Second Lodge: The Shrine of Avarice

By Vijay Painy

There are dark secrets, in those jinxed woods of Mist valley, that could lure anyone into itsheart. Four Paranormal enthusiasts venture into them, oblivious about the contagion of hex prevailed over a century, their adventure culminates in tragedy. It didn’t stop there.
There were more secrets to exhume, more sinister plots to unravel, it became a burden for Noah, a diligent Paranormal investigator, who was among the victim of Mist valley haunting to trade secrets with a covert organization, called themselves the nemesis of evil. Engaged
in mission which was far more than herculean, equipped Noah to comprehend the very secrets of life and death.
He walks through a realm which mortals seldom travels, perceives knowledge to counter the evil which havocked life of his friends, The Creed whom he intended to confront was a Leviathan, it had its tentacles spread everywhere, no organisation in the world could skip
their radar, powerful people among its top rungs, run the Lodges. The place where they worship their deities, believed to control the humanity through their sins. Avarice- Greed, lucrative among all sins! Yes….! The shrine was second among the seven established in the world. The Second Lodge or Shrine of Avarice.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blue Rose Publishers
• Release date: Dec 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9789357041409

Book preview

Prologue

Seven deadly sins, seven Demons to inherit it, control it, dominate it. The world revolves around these sins; no human with senses could overcome them.

They subjugated these demons, by offering sacrifices, lest they could control the world, they built seven shrines, and placed one above all, sanctified the light bringer, the lord of forbidden knowledge, Lucifer and enthroned him as their King.

They called themselves, The Creed, Lucifer’s Creed, whom possessed a great deal of wealth in this world, they were everywhere and anywhere, the members infiltrated in Politics, Mafias, Cartels and even in Church. That is not true to say that evil has no place besides God, in fact Devil never vacated the left side of God.

PART ONE

Chapter 1

BEANZ became a hangout place for many youngsters in the city. There are other cafes but Beanz could achieve a good reputation in a short time. The frequenters were mostly teenagers, young couples, college students and silent readers. The shelves in café got all sort of collections, Thrillers, romantic stories, erotic stories, sci-fi novels, horror in segmentation as vampire, zombie, and classic haunting, like that of Edgar Alan Poe and Henry James. Bundles of Tom Clancy, Agatha Christy, Arthur Clark, full volume of Sherlock Holmes, recent Dan Brown, Jeffry Archer, Dean Koontz, and rack full of Stephen King. Beanz makes some exotic coffee, the roasting smell would waft into the nostrils the moment you step inside the café. They also make some special pastries, sandwiches and all kind of western retreats. Beside that the traditional Indian tea time eateries were also supplied. They charge their customers’ quiet exorbitantly, still people rush there to enjoy the unique ambiance.

On the western corner of the café there stood a booth, got a capacity to occupy 6 persons, it’s like an amputated square and three sides got beige upholstery with coffee brown pillow cushions, a bamboo pendant lamp hanging from the roof illuminates the booth with a dim radiance. On the wall hanged a replica of ‘Scream’, painted by the Norwegian painter Edward Munch, the original had fetched a sum of 120 million US dollars in the Sotheby's auction. The wall displayed famous paintings like ‘Melancholy’ by the same painter. Van Gogh's ‘Stary night’, ‘Potato eaters’, ‘The Red vineyard’, Salvador Dali's ‘Persistence of memories’ were a few noted one.

That day drizzles brought a moist weather, three men sat inside the booth. Which they preferred to call ‘the scream booth’ on behalf of the painting. The black granite table had 3 cups of normal Brue and a plate full of French fries. The men were doing different things, quite detached from their surroundings. Man, with curly hairs thick mustache and stubbles on face was Hemant Nair a graduate in economics from Delhi University, he was reading a new edition of readers digest. Sitting opposite to him a fair slim man with carbon framed spectacle, wearing a denim shirt and khaki corduroy trouser was Noah Yehudi a descendant from the early Jewish settlers in the coast of Arabian Sea. Noah a reluctant charted accountant was scribbling something in his black leather bounded organizer. Short statured robustly built young man was Rexin Alex who was a mechanical engineer, He was busy browsing his smart phone. All pursued different professions but now united for a common purpose. Quit their profitable careers to form an organization, an NGO not for social reform or charity but to hunt ghosts.

