Jake was a 29 year old man. He was a detective who was determined to know whether ghosts are real or not.He had also written books on many of his adventures.He had encountered 11 haunted castles all around the world, but he did not have an encounter with ghosts of any sort.

Today , he was going to another haunted castle in his own country.He was very excited to go.He had packed his bag with all sorts of things needed for the journey. He knew that the

 path was long , so he took a lot of food in case he becomes famished.He also took a First Aid kit.

His great grandfather had given him a book which had the details of the castle. He read the book twice before leaving.

He had understood every detail about the castle, but he still took the book along with him because there were some things that were peculiarly different and could not be remembered.

He went on the journey in a carriage,  but soon the horses couldn't go any longer,because the path was too narrow for them. Jake continued on the path , as he went ahead he c0ame to a dense forest. The forest looked creepy. However Jake was not afraid. He continued on his path until

he got lost.

He was now in the forest for two days searching for the correct way to any sheltered place. He was out of food and water. He read his great grandfather's book searching for any clues he could find. While he was reading suddenly a wild dog appeared. At first he was scared but then he figured out that the dog was friendly.

As time passed the dog and Jake became friends. After half an hour they started to walk. While they were walking suddenly the dog started running. Jake was puzzled but followed him.

Soon Jake lost the dog ,but he heard the sound of water.He followed the sound as fast as he could. Finally he reached a brook. The water was as cold as ice, but he drank as much as he could.Then he rested on the side of it till his great grandfather's book gleamed and started quivering.

It opened to a page and highlighted some words written on it- 'Follow the brook' . So , Jake followed the brook and reached to the castle. Jake reached to the castle at midnight.

As he moved forward he saw overgrown heather everywhere.There was a huge garden outside the castle.

At the centre of the garden there was a tree which was shaped as a wicked witch's hand.It had a swing hanging from a branch.He moved onwards and soon found himself at the door of the castle.

He could not see anything through the chinks because it was dark behind.He put his hand on the octagonal handle and opened the door.As he opened the door it ratled and grated.

As soon as he stepped over the threshold,torches were lit.The quivering flames showed a long corridor.Jake reached at the end of the corridor and found himself in front of two doors.

He opened the first one and saw a old man standing in there. He was famished and tired ,so he asked him for food and shelter.The man turned around, Jake was so shocked that he got numb.It was his great grandfather!

His great grandfather replied his shocked face," I am a ghost, I was the dog that met you in the forest,I was the one that  awakened the books powers ,so that you could reach here."

"You may stay here for a couple of days,  but then you will have to go back home." "Are you dead?" Jake asked. "I died 200 years ago , I was always a ghost" he replied. "Does it mean that ghosts are real? " Jake asked.

"Yes,ghosts are real ,but they stay till they have fulfilled their destiny. My destiny was to make people believe that ghosts are real, and now I have fulfilled my destiny." After saying this, he vanished into thin air.

The dust whirled around and made the words " check your bag pack " and when Jake opened it he found loads and loads of food, which was vital for him.

After 10 years Jake renovated the castle and made it a beautiful and royal hotel for people all around the world.

He named it 'Destiny'.

Mann Chokshi

May 2021

Ahmedabad