Once upon a time, in a small village nestled at the edge of a thick forest, there lived a curious young boy named Arjun. Arjun was a lively and adventurous twelve-year-old who loved exploring every nook and cranny of his village and the surrounding areas. But there was one place that intrigued him more than any other – an old, abandoned fort deep in the forest.
The fort was a crumbling structure of ancient stone walls and towering spires, half-hidden by trees and vines. Though the villagers avoided it, whispering of ghostly sounds and strange happenings, Arjun felt a strange pull toward the fort. He had always wanted to go there, but his parents warned him not to, claiming it was haunted and unsafe.
One warm summer evening, as the sun dipped behind the forest, casting long shadows, Arjun felt the urge to visit the fort stronger than ever. He gathered his courage, grabbed his little flashlight, and set off through the trees. The forest was alive with the sounds of crickets and rustling leaves, and Arjun's heart raced with excitement.
After a while, he reached the fort. Its massive, cracked walls seemed to loom over him, covered in vines and moss. As he stepped inside the gate, he felt a shiver run down his spine. The place was eerily quiet, with only the soft whisper of the wind.
As Arjun ventured further, he suddenly heard a faint sound, like someone calling his name.
“Arjun… Arjuuun…”
He froze in his tracks, his heart pounding. It was a voice, a soft whisper, echoing through the stone corridors of the fort. But there was no one in sight.
“Hello?” Arjun called, his voice trembling slightly. “Is… is someone there?”
Silence.
He thought about turning back, but his curiosity got the better of him. He took a deep breath and continued moving forward, his footsteps echoing softly. The voice called again, a little louder this time.
“Arjun… come closer…”
The sound seemed to come from the very heart of the fort, so he followed it, weaving through narrow passageways and dusty rooms. As he walked, the voice grew clearer, almost comforting, like someone familiar but long forgotten.
Finally, Arjun entered a small chamber lit by the faint glow of his flashlight. At the center of the room stood an old, dusty mirror. Strangely, it looked out of place in the abandoned fort, almost as if someone had put it there recently.
Arjun approached the mirror, and as he did, the voice spoke again, this time very clear and gentle.
“Arjun, do not be afraid.”
He looked around, still seeing no one. But when he looked back at the mirror, he gasped in shock. There, in the reflection, was a young boy about his age, with twinkling eyes and a warm smile. The boy in the mirror looked like he was from a different time, dressed in old-fashioned clothes.
“Who… who are you?” Arjun stammered, taking a step back.
The boy in the mirror smiled softly. “My name is Ravi. I used to live in this fort a long time ago. I’ve been waiting for someone like you.”
Arjun felt a strange sense of calm. “Waiting… for me?”
Ravi nodded. “Yes. I’ve been trapped here, unable to move on. I need your help, Arjun.”
Arjun was intrigued and a little scared, but he couldn’t turn back now. “What do you need me to do?”
Ravi explained that he had once lived in the fort when it was full of life, with his family and many others. But one day, an accident happened, and he had been left behind, his spirit bound to the fort, unable to leave. Only a kind-hearted person from the village could help him.
“All you need to do is light a candle at the top of the fort’s tower,” Ravi said. “If you do that, I’ll finally be free.”
Arjun hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “I’ll help you, Ravi.”
With Ravi’s guidance, Arjun made his way through the fort, climbing narrow staircases and avoiding broken steps. At last, he reached the top of the tower, where he found an old, dusty candle waiting for him.
He pulled out his matches, lit the candle, and placed it by the window, as Ravi had instructed.
As the candle’s flame flickered to life, a warm, golden light filled the tower. Arjun felt a strange sensation, like a gentle breeze passing through him, and he heard Ravi’s voice one last time.
“Thank you, Arjun. You’ve given me peace.”
And with that, the voice faded, leaving only silence.
Arjun stood there for a moment, feeling a mixture of happiness and sadness. He made his way back down, and as he left the fort, he glanced back and saw a soft glow coming from the tower – a sign that Ravi’s spirit had finally found peace.
From that day on, Arjun felt a deep bond with the fort, knowing he had helped a friend in need. And though he never heard Ravi’s voice again, he would sometimes see a faint glow in the tower window, like a silent thank you from a friend he would never forget.
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