A purple Nano car came to the parking yard and a lady got out from the wheels along with a man from other side. She was holding a plastic file in her hand with which she covered her face and head from the drizzles, the man came out wearing a brown shirt and grey trouser walked calmly without minding the drizzles. They entered the café and the lady divulged herself while wiping her face with a small towel and waved towards the western corner towards the ‘scream booth’, the excited men all waved back.

Anamika, her friends call her Ana, a graduate in literature from University of Mysore and put her shoes in various arenas as a spoken English tutor, interior designer, radio jokey and even a program anchor. But she found her interest lies in something else and that's why she lined up with these men. The day was so special for them and a much-awaited opportunity, a pivotal turn in their goose chase was expected to happen, the man who came along with Ana could help them achieve it.

Here comes the trophy said Rexin.

Can’t say that yet said Hemant.

Men rearranged themselves to accommodate the new arrivals. The guest was given the side seat so other four could face him. Ana introduced him to her friends and she couldn’t hide the enthusiasm flourished on her face while introducing the man. Nobert Thomas was a real-estate broker, he was well acquainted with all bigshots in the city and this man got something really interesting for the group.

Anamika and her friends quit jobs to start a paranormal research team, they call themselves professional ghost hunters, they created a website of their venture and named their organization THE PARANORMAL RESEARCH SOCIETY OF KERALA or in abbreviation PARESK. It became difficult to spot a real haunting location in the state! It was decided unanimously by the stakeholders to move out of state in search of haunting spots, a day before Anamika got a call, the speaker wanted to meet her in person, when she approached, he revealed himself as a real-estate broker and wanted her help. Anamika insisted that the details should be revealed to her team members as she cannot decide to sign up for any action herself. Nobert Thomas began to speak while all others sharpened their ears to absorb his voice.

"Mist valley 300 acres of property surrounding reserve forest on all three sides, 30 kms away from Munnar near Yellapetty estate, the main attraction is the old colonial mansion of about 28,000square feet. The property was handed over to Idukki diocese by the Finley and company, a tea company established by Scottish Planters. Plantation in the property was abandoned years ago and whole 300 acres of land and the mansion had been sold by the diocese eight years ago, buyer was the Credence group under the chairman ship of Mr. Daniel Pothan, a very affluent NRI who got his major stakes of business in Nevada, the company bought property to renovate the mansion and modify it into a resort with modern paraphernalia. They also have a farm 10 km away from this property. But major investment was on colonial Mansion. Cost millions to purchase the property and project was company's most anticipated one. Earlier people used to weave strange stories about the mansion, nobody really bothered to delve in to the truth. It was abandoned for years or almost half a century. When property acquired by the company and started renovation the canard became strong, after a while the company couldn’t get workers to continue the work.

The property is said to be haunted and Mr. Daniel Pothan wants us to investigate Ana completed.

Mr. Pothan is my mentor, he asked me to see you and brief the situation, if you are willing to accept the offer, I can fix an appointment with him.

What is the deal? asked Noah

Ana gave him an incredulous look

I am just a middleman, but Mr. Pothan is known for his benevolence, he will not disappoint you.

Mr. Nobert this may be irrelevant now, but out of curiosity I am asking, how did he know about us? asked Hemant

That's obvious our website did the job said Ana.

Any way what is your call? asked Nobert.

Fix the appointment said everyone unanimously.

The man left the booth saying goodbye to all of them, lady and three gentlemen continued their discussion.

This is huge guys, what you say? asked Ana.

300 acres of land and a huge mansion in hill station is a real fortune for any real estate company said Noah.

That is true, but what we have to do here? asked Rexin

The property got a haunting background as usual as any old colonial assets, that doesn’t drew any curiosity, All old mansions in the country had been linked to some spooky stories, here is an another one. said Noah.

So, are you telling that this is another prank? Asked Ana.

I am not sure; any way we got an affluent client and we have to make use of this opportunity at the maximum.

Yes, the shylock is right said Rexin with smile.

Noah smiled rhetorically

We have to see Mr. Daniel Pothan and ask him about the problems faced by his people in that Mansion, then we can decide how to start the investigation, if it's just a hoax then we got nothing special to add to our career, but if the haunting is real then we got some real dirty grave to dig.

