Minds Unhinged

By Sayan Panda

"In the gripping anthology "Minds Unhinged" author Sayan Panda

ventures into the depths of the human psyche, exploring the darkest

corners of the mind with a collection of psychological thrillers that will

leave readers breathless. These twisted tales of suspense and intrigue

delve into the fragile boundaries between sani

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ukiyoto Publishing
• Release date: Apr 2, 2024
• ISBN: 9789362692658

Book preview

The Cosmic Deadline

S

hreya glanced at the clock - 10:03pm. She was curled up on the couch, blanket wrapped tightly around her body, as she had been for the past 271 days. Outside, the evening was dark and quiet. Part of her longed to feel the cool night air on her skin, to see the moon and stars above unobstructed by walls and windows. But an even greater part of her was paralyzed by fear - fear of the outside world, of unfamiliar spaces and people. 

Her agoraphobia had slowly taken over every aspect of her life. At first it was just a reluctance to go too far from home without having a panic attack. But over time, even the front porch became a terrifying threshold she dared not cross. Grocery deliveries and online ordering became her lifeline, her only connection to the outside. She knew deep down that she couldn't go on like this forever, trapped within her own home. But taking that first step into the unknown felt impossible.

A ding from her phone disrupted her anxious thoughts. It was a text from her best friend Max. Just checking in. You doing okay tonight? She hesitated, not wanting to worry him, then typed out a response. Hanging in here. Really not feeling up to going out though. As soon as she sent it, she regretted her honesty. Now he would pressure her again about getting help, finding a therapist, trying exposure therapy, anything to break this cycle that was consuming her. And part of her knew he was right, but the idea of intentionally putting herself in fear-inducing situations went against every instinct.

Her phone dinged again. I know it's hard. But you can't go on like this forever. You said yourself if you don't leave by midnight, you never will. I'm here for you, whatever you need. But please promise me you'll at least try.

Shreya stared at the message, anxiety squeezing her chest. She had said that in a moment of weakness, hoping to motivate herself with an artificial deadline. But now it felt like a looming threat, a noose tightening around her neck. Trying to steady her breathing, she typed out a reply. I'll think about it. No promises though.

As she hit send, something outside caught her eye. A figure was walking down the quiet street, pace hurried. Even in the dim lighting, she could see it was a hooded man, hands jammed in his pockets, head lowering avoiding any oncoming passersby. An uneasy feeling crept over her as he turned onto her block. There was something ominous in his demeanor that set her on edge. She watched, transfixed, as he slowly approached her house.

Her heartrate spiked as the figure stopped right outside her front gate. A shaky hand reached to pull back his hood, revealing a gaunt, unshaven face. She couldn't make out his features in the darkness, but his intense gaze seemed to pierce right through the window straight at her. Every instinct told her to hide, to pretend she wasn't home, but her feet were frozen to the spot.

After what felt like an eternity of holding her stare, the man reached into his pocket and pulled something out. A small rectangular object. As he turned it over in his hands, the blue glow of a cellphone screen briefly illuminated his sinister smile. Then, he tapped out a message and hit send.

A moment later, Shreya's phone buzzed in her hands. She didn't want to look, didn't want to confirm the frightening suspicion taking hold in her mind. But somehow she found the will to glance down at the new notification.

Unknown Number: I see you.

Her blood turned to ice. With shaking hands, she peered back out the window but the man was gone, vanished into the night as quickly as he had appeared. Terror clutched at her heart with an icy grip. Somewhere deep down, she knew this was no random occurrence. This was a threat.

Max answered on the first ring. Shreya? What's wrong? Are you OK? She struggled to get the words out through choked breaths. Max...s-someone was outside my house. H-he messaged me. I think he's watching me. There was a beat of silence as he processed the alarming information. I'm calling the police right now. Do not open the door for anyone, okay? I'm on my way over.

She paced the floor, checking every window and door lock, jumping at every small sound. What did this stranger want from her? Was he really just trying to scare her, or did he have darker intentions? The police and Max arrived within minutes of each other, taking her statement and dusting for fingerprints. But there were no signs of forced entry, no other clues as to the man's identity or motive. All they could do was increase patrols of the neighborhood for the night.

