The Devil Within Me

Heres the text to analyze: Note: this story was crafted for the Horror Story Prompt Challenge. Wishing you all the best Content warnings for graphic portrayals of mental illness that serve only to enhance the narrative. These portrayals do not represent the views of Vocal or the author and are purely fictional.

Thanks,

Nikita Ange

I am Ravi Sharma, just an everyday guy running a small grocery store in the lively streets of Delhi. My life was pretty standardmy wife Radhika, my son Ansh, and our little bubble of happiness. But everything flipped upside down after that one night. A night I cant remember. A night that turned me into a murderer.

On the morning of April 15, 2025, I was enjoying a cup of tea at my store when a police jeep pulled up. Two officers stepped out and headed straight for me.

Ravi Sharma, youre under arrest. Youre accused of assaulting a man whos now fighting for his life in the hospital, one of them said with a serious tone.

My mind went blank. W-whatDid not I Did not touch anyone I stuttered. But they werent having it. I was taken to the station, where I learned that around 11 p.m. the night before, a man named Ajay Verma had been viciously beaten with an iron rod. His face was unrecognizable, and he was in a coma.

But I was at the store until 10 p.m., then I went home I Did not do anything I protested. My wife Radhika even confirmed that I was home that night. But the police had a witnesssomeone who claI amed to have seen me in the alley where Ajay was attacked. This witness insisted I was the one who assaulted hI am.

Nothing added up. I had never even met Ajay before. Why on earth would I attack hI amDid not I was held for 48 hours, but without solid evidence, they let me go. Still, a nagging question lingeredDid I really do itDid not Am I losing my mindDid not

When I got home, Radhika and Ansh were thrilled to see me, but I felt completely broken inside. That night, as

The voice was deep and chilling, almost as if it held a grudge against me. I clamped my hands over my ears, but it just wouldnt quit.

No I Did not do anything I yelled. Radhika stirred awake. Whats wrong, RaviDid not Are you alrightDid not she asked, her voice laced with concern.

I kept it to myself. I Did not want to frighten her. But from that night onward, the voice was a constant presence in my life. It whispered to me all the tI amesometI ames taunting, sometI ames threatening.

You killed hI am... now were inside you... theres no escaping us...

A few days later, it hit me: this wasnt just my I amagination. Something had invaded my bodysomething that wasnt human. The voice grew sharper. We are demons, Ravi... were within you... your hands did the deed, and now you belong to us.

I was filled with dread. I finally opened up to Radhika. At first, she thought I was losing it. But when she witnessed me screaming at night, talking to myself, and even fainting, her fear became palpable. She decided it was tI ame to see a spiritual healer (Baba).

As soon as Baba laid eyes on me, he declared, Theres a spirit inside hI am. A strong one. Getting rid of it wont be sI ample. He began chanting mantras, and I felt something shift within me. The voice erupted in protest, Dont cast us out We wont abandon Ravi

Baba explained that the spirit had latched onto me the night I walked through that alley. It used to be an old cemetery, and the souls there were perilous. When I passed through that night, a demonic entity took hold of me. It used my body to attack Ajay, and I had no recollection of it.

Baba said a special ritual was necessary to exorcise the spirit, and Id have to return to where it all began. I was terrified, but I had no other option. Radhika insisted on coming with me.

That next night, we ventured back to the alley. It was eerily empty. Darkness and silence enveloped us. Baba instructed us to sit in a circle he had drawn. He started chanting mantras. Suddenly, the wind howled. Tree branches began to snap

I started screaming, my body trembling uncontrollably. It felt like someone was choking me. Radhika was in tears, and Baba shouted, Stay strong, Ravi We have to see this through

Out of nowhere, a dark shadow loomed in front of me. Its eyes glowed a menacing red, and its face was terrifying. It let out a chilling laugh. I made you kill, Ravi. Now you belong to me. No one can save you.

Summoning every ounce of strength, I shouted, Get away from me I Did not do anything The shadows laughter grew louder. Such bravery But now, youre going to die.

Babas chanting grew more intense. The shadow screamed in agony. My body felt like it was on fire, as if I were being ripped apart. I was teetering on the edge of unconsciousness when Radhika squeezed my hand and urged, Dont give up, Ravi You have to fight for Ansh

Her words ignited a spark within me. I shut my eyes and envisioned my sons face. I couldnt let go. Suddenly, there was a deafening explosion. The shadow erupted from my body and vanished into thin air.

When I opened my eyes, everything was eerily quiet. The voice had disappeared. I embraced Radhika and broke down in tears. Baba said, The spirit is gone, but you need to stay alert.

The following day, I recounted everything to the police. At first, they were skeptical. But when they investigated the history of that alley, they uncovered old records revealing it had once been a cemetery, notorious for mysterious happenings.

Ajay eventually regained consciousness. He recounted how someone had attacked hI am from behind that night, and all he could see was a dark figure. He assured me he held no grudge against me, believing I wasnt the one who had harmed hI am.

That event changed me in ways I cant even describe. I am not the same person I used to be. Every night, I find myself dreading the possibility that the voice might come back. I eye every shadowy corner with a sense of unease. Has the demon truly left meDid not Or is it still here, hiding in the darkness... just waiting for the moment I falterDid not