That is unavoidable said Ana.

The problem has not been presented before us, we could decide our moves only after meeting Mr.Pothan. said Hemant.

Chapter 2

Two days after meeting Nobert Thomas, Mr. Daniel Pothan, chairman of credence group had agreed to see them. They stuffed inside the purple Nano and started towards the resort ‘Reverie retreat’ owned by Credence Group, Parked the car and started walking towards the lounge, Nobert was waiting, he led them to pathway paved with black and white interlocking tiles, like pawns in a chess they made soft steps towards the cottage no.12 where Mr.Pothan was staying for the time being. The façade of the cottage was not attractive. Nobert pressed the bell and caretaker led them inside. The interior of cottage was not as shabby as the façade, the floor paved with Carara marble. There stood a big aquarium in the living area, couches and cushions were all modern styled, the space inside were adequate to occupy a four-member family. Nobert asked something to the caretaker and the caretaker went inside, a few minutes later tall well trimmed man entered, he was very fair and jubilant, with high cheek bones and oblong face, his eyes were slightly sunken. He smiled and wished every one, they all stood to pay him respect but he asked to sit. He sat on a cushioned wicker chair.

Ana was curiously studying his features, he was wearing a white linen shirt and ash colored trousers, his full sleeves had been locked with golden cufflinks. The caretaker brought steaming coffee within no time. Hope you all like coffee said Daniel breaking the silence. There was a brief introduction of the team members after Mr. Pothan introduced himself.

Well you might have briefed by Nobert, he is my special friend here, and I am very glad that he is always there for me when I needed him. Daniel smiled with a glance towards Nobert.

Nobert stood and smiled at Mr. Pothan

Sir my job is over; shall I take leave? asked Nobert.

Yes Nobert, words are not enough to thank your service and you shall meet me day after tomorrow.

Nobert wished the team good luck and left.

So, your organization the ‘PARESK’, what does it stand for? The chairman asked.

Paranormal Research society of Kerala said Rexin

Ok I don’t know anything about this paranormal investigation and earlier I didn’t believe in the ghosts. But our company's business is in trouble, we invested heavily on the property in the hill station, now no man will enter there, fearing the ghosts. The Mist valley resort was our million-dollar project, we have to reopen and operate it inhuming the ghost story at any cost.

Sir have you experienced it asked Ana

No, it’s not me, I found nothing in the Mansion.

Sir, who experienced the paranormal activity in the Mansion? Hemant asked.

Can we see those who have experienced the paranormal activity asked Noah.

Twelve years back during a business trip to California I met this man, a smart young chap from Cochin. He was working in Silicon Valley, a computer wizard graduated from IIT. Mukesh, we became good friends and used to hook up in California whenever I go there, and sometimes he came to Nevada and spend weekends with me. We together had many adventures like fishing, hiking, skiing and hunting. He always told me about his love back home. Riya was daughter of a deceased Naval officer, being a catholic her mother was a staunch believer in church, won’t give away her daughter to a Hindu. But the lovers never conceded, once Mukesh asked about doing business in Kerala, I encouraged him to join my firm, I could entrust him to develop our project near Munnar, where we were planning to build a mushroom farm too. He readily agreed to the idea, he came back to India leaving his Silicon Valley comforts and heavy pay cheques.

Did they marry? asked Ana out of curiosity

Yes of course they did said Daniel

Happy ending at last said Noah

The end is not always happy, Riya’s mother was sick, she was diagnosed with bone cancer, at last she gave her consent for the marriage because she didn’t wanna die seeing an unmarried daughter. Mukesh stayed in Cochin andh joined our company as the project manager of Agribusiness unit. We cleared all legal formalities for starting a mushroom farm 10 kilometers away from Mist valley. The project was delayed as Mukesh could not spare himself from his ailing mother-in-law and needy wife. After Mercy Fernandez's death Mukesh compelled Riya to leave Cochin, she agreed. The couple started a new life in the Mist valley.

