An Endless Journey
By G.S. Dutt
()
About this ebook
G.S. Dutt
G.S. Dutt has held top management positions in Indian and multinational corporations. One of the most widely read authors of children's books, his rich and varied experiences vividly come through in his writings. Dutt's first book for young children, Red Giant and the Little Girl, was published in 2003.
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Book preview
An Endless Journey - G.S. Dutt
Bound
— CHAPTER ONE —
The Cruise
It was a beautiful morning. Nikki was standing on the top deck of the ship, watching the waves go by in the vast ocean. It was the second day of the cruise. To Nikki the whole scene was like a dream. She had always wanted to travel to distant lands, to see new countries and meet new people. When her teacher, Ms Sonal, had announced that their school would take a select group of students on a ship cruise to some exotic islands in South-east Asia and that Nikki was part of the group, she hadn’t been able to believe her ears. She had been extremely excited and managed to persuade her parents to allow her to go on the trip.
That day, after boarding the ship, she had been thrilled by its sheer size and grandeur. Later, their teacher had taken all the girls on a tour of the ship. Nikki had been amazed to see eight or nine levels within one structure, so beautifully decorated. She had been awestruck by the rows of elegant residential cabins, restaurants, a theatre, music hall, shopping arcade, gymnasium, library and swimming pools. But of all the places she had liked, the top deck was indeed the best. Standing there, she could see the open sky and the vast sea in a single sweep of vision.
Nikki was concentrating on a distant ship which appeared like a small speck on the horizon when someone said, Hello.
She turned and saw two children, a boy and a girl, standing close to her. The girl was of her own age; the boy was however, younger.
Nikki gave them a smile and said, Hello, there.
These children had also boarded the ship with her and seemed no less excited to travel in this floating hotel. They were friendly kids and all the three soon got talking. They introduced themselves as Tina and Rahul. Tina talked about the video games she had played the evening before and her visit to the children’s library. Rahul described the shop selling chocolates and curios. Nikki told them about the many nooks and corners on the ship where one could easily get lost. Tina said excitedly, This ship is an ideal place to play hide and seek.
Rahul immediately quipped, Wonderful. Come let us play hide and seek.
Nikki laughed and said, Are we not a bit too old to play hide and seek?
Rahul said, "Oh come on! You are also like my sister who thinks of herself as an old lady. Let us play.
It will be great fun."
Nikki said, Fine, young man. We will play.
They discussed for a while where they could play. Nikki said, The ship is so big. Let us use only two levels below the deck to play. Hiding time will be five minutes and seeking time, fifteen minutes.
The other two agreed. Nikki said, I will hide first. Give me five minutes to start.
She left the first level and went to the second level. She walked in the corridor and found that at the far end was a trash can and a big brass planter with a plant in it. Both were placed close to a staircase. Nikki thought it could be an ideal hiding place and even if her friends came that way, she could quietly slip to the upper floor. She crouched behind the trash can and was completely hidden by the planter. Minutes ticked away. Nikki checked her watch — about seven minutes had passed but there was no sign of her new-found friends. Then she saw a woman coming into the corridor from the far end. She looked middle aged, well-dressed and very elegant. She seemed very happy, swinging her small beaded purse and humming a tune. She stopped at the door which was just next to the trash can. She opened the door and went inside.
It was then that Nikki saw a man in a bearer’s uniform and an apron. He was quietly polishing the knobs of a door with his back to the corridor. As soon as the woman went into her room, he moved quickly towards her cabin. He gave a gentle knock at the door and announced, Room service.
Simultaneously, he took out a pair of gloves from his pocket and wore them.
As soon as the woman opened the door, he shoved her inside and went in. Nikki was surprised at his behaviour. Soon she heard loud voices coming from the room and the man came out within a few minutes. He looked around furtively and closed the door silently. There was no one in the corridor. He held an open knife in one hand and a blue pouch in the other. He moved towards the trash can. Nikki was surprised to see blood splattered all over his apron and gloves. He quickly removed his apron and gloves and wrapped the knife and gloves in the apron. He thrust his hand in the pouch and took out the contents to place them in his pocket. He was bending to open the side door of the can to push the blood-stained clothes in, when he saw Nikki hiding behind it. For a moment their eyes met. He quickly placed the things in the trash can and dashed up the stairs, brushing past Nikki.
Nikki was in a state of complete shock. She slowly stood up; she could feel the blood drain from her face. Suddenly she saw Rahul and Tina coming towards her in the corridor, shouting, We found you! We found you!
Rahul said, Now, it is my turn to hide. Both of you go to the deck and wait.
Nikki replied, Sorry friends, I have to go back to my teacher at once. I cannot play any more today. We shall play tomorrow.
The children were taken aback by her abruptness, but when they saw her pale face, they kept quiet. All three of them walked back together in silence.
— CHAPTER TWO —
The Killer
Nikki ran to her teacher’s cabin. But Ms Sonal was not there. She then ran back to her own cabin. She found that her other two roommates had left behind a note for her saying that they were going for a swim. Nikki was left alone, trembling with fear.
After some time, she calmed herself and switched on the TV. Her favourite cartoon programme was on. But she was in no state to watch it. She fiddled restlessly with the remote control buttons and was about to turn the TV off, when a voice said, Here is a special announcement.
Then a face appeared on the screen to say, Ladies and gentlemen, I am your Captain here. I regret to inform you that a very heinous crime has been committed on board. At level eight, a lady in Room No. 26 has been found murdered. Her cabin seems to have been ransacked. Our security guards are investigating. There is no need to panic. We are taking emergency steps to beef up security at all levels. Meanwhile, if anyone has noticed anything suspicious at level eight between 09.00 hours and 10.00 hours, please let me know immediately. I repeat, there is no need to panic. We will take care of your safety. Please enjoy the cruise.
As soon as she heard the announcement, Nikki said to herself, ‘Oh my God! That man killed that lady.’ There was a knock on her door. She was petrified to open the catch and as she walked towards the peep-hole, she heard her teacher’s voice saying, Open up. Quick.
Nikki opened the door. Ms Sonal asked, Where are the other girls?
Nikki replied, Miss, they have gone for a swim.
Sonal said, Look Nikki, a lady has been murdered on the ship. You should all be very careful. Tell the other girls that nobody should go alone anywhere on the ship.
Nikki looked at her teacher with terrified eyes and faltered. Finally she mustered up courage to say, Miss, I have seen the man who killed that lady.
Ms Sonal stared at her speechlessly. Nikki, this is no time for games. What on earth are you saying?
Looking at Nikki’s helpless expression, she asked in a softer tone, Have you really seen the killer? When? Where?
In a rush of words, Nikki told her all about the hide-and-seek game and said, I saw him from close quarters when he was hiding his blood-soaked apron and gloves in the trash can.
Did he also see you?
Ms Sonal asked nervously.
Yes,
replied Nikki, he did.
Good Lord!
uttered Ms Sonal, turning pale. Let us go to the captain immediately.
Nikki and Ms Sonal were soon in the captain’s cabin. By then Nikki had gathered her wits and could narrate the entire incident to the captain as realistically as possible. The captain asked her to describe the man to him. Nikki said, He was neither fair nor dark. His complexion was light brown. He had flat features and small eyes.
The captain asked, Can you recognise him, if you see him again?
Yes,
replied Nikki. He had a peculiar face. I can definitely recognise him.
The captain got hold of the public address system and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain again. A girl who was playing on level eight saw the killer and can recognise him. We shall soon lay our hands on him. Please bear with us