Out in the Open - A Rudransh Ray Mystery

Note - This is the first chapter of my novel Out in the Open - A Rudransh Ray Mystery

The shadow

The shadow waited. Two sharp eyes followed everything. Tall trees, long stretched gloom and a Victorian mansion against the expansion of sky. It could be a setting from a gothic movie. But, it was a reality.

Light from one of the rooms on the first floor’s window illuminated a part of the garden. In this glow, Shadow could make out forms of leaves, hedges and flowers. Smell of rose and wet soil hung in the air. Cloud gathered and for a moment everything vanished but the mansion and the white light.

Shadow felt a reassuring heaviness against the chest. Metal and Wood had been used to carve this knife. Its blade could split an oak tree wide open.

Just one slash and it will all be over. The shadow inhaled. A cakewalk, it’s gonna be. Swift and fast. A smile flashed. But it vanished a heart beat later. Through the cracks of leaves Shadow watched and calculated.

With one movement of eyes, Shadow measured the challenge ahead. The mansion stood silent. Against the star clothed backdrop, it created a contrast with all its gloom.  A slender figure came to view in the first floor’s window. She had a crimson night gown wrapped around her body. Night wind played with her loose hair. She moved away from the view. 

Pacing. 

Restless.