Tales from Beyond (cont'd)

The day dawned dreary and wet. Rivulets of water trickled down the window pane as Sushma sat unseeing, an open unread book on her lap. The steady drumming of the rain on the rooftop, a sound she normally associated with comfort and harmony, added to the melancholy of the afternoon. Her mind was far away as she tried desperately to piece together the puzzle of this house and it's former occupants. Where did she fit in? Was she psychic, or was she in some way connected with this house and it's people. She felt certain the raggedy old man held the key to it's past. How could she get him to talk, given that he almost certainly suffered from dementia. She got up and walked into the room with the books. Would there be any clues left by their owners in between the pages? She picked up one book, then another and another. Nothing. Some phrases underlined, a few doodles here and there with a pencil. Rather artistic doodles she thought. The quiet of the afternoon was shattered by the harsh, insistent ringing of the telephone. How she hated telephones! who could be calling? she was certain she had not given this number to anyone. She leaned over and picked up the receiver. "Hello?" she said. There was a lot of crackle and then an anguished scream "No ! please, No!" heart pounding, feeling just a bit faint she whispered "who's there?" no answer and then a click and the person hung up. Sushma stood for a moment, almost too petrified to move and then sank into the nearest chair. She sat for a while numb and motionless, then shook herself. She had to get out. She couldn't live here any more. They were right about the house. What she left behind seemed particularly attractive right now. Her fans, the lack of privacy, the endless concerts where she was just a money making machine, and music had no appeal any more, and the paparazzi. This was something sinister and alien and beyond belief. She longed to get back to civilization, distasteful though it was. She would pack right away and call the agent. she had paid the rent in advance anyway. She rose. (continued in next blog)