By then renovation had started in the mansion, the farm was in an isolated place, devoid, facility of accommodation. I insisted him to stay in the Mansion. But things went awry, we had a dispute with the revenue department on some land said to be encroached by the company, the court issued a stay order to stall construction activity in the property. We had to stop the renovation works. I Asked Mukesh to stay in the mansion with company appointed caretaker and cook. He was happy at the beginning, Riya too felt well in that place, the place was romantic indeed. After a month or so Mukesh talked distressfully and he lost his previous enthusiasm, earlier we used to talk about farm and its progress but later he was much concerned about his wife's change in behavior, she acted weirdly and she was on the verge of psychological break out. One day Mukesh called me and said he is moving out from the mansion as someone tried to kill him, he said it was an evil spirit of some kind.

I was not convinced but I don’t want to toil with his emotions, I asked him to get some medical help for Riya.I was having hard time in US, because of the economic meltdown. When I contacted him, he said he got help from Dr. Sarkar, a psychiatrist running a small clinic in Munnar. Riya had been admitted in his clinic and he was treating her well. On a Thanksgiving Day I got his call, he sounded normal, he said he is going back to Cochin, Riya had been recovered from her illness.

Didn’t he explain about the haunting? asked Rexin

He was very reluctant to go though that accounts at that time, so I didn’t insist.

"My niece back in US said that the best way to detect haunting is to hire a paranormal team. I couldn’t invest time searching anyone because of my busy schedule, I entrusted Nobert, he was searching literally everywhere to find someone, my niece again helped by spotting your website and got the number, I asked Nobert to contact you.

"The investigation is a tedious process we are up against the invisible and unknown phenomena, which could be provocative sometimes. The results could be very subjective and if we find anything supernatural what you want us to do…? Hemant asked.

You can do whatever you like but I want the result, I wanted to restart my construction after 3 months, so I can give you is three months.

That's very reasonable said Noah.

Ana noticed that Noah's attention to Mr.Daniel Pothan's Platinum bracelet. He was intermittently staring at the piece of jewelry on his left hand.

You are free to do your job as the way you wish, company will provide you all facilities you want. Don’t bother about your remuneration that will be paid separately after the mission.

Sir to be honest we are a new organization and we need some initial fund to purchase some equipment, hope you will provide us some advance. Hemant Said.

How much money do you want in Advance? asked Daniel

Nine lakhs said Noah without any hesitation.

Ok that could be arranged.

The team members couldn’t believe Noah, when he asked 9 lakhs, almost a million rupees in advance, but they were in cloud nine when Mr.Pothan said yes without any slight embarrassment.

We have to meet your friend. Hemant said.

Mukesh is staying in Aluva, you can meet him I will request his interview with you people, he is a nice guy, now slowly recovered from his wife's death.

What…! Is she dead? Asked Ana

Yes, she committed suicide.

But why did she do that? Ana asked in disbelief.

Lord only knows that young lady. Daniel raised his hands upwards.

That was strange and obscure…! said Noah.

The chairman smiled and gazed over his Rolex. This was imperative that the appointment was nearing its end.

Hereafter you can report me through email and I need weekly progress, for the advance money you can contact my personal Assistant Mrs.Rebecca Kurian, after three days I will go back to Nevada and you can contact Rebecca for anyother assistance, your local help in Munnar will meet you there once you reach.

12 weeks ahead you. I hope you could wind up this within 10 weeks. You smart guys won’t have to meddle with this for long, start easily and close early. Rebecca will call you and intimate you about the appointment with Mukesh. After seeing him you can decide and plan accordingly, you are free to take your decisions but reporting should be done without delay. Haunted or not, I want that place free of spooks, convince the people that Mistvalley is calm and quiet place with heavenly beauty. I won’t hesitate to reward you if this is done.

The chairman shook hands with all team members and waved them goodbye. The team was thrilled to get an assignment like this and this could really give their organization an essential impetus. They have 12 weeks ahead of them and these 12 weeks would determine their career and future of their new organization.

Chapter 3

‘Blossoms’ belonged to Rexin's family, it was renovated into a concrete skeleton with glass panes by his father Mr.Alex Mathew, an expatriate engineer worked in the oil mines of gulf deserts. Rexin Alex Mathew and his younger brother Robin Alex Mathew spent their childhood with their parents Alex and Anna in the middle east.