Sleep was impossible with the adrenaline still coursing through her veins. Every creak of the old house seemed amplified, each shadow taking on a sinister form in her anxious imagination. She replayed the encounter over and over, trying to make sense of it, to find some explanation that didn't involve a threat directed at her specifically. But no rational answers came, only more questions and fears.

As the night dragged on with no further incidents, exhaustion eventually overtook her racing mind. But her slumber was fitful, haunted by vivid nightmares of dark figures lurking just outside the window, out of reach but always watching, always waiting.

She woke with a start, disoriented, heart pounding. Bright sunlight was streaming in - had she really slept through the entire night and morning? Glancing at the clock, she was shocked to see it was already past noon. Her phone was dead, having forgotten to charge it after the harrowing events of the previous night. Stumbling downstairs in search of an outlet, that's when she noticed it.

A small white envelope had been slipped under the front door, her name scrawled across the front in black marker. Dread pooling in her stomach, she knew instantly who it must be from. Her hands trembled as she picked it up, half expecting some threatening message or gruesome photograph to spill out. But it was just a folded note, no visible contents.

With shaking hands, she unfolded the paper. Inside, in the same slanted handwriting:

My, my, you're quite jumpy these days aren't you? All cooped up in this little cage of a house. It must get awfully lonely. I thought I would check in, see how you're holding up after our little chat last night. Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you...yet. But you should know, these walls won't protect you forever. Midnight is coming closer every second. I'll be waiting to see if you decide to face your fears...or if they consume you instead. Tick tock!

Her blood ran cold. This was no random occurrence - she was being systematically stalked and terrorized by this unhinged madman. And now he knew where she lived, that she was home alone and vulnerable. A sob rose in her throat as panic overwhelmed her, crushing in its intensity. She was trapped in the worst way, with an imminent threat and no way to escape.

A soft knock at the door made her jump with a startled scream. Shreya? It's me, Max. Are you okay? Please open up. Never had she been so relieved to hear his voice. Unlocking the dozen deadbolts with shaking hands, she pulled the door open to see his worried face. Without a word she grabbed him in a tight hug, too distressed to speak, handing him the note with a sob.

His expression darkened as he read the cryptic message. We need to get you out of here. This psycho knows where you live now, it's not safe to stay. She could only nod weakly in agreement through shuddering breaths, the unbearable panic of her agoraphobia momentarily overwhelmed by an even greater terror. Where will I go? I can't...I'm not...

Hey, it's okay. One thing at a time. Just pack a bag, I'm taking you to my place for now until we sort this out. You won't be alone and you'll be safe with me, I promise. His calm, reassuring voice was like an anchor in the storm of fear raging inside her. With shaky hands, she hurriedly threw some clothes and necessities in a bag while Max called the police to file another report.

The short walk to his car felt like marching to the gallows, every cell in her body screaming in protest. But Max's steady presence helped ground her, keep the panic attack at bay through sheer force of will. As they pulled out of the neighborhood, she couldn't resist one last glance at the house that had been her sanctuary and her prison. A stark reminder burned into her mind - this was no longer a safe place to hide away from the world and its dangers. Out there, in the unknown, lay threats far worse than any she could have imagined.

The police had little to go on from the notes, no usable fingerprints or DNA. They increased patrols of the area and warned neighbors to be vigilant, but without further contact from the stalker it was hard to build a solid case. The lingering fear and unease kept Shreya on edge every moment, barely sleeping or eating in the following days.

With the threat still looming and no real leads, Shreya's anxiety grew each day spending time at Max's small apartment. As much as he tried to keep her distracted and safe, she could tell his patience was wearing thin. He didn't sign up to be her 24/7 protector from nameless fears.

A week passed with no further contact from the stalker. Shreya began to wonder if it had all been some cruel trick of the mind, an elaborate hallucination spawned from her agoraphobic isolation. Late one night as she tossed and turned unable to sleep, her phone pinged with a new message.

