The village of Kaalpur was forgotten by maps.
It sat between dead hills and black banyan trees, where even wind hesitated before entering. At the center of the village stood an abandoned Shiva temple. Its stone walls were cracked, its bells rusted, and its steps eaten by moss.
People said the temple once protected the village.
Then one night, the priest disappeared during aarti.
Only his footprints were found.
They stopped in front of the idol.
And nowhere else.
Years later, Ananya Sharma, a historian, arrived to document old temples. She believed myths hid history, not monsters.
At sunset, she climbed the temple steps.
The air smelled of ash and wet flowers.
Inside, darkness pooled like liquid.
She placed her bag down and took photos.
That's when she heard it.
Tinnnnn…
The bell above the shrine moved.
Slowly.
There was no wind.
No touch.
Just motion.
Then again—
Tinnnnn…
The sound sank into her chest.
Behind her, the temple doors creaked shut.
And the idol's shadow bent forward slightly, like it was listening.