Rexin came back to India for graduation. He got himself enrolled in National Institute of Technology, Suratkal near the port city of Manglore in south Karnataka. During the final years of his graduation Rexin was devastated by a terrible accident which took life of his parents and little brother. The pileup happened in the December of 2003 near Sharjah, took lives of 75 people. The incident made him an orphan, but his Grandmother, a bold sharp-witted septuagenarian came forward and consoled him.Katrina Mathew in her early seventies took in charge of blossoms, she made sure that Rexin come out of trauma and complete his engineering.Rexin did complete his graduation in engineering and got placed in a well known consultancy company in Bangalore, for several months he continued, as moving further the job and environment became torturous to him. He wanted to come back, under the wings of his old granny he found some relief, his grandmother didn’t object, she was also missing him badly.

During college days Rexin was an Atheist, he devoured books of Dawkins, Hitchens, young atheist like Sam Harris became his role model. One day from a Higgin bothoms he bought a book, which was bestseller written by a yogi. The book was full of mystic adventures of seers who lived during the pre-independence era. Many incidences described in the book actively or passively suggest the existence of afterlife. The atheist in him was slowly becoming an agnostic, Rexin's mind wanted to believe in life after death, because that is the only way he can console the death of his beloved parents and younger brother. He believed that they exist in some other dimension in this universe. The intuition of life after death concreted in his mind after reading ‘MANY LIVES AND MANY MASTERS’ by Brian.L.Weiss, the psychiatrist who revealed a case of early lives in a patient. The quest for life after death brought Rexin into the fold of paranormal researchers. He met Hemant Nair through a mutual friend, Hemant had completed post graduation and was in a preparation to commit full time paranormal research.

Hemanth proposed an idea of volunteering for a paranormal research team investigating an old jewish house in Mattanchery, Cochin. The team was led by a lady named Anushmitha Chatterji. The house was built in late 19th century and was abandoned by a rich jewish family who left for Israel after formation of the Jewish state. It was under the possession of a well-known Muslim spice merchant named Kannamkandy Rawther, after his death his elder son Ibrahim Rawther sold the house to a group of entrepreneurs who wanted to convert that into a heritage café. But one after another hard luck followed those who ventured into this project. When a young entrepreneur was killed in an accident, they were forced to back off from the project.

The house become a instant internet fame and aroused interest in paranormal research team to investigate the truth behind it, Anushmitha Chatterji was the team leader, she was very particular in getting a person acquainted with Jewish traditions in her team, Noah Yehudi was an enthusiast in parapsychology, he was introduced to Mrs.Chatterji by a mutual friend. Mrs. Chatterji had learned the history of Kerala's Jewish settlement, myths, beliefs and rituals of early Jewish community from him. Noah heard stories about sorceries done by some persons in old days, and rumors about black Sabbath, it's a communion of the cult to honor the devil and proclaim their subjugation to the Satan. Bed time stories about ibburs and dybbuks were his favorites and he insisted his grandmother to tell those stories. But as he grew old Noah passed these stories as mere myths, old jewish fairytales.

They got items used in the alter of devil, a femur bone of some goat like animal, a china petridish with dried semen and blood, human hairs, ambergris, ivory handled fillet knives, black candles. These suspicious items were in a huge wooden box above the attic. Mrs.chatterji could easily make out that the early inhabitants of this vintage jewish house were sorcerers who practiced Black Sabbath. There might be some curse spelled upon the house and because of that the inauspicious things happened to those who try to deal with it. Mrs.Chatterji recommended a Kabbalist exorcism to be done to wade of the evil in the house and lift the curse, but the young businessmen were not ready to spend more money on the house, they wanted to dispose it and move on. They sold the house to another restaurant.

Noah and Hemanth were the late joiners, Anamika was helping Katrina in the kitchen preparing some snacks and tea. Rexin was in his room browsing internet, and when both came, he showed printouts about various things he was searching for the background study.

What is this printout? asked Hemant.

Description of similar stories world wide said Rexin.

Made the list of all equipment that we needed for the mission, and I think the vehicle for our conveyance will be given by the company, . Rexin handed a printout to Ana, a paper which contains name of some items.

Ana started reading

DSLR Camera, Full spectrum Camera, CCTV Camera, Thermal Camera, EVP Recorder, EMF meters, Motion detectors, EM pump. Ana stopped.