Don't go getting too comfortable now. Did you really think I'd forget about our little game so soon? The clock is ticking down whether you like it or not. If you don't face your fears by midnight, consequences will follow. I'm growing impatient for our final showdown. See you real soon...

Panic seized her chest in a vice grip once more. This was no illusion - a twisted psychopath was fixated on her and intent on following through with vague threats. But how could she possibly face her crippling agoraphobia on such a short deadline?

In a moment of desperation, she turned to Max. Please, you have to help me. I can't keep living like this, always looking over my shoulder waiting for the next threat. If I don't try to get better now, I never will. And I don't know if I can do it alone.

Through his own exhaustion, Max agreed to assist with an intensive exposure therapy program to help her gradually desensitize to anxiety-inducing social settings and spaces. In 10 hours they had to rebuild what fear and isolation had chipped away at over nearly a year. It would not be easy, but was her only chance at regaining control over her life.

Their first outing was a simple trip to the corner store, only a few blocks away but may as well have been on the other side of the world in Shreya's state of mind. Every fiber of her being screamed in protest with each shaking step further into the unknown. But with Max calmly coaching her breathing and grounding techniques, she was able to make it inside and interact with the cashier through the initial panic response.

Small wins like this gave her hope that overcoming seemed possible, even if the road was arduous. Each subsequent challenge built upon the last, from busy cafes to parks to populated shopping centers. By midnight, though mentally and physically spent, Shreya felt she had made incredible progress reconnecting to the outside world despite its uncertainties and potential for fear.

Max drove her home, and for the first time she did not dread what awaited behind that door. Whatever sick game the stalker wanted to play, she refused to be ruled by anxiety or threats any longer. Pushing open the front door with a newfound confidence, the last thing she expected was to find the lights flickering and a figure standing in the shadows…

Shreya froze in terror as the figure turned to face her, flickering candle in hand illuminating a sinister smile. It was him - the stalker who had tormented her for weeks, now waiting in her own home.

So glad you could finally join me, he purred. I was afraid you'd choose to live as a frightened mouse forever. But it seems the fire is still there, just needed a bit of...kindling.

Her mind raced trying to make sense of the situation. How had he gotten in without setting off any alarms? What more did he want from her? Shaking with fear but determined not to show further weakness, she stood her ground.

It's over. You don't scare me anymore. Now get out of my house before I call the police.

A chilling laugh was his only response. Oh my dear, it's not nearly over. Our game has only just begun. You see, I've been watching you...studying you. Learning all your fears, all the ways to break you down piece by piece.

He began to circle her slowly, like a predator closing in on injured prey. Through sheer force of will, she resisted the urge to cower or flee. What do you want from me? Why are you doing this??

Leaning in so she could feel his putrid breath, he whispered What I want is control. And I always get what I want in the end.

Before she could react, he lunged at her with lighting speed, clamping a chloroformed rag over her mouth. Her world went black as unconsciousness pulled her under. When she came to, she was tied to a chair in the dark basement, the stalker's chilling words echoing in her mind.

It seems the game had only just begun, and this psychopath held all the cards. As he loomed over her threatening unspeakable acts of violence, she knew one thing for certain - she had to find a way to escape before he destroys her, body and soul. Her greatest challenge had only begun, with humanity's darkest impulses waiting in the shadows to dismantle her will to survive.

Shreya's head spun as awareness slowly returned. The awful memories came flooding back - being ambushed in her own home, dragged down into this dark basement prison.

As her eyes adjusted to the dim light, she took in her dire situation. Her ankles and wrists were bound tightly to the chair with rough rope, chafing her skin. Empty boxes and discarded furniture were piled in the corners, clearly this place hadn't been used in a long time.

Fear sparked back to life as she noticed more troubling details. Coiled ropes, packing tape, plastic sheeting - the makings of unspeakable acts that made her blood run cold. Across the room, the stalker sat watching, idly toying with a large hunting knife.

When he saw her watching, he shot her a sickening smile. "Finally awake, I see. My apologies for