their ears are sharper than you imagine....