We have to buy all these? asked her.

Yes these are all basic equipments. Rexin confirmed.

OK..Guys…Hemant continued. We have to assing specific responsibility to each individual. Rexin is good with gadgets we can choose him as the Equipment manager. I prefer Noah to take up the task of Case manager along with that he may deal with the finance.

Hemant, then you lead the team Rexin insisted.

I too have that opinion said Ana.

I have no objection in that. Hemant agreed reluctantly.

Any way we need two or three volunteers, an offsite consultant who is reliable, whom we could regularly contact and seek help. A team documentarian to assist the Equipment manager and above all a veteran psychic. said Noah.

We have to accommodate another five people in our team.

Five or four.

I will update it on our website and volunteers will folk around. Said Ana.

No, we will use our contact to get the best, online publicity will harm the covertness of this mission. Said Noah.

That's right Said the Team leader. We will publish the details of our investigation online, after completion of the task.

What is our next move? asked Ana

We will call the lady

Which lady?

Rebecca Kurian.

Chapter 4

The team reached starline apartments at 10:20 am Saturday, the private secretary to chairman of credence group had given them the details regarding the location and apartment number of Mr. Mukesh. They parked the vehicle in an area where visitors allowed to park. Rexin filled visitor's register.

101 C was closed, Ana rang the bell, amber colored door reflected their images upon it. Door opened slightly, while a figure of man appeared behind it, the smile was effortful. Tanned, handsome, a carbon framed specs gave him a geeky impression. He was in a sweat pants and half sleeved T-shirt. The stubbles in his face, shabby uncombed hairs could divulge his attitude towards personal grooming. He would be more handsome if had groomed properly, Ana thought. Mukesh politely welcomed his guests and asked them to sit.The apartment gave a feeling of huge hall rather than a living place, the furniture and other interior decorations were scanty.There were enough plastic chairs to accommodate all, there was a teapoy in the hall which had piles of newspaper and magazine.The team members started scanning for the photos of Riya, nothing hung on the wall.There weren’t any posters and photos, only naked pink wall.

I am alone here and if you want anything you can help yourself, I give you liberty. Mukesh said.

"Would you mind if I make coffee for all of us Mr. Mukesh? Ana asked.

Oh great … that is very kind of you miss.

Anamika, you can call me Ana.

Yes Miss Ana …thank you, the kitchen is one on the left. Mukesh showed the way.

Ana went inside kitchen it was big with scanty utensils and cutleries. Secluded widower's life was strange and quiet. But he was friendly in his appearance. Ana found a filter coffee maker which was in regular use. She began to prepare the coffee while men were sitting and introducing one another.

"I am reluctant to exhume the past, which I have buried years ago. But Daniel insisted, I could never decline.

The Chairman is having a tough time with business I think. He said everything in jeopardy due to this haunting Hemant said.

The Mist valley is a mystical place and no place in world I have visited made me feel eerie than this place. There is something special about that place and Mansion, it's not fully comprehensible by common mind, it's a place where no living soul could exist peacefully. There are invisible entities lurking everywhere.

Mean while Ana joined with tray of steaming cups filled with filter coffee.

We are professional ghost hunters, you may be familiar with paranormal research. We have a professional approach towards these kinds of situation, we can’t straight away decide a place or house is haunted, first we have to hear the accounts of victims, then a background study of the haunted site, after verifying the veracity of claims we will start investigation using modern gadgets sensitive to catch the energy fluctuation, which could confirm a presence of paranormal activity. The Team leader described.

I warn you the place is not just haunted, its more than that.

What you mean by that? Rexin asked.

What is there in the House Mr.Mukesh? Ana asked.

A thing that never walked on earth in a living form, a demonic entity which is very diabolic and vengeful.

You are saying that the house is haunted by a Demon? Noah asked.

Mukesh became silent and his eyes fixed on the roof and seem to be mulling something." Before you start your investigation in Mist valley, there is another person you should meet. Dr.Prabhul Sarkar, he is in Munnar.

Would you tell us your account? Naoh asked, it’s important for our further move he said.

I will not spare anything, wanted to lift the curse from that place.

Noah took his black leathered scribbler book and Ana switched