CHAPTER 1 Julie Khaleeli stared hesitantly at the squalid building in front of her. “Walk straight down the road,” the priest had said, “The last building on the left will be the one." ”Which door shall I knock on?” wondered Julie as she surveyed the line of doors in the decrepit old building that defied the very laws of gravity. It looked so ancient, that it ought to have been razed to the ground long ago.  The front portion leaned forward at an incline.  Huge chunks of plaster had fallen off the walls, and what was left of it was smeared with spittle and ugly patches of paint. Here and there, were remnants of cinema posters. Julie felt an urge to abandon her quest and flee. “No,” she told herself, “You have to do it.  It’s your only chance.” So, clenching her teeth she went forward boldly. She knocked on the first door. A quick glimpse of the inside, revealed a clean, well-furnished room, which was in perfect contrast to the sloppy appearance of the woman at the door.  The lady adjusted her spectacles and stared rudely at Julie. “You’re searching for accommodation?  Sorry.  The building won’t hold another soul.  It’ll collapse above our heads.” “Quite obvious,” thought Julie.  Aloud she said, “I’m looking for Ju Daniels the teacher.  I know that she lives here.” “That must be the disreputable school mistress who lives with that mysterious man.  Anyway, it’s no business of mine.  It sure takes all kinds to make a world.  But since she gives no trouble and pays the rent on time, why should I bother?” “Where does she live?” Julie managed to ask. “Thinks no end of herself, the little chit!  Won’t mix with anyone.  Believes she’s got blue blood in her veins.” “I’m in a bit of a hurry.  It’s quite dark, and I have to get back home.  Could you please………” “You’re just as bad as her.  Can’t spare a minute to talk to an old lady.  There, if you must know, it’s the last door on this line.” “Thanks and Good night.” She hurried along the corridor.  That part of the building was in darkness, but a light showed under the door.  She tapped twice but there was no response.  She heard the sound of shuffling feet and thought, “Well, I’ll have to dispense with formalities.” She gave a heavy push with her shoulder, and almost fell into the room.  Obviously, the door had not been locked. “Ju….,” she was about to call. But the words froze on her lips as her frightened eyes beheld the thing that lay huddled on the floor, almost at her feet.  The skull was bashed in like a deflated plastic balloon.  The face though turned a deathly blue, was unmistakable.  It was the girl she was looking for, the girl who had once been her friend!   She tried to scream but her vocal cords wouldn’t comply, and not even the faintest squeak escaped her lips.  She had one hand already on the door, but hesitated. “I’ve come this far.  I might as well look for my papers, or I’ll soon find myself on the streets,” she thought. She tiptoed to the bureau, as though afraid to wake the dead, and pulled open drawers.  There was an assortment of books, pencils, erasers – things that every teacher possesses.  But there was no sign of her papers.  Next, she tried the cupboard.  She was wildly pulling down the clothes, surprised at the number of dresses the girl had accumulated.  Somewhere among the folds of these clothes, she was sure to come across her certificates.  So engrossed in her search was she, that she did not notice the connecting door open slowly to admit a young man.  He stealthily crept up behind her.  Then something heavy came down on her head.  The room began to spin as she hit the ground in a faint. When she came to, she found herself in a car speeding away.  Her hands were pinned behind her back, and she was gagged and blindfolded.  Fortunately, the cloth tied over her mouth was not too tight, and her nose was free.  So she could breathe easily.  Julie’s head throbbed wildly and her bones ached.  She was in a crumpled position on the floor of the car and could hardly move her legs. The vehicle was speeding recklessly.  All of a sudden, there was a loud explosion which sounded like a burst tyre.  The vehicle swerved off the road and moved forward slowly.  The man in the driver’s seat, cursed as he brought the car to a halt. He got out and banged the door.  “I’ll be back in a while.  And mind you, no noise, unless you want to end up like Ju.” The car was locked, and Julie heard the man move away.  She could never tell how long she had lain there.  It might have been hours.  All she knew was that her head ached continuously, and that her throat was parched.  Sometimes she dozed off fitfully. Then after what seemed like years, the man came back.   He was working on the wheel, and from time to time let out an angry grunt.  At last his work was over.  She felt herself being lifted and moved to the front seat.  Once again, they were on their way, racing at break-neck speed.  All at once his arm stretched across to open the door on her side.  A strong hand gave her a sudden heave, and sent her rolling out of the door.  Then the car raced on over the jagged road. The pain in Julie’s body increased tenfold, when she hit the road, and rolled over and over.  “All the bones in my body must be broken,” she thought, as she finally came to rest on flat ground. “Oh God! Let some one find me soon, before I die.  Or may be it’s best that I die.  Then I can be close to Aga,” she moaned.                           To